Wildcats are some of nature’s most beautiful creatures. These spotted, striped, banded, or tabby felines can be found throughout much of the world, living a mostly solitary life and hunting to survive. Of course, most wildcats, such as the ocelot, serval, margay, and leopard, are much too savage to bring home. However, a history of crossbreeding has resulted in some domesticated breeds that look exotic but have a tame temperament -- a perfect combination for cat lovers who want to take a walk on the wild side.
The Abyssinian is one of the oldest known breeds. These cats have large ears, almond-shaped eyes, and an elegant, muscular body that resembles that of their earliest ancestor, the African wildcat. Abyssinians are very intelligent cats, and though they usually do not conform to the behaviors of the “lap cat,” they are faithful, people-oriented pets that like to be involved in family life.
The American Bobtail has a distinctive wild appearance, with a natural bobtail that resembles that of the bobtailed wildcat. A sprightly yet easygoing breed, the Bobtail enjoys playing games, walking on a leash, and cuddling up with its owners at the end of the day. In some of the Bobtail’s behaviors, you will get a glimpse of their wild hunting instincts -- these cats love to chase insects and stalk their toys.
The sleek, black Bombay is often mistaken for a miniature panther. Though bred to resemble this famous wildcat, there is no wild blood in the breed. The Bombay is an outgoing, perceptive, and loving breed that likes to play, can be trained to walk on a leash, and adapts easily to lifestyles that include children, the elderly, or other pets.
The strikingly exotic Egyptian Mau is a long, spotted breed that has retained several characteristics of their early wild ancestors. These include the galloping gate of the Cheetah and a loose flap of skin that extends from the flank to the hind leg, allowing the Mau range and agility in jumping and twisting. The Mau is a spirited and friendly breed, though they tend to be cautious with strangers and connect most closely with one “special person” in the family. These are affectionate cats, but on their terms and with their people.
The Ocicat originates from interbreeding the Abyssinian, Siamese, and American Shorthair breeds. They are the only spotted domesticated breed selectively bred to emulate cats of the wild. This large and active breed has a dog-like personality, enjoying regular interaction and becoming dedicated to its owners. Though bred for spots, the Ocicat can also have one of four other patterns: classic tabby, ticked, solid, and pointed.
The Somali (pictured above) is best known for its full plume tail, which gives this breed the appearance of a wild fox. The breed came about as the result of a recessive gene in the Abyssinian cat. The Somali is a medium-sized cat with a soft and satiny coat that requires little grooming. With a lively, intelligent, and genial personality, these cats quickly become members of the family.
Your Cat Is Wilder Than You Think - Literally
Anyone who has seen their cat stalk a bug or rodent thought something along the lines of "my fluffy little pal still has some serious killer instinct!"But how deep do those instincts go? How wild is my cat? A team of scientists led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, asked the same questions. What they discovered may surprise you. Recently, these scientists published research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition that analyzed data about the feline genome and helped shed some light on how domesticated cats are."Cats, unlike dogs, are really only semi-domesticated," explained senior author Wes Warren, Ph.D., associate professor of genetics at The Genome Institute at Washington University?. "They only recently split off from wild cats, and some even still breed with their wild relatives. So we were surprised to find DNA evidence of their domestication."
An African wild cat hunting in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
The scientists looked at data from the Cat Genome Sequencing Project, which started in 2007. While the data from the project may be used for disease research, the researchers from Washington University School of Medicine compared the information to wild cat DNA to determine what was different between the two. The biggest changes they observed were in the cats' memory, fear, and reward-seeking areas. These changes likely have to do with interacting with humans and being fed. Cats and humans have only lived together for about 9,000 years, compared to 30,000 with dogs, but the changes in domestication may be similar between the two. The researchers hypothesized that cats were beneficial to humans because they kept away pests like rats and mice that would eat harvested foods and grain. As a reward, humans may have given these cats food to keep them around. In addition, humans would have favored more docile, obedient cats, so this trait would have become preferable.
