Description
Size: 8-16lbs
Chausies are long-bodied and have medium boning; they are designed for running and hopping. The body has flat sides and a deep chest. The ears are roughly two fingers apart, wide, tall, and positioned high on the head. Their wild, ticked coat and elegant, muscular frame give them the look of a cougar. Chausie cats often have grizzled coats in tones of tan, black, and brown.
Being a hybrid breed, Chausies are banned from being owned in several US states or localities. There are also concerns in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Behavior
Activity Level: High
Social needs: Always need company and playtime
The Chausie cat is quite demanding of its owner and requires a lot of companionship and playtime. Well-bred Chausies have a pleasant, loving temperament with their family and are bright, athletic cats with a strong demand for play and exercise. However, it is not a suitable choice for a home with birds or small animals like hamsters or gerbils. It will interact well with other pets of a similar size.
Pet Chausies should be at least four generations away from their latest wild progenitor since cats with a closer ancestry to the wild might be challenging to care for as pets.
Origin/History
The Chausie may have originated in ancient Egypt when humans would domesticate and even mummify wild cats. However, the Chausie was created in 1990 as a result of deliberate cross-breeding between jungle cats from the marshes of south-central Asia and the Abyssinian, most likely in the United States.
Care as a Pet
The routines for caring for Chausie cats are typical for most domestic cats. It is easy to take good care of your cat and enhances its quality of life if you know how.
Exercise
Chausies are very energetic felines. Even though their curiosity and athleticism will keep them active on their own, they still require a lot of assisted exercise. Give your Chausie jumpable surfaces, playsets, and toys to play on. Consider teaching a chasie to walk on a leash because they are incredibly intelligent and trainable.
Shedding
Although the Chausie is not hypoallergenic, it tends to shed very little. Given that they have shorter hair than long-haired cats, they shed less. However, Chausies need regular grooming just like every other cat does.
Nutrition and Diet
A Chausie may need a specific diet due to its short gut and sensitivity to allergens. Given that meat is a key component in commercial cat foods and that Chausies have a sensitive stomach, commercial cat foods may not always be suitable. Some pet parents decide to prepare their cats’ food from scratch and stick to a ketogenic diet. Always consult a veterinarian before producing homemade pet food to ensure that it has all necessary nutrients. It’s also worthwhile to look into high-end, less generic cat food products.
Grooming needs
The short, somewhat rough coat of the Chausie is simple to maintain. A soft slicker brush used once a week to comb your Chausie’s fur successfully reduces shedding.
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