The Wildest Domestic Cat: Feral Or Friendly?

wildest domestic cat

Hybrid cats are a cross between a domestic cat and a wild cat breed. The goal of hybridisation is to combine the physical features of a wild cat with the temperament of a domestic cat. The most common hybrid cat breeds are Bengal cats, Savannah cats, and Chausie cats. Bengal cats are a cross between an Asian leopard cat and a domestic cat, usually an Egyptian Mau. They are known for their wild-looking spots and marbling, as well as their love for water and dog-like personalities. Savannah cats are a cross between a serval and a domestic cat, typically a Siamese. They are tall, lean, and have distinctive dark spots. Chausie cats are a cross between jungle cats and domestic cats. They are playful, social, and built for running and jumping.

While hybrid cats may look like domestic cats, they often have wild personalities that can make them more challenging to care for than traditional house cats. It is important for prospective hybrid cat owners to research the specific breed they are interested in, including personality traits, hereditary issues, expected lifespan, size, and activity requirements. Additionally, it is crucial to check the regulations in your state or country regarding hybrid cat ownership, as some hybrids may be banned or require special permits.

Characteristics Values
Height 13-18 inches
Weight 8-24 lbs
Coat and Color Short hair, wide variety of colors with spots, rosettes, or marbling
Life Expectancy 9-20 years

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Bengal cats are a hybrid of a domestic cat and an Asian leopard cat

Bengal cats are a hybrid breed, resulting from the crossing of an Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) with domestic cats, especially the spotted Egyptian Mau. The breed was first created in 1963 by cat breeder Jean Mill, who crossed Asian leopard cats with domestic cats.

Bengal cats have a distinctive appearance, with short, soft coats featuring spots, rosettes, arrowhead markings, or marbling. Their colouring can vary, with brown spotted/rosetted bengals being the most popular, but also including red, black, ticked, grey, clouded, and more. Their eyes are large, and their height ranges from 13 to 16 inches, with a weight of 8 to 15 lbs.

Bengal cats are known for their intelligence and curiosity, as well as their love of water. They can be very active and require more mental and physical stimulation than some other breeds. They are also known to have very dog-like personalities and are often affectionate. However, they can be challenging to care for due to their wild instincts, and they may be prone to certain health issues such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, progressive retinal atrophy, and pyruvate kinase deficiency.

Due to their wild tendencies, Bengal cats are regulated or banned in some places. They are considered "domestic" in the US if they are G5 (fifth-generation) or beyond, meaning they are at least five generations removed from the Asian leopard cat. In some states and cities, there are laws against owning Bengals, especially early-generation cats.

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Savannah cats are a cross between a serval and a domestic cat

Savannah cats are a crossbreed between a serval and a domestic cat. The first Savannah cat was born in 1986 when a male serval was crossbred with a Siamese domestic cat. The breed is now recognised by The International Cat Association (TICA) as a championship breed, which means they are able to compete in TICA-sanctioned shows.

The Savannah cat is a hybrid breed, with each generation of Savannahs marked with a filial number. The cats produced directly from a serval x domestic cat cross are termed F1, and they are 50% serval. F1 Savannahs can be very large, and in 2016 an F2 male attained a world record for the tallest cat at 48.4cm. F1 and F2 generations are usually the largest due to the stronger genetic influence of the African serval ancestor.

The Savannah cat's appearance is influenced by specific serval characteristics, including large and erect ears, long body and legs, wide noses, and hooded eyes. The coat of a Savannah should have a spotted pattern, the only pattern accepted by the TICA breed standard. The standard also allows four colours: brown-spotted tabby, silver-spotted tabby, black, and black smoke.

Savannah cats are known for their loyalty, and they will follow their owners around the house. They can be trained to walk on a leash and to fetch. They are also known for their high intelligence and curiosity, which can lead to mischief if left alone for too long. They are often likened to dogs due to their adventurous, affectionate, and curious nature.

The breed is considered to be the largest type of recognised and registered pet cat breed. Some states and cities have laws against owning Savannah cats, especially earlier generations, but most recognise them as domesticated pets.

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Chausie cats are a result of hybrids of a jungle cat and a domestic cat

The Chausie cat is a hybrid domestic cat breed, resulting from the cross-breeding of small wild cats with domestic breeds. The breed was developed by breeding individuals from the non-domestic species jungle cat (Felis chaus) with a far greater number of domestic cats (Felis catus).

