Characteristics, History, Care Tips, and Helpful Information for Pet Owners
The 1990s saw the birth of the relatively new breed of cat known as the Chausie cat. The Chausie, or “chow-see,” was produced by fusing domestic cats with jungle cats (felis chaus). Several domestic cat breeds, including the Abyssinian and domestic shorthair, were used in the early Chausie breeding program (mixed-breed shorthaired cats).
The Chausie’s appearance and functionality are intended to closely resemble those of its wild ancestor. A huge, sloping forehead, high cheekbones, a long muzzle, a massive, slightly rounded chin, and a wide, puffy-leather nose are some of its facial traits. It is tall and large, with long legs and a deep chest, yet it is not a bulky cat. Given that the Chausie is built for sprinting and jumping, the breed standard compares its athletic, lanky, and lean frame to that of an Olympic long jumper or basketball player.
The tall, wide, and triangular ears are large. The ideal ear features include rounded tips and ear tufts, which are short hairs that stick out from the ear points. The tail may be shorter than a typical cat tail, yet it is preferred if it is slightly shorter than full length.
For its short, slightly coarse coat, the Chausie comes in three different color patterns: brown ticked tabby (sandy gray to reddish gold with two to three bands of dark ticking around each hair and preferably tabby barring on the tail, upper inside of the front legs, and to the hock on the back legs); black grizzled ticked (a pattern inherited from its Jungle Cat ancestors, the hair shaft is banded with lighter coloration at the skin (solid black).
The Chausie cat truly has a high level of energy and activity and needs a lot of stimulation. This breed is not the best choice for people who are frequently away from home. Chausies are affable, self-assured, and loyal to their human family. All ages, especially polite children, get along nicely with them. They can live in harmony with dogs and other cats if introduced to them in the right way and raised alongside them.
Breed Overview
- WEIGHT: About 15 to 25 pounds
- LENGTH: About 20 to 22 inches
- COAT: Short to medium, with a dense, soft undercoat and a somewhat resilient, slightly coarser outer coat
- COAT COLOR: Brown ticked tabby, black grizzled ticked tabby, or black
- EYE COLOR: Any color, including blue or odd-eyed
- LIFE EXPECTANCY: 15 to 20 years
Characteristics of the Chausie Cat
| Affection Level | High |
| Friendliness | High |
| Kid-Friendly | High |
| Pet-Friendly | High |
| Exercise Needs | High |
| Playfulness | High |
| Energy Level | High |
| Intelligence | High |
| Tendency to Vocalize | Medium |
| Amount of Shedding | Medium |
History of the Chausie Cat
To create the hybrid breed known as Chausie, domestic cats and the wild Jungle Cat were mixed (felis chaus). The long-lived wild cat known as the Jungle Cat was there when the ancient Egyptians inhabited the region, and it appears that they domesticated and cherished it as a pet. This is demonstrated by the drawings and mummies of Jungle Cats that have been uncovered in Egyptian tombs alongside their human masters.
In the 1990s, some breeders made an effort to create a domestic cat variation that closely resembled the Jungle Cat. The Chausie may have an untamable appearance, yet this fully domesticated breed makes a friendly, affectionate, and happy housemate.
The breeders eventually succeeded in developing a brand-new kind, which they called Chausie after the Latin name of the Jungle Cat (felis chaus). The Chausie has been approved by the International Cat Association since 1995. In 2013, the TICA gave cats the ability to compete for titles in cat events by granting the breed championship status.
Chausie Cat Care
The Chausie’s short, slightly grittier coat requires little upkeep. Simply brush your dog once a week using a soft slicker brush to minimize shedding. Trim your Chausie’s nails every two to three weeks, and give her the odd shower. Check your cat’s ears once a week with care. The ears shouldn’t be very dirty or red. If you do, schedule a visit with your veterinarian. Consider attending a local cat show where you can meet reputable breeders and see a wide variety of cats if you’re thinking about obtaining a Chausie kitten.
Chausies are observant, energetic cats. Chausies enjoy playing, running, leaping, climbing, and exploring. They are constantly on the move. Even more people like the water. Due to their penchant for opening cabinets and looking inside their contents, child locks may be helpful in stopping particularly inquisitive Chausies from causing harm. Cats enjoy the natural and enjoyable action of scratching, therefore offer them a variety of suitable surfaces for this purpose. Cat trees or scratching posts are great solutions for cats who want to scratch vertically. Scratchers made of cardboard or sisal that lie on the ground are effective for cats who prefer to scratch horizontally.
Chausies are exceptionally intelligent individuals that relish discovering new things. Some Chausies, who have been referred to as “dog-like,” take pleasure in fetch games and even going on walks outside while wearing a harness and leash. The breed is typically easygoing and fun to be around. They need a family that can spend a lot of time at home with them because they are very social cats and need interaction and company. Despite the fact that the vast majority of Chausies continuously use a litter box, occasionally some Chausies with more wild blood may be more prone to spraying or litter box issues.
Common Health Problems
However, unlike some pedigreed cat breeds that are more susceptible to particular genetically related problems, the Chausie is generally healthy and doesn’t have many health difficulties. Breeders of Chausie cats who follow appropriate breeding practices carefully select their breeding cats and avoid breeding unhealthy animals. In addition, a lot of reliable breeders offer health guarantees for their kittens.
Food intake and diet
Although Chausies are normally so naturally active that they rarely put on weight, obesity is a problem for cats in general. Instead of free feeding, adult cats should be fed a high-quality diet in measured portions twice day (leaving food out all day). For guidance on the optimum meals to feed, speak with your veterinarian or breeder.
The best places to buy or adopt a Chausie cat
Chausies are frequently quite rare. The International Cat Association maintains a list of active breeders on their website. If the ears appear slightly dirty, clean them with a pet-safe ear cleaner, a cotton ball, or a piece of gauze (never put a cotton swab inside a cat’s ear). To find a cat show nearby, use a web search for “cat show near me.” Due to the breed’s rarity, you’re unlikely to discover a Chausie at your local animal shelter, but breeders frequently assist with adoptions when one of the cats they’ve produced is in need.
Breeds of Cats Not Listed Here and More Research
If you like Chausie cats, you might also like these cat breeds:
- Savannah Bengal Toyger Cat
If not, browse through all of our other cat breed articles to find the perfect cat for you and your household.
