| Jungle
Cat
(Felis chaus)
Interview
with Sandra Cassalia
Positives
of jungle cats as pets?
Providing you know what to expect, jungle cats can be wonderful pets.
However, they are not indoor pets and one must understand their needs
and their personality. They can be moody, and are usually a "one person"cat.
Negatives
of jungle cats as pets?
Moodiness, aggressiveness with strangers, young children, won't always
use a litter box, eat your furniture.
Do they
have scent glands or an offensive smell?
No. Only whole males (their spray) I find offensive.
What
is their average life span?
Approximately 14 years.
Do they
enjoy interaction?
Yes.
What
is their general personality, disposition, and attitude?
Typical wild cat - can change from sweetie pie to ornery in a nano-second.
They can be as loving as a domestic. They are very "busy" cats and must
have something to divert their attention from destroying your things!
Are they
sweet and petable, or mischievous and playful?
Both - at different times, of course.
How destructive
are they for an average household?
If left in the home, unattended and bored, they go on a search and destroy
mission.
Do they
climb or tear up furniture?
Absolutely - tear up furniture with both, claws and teeth!
Are their
any problems associated with their claws?
No - trim as in domestics.
How messy
are their droppings?
No different than domestic, though a bit more.
Can they
be litter box trained?
Yes, they can, but do not expect them to use the box faithfully. I have
two that refuse to use the box at all. One will defecate only in a box
and the other will only urinate in a box.
Can they
be trained?
Yes. They are intelligent animals and are fast learners.
How are
they with other pets, larger and smaller?
If raised from a kitten with the other pet, they are usually fine. However,
I would definitely keep them away from rodents and birds!/FONT>
What
size cage do they need?
A minimum of 6 x 12 - the larger the better. These cats love to run. They
can jump 10 feet from a sitting position. They can leap, easily, a twelve
feet span.
What
do you feed them?
Raw meat diet with supplements. I also feed the ones that will eat it
a premium dry cat food (Science Diet).
What
vaccinations/vet care do they require?
Same vaccines as in domestics - use only killed vaccine. Same vet care,
although it is wise to find a vet who is experienced with exotics (and
I don't mean rabbits and ferrets).
At what
age would it be best to get one?
Eight to ten weeks of age.
Other
Consideration for jungle cat owners?
Realize that most exotics bond deeply with their owners while they are
quite young. Understand that this bond is not easily transferred. Sometimes
it is darn near impossible to transfer this bond once the animal has reach
adulthood. For this reason, do your research BEFORE purchasing this or
any other animal - and expect to be able to properly house and care for
this animal for the rest of its life.
What
kind of person should own these animals?
Someone who is knowledgeable of wild cats and their ways. Someone who
does NOT expect this to act like a domestic cat. Someone who is very tolerant
of flippant moods. |
