Chausie Cat Breed Information

Group

Short Haired

Weight

5-11 kg

Length

35-46 cm

Lifespan

10-15 years

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About the Chausie Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

Described as a breed similar to that of jungle cats, it’s no surprise that they’ve been given this description when you see their appearance for the first time. The Chausie is a hybrid breed that has a rich history dating back to the Ancient Egyptians.

Despite its ancient history, the Chausie cat is one that’s still a cat that’s bred by a number of breeders across the world. They’re a confident and outgoing breed that would suit the more active households.

If you’re considering wild cats like the Chausie, then here’s everything you need to know about this breed.

What Is the History & Origin of the Chausie Cat?

As a hybrid breed known as the Jungle cat, they’re part of an ancient wild cat that is said to have dated back to ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptians domesticated these wild cats and loved them like the pets that they are today. As hybrid breeds, they have had many different breeds mixed in over the years to make the Chausie cat of today.

Fast forward to the 1990s, some breeders were inspired to create domesticated cats that looked similar to the Jungle wild cat. Earlier Chausie breeding saw a wild cat being bred with the Abyssinian and domestic shorthairs. These domestic short-haired cats were mixed-breed.

The Chausie cat was eventually recognised as a cat breed by the International Cat Association in 1995. In 2013, it was given championship status by the TICA.

What Is a Chausie Cat Breed?

The Chausie cat is a domestic breed that’s bred to create hybrid cats that have quite a complex lineage. The Jungle cat ancestors make up part of this breeding, but it seems there is a lot that was used that is unknown.

With a long face and high cheekbones, they are a beautiful-looking breed. Partner with a large body and tall long legs, these are hybrid cats that stand out from the crowd.

Who Is a Chausie Cat Best For?

The Chausie cat is a domestic cat that is confident in its attitude but loyal and affectionate to its human owners. They also get along with most people of all ages, which includes households with human companions that are young children.

They also deal fairly well with other dogs and cats, as long as they’re introduced properly from a young age.

Due to their wild nature, they’re cat breeds that tend to be very playful with household dogs too.

What Does a Chausie Cat Look Like?

Chausies have a very wild-like appearance that, despite it being some time since they were bred with wild cats, they still resemble them very closely. This international cat is a very aesthetically beautiful cat, and for anyone looking for a show-worthy cat, this breed is definitely up there with some of the best.

Coat

They have a short but plush undercoat and a coarse upper coat that makes for a wonderfully stunning coat.

Colours

The colours for this Chausie are considered to be grizzled, which is where the colour has no discernable pattern. You’ll typically find the Chausie cats come in shades of tan, brown and black.

Patterns

TICA recognises a number of patterns with this hybrid breed. These include sold black, grizzled tabby and brown-ticked tabby.

Chausie Cat Grooming & Shedding

The Chausie’s coarse and short coat is fairly easy to care for, so if you don’t have experience in grooming, then this shouldn’t be too difficult to pick up.

Brush their coat weekly with a soft brush in order to keep shedding to a minimum and to keep a lot of the hair off your furniture and floors. Trim their nails every two to three weeks as required.

How Do Chausie Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

Described as being like a dog, some of these cats will enjoy being leashed up and taken on a walk, whereas others might like to play fetch and have more fun indoors.

They are extremely social cats, so they will enjoy a lot of attention from their household and any guests that might frequent the home.

Living Needs

For Chausies, it’s important that they are within a home that’s active and ideally has one or two other feline companions. As they don’t like being alone, they’ll want to have someone around at all times.

They form deep bonds, so it’s good if you’re a cat lover that wants to give lots of attention to their cats.

They love to explore, so it’s best if your property is one that’s got plenty of space to roam about. Despite being domestic cats, they still have that inherent need to explore and roam.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Chausie Cats?

This domestic cat is one of the many cat breeds that will need plenty of exercise in order to keep engaged and mentally stimulated. From a fitness point of view, exercise is good for all cats, regardless of how active they are.

Habits

These cat breeds appreciate interaction from their human companion, and when they’re not receiving attention, they’ll be roaming the home looking for things to play with. It’s worth putting out a few cat trees and various toys to keep them engaged as they explore.

Activity level

As extremely active and curious cats, they always like to be moving. They’ll get into any cabinet or drawer that they can, and some may tend to call them mischievous in nature.

It’s important to provide a variety of toys, and where possible, multiple scratching posts. This will ensure that your furniture is mainly avoided by cats looking to claw their way through your plush furnishings.

Vocalness

Some cats like to screech; others don’t make a sound. For some cat owners, this is an important thing to note as not everyone wants a highly vocal cat. You’ll be pleased to know that this breed isn’t extremely vocal in nature.

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Chausie Cat?

As a breed, it’s important to know how big this cat is before you adopt or buy one. They’re a unique breed, making them a household pet that might not be best suited for everyone.

Height

This cat breed ranges anywhere in height from around 35 to 46cms, which is fairly tall for a cat.

Weight

Weighing between a hefty 5 to 11kgs, they’re not an easy cat to pick up!

Size

Chausies are classed as large in size and therefore are a lot bigger than the average cat.

Are Chausie Cats Easy to Train?

Training your cat shouldn’t be as extensive as it would be with dogs. Due to their high intelligence, you should encounter too many issues when training these cats either. From learning to using their litter box and understanding basic commands, it should all be fairly easy to grasp.

Does the Chausie Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

Whilst some breeds might be riddled with health issues, the Chausie is a generally healthy cat and has very few health problems as a result. As long as you’re providing a high-quality diet for them, you’ll probably find that they have very few issues within their lifetime.

Of course, it’s always important to get them checked out at the vet regularly to rule out any problems. Vets also recommend vaccinating your pet and treating them for parasites.

What Is the Lifespan of a Chausie Cat?

Chausie requires a lot of activity and attention within their lifetime. If they get this, then they’ll definitely live a long and healthy life as a result. With that in mind, on average, a healthy Chausie will live for around 15 years! This is a great length of time for any cat breed.

How Much Does a Chausie Cat Need to Be Fed?

With feeding, it’s always important to maintain a healthy weight. Luckily, the Chausie is a fairly active breed, so you won’t find too many issues when it comes to feeding them the correct amount.

Be sure to talk to your vet if you’re not quite sure what to feed them. Most cats will need two meals per day to satisfy their needs.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Chausie Cat in Australia?

For Chausie cats, you’ll be paying a lot more for this cat, particularly so for its rarity. With that being said, you can expect to pay around $1,000 up to $2,500 in some cases, depending on your location and breeders available.

Many breeders will often hike up their prices if the demand for this type of breed is high, and as a rare breed, that may often be the case.

Chausie Cat FAQs

Are Chausie cats lap cats?

For those owners who want a lap cat, the Chausie is a brown ticked tabby that’s not going to suit you as an owner in that respect. These cats have that jungle cat instinct within them, so they’re going to want to roam and explore around them.

Are Chausie cats ideal for first-time cat owners?

As a first-time cat owner, it’s important to be aware that not all breeds are going to be well suited for you. The Chausie cats are one of those breeds that aren’t best suited for first-time owners. This isn’t going to be a breed that’s suitable if you don’t have enough time to give to the cat and especially so with children who might not be experienced with household pets.