| Chausie/Jungle
Cat Hybrid
(Felis chaus X Felis catus)
Interview
with Sandra Cassalia and Charles Cunningham
Positives
of Chausies as pets?
SC: Chausies are very intelligent cats and loads of fun to be around.
CC: The chausies if raised properly from birth make great pets.
They are extremely active and very intelligent. Most love the water. They
are generally very confident and unafraid. They are very adaptable and
seem to be able to adjust to whatever environment they are raised in.
If raised with dogs, they do fine with them. They get along well with
children and other cats. They receive the same medical care as domestics.
They are a constant source of entertainment as they love to play and have
boundless energy. They will do things you never thought possible.
Negatives
of Chausies as pets?
SC: Chausies are very active cats, so if you want a cat that is
mellow, always laying around - this is not a chausie!
CC: They are very active the first year of their lives. The love
the water and will get into any kind of water available including dishwater,
coffee cups, etc. They are very rambunctious the first year of their life
but do mellow out after about one year. go through a "teething phase"
very much like puppies and this last until about 8 months to one year
old. They love to chew things especially phone and electrical cords. This
can be counteracted with some"Bitter Apple" spray . In short they are
like owning a hyperactive puppy that can climb. They are not for everyone.
They generally are not lap cats but when awake love to be off playing
and exploring rather than sitting in someone's lap. They like to call
the shots and will let you know when they want to be petted, picked up
or played with. If you are a "control freak" then these are not for you.
The like high places so its very difficult to keep knicks and curios out
on shelves. Behavior is not a problem "if" they are raised properly and
socialized especially during the first few weeks of their lives if they
have not been properly handled and socialized from birth then problems
can arise.
Anecdotes/stories
about your Chausie pet?
SC: Too many to list ! Their intelligence will keep you on your
toes, though. All they have to do is watch you do something once and they
learn! One of my girls, Sarobi, can open the refrigerator door and will
try to take the milk out!
CC: I recently had a litter of chausies and had some people I know
coming over to look at them. The queen would like to stand at the nursery
door and meow when she wanted out and wanted a break from the kittens.
Inside I had made a nice birthing box with a hinged lid for her to raise
the kittens the first few weeks of their lives. Well the people arrive
and my queen , "Cleo Panther", as usual, comes to the door and meows to
get out for a well deserved break. I told the people that this is great
as I will now let her out and we can go in and see the kittens. I was
extremely proud of this litter and dying to show them off. I let Cleo
Panther out and lead the delegation into the nursery. All four of them.
I take them over to the birthing box and proudly lift the lid and crack
a big , proud smile and look to see the expression on their faces. Well
it was a look of shock!!! The birthing box was completely empty!!!!! Now
this room is set up for raising kittens. The bed in there has a solid
underneath frame custom made so no kittens can choose to hide under it.
Everything else in the room is set up so there is absolutely NO hiding
place!!! Yet the kittens are GONE!!!!! Of course we all panic and begin
a desperate search with no hiding places to even explore!!! I make everything
totally quiet. Shut off the fan make sure no TV's or radios are playing.
Nothing....dead silence ....I was hoping to hear a kitten crying so I
could locate them but to no avail. Well, there happens to be a closet
in the room and out of desperation I open the closet door and nothing!!!
Then I noticed on a shelf a pile of folded clothes .....I reach in behind
them and to my elation I feel six fuzzy bodies all tucked in neatly!!!!!
Thank God!!! Well my beautiful queen "Cleo Panther" had evidently gotten
tired of the birthing box and somehow managed to get them stashed in the
closet , close the door and stand there and meow to get out like nothing
had happened. What I wouldn't have paid to have had a hidden camera on
at this time!!
What
is a Chausie?
CC: A Chausie is a cat that is the result of mating a Jungle Cat
(Felis chaus) and a domestic cat but,. it is bred specifically to conform
to the new "Chausie Breed Standard" or in other words to closely resemble
it's wild counterpart, the Jungle Cat.
What
is the difference between a Chausie and a Jungle Cat Hybrid?
CC: As stated above a Chausie is a Jungle Cat Hybrid or a Jungle
Cat x domestic cross but bred to follow certain standards. A Jungle Cat
Hybrid is ANY cat that is the result of a Jungle Cat x domestic cross
and does not have to follow any standard or set of breeding guidelines.