What genetics says about your cat's diet
Aside from just looking at the traits that make your kitty different than a puma, the researchers also analyzed what the genes said about cats' abilities to hunt and eat meat. They found that a fat-metabolizing gene changed, possibly to allow a "digestive advantage" for animals, like felines, who only consume animal protein.Help your furry feline get the food he needs by providing him with quality cat food like the Fancy Feast Savory Salmon Cat Food, which is full of meat and fats that help his digestive system operate well and coat look nice. Use your PetPlus membership to save on quality cat foods like the meat-packed Wellness Beef and Salmon Formula Canned Cat Food or the specialty Royal Canin Veterinary Diets.
What is the most wild domesticated cat?
The Savannah cat is often considered one of the most wild-looking domesticated cat breeds. They are a hybrid breed resulting from crossing domestic cats with servals, a wild African cat. Savannah cats typically have long legs, large ears, and spotted coats reminiscent of their wild ancestor. They can also exhibit behaviors more characteristic of wild cats, such as a high energy level and a penchant for jumping and climbing. Bengal cats are another breed known for their wild appearance. They are bred from domestic cats and Asian leopard cats, resulting in a striking resemblance to their wild ancestor. Bengal cats typically have a distinctive spotted or marbled coat pattern, which resembles that of a leopard or ocelot. Their muscular build, large, expressive eyes, and sleek coat further contribute to their wild appearance. Despite their wild looks, Bengal cats are domesticated and make affectionate and playful companions. However, they may retain some of the active and curious behaviors commonly associated with their wild ancestry.
What's the biggest cat I can legally own?
The Maine Coon, Siberian, and Ragdoll are indeed among the largest domestic cat breeds, and they are fully domesticated, not hybrids like the Bengal or Savannah cat. These breeds are renowned for their impressive size, with Maine Coons often weighing up to 18 pounds or more for males and Siberians and Ragdolls not far behind. Unlike hybrids that incorporate genes from wild ancestors, like the Bengal's Asian leopard cat heritage or Savannah's serval ancestry, Maine Coons, Siberians, and Ragdolls have been selectively bred over generations solely from domestic cat stock. Despite their large size, they retain all the characteristics of affectionate, friendly, and sociable domestic cats. Many cat enthusiasts love these breeds for their imposing stature and gentle and loving personalities. They make excellent companions for families and individuals alike, often forming strong bonds with their human caregivers.
What is the friendliest wild cat?
While cheetahs are wild animals and should be treated with caution and respect, they have been known to form unique bonds with humans, particularly in captive settings where they have been raised by humans from a young age or where they have been trained for educational purposes or conservation efforts. Cheetahs are often more adaptable to human presence than other big cat species and have been successfully trained for activities such as wildlife education programs and ambassador animal roles.
What is the meanest wild cat breed?
While beautiful and fascinating creatures, Eurasian lynxes can be more aggressive and territorial compared to some other wild cat species. They are solitary animals that defend large home ranges, and they can react aggressively if they feel threatened or cornered. Similarly, the African leopard is known for its strength, stealth, and territorial nature. While leopard attacks on humans are rare, they can occur, particularly when humans encroach upon their territory or surprise them. Despite being one of the smallest wild cat species, the black-footed cat is an efficient and formidable hunter, with a high success rate in capturing prey. It primarily hunts small mammals, birds, and insects, using its exceptional hunting skills, agility, and stealth to stalk and ambush its prey. Black-footed cats are solitary and territorial animals, typically avoiding contact with humans. They are naturally nocturnal, spending much of their time hunting at night. While they generally avoid confrontation with larger predators, they defend their territory fiercely if threatened.
More on Cat Breeds
Where Do Different Cat Breeds Come From? - Infographic
Hypoallergenic Cats for People with Allergies
Easiest Cats to Care For
