Cats are one of the most popular pets in the world, with many different breeds to choose from. However, some breeds are rarer and have more exotic appearances, making them stand out even among domesticated cats. From the Toyger to the Sphynx, there are many exotic cat breeds to fall in love with.
In this article, we will explore 12 of the most beautiful and unique exotic cat breeds in the world. You will not only admire their physical beauty but also learn about their unique personalities and characteristics that make them truly exceptional pets.
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Whether you are looking for a wild-looking cat or a domestic breed with an exotic appearance, there is sure to be a breed on this list that will capture your heart.
12 Types Of Exotic Cats
Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair is a breed of cat that was developed in the 1950s as a short-haired version of the Persian cat. The breed is similar to the Persian in many ways, including temperament and conformation, with the exception of the short, dense coat.
Exotic Shorthairs are medium-sized cats that tend to develop strong bonds with their owners, get along with other pets and kids, and have sweet personalities. They have flattened faces, small ears, and short legs, and their coat is short, dense, and plush.
Although they have relatively low energy levels and exercise needs, they enjoy playing with toys for hours.
Exotic Shorthairs have a gentle and calm personality reminiscent of the Persian, but are generally livelier than their longhaired ancestors.
They are curious and playful, friendly to other cats and dogs, and tend to show more affection and loyalty than most breeds, making them excellent lap cats. Their calm, steady nature makes them ideal apartment cats for city dwellers.
Exotic Shorthairs generally live to 12-15 years of age, with the longest living Exotic Shorthair known living to 17 years 1 month.
Savannah Cat
The Savannah cat is a breed of cat that is a crossbreed between a domestic cat and an African Serval. They are a large, athletic breed that can weigh between 12 to 25 pounds.
Savannah cats are known for their active, curious, and social personalities, and they bond closely with their families. They are highly intelligent and playful, and they enjoy activities that satisfy their curious nature.
Savannahs are striking, exotic-looking cats known for their tall, graceful appearances, triangular faces, medium-sized almond-shaped eyes, and large, upright ears with rounded tops. They have lean torsos and longer legs, which make them appear larger than they actually are.
Savannah cats have a spotted coat that comes in various patterns and colors, including black, brown spotted tabby, black silver spotted tabby, and black smoke. They are affectionate with their owners but can be a bit standoffish with strangers.
Savannah cats are excellent pets for those seeking an active feline with an outgoing personality. However, it’s important to note that their personalities and temperaments can vary by generation.
Ocicat
The Ocicat is a breed of cat that was developed in the 1960s by breeding an Abyssinian, a Siamese, and an American Shorthair.
The breed was created to resemble a wild cat, specifically the ocelot, but with a domestic temperament. The Ocicat is a medium to large-sized cat with a muscular, athletic build and a short, tight coat that comes in a variety of colors and patterns. They have a distinctive spotted tabby pattern that resembles a wild cat.
The breed is known for its playful, energetic, and social personality, and is often described as having a dog-like temperament. They are highly intelligent and can be trained to play fetch and perform other tricks.
Ocicats are also known for their affectionate and loyal nature, and they tend to bond closely with their families. They are generally healthy cats with a lifespan of 10-15 years.
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Overall, the Ocicat is a unique and beautiful breed that makes an excellent pet for those seeking an active, playful, and social feline companion.
Toyger
The Toyger is a breed of domestic cat that was developed in the 1980s by Judy Sugden, the daughter of Jean Mill, who was the original breeder of the Bengal cat.
The breed was created by breeding domestic shorthaired tabbies with the goal of making them resemble a “toy tiger,” as their striped coat is reminiscent of the tiger’s.
The Toyger is a medium-sized cat with a muscular, athletic build and a short, dense coat that comes in various shades of orange and black with bold, dark stripes. They have a distinctive circular facial pattern and a friendly, outgoing personality.
Toygers are known for their affectionate and playful nature, and they get along well with children and other pets. They are highly intelligent and can be trained to walk on a leash and perform tricks.
Toygers are still a relatively rare breed, and it can be difficult to find breeders. However, they make excellent pets for those seeking a feline companion with a unique and exotic appearance.
Bengal
The Bengal cat is a domesticated cat breed that was created from a hybrid of the Asian leopard cat and domestic cats, especially the spotted Egyptian Mau.
The breed was officially accepted by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1983 and gained championship status in 1991.
Bengals have a distinctive spotted coat that comes in various patterns and colors, including black, brown spotted tabby, black silver spotted tabby, and black smoke. They are medium-sized cats that weigh between 8-15 pounds and have a muscular, agile build.
