Domestic

Type

12 - 16 years

Lifespan

Medium to large

Size

7 - 9 kg

Weight

25 - 30 cm

Height

Playful, energetic, affectionate

Temperament

60 - 90 mins per day

Exercise

Medium to high maintenance

Grooming

The Highlander cat&#39;s lifespan typically ranges from 12 to 16 years. With proper care, a Highlander cat can enjoy a long, healthy life, staying energetic and affectionate throughout its <a href="/all-things-pet/caring-for-an-old-cat" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to caring for older cats">senior years</a>. And our <a href="/lifetime-pet-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Lifetime Pet Insurance page">Lifetime Pet Insurance</a> can be there for you and your Highlander throughout the years, thanks to our <a href="/pet-insurance-for-older-pets" title="Link to Everypaw's Pet Insurance for Older Pets page">cover for older pets</a>.&nbsp;

Considered to be a medium to large breed, male full-grown Highlander cats generally weigh between 7-9 kg (15-20 pounds) and stand around 25-30 cm tall at the shoulder, while females are slightly smaller. Their sturdy, muscular build gives them a more robust appearance compared to other domestic cat breeds.

What are Highlander cats' characteristics?

Highlander cats are known for their high energy, playful nature and affectionate temperament. They have a muscular build, striking curled ears and a wild appearance, making them both charming and active companions for families.

No cat breed is truly hypoallergenic. While Highlanders come in both short and long-haired varieties, they still shed and produce dander, which <a href="/all-things-pet/pet-allergies" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to coping with pet allergies in humans">can trigger allergies</a>. Regular grooming can help manage shedding.

The Highlander cat&#39;s lifespan typically ranges from 12 to 16 years. With proper care, a Highlander cat can enjoy a long, healthy life, staying energetic and affectionate throughout its senior years. And our <a href="/lifetime-pet-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Lifetime Pet Insurance page">Lifetime Pet Insurance</a> can be there for you and your Highlander throughout the years, thanks to our <a href="/pet-insurance-for-older-pets" title="Link to Everypaw's Pet Insurance for Older Pets page">cover for older pets</a>.&nbsp;

The Highlander <a href="/cat-insurance/cat-breed-guides" title="Link to Everypaw's Cat Breed Guides">cat breed</a> is a great choice for active individuals or families. They&#39;re high-energy, playful cats that thrive in households offering ample attention, exercise and mental stimulation.

With their robust, muscular bodies, Highlander cats are more than just a lap cat - it&#39;s a companion that loves adventure and interaction. If you&#39;re looking for a cat that is outgoing, affectionate and <a href="/all-things-pet/cat-games-for-cats" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to games you can play with cats">loves to play</a>, this breed will likely be a great fit.

In 2008, the Highlander breed was recognised by The International Cat Association (TICA) for competition in the Preliminary New Breed class. In 2016, it was moved up to the Advanced New Breed category.

The Highlander was finally accepted as a championship breed in the United States by the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) in 2022. The Highlander cat breed is known for its exotic, wild-cat appearance, with loosely curled ears, spotted or marbled markings, a bob or short tail, and a muscular build.

The Highlander cat is an energetic and affectionate breed that makes a wonderful companion for those who can dedicate the time and attention it needs. Their exotic appearance and high-energy personality make them stand out from other cats.

With proper care, attention, and <a href="/all-things-pet/bad-fur-day-read-our-cat-grooming-101" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to cat grooming">regular grooming</a>, a Highlander cat will thrive in an active, loving environment. If you&#39;re looking for a big, playful, and loyal companion, the Highlander cat may be the perfect fit for you.

That’s All You Need to Know About Highlander Cats

<ul>
	<li>Vetstream Ltd (online) Highlander. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://www.vetlexicon.com/felis/breeds/images/highlander/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's Highlander cat page">https://www.vetlexicon.com/felis/breeds/images/highlander/</a></li>
	<li>Cannon M, Chandler M &amp; German A (online) Obesity. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://www.vetlexicon.com/felis/nutrition/articles/obesity/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's obesity in cats page">https://www.vetlexicon.com/felis/nutrition/articles/obesity/</a></li>
	<li>Herrtage M, Hibbert A, Mooney C &amp; Peterson M (online) Hyperthyroidism. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://www.vetlexicon.com/felis/internal-medicine/articles/hyperthyroidism/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's ypertyhroidism in cats information page">https://www.vetlexicon.com/felis/internal-medicine/articles/hyperthyroidism/</a></li>
	<li>Vetstream Ltd &amp; Langley-Hobbs S (online) Hip: dysplasia. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://www.vetlexicon.com/felis/musculoskeletal/articles/hip-dysplasia/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's cat hip dysplasia page">https://www.vetlexicon.com/felis/musculoskeletal/articles/hip-dysplasia/</a></li>
</ul>

Content provided from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vetlexicon.com/felis/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's cat information">Vetstream&#39;s Vetlexicon Felis</a>.