The first hybrids of the jungle cat and the domestic cat may have been born in Egypt several thousand years ago. The ancient Egyptians kept domestic cats as pets, and even mummified them. The jungle cat is native to a vast region spanning Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East, and is also found in the Nile Delta in North Africa. As domestic cats frequently encountered jungle cats along the Nile and within their owners' homes, hybrids of the two species were probably often born.

In the 1960s and 1970s, breeders began to experiment with breeding the two species, aiming to provide a sensible alternative to keeping non-domestic cats as pets. However, the Chausie breed as we know it today did not begin until the 1990s, when a dedicated group of breeders named the breed "Chausie" and developed a planned breeding program.

Chausies are medium to large hybrid cats, weighing in at about 25 pounds when full-grown, and can be nearly twice as tall as regular domestic cats. They are highly intelligent, adventurous, playful, and social, getting along well with other animals in the household. They are also known as "Jungle Curl", "Stone Cougar", or "Mountain Cougar".

Chausies are bred to be larger than traditional domestic breeds, with a long-bodied and leggy build, deep-chested with flat sides, broad and tall ears set high on the head, prominent and angular cheekbones, and flattened eyes forming a half-oval shape. The breed standard allows three colors: solid black, black grizzled tabby, and black (or brown) ticked tabby.

Chausies are considered "true" breeds at the fourth generation of breeding, with their DNA being 1/16th Jungle cat. They are mostly descended from domestic cats, and by the fourth generation, they are fully fertile and completely domestic in temperament.

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Serengeti cats are a combination of the Bengal cat and the Oriental Shorthair

The Serengeti cat is a hybrid breed of domestic cat, a combination of the Bengal cat and the Oriental Shorthair. The breed was first developed by biologist Karen Sausman of Kingsmark Cattery in California in 1994. The goal of breeding the Serengeti cat is to produce a cat that physically resembles the wild Serval cat without any actual Serval blood. The breed is still in its development stages, but the ultimate aim is to create a cat with the appearance of a wild Serval and the temperament of a domestic cat.

Serengeti cats are known for their long legs, large ears, and spotted coats. They have a long neck that blends with the base of the skull without tapering, and their ears are as long as their entire head. The spots in their short, silky coats should always be clearly visible and widely spaced. Serengeti cats are typically yellow to golden or cool grey with black spots, but they can also be silver with black spots.

In terms of temperament, Serengeti cats are active, agile, and vocal. They are also described as self-confident, open, and friendly. They may be shy when entering a new home, but once they adjust, they become very affectionate and form strong bonds with their favourite people. Serengeti cats are also known to be very talkative and will happily communicate through a unique blend of chirps, mews, and purrs. They are intelligent, playful, and affectionate, and they require plenty of exercise and playtime to expend their energy.

Serengeti cats are generally considered to be healthy, with a lifespan of 8 to 15 years. However, they can develop certain genetic health conditions, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD). They may also be prone to bladder stones and urinary crystals.

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Pixie-bob cats have some bobcat features like tufted or tipped ears and a shorter, bobbed tail

The Pixie-bob cat breed is believed to have stemmed from natural matings between the American bobcat and feral domestic cats or barn cats. However, DNA tests have not found bobcat genes in the breed, and they are considered wholly domestic. Pixie-bobs are large and sturdy and resemble bobcats, but they are legal to own, unlike exotic wild cats.

Pixie-bobs have some bobcat features, including tufted or tipped ears and a shorter, bobbed tail. Their tails are a minimum of 2 inches long but no longer than the cat's hocks, or "knees" of the hind legs. However, some Pixie-bobs do have full-length tails, although this is less common. The ears of Pixie-bobs are often lynx-tipped, and they usually have "mutton chop" sideburns.

Pixie-bobs are highly social and active cats, and they are known for making chirping noises. They are also one of the few breeds that allow polydactyl toes in the breed standard, with a maximum of seven toes per paw. Pixie-bobs are intelligent, easy-going, friendly, and affectionate. They are also good with children and other pets, and they can be leash-trained.

Frequently asked questions

A hybrid cat is a cross between a domestic cat and a wild cat breed. Hybrid cats often look like domestic cats but may have very wild personalities, especially in the first few generations.

Some examples of hybrid cats include Bengal cats, Savannah cats, and Chausies.

Hybrid cats may have wild instincts and require more mental and physical enrichment than domestic cats. It is important to research the specific breed and its unique needs before bringing a hybrid cat into your home. Additionally, there may be legal restrictions on owning hybrid cats in certain areas, so be sure to check the regulations in your state or country.

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