Bengals are known for their active, social, and intelligent personalities, and they bond closely with their families. They are highly trainable and can learn to walk on a leash, play fetch, and perform other tricks. Bengals are generally healthy cats with a lifespan of 10-16 years.
When looking for a Bengal kitten, it’s important to find a reputable breeder and expect to pay between $1,500 to $3,000 for a pet Bengal kitten.
Overall, the Bengal cat is a unique and beautiful breed that makes an excellent pet for those seeking an active, intelligent, and social feline companion.
Serengeti
The Serengeti cat is a breed of domestic cat that was first developed by crossing a Bengal and an Oriental Shorthair. The breed is recognized and registered by The International Cat Association (TICA), and no other first-generation crosses can be registered as Serengeti.
From the Bengal × Oriental cross came the first foundation Serengeti, and breeders then worked with the cat to produce a cat that resembles the breed profile set by TICA.
Most Bengal cats used in Serengeti breeding programs are many generations removed from their wild origins and possess few genetic contributions of the wild forebears except alleles affecting coat color.
Serengetis are spotted cats with long legs and very large, round-tipped ears. They have a long neck that blends with the base of the skull without tapering. Males are generally slightly larger and heavier than females and can weigh up to 15 pounds.
The Serengeti is a medium to large-sized breed with several distinctive traits, including a large-boned structure that is lithe and elegant.
The breed is known for its playful, affectionate, and devoted personality, and they tend to follow their owners around and cuddle with them on their laps. They are highly intelligent and can be trained to play fetch and perform other tricks.
Overall, the Serengeti cat is a unique and beautiful breed that makes an excellent pet for those seeking an active, intelligent, and social feline companion.
Chausie
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The Chausie is a domestic breed of cat that was developed by breeding a few individuals from the non-domestic species jungle cat to a far greater number of domestic cats. Here are some characteristics of the Chausie breed:
Appearance:
– Chausies are bred to be medium to large in size, as compared to traditional domestic breeds.
– Most Chausies are a little smaller than a male Maine Coon, but larger than a Siamese.
– Adult Chausie males typically weigh 11 to 16 pounds, while adult females are usually 8 to 13 pounds.
– They are long-bodied and leggy with medium boning, and have a deep-chested torso with flat sides.
– They have a distinctive spotted tabby pattern that resembles a wild cat.
Personality:
– Chausies are intelligent, active, and athletic cats.
– They are often very “busy” as kittens, but as adults, they are quieter, yet still retain a playfulness and lifelong curiosity.
– They are highly energetic and require plenty of exercise, including access to a tall cat tower, multiple scratching posts, and plenty of toys.
– Chausies are affectionate and love to spend time with their owners.
– They are highly trainable and can learn to walk on a leash, play fetch, and perform other tricks.
– Chausies are well-suited for families and are extremely loyal.
Overall, the Chausie is a unique and beautiful breed that makes an excellent pet for those seeking an active, intelligent, and social feline companion.
Highlander
The Highlander is a relatively new breed of cat that was developed by crossing the Desert Lynx and the Jungle Curl breeds. Here are some characteristics of the Highlander breed:
Appearance:
– Highlanders are medium to large-sized cats that are muscular and athletic.
– They have a distinctive “big-cat look” with a broad head, strong jaw, and large, expressive eyes.
– The breed displays tabby/lynx point or solid point coloration in various colors, but bicolored cats are not allowed in the breed standard.
– Although some cats are polydactyl, it is not part of the standard and is a disqualification in the show ring.
Personality:
– Highlanders are human-oriented, friendly, and playful cats.
– They are very active and confident, and they enjoy running, playing, and chasing.
– Highlanders are patient and gentle with kids, who are often their preferred playmates.
– They are affectionate with their owners and get along well with other pets.
Overall, the Highlander is a fun-loving, energetic breed that’s incredibly affectionate with people and other pets. They make excellent pets for those seeking an active, playful, and social feline companion.
Cheetoh
The Cheetoh is a relatively new breed of cat that was developed by crossing Bengal cats with Ocicats. Here are some characteristics of the Cheetoh breed:
Appearance:
– Cheetohs are medium to large-sized cats that are muscular and athletic.
– They have a distinctive spotted coat that comes in various colors, including brown, silver, and snow.
– Their coat is short, dense, and plush, and they have a wild appearance that resembles a cheetah.
Personality:
– Cheetohs are friendly, outgoing, and affectionate cats.
– They are highly intelligent and can be trained to walk on a leash, play fetch, and perform other tricks.
– Cheetohs are active and playful, and they enjoy running, jumping, and climbing.
– They are social cats and get along well with children and other pets.
Overall, the Cheetoh is a unique and beautiful breed that makes an excellent pet for those seeking an active, intelligent, and social feline companion.
Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is a breed of domestic short-haired cat that is known for its distinctive “ticked” tabby coat, in which individual hairs are banded with different colors. Here are some characteristics of the Abyssinian breed:
Appearance:
– Abyssinians are medium-sized cats with a slender, fine-boned build.
– They have a wedge-shaped head with a slight break at the muzzle, and alert, relatively large pointed ears.
– The eyes are almond-shaped and are gold, green, hazel, or copper depending on coat color.
– The legs tend to be long in proportion to a graceful body, with small oval paws; the tail is likewise long and tapering.
– They have a distinctive “ticked” tabby coat that comes in various colors, including ruddy, red, blue, and fawn.
Personality:
– Abyssinians are highly intelligent, intensely inquisitive, and love to investigate.
– They are active, outgoing, and playful, and they enjoy jumping and climbing.
– Abyssinians are affectionate and friendly toward people, and they tend to bond closely with their families.
– They have soft chirrup-like vocalizations that do not sound like the expected “meow”.
– Abyssinians are generally healthy cats with a lifespan of 9-15 years.
Overall, the Abyssinian is a unique and beautiful breed that makes an excellent pet for those seeking an active, intelligent, and social feline companion.
Sphynx
The Sphynx is a breed of domestic cat that is notable for its hairless coat, wrinkled skin, and large ears. Here are some characteristics of the Sphynx breed:
Appearance:
– Sphynxes are medium-sized cats with a sleek, muscular body that is dense and heavy for their size.
– They have a distinctive hairless, wrinkled skin that comes in various colors, including white, black, blue (grey), calico, tabby, pointed, and mink.
– They have large, lemon-shaped eyes and large, bat-esque ears.
Personality:
– Sphynxes are energetic, acrobatic performers who love to show off for attention.
– They are friendly, loving, and affectionate cats who crave human attention.
– Sphynxes are highly intelligent and curious, and they enjoy investigating their surroundings.
– They are playful and energetic, and they enjoy jumping and climbing.
– Sphynxes are loyal and will follow their owners around the house, trying to involve themselves in whatever their owners are doing.
Overall, the Sphynx is a unique and beautiful breed that makes an excellent pet for those seeking an active, intelligent, and social feline companion.
Peterbald
The Peterbald is a breed of domestic cat that originated in Russia in 1994. Here are some characteristics of the Peterbald breed:
Appearance:
– Peterbalds are medium-sized cats that resemble Oriental Shorthairs with a hair-losing gene.
– They can be completely hairless or have a velvety fuzz that is delightful to touch.
– There are five variations of Peterbald cat coats: bald, flock, chamois, brush, or straight.
– They have a wedge-shaped head with large, pointed ears and almond-shaped eyes.
Personality:
– Peterbalds are sweet-tempered, affectionate, peaceful, curious, smart, and energetic.
– They are highly interactive and love to participate in daily household activities.
– Peterbalds are highly intelligent and can learn tricks like dogs.
– They are highly athletic and active, and they love to spend their time playing with their humans.
– Peterbalds are always eager to interact with their human owners and get involved in games with toys or puzzles.
– They are highly social and get along well with other cats and pets, as well as children.
Overall, the Peterbald is a unique and beautiful breed that makes an excellent pet for those seeking an affectionate, intelligent, and social feline companion.
FAQS
1. What is an exotic cat?
An exotic cat is a breed of domestic cat that has a unique and unusual appearance, often resembling a wild cat.
2. What are some popular exotic cat breeds?
Some popular exotic cat breeds include the Bengal, Savannah, Sphynx, and Abyssinian.
3. Are exotic cats good pets?
Exotic cats can make great pets for the right owner. However, they often require more attention, exercise, and specialized care than traditional domestic cat breeds.
4. Are exotic cats legal to own?
The legality of owning an exotic cat varies by state and country. It’s important to research local laws and regulations before adopting an exotic cat.
5. How much do exotic cats cost?
The cost of an exotic cat can vary widely depending on the breed, age, and location. Some breeds can cost thousands of dollars.
6. Do exotic cats have unique personalities?
Yes, exotic cats often have unique personalities that reflect their breed characteristics. For example, Bengal cats are known for their active and intelligent personalities, while Sphynx cats are known for their affectionate and playful nature.
7. Do exotic cats require special care?
Some exotic cats, such as hairless breeds like the Sphynx, require special care to maintain their skin health. Additionally, some breeds may require more exercise or specialized diets than traditional domestic cats.
8. Can exotic cats be trained?
Yes, many exotic cats can be trained to walk on a leash, play fetch, and perform other tricks. However, training methods may vary depending on the breed and individual cat’s personality.
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Category: Cats