Vetlexicon is the world&rsquo;s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world&rsquo;s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

A Highlander cat resting in a window sill

Highlander kittens are lively, curious, and full of energy. They love to play, whether it&#39;s chasing toys, climbing or interacting with their owners. As <a href="/cat-insurance/kitten-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Kiteen Insurance page">kittens</a>, they tend to be mischievous but also <a href="/all-things-pet/how-to-train-a-kitten" title="Link to Everypaw' guide to training a kitten">highly trainable</a>, eager to please and respond well to positive reinforcement.

Highlander kittens require lots of stimulation to prevent boredom. Early socialisation is important to ensure they grow up to be well-adjusted adults who are comfortable around people and other pets.

Highlander cats are highly social and love being the centre of attention. They bond closely with their family and thrive in households where they get plenty of interaction.

They&#39;re quite big cats and have lots of energy, so are better suited to homes where they can engage in active play and <a href="/all-things-pet/your-guide-to-cat-exercise" title="Link to Everypaw's Cat Exercise Guide">exercise regularly</a>.

Their affectionate nature also means they&#39;ll be by your side, often following you from room to room. They may not be ideal for homes with young children or other pets unless given proper training and socialisation.

When it comes to feeding your Highlander cat, providing a balanced and high-quality diet is essential to support its energy levels and overall health. This breed is muscular and has a high activity level, so look for food formulated for active cats or breeds with similar energy levels.

Split their meals into two servings per day to avoid overeating. <a href="/all-things-pet/how-to-tell-if-you-have-an-underweight-or-overweight-cat" title="Link to Everypaw's article: How to Tell if Your Cat is Under or Overweight">Monitoring their weight is important</a> since Highlander cats are <a href="/all-things-pet/obesity-in-dogs-cats-rabbits" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to obesity in pets">prone to obesity</a>, especially if they don&#39;t get enough exercise and indulge in too many treats.

Highlander cats come in both long-haired and short-haired varieties, and their <a href="https://m/all-things-pet/bad-fur-day-read-our-cat-grooming-101" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to cat grooming">grooming needs</a> vary depending on their coat type.

Long-haired Highlander cats require more frequent grooming, up to three times a week, to prevent matts and tangles, especially around their curled ears and underbelly.

Short-haired Highlander cats are easier to groom but should still be brushed regularly to remove dead hair and keep their coat healthy. Be sure to regularly trim their nails, clean their ears and <a href="/all-things-pet/how-to-keep-your-cats-teeth-clean" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to caring for your cat's teeth">brush their teeth</a> to maintain good hygiene.

Highlander cats are incredibly playful and require a lot of physical activity to stay healthy and happy. If they don&#39;t get enough exercise, they can become bored, which may lead to destructive behaviour. These cats love to <a href="/all-things-pet/cat-games-for-cats" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to games to play with your cat">engage in games</a> like fetch, puzzle toys, and interactive play.

Plan for at least 60-90 minutes of active playtime each day to help burn off their excess energy. Since they&#39;re so intelligent, Highlander cats can also be trained to perform tricks and follow commands with positive reinforcement. They&#39;re eager to please, making training enjoyable.

Whether you get a long or short-haired Highlander Cat one thing is for sure, you&#39;re getting an incredibly fun-loving, bubbly and active kitty.

With all that exercise and fun games ahead of you, it&#39;s a good idea to get some cat insurance that can keep up. <a href="/cat-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Cat Insurance page">Everypaw&#39;s Cat Insurance</a> comes with access to vet support whenever you need if via the <a href="/petcall" title="Link to Everypaw's Petcall page">Petcall</a> service and you have the freedom to manage your policy completely online in the <a href="/pet-portal-info" title="Link to Everypaw's Pet Portal information page">Pet Portal</a>.

