Many cat-lovers are interested in the more exotic selection of breeds than the domestic. Some of the many exotic cats that are pure-bred include Bengal, Chausie, Pixie Bob and Persian. Here we will discuss the history, disposition and some characteristics of each. When looking to purchase any pet, to ensure their long-term pet health it is essential that you know the breeder is reputable and this can require some research online and via your veterinarian. WhyPetSupplements.com has many articles that discuss what to look for in a reputable breeder, so feel free to browse our articles!
The Bengal kitten can be purchased from a reputable breeder and is a relatively new hybrid. Bengal cats are noted for their ‘wild’ appearance will have a personable temperament provided they are several generations removed from their Asian Leopard wild ancestor. The Bengal Tiger species on the other hand is not related to the Bengal cat at all. Their coats are spotted, and they are more vocal than their domestic counterparts having more of a chirping, crying nature of speaking.
The Chausie is a hybrid of the domestic and Jungle cats, with the domestic breed used being the Abyssinian. The males can grow to be quite large, clocking in at 25 pounds! The female Chausie cat breed is significantly smaller, however. The Chausie kitten and cat may require special nutritional diets due to a high instance of digestive track problems. Considering this aptitude, if you have a carpeted home or own expensive rugs the choice of this breed as an addition to your family may prove more costly than anticipated when purchasing the Chausie kitten from a breeder. Commercial cat food, which we’ve discussed in other articles here on this site, contains wheat fillers and gluten – two ingredients to which the Chausie can have an intolerance so they may require a special cat diet and cat supplement regiment.
The Pixie Bob was originally considered to be exotic due to Bobcat lineage however this has since been dispelled, though we will discuss the Pixie Bob cat here due to the prior exotic assumption under which this cat was sold. They are bred to resemble a Bobcat, with a short tabby coat. The Pixie Bob kitten will grow to be quite large, with the average adult male clocking in at nearly 18 pounds and their female counterpart at 14 pounds. They are intelligent, active yet calm, friendly and mesh well with other pets. Because the genetically diverse Pixie Bob is derived from inbreeding they are prone to many health problems.
The first Persian cat dates back to the 1600’s, have the look of an old man with a large moustache due to their short, furry muzzle, and are commonly seen in cat food commercials. There are numerous types of purebred Persian cats available from breeders. All types of Persian cats are susceptible Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), though breeders claim to screen for and remove from breeding those with this genetic defect.
There are many other exotic, pure-bred cats available and we will discuss more of them in detail in a later article. Due to the inbreeding often required to ‘invent’ these breeds they can be susceptible to health problems that can be an added cost not considered when making the investment in these dear kittens. Making yourself aware of the proper nutritional requirements for these cats, as with all pet dietary needs, is one of the most important roles of the pet owner. Pet supplements can also be discussed with your veterinarian so as to stave off some future health problems that can plague your cat’s longevity.
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