When one thinks of “exotic cats”, images of tigers or snow leopards may come to mind. however, there are exotic cats that are legal to keep as domesticated pets here in the United States.
Exotic cats kept as pets in the home may be more feral than your average tabby cat, but they won’t feed on humans. These cats can make a great pet for the right owner, but you should proceed with caution before making a purchase. Here’s what to consider before bringing an exotic pet into your home:
the reality of keeping exotic cats as pets
When justin bieber bought two savannah cats, a mix between a domestic breed and a wild african serval, he faced strong backlash from peta’s senior vice president, lisa lange. Lange said Bieber was helping fuel “dangerous demand for hybrid cats,” in part because they’re not legal in all states. In fact, the Savannah cats that Bieber bought for $35,000 are legally restricted or banned in Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Nebraska, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, and Vermont. If he is interested in purchasing exotic cats, be thorough in your research on the legality of the purchase in his state.
Feral cat breeds are also quite expensive (as the bieber price might suggest), with prices ranging from $1,500 to $20,000 per cat. Furthermore, the amount of money you would have to spend on legal exotic cat care is much higher than what you would pay for a normal breed of cat. Veterinary expenses can add up quickly as exotic cats require special care from a veterinarian who specializes in zoo animals.
the best exotic cats for the home
If you’re determined to bring an exotic cat into your home as a pet, it’s good to learn about each breed so you know which one would be best for you. Here are some of the best exotic pets for cats to consider:
services
Originating from Africa, servals are popular exotic cats that are legal in the US. uu. The Serval, which is the type of cat that Bieber bought, has a spotted coat and long legs in comparison to its body. some compare the serval to a cheetah because of its appearance, but it is actually much shorter than a cheetah.
The serval is a medium-sized cat. aloof and silent, they will shy away from average-sized people and have never been known to be dangerous or threatening to humans. they prefer small animal prey, such as birds, rodents, or small antelopes. The serval cat is not an avid climber, which makes it easier to pen than other exotic cats. they communicate mainly by whistling and eat two to three pounds of meat a day.
ocelot
Native to South America, the ocelot is a small wild cat with beautiful markings. these legal exotic cats are very rare in the pet trade, making them difficult to acquire. Compared to other exotic cats, they are more difficult to keep as pets. an ocelot will not normally pay attention to disciplinary orders.
renowned artist salvador dali owned an ocelot cat named babou. it is well known that dalí took babou everywhere with him: to restaurants, on ocean liners and to hotels, which is not highly recommended with ocelot cats. ocelots are not usually social creatures and may emit a disturbing growl as a mating call that can scare humans away.
lynxes
This stocky, medium-sized cat is native to North America. Of all the different types of exotic cats, the Bobcat will bond strongly with their owners. but wildcats possess the strength to kill a full-grown human. they are short and muscular, and hunt adult deer in the wild. for this reason, it is not the best exotic cat as a pet for those with children, and should be closely supervised or kept away from them altogether.
When a bobcat is bred in captivity, it can become very adorable. Bobcats can even be friendly with deer when raised with them from kittenhood. They are also very affectionate with dogs. however, never forget that bobcats can be very dangerous. they do have moments of aggression, so they should be kept in a large, sturdy cage outdoors during these episodes.
Canadian lynx
Native to the northern parts of North America, the Canada lynx has a thick coat and is prone to shedding. these exotic cats are active climbers and prefer to be on high points in the house. Since the Canadian lynx is a climbing animal, its enclosures must be designed accordingly.
Although Canada lynx do not form a devoted relationship with their human, they are calm because their temper tantrums are less severe and good with strangers. this cat, however, is not eager to go for a walk.
caracas
Originally from Africa and Asia, the caracal is a type of lynx with a personality similar to that of a serval. fully grown, he will stand 16 to 17 inches at the shoulder and weigh 30 to 50 pounds. Caracals communicate primarily by hissing, which may sound threatening, but they are well-mannered with a traditional cat demeanor. a caracal will eat about 2 to 3 pounds of meat per day and, in captivity, will live to be 17 years old.
These exotic cats have been known to play and interact with their owners, but strictly on their own terms. if you buy a caracal, be careful as its game can destroy furniture and household items.
geoffroy’s cat
This small cat is native to Central and South America. Geoffroy’s cats are among the smallest of the wild cat species, weighing only 4 to 8 pounds when fully grown. due to their small size, they do not pose a threat to human public safety.
geoffroy’s cats are relatively rare, in part because they have a limited gene pool in captivity. Geoffroy’s cats can be quite shy and less social, which means they thrive in a relatively calm and peaceful environment. if provoked, they can become nervous and aggressive, especially when they reach sexual maturity.
Asian Leopard Cat
Shy and elusive, this nocturnal cat is wary of humans. They are not the ideal house pets, and do best when left alone in a large enclosure. If humans interact with them often, these exotic cats can prove tame.
the asian leopard cat is the parent breed of bengal cats, which are also a legal exotic breed of cat to keep as pets in the usa. uu. some subspecies of the Asian leopard cat are endangered, making it difficult to purchase legally and requiring documentation and permits to own, which varies by state. The nonprofit group Big Cat Rescue has a state-by-state guide to exotic cats that you can refer to before adopting or purchasing an exotic cat breed.
jungle cat
This big, nervous cat is native to Asia, Sri Lanka, and Egypt, and is often bred with domesticated cats to create hybrids, such as chausies or jungle bobs. In captivity, a jungle cat will live 15-20 years.
They are fragile felines that require a lot of privacy in a quiet home or need to be housed in a good-sized outdoor enclosure most of the time. although the jungle cat is not endangered, its species is in decline.
