| Eurochausie
(Felis Chaus X Felis sylvestris X Felis catus)
Interview
with Mark Dwight
Positives
of Euro Chausies as pets?
I consider the Euro chausie to be among the very best feline house pets.
They are the perfect companion for someone who is attracted to the look,
movement, intelligence and overall beauty of the small wild cat species
and the sweet nature and relatively easy care of the domestic cat. The
Euro chausie combines these two trait.
Negatives
of Euro Chausies pets?
The Euro's will bond very closely to members of the household but can
be leary of strangers. When placed into an unfamiliar environment (such
as a vet office) they can become very stressed and frightened. I highly
recommend anyone considering a Euro chausie (or any other breed of hybrid
cat) seek out a vet who has experience with exotic or wild animals. My
vet is also the vet for the local zoo. In my experience this has been
the only real negative in keeping hybrid cats.
Do they
have scent glands or an offensive smell?
No. None. Adult whole males will spray. Males should be neutered by 8
months of age.
What
is their average lifespan?
Same as a domestic cat. 15+ years
Do they
tolerate interaction?
They live for it! They are not lap cats but when they want your attention
they want it NOW. They are really quite loving and sweet.
What
is their general personality, disposition, and attitude?
There is nothing subtle about these cats. They are very active, extremely
curious, strong willed, highly affectionate, amazinglyintelligent.
Are they
sweet and petable, or mischievous and playful?
They are all of the above. That's why I love them so. They will capture
your heart.
How destructive
are they for an average household?
As kittens they will go through a teething stage. There are various sprays
and ointments that can be purchased at pet stores designed to be placed
on any object you don't want your kitten to chew on.
Do they
climb or tear up furniture?
Euro chausies both climb and jump very well. There are few places in the
house they can't get to. They need to have a scratching post available
at all times.
Are there
any problems associated with their claws?
No. Their claws are the same as a domestic cat.
How messy
are their droppings?
They are very clean and will use a litter box faithfully. Their droppings
are the same as a domestic.
Can they
be litter box trained?
Euro chausies have very good litter box habits.
Can they
be trained?
If started at a young age many will learn to enjoy a walk on a leash.
They can easily be taught to fetch small objects and really seem to love
this game.
How are
they with other pets, larger and smaller?
Most will enjoy the company of another cat. Whether or not they will get
along with a dog depends on the individual cat and dog.
What
do you feed them?
All of my cats have done very well on a high quality domestic dry food.
However, because of their high percentage of wild blood some may not be
able to properly digest a domestic cat formula. These cats will require
a food specially formulated for pure wild cat species. There are a number
of brands and formulas on the market and you will need to find the one
that agrees with your cat best.
What
vaccinations/vet care do they require?
Same as a domestic cat except that all vaccines MUST be of the KILLED
virus type. Never use a LIVE virus vaccine on hybrids.
At what
age would it be best to get one?
8 to 12 weeks old is recommended. |
