Havana Brown
The Havana Brown is one of the rarest pedigree cat breeds — a warm, rich chocolate-brown cat from root to tip, with the distinctive combination of chocolate coat, vivid green eyes, and uniquely rose-toned nose leather.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United Kingdom
Lifespan
12–15 years
Weight
2.5–4.5 kg (5.5–10 lbs)
Height
25–30 cm (10–12 in)
Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Havana Brown is one of the rarest pedigree cat breeds — a warm, rich chocolate-brown cat from root to tip, with the distinctive combination of chocolate coat, vivid green eyes, and uniquely rose-toned nose leather. Developed in the UK in the 1950s by crossing Siamese with black domestic shorthairs (and later Chocolate Point Siamese), the breed was named for its resemblance to the colour of Havana cigars. The American Havana Brown diverged significantly from the British development (the Havana in Britain is also known as the Havana or Oriental Chocolate) and is now a distinct type.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Havana Brown is a medium-sized cat of moderate foreign type — between the extreme Oriental Shorthair and the rounded British Shorthair. The coat is exclusively a warm, rich chocolate brown — unique in having a slightly reddish, mahogany quality rather than the colder brown of other chocolate-coloured cats. The eyes are vivid green. The nose leather is uniquely rose-toned or pinkish-brown — unlike any other breed.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
Coat Length
short
Coat Type
smooth
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Havana Browns are affectionate, curious, and people-oriented — they are known for using their paws to touch and tap their owners' faces and hands, a tactile communication behaviour unique to the breed. They are playful and form strong bonds with their family.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
4/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
Ideal Weather
15°C to 28°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Preferred
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
40%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
chatty
Stress Signals
clinginess, vocalisation, over-grooming, withdrawal
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Minimal grooming — weekly polishing with a chamois or soft cloth to maintain the glossy chocolate coat. Regular dental care important.
Nutrition Notes
Generally healthy breed. HCM in some lines. Chocolate brown always — unique solid colour. Moderate calorie needs.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
HCM. Dental disease. Very few other issues. Always chocolate brown with green eyes — one of the most distinctive-looking cats. Named for Havana cigars (colour), not Cuba. 12-15 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
350 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
250 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
One of the rarest breeds — small gene pool makes health monitoring important. HCM. Dental disease from Siamese heritage. Calcium oxalate bladder stones occur in some individuals.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Chocolate brown always. Named for cigar colour. India: suits climate.
Purchase Price
$800 to $2,500
Adoption Fee
$75 to $350
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Havana Brown uses its paws to tap and explore objects and people — this "reaching out and touching" behaviour is so characteristic of the breed that it was specifically noted in early breed descriptions and is considered a defining behavioural trait.
The Havana Brown is one of the rarest pedigree cats in the world — CFA registrations number in the hundreds annually, making it among the least numerous of all recognised breeds.
The breed is named for its resemblance to the colour of Havana cigars — the warm, rich, slightly reddish-brown tobacco colour is a precise description of the ideal Havana Brown coat.