Link to get an Everypaw Cat Insurance quote

Highlander cat lying down on a grey dining room chair

Highlander Cat Insurance, Care and Health Advice

The Highlander cat is a cross between the Desert Lynx and Jungle Curl breeds. Originally named the Highland Lynx, refinement began in 2004 to make it a more distinguishable breed. If you&#39;re hoping to add one of these majesttic kitties to your home, then here&#39;s everything you need to know about them.

PRA is an inherited condition in Highlander cats that causes gradual degeneration of the retina, leading to <a href="/all-things-pet/can-cats-see-in-the-dark" title="Link to Everypaw's blog - Can Cats See in the Dark?">night blindness</a> and eventually, total blindness. Symptoms include difficulty seeing in low light and bumping into objects. While there&#39;s no cure, early detection through regular eye examinations can help manage the condition.

Cats with PRA can adapt to blindness with proper care and support, and routine veterinary check-ups are essential to monitor their progression.

Hyperthyroidism is a <a href="/all-things-pet/things-to-look-out-for-in-old-cats" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to things to look out for in older cats">common condition in older Highlander cats</a>, where the thyroid gland produces excessive hormones, leading to symptoms like weight loss, increased appetite, and hyperactivity.

Other signs may include <a href="/all-things-pet/vomiting-in-cats-when-to-worry" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to cat vomit">vomiting</a>, excessive thirst, and rapid heart rate. Treatment options include medication, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery to remove the thyroid gland. With proper treatment, <a href="/all-things-pet/hyperthyroidism-in-cats" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to hyperthyroidism in cats">cats with hyperthyroidism</a> can live long, healthy lives.

Highlander cats can be prone to hip dysplasia, a hereditary condition where the hip joint doesn&#39;t form properly. This leads to pain, limping, difficulty jumping and decreased mobility. In severe cases, it can cause lameness or difficulty walking.

Maintaining a healthy weight and providing regular veterinary check-ups can help manage the condition. Treatment options may include pain relief, weight control and sometimes surgery to improve joint function and overall comfort.

Obesity is a common issue in Highlander cats, often caused by overeating, lack of exercise or an underlying health problem. It can lead to joint issues, <a href="/all-things-pet/diabetes-in-cats." title="Link to Everypaw's guide to diabetes in cats">diabetes</a> and a reduced lifespan. Signs include weight gain, lethargy and difficulty moving.

Managing obesity involves portion control, a balanced diet, regular exercise and sometimes medical intervention. Regular vet check-ups are important to monitor your cat&#39;s weight and ensure their overall health.

Common Exotic Shorthair Health Problems by Vetstream

Highlander cats are generally a healthy breed, but they may be prone to certain <a href="/all-things-pet/10-common-cat-illnesses-and-symptoms" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to 10 common cat illnesses">common cat health conditions</a>. Everypaw has partnered with veterinary experts Vetstream to give you an overview of the conditions that may affect Highlander cats.

<ul>
	<li>Vetstream Ltd (online) Highlander. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://www.vetstream.com/treat/felis/freeform/exotic-shorthair" target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's Exotic Shorthair cat page">https://www.vetstream.com/treat/felis/freeform/exotic-shorthair</a></li>
	<li>Cannon M, Chandler M &amp; German A (online) Obesity. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://www.vetstream.com/clinical-reference/felis/diseases/kidney-autosomal-dominant-polycystic-kidney-disease" target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's cat autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease page">https://www.vetstream.com/clinical-reference/felis/diseases/kidney-autosomal-dominant-polycystic-kidney-disease</a></li>
	<li>Herrtage M, Hibbert A, Mooney C &amp; Peterson M (online) Hyperthyroidism. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis/client-information/autosomal-dominant-polycystic-kidney-disease" target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's cat autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease client informationpage">https://www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis/client-information/autosomal-dominant-polycystic-kidney-disease</a></li>
	<li>Vetstream Ltd &amp; Langley-Hobbs S (online) Hip: dysplasia. In: Vetlexicon Felis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://www.vetstream.com/treat/felis/diseases/brachycephalic-airway-obstruction" target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's cat brachycephalic airway obstruction page">https://www.vetstream.com/treat/felis/diseases/brachycephalic-airway-obstruction</a></li>
</ul>

Highlander Cat Insurance and Health Advice | Everypaw

Get a quote for your Highlander's Insurance

Highlander

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The benefit values featured in the table may vary across the different levels of cover and will depend on the cover you choose. Please check your cover before purchasing. Be aware, for some breeds of dogs we do not provide our &pound;8k and &pound;10k Lifetime cover. 
 
