What Kind of Cat Is in the Highmark Commercial? Famous Cat Breeds Revealed
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In 2020, Highmark Health unveiled a new safety campaign featuring an adorable cat, possibly of the Ragdoll breed. The humorous ad was directed toward younger audiences to highlight the importance of social distancing and hygiene amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ad strategically uses a cat not only because of the popularity of the pet, but also because of the general “judgmental” attitude and cleanliness of cats. What better way to showcase social hygiene than with an animal that’s the “clean freak” poster child?
What Breed Is the Featured Cat in the Highmark Health Commercial
- The cat in the Highmark Health commercial has a stunning gray face—which appears like a “mask”—and a white or cream coat, as well as beautiful blue eyes. These features are common with Ragdoll cats, a large cat breed with a colorpoint coat and blue eyes.
- The cat in the commercial also has a silky, long coat, which is characteristic of Ragdoll cats. This breed is favored for its docile and affectionate nature, making it a good choice for the demands of acting.
- Of course, in the commercial, the cat is being judgmental toward its owner for not properly washing his hands—an important aspect of COVID-19 precautions. The Ragdoll is an agreeable cat breed, though also very clean, so it could go either way.
More About Ragdoll Cats
The Ragdoll is a newer cat breed that was created in the 1960s by Anne Baker, a cat breeder in California. She used an Angora cat with seal points (white gloves and boots over a Siamese colorpoint) male and a solid black cat to produce Ragdolls. In 1981, these cats were imported to the UK by separate breeders to create a cat with glamorous looks and easygoing nature.
Ragdoll cats are known for being gentle giants. The cats are large and muscular with a broad chests, short necks, and strong, sturdy legs. They also have long, silky, and dense coats and fluffy legs and tails. These cats come in different coat patterns, all with four colors.
As far as personality, it does not get much better than Ragdolls! These cats are talkative, friendly, and affectionate, perfect for first-time cat owners. Though playful and curious, they are happy to be left alone or relax with their owners.
These cats are also highly social and enjoy spending time with family members, including children. They can get along with dogs and other cats in the same home, especially with adequate socialization.
The only high-maintenance aspect of the Ragdoll is its grooming needs. That long, luxurious coat needs regular brushing and deshedding to avoid tangles and mats, but it’s a small price to pay for the love and affection of this gentle giant!
Conclusion
The Highmark Health commercial leverages tropes about cats, such as obsessive cleanliness and a “judgy” attitude, to drive home the point of social distancing and social hygiene among younger audiences during the pandemic. The cat featured in the commercial has stunning blue eyes and a long, luxurious coat, meaning it’s likely to be the favored Ragdoll cat breed.
Featured Image Credit By: Characters by Highmark Inc. All rights reserved to the copyright owners.