So All Chausies ARE jungle Cat Hybrids but not all Jungle Cat hybrids
are Chausies. Make sense?
Do they
have scent glands or an offensive smell?
SC: No.
CC: No, none what so ever.
What
is their average life span?
SC: Approximately 15+ years.
CC: About 15 years with proper care. The same as a domestic.
Do they
enjoy interaction?
SC: Absolutely - in fact, they insist on it!
CC: They love attention both from humans and other animals. They
especially love to play.
What
is their general personality, disposition, and attitude?
SC: Chausies are true clowns - they love to make people laugh.
The higher generation chausies may be standoffish with strangers. Chausies
are an assertive breed - they want to be friends with other cats in the
household and will insist on it.
CC: They are independent and unafraid but unagressive.
Are they
sweet and petable, or mischievous and playful?
SC: Both - at different times.
CC: They are sweet and petable but on their terms. When they are
awake and wanting to play or explore they don't want to be picked up or
petted. After they calm down and are played out and tired, then you can
pet them and have more one on one interaction.
How destructive
are they for an average household?
SC: They aren't really destructive, although there is not a place
in your home these cats cannot reach; so if you have knick knacks high
up on a shelf you may want to secure them :)
CC: They are really no more destructive than your average domestic
but as stated above they do like high places and like to get up on things
like cabinets and shelves. You need to provide outlets for their energy
like a playmate that is active and some good cat toys.
Do they
climb or tear up furniture?
SC: Chausies jump - and HIGH ! As in any cat, you train them to
sharpen their claws on the cat tree/post.
CC: No more than a regular domestic. Owners need to have ample
scratching posts available and deterrent spray for electrical cords.
Are there
any problems associated with their claws?
SC: No.
CC: No, but again they need to have scratching areas like carpeted
scratching posts.
How messy
are their droppings?
SC: No messier than other breeds.
CC: Same as a domestic cat only larger of course.
Can they
be litter box trained?
SC: Yes.
CC: Yes , they are easily litter trained.
Can they
be trained?
SC: Absolutely - as I said, these are very intelligent animals.
They love to go out on leashes, can be taught to sit and even some are
potty trained!
CC: Many are leash trained if started young. They will learn to
play "fetch" without too much difficulty and love to go after things that
you throw.
How are
they with other pets, larger and smaller?
SC: Being assertive, chausies usually take over the household once
they reach their new home. They will get along with other cats and most
dogs.
CC: They seem to get along well with all pets if raised with them.
What
size enclosure do they need?
SC: No cage - these are house cats!
CC: They don't do well in a caged environment at all. The need
the run of the house or apartment where they can roam and explore.
What
do you feed them?
SC: Any premium brand cat food will keep your chausie healthy.
I feed Science Diet.
CC: Most of the 50% and lower percentages do quite well on a good
domestic cat feed like IAMs, Science Diet, etc. The higher percentages
like 75% wild blood require a specially formulated feed for wild felines
like Mazuri Wild Feline Small manufactured and sold by Purina Mills.
What
vaccinations/vet care do they require?
SC: Same as domestic cats.
CC: They receive the same as a domestic cat except the "KILLED"
vaccines are recommended due to the wild blood. Everything else is the
same as a domestic.
At what
age would it be best to get one?
SC: 9 - 12 weeks.
CC: Between 8-12 weeks of age.
Other
Consideration for owners of Chausies and Jungle Cat Hybrids?
CC: These animals, like any other, are a serious commitment. Chausies
require time and attention. If you do not have time available to interact
then do not get one. They also require the owner to make some living allotments
like giving up some knick knack displays on shelves. Installing child
proof locks on cabinets containing toxic substances like under the kitchen
and bathroom sink. Putting things away and not leaving things out that
they can get into.
What
kind of person should own these animals?
SC: Someone that wants an active, fun, cat!
CC: People that enjoy having a bit of the wild in their own home
and have time to provide proper care and attention. These cats are very
active the first year of their lives and can and do try to get into everything.
They provide hours of entertainment and companionship but in return require
some living allotments and all the attention you can spare.
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