All policies and features are subject to special conditions and exclusions of the insurers, please click the link to read about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/pet-insurance-policy-exclusions" title="Link to Everypaw's Pet Insurance Exclusions page">our policy exclusions</a>. 
 
Excess is applicable to all vet fees claims. When your pet reaches a certain age, the excess payable may change. The excess will be your set excess plus a percentage of your claim amount.

Getting your furry friend covered shouldn&#39;t just come down to cost. There&#39;s a lot more to it than that, so take the time to do a pet insurance comparison. Think about their breed, the level of cover they might need, and what would be important to you. After all, insurance is there for both of you.

One of the best ways to do that is to compare cover levels. This will give you an idea of how much your pet insurance will cost, how much you can claim against vet bills, as well as the policy benefits. It&#39;s all about finding the Lifetime Pet Insurance that works best for you and your pet.

*Based on Everypaw claims data from February 2024 to March 2025

*Based on Everypaw claims data from January 2025 to January 2026

Deciding which pet insurance your furry bundle of fun needs can be tricky, especially if you&#39;re a new fur-parent. That&#39;s why here at Everypaw.com, we&#39;re trying to keep things simple, we&#39;re all about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/lifetime-pet-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Lifetime Pet Insurance page">Lifetime Pet Insurance</a>.

Our Lifetime cover is available for your cats, dogs and rabbits. And if you&#39;re looking to cover your cat or dog, there&#39;s a range of cover levels to choose from. Lifetime covers your pet up to a set vet fee limit, and the limits reset for every year of cover.

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As our furry companions age, they&#39;re more likely to suffer from ailments and illnesses here and there. And we want you to be able to look after your pet well into retirement. That&#39;s why we don&#39;t have age limits on our policies. Our <a href="https://www.everypaw.com/pet-insurance-for-older-pets">pet insurance for older pets</a> can help you do the most important thing &ndash; looking after your pet.

What about younger pets? We also offer <a href="https://www.everypaw.com/cat-insurance/kitten-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Kitten Insurance page">kitten</a> and <a href="https://www.everypaw.com/dog-insurance/puppy-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Puppy Insurance page">puppy insurance</a>, covered by our cat and dog insurance. No matter how old or young your purr-fect pet is, our pet insurance can give you all-important peace of mind.&nbsp;

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Whether you are looking for a playmate for your pet or if your house is more like a <a href="/dog-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Dog Insurance page">dog</a>, <a href="/cat-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Cat Insurance page">cat</a> and <a href="/rabbit-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Rabbit Insurance page">rabbit</a> smallholding, you need multi-pet insurance that works for you. Everypaw&#39;s policies are just that and give you a discount on every pet too. No matter how many pets you have, from glorious <a href="/dog-insurance/dog-breed-guides/golden-retriever-insurance-care-and-health-advice" title="Link to Everypaw's Golden Retriever Dog Breed Guide page">Golden Retrievers</a> and majestic <a href="/cat-insurance/cat-breed-guides/maine-coon-cat-insurance-care-and-health-advice" title="Link to Everypaw's Maine Coon Cat Breed Guide page">Maine Coons</a> to lovely <a href="/rabbit-insurance/rabbit-breed-guides/lionhead-rabbit-insurance-care-and-health-advice" title="Link to Everypaw's Lionhead Rabbit Breed Guide page">Lionheads</a>, it&#39;s there for every single paw.

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How Does Pet Insurance Work: Getting a Quote

Our pet insurance quote form takes just 3 minutes to fill out. Here&#39;s how it works:

<ul>
	<li>Select which type of pet you&#39;re looking to insure and enter their age, breed and sex</li>
	<li>Enter basic personal details about yourself including your email and home addresses</li>
	<li>Select your vet fees limit</li>
	<li>We&#39;ll give you a pet insurance price! And we&#39;ll show you what the cost is for the year, plus what your monthly instalments will look like if you choose to pay that way</li>
</ul>

Will my pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Ever found the urge to discover what the best dog breeds to train are or maybe you want to get to the bottom of your pet&#39;s worm problem.&nbsp;<a href="/all-things-pet" title="Link to Everypaw's All Things Pet blog">Everypaw&#39;s All Things Pet blog</a>&nbsp;has the content to keep you informed.

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When Can Kittens Go Outside?

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Our Top Tips on How to Calm an Excited Dog

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When Can Puppies Go Outside?

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For that extra peace of mind when your pets get up to mischief, there&#39;s Everypaw. Our pet insurance is for cats, dogs and rabbits, and every policy comes with unlimited 24/7 access to vet nurses and vets. So, if you ever feel a bit &#39;for pet&#39;s sake&#39;, know Everypaw is here for you and your pet when you need us most!

Why Choose Everypaw for Pet Insurance in the UK?

<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/multi-pet-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Multi-pet Insurance page">Insure multiple pets</a>&nbsp;for a multi-pet discount

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Choosing the right pet health insurance isn&#39;t always easy. We know that. And we also know that a key part of deciding is knowing what&#39;s not covered. That way, at least there are no nasty surprises in terms of coughing up for bills that you thought were going to be taken care of by your policy.

So, here are a few of the main exclusions on our pet insurances:

<ul>
	<li>Treatment for any pre-existing conditions</li>
	<li>Treatment for poisoning or any accidental injury that occurs in the first 3 days of your policy*</li>
	<li>Treatment for any illness that occurs in the first 14 days of your policy*</li>
	<li>Treatment related to vaccine-preventable conditions</li>
	<li>Treatment related to breeding, pregnancy or birthing</li>
	<li>Treatment on baby teeth if your pet is over 16 weeks when your policy starts</li>
</ul>

*Switching to Everypaw Pet Insurance? If you can prove your previous insurance runs up to the policy start date, we can waive this for you.

Please see our <a href="/Home/pet-insurance-policy-exclusions.html" title="Link to Everypaw's Policy Exclusions page">exclusions page</a>&nbsp;for further details.

Fingers crossed, you never have to! We want to reassure you that claiming on your pet health insurance is as hassle-free as possible. That&rsquo;s why we have Vet Pawtal. A direct platform for vets so they can submit claims and leave you to care for your pet.

Vet Pawtal is the fastest and most efficient way to claim. There&rsquo;s no more paperwork for you, and we&rsquo;ll keep you updated every step of the way.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

If your vet can&rsquo;t submit the claim, don&rsquo;t worry; you can still submit it in the <a href="https://petportal.everypaw.com/register#login" target="_blank" title="Link to the Everypaw Pet Portal">Everypaw Pet Portal</a>. It&rsquo;s straightforward; just log in and follow the instructions. Alternatively,&nbsp;you can <a href="https://www.everypaw.com/downloads-2020/everypaw-claim-form.pdf" target="_blank" title="Link to download an Everypaw claim form">download a claim form</a>, but this can take longer.

Please refer to the guidance in your policy documents for Third Party Liability claims.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

For more information, head to our <a href="/Home/claims.html">Pet Insurance Claims information page</a>.

We know pets are just as much a part of your family as any human. So, we know how important it is to you that they&#39;re protected. Choose Everypaw for pet insurance in the UK and give yourself that priceless peace of mind.

We know things can be tough right now, with many people facing money worries. If you have such concerns, please get in touch with us, as we may be able to offer some options to help, which could include reducing your cover or increasing your excess.

If you wish to find out more and your eligibility for any options, please call <a href="tel:03445431009" title="Call Everypaw Customer Services and Claims">0344 543 1009</a>.

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Everypaw partners with David Baddiel: Cat Man

Everypaw is proud to sponsor David Baddiel: Cat Man, a brand-new Channel 4 series that celebrates everything we love about cats. Hosted by David Baddiel, Cat Man explores the quirks of cat behaviour, shares heartwarming stories from cat owners across the UK and brings you fascinating feline facts you won&#39;t want to miss.

Don&#39;t miss out and join us in celebrating the wonderful world of cats! You can stream all three episodes now on Channel 4 now.

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Dog Insurance

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Pet Insurance | UK Pet Insurance Quotes | Everypaw

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Highlander Cat Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Highlander Cat Facts

Is an Highlander Cat Right for Me?

What are Highlander Kittens Like?

Life with an Highlander Cat

Caring for Your Highlander

Dinner time

Grooming time

Training & exercise