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Siberian
Lynx Interview with Dee Alain WHAT IS A SIBERIAN LYNX? A Siberian lynx is a wildcat, native to Russia and certain European countries. The species is more accurately called the “Eurasian Lynx” since they are found in many areas outside of Siberia . These cats are not found in North America . Another lynx, the “Canadian Lynx” – a.k.a. Yukon Lynx – is native here. The Canadian lynx is somewhat shorter and has a more stocky frame. It also has a shorter tail and a more timid temperament. The Canadian lynx is an endangered species. As yet, the Siberian lynx is not endangered. POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES OF THE SPECIES? Compared
to other wildcats – none of which I have owned – a Siberian
lynx is relatively mellow and unflappable. Their calm nature is what makes
them more adaptable as “pets”. I use this word with reservations.
They do NOT make good “pets” in the common definition of the
word. No wildcat does, in my opinion. This was the first thing I learned
after becoming an owner. On the other hand, my current Siberian is one
of my greatest joys. She is exceedingly affectionate and I have no fear
that she will ever “turn on me” as some wild cats do. I could
be wrong, of course. She’s a cat and she’s a wildcat. One
way or the other, I realize she may hurt me some day, merely because she
is big, strong, and rough in her play. I presume you are referring to negative attributes of a Siberian Lynx as a pet – yes? Well, the most negative attribute of a Siberian Lynx is that it is a friggin’ wildcat! A Siberian lynx is inescapably wild by nature, - and nothing we do as an owner will change that. The best we can hope for is for our lynx to become friendly – a friendly wildcat. A lynx will not behave like a common housecat in any sense of the word. You will have a wild thing in your living room – a beautiful creature, indeed, but one that is not necessarily compatible with nice furniture, breakable knick-knacks, and a fresh smelling atmosphere. My “Vikka” is still a kitten, even though she is now three years old. She likes to chew – on anything wood, on corners of upholstery and on anything else she can get her teeth into. She is very nimble and likes to climb – or should I say jump – on the counter tops, to the top of the fridge, the china cabinet, the entertainment center – knocking over anything in her way. Vikka is pretty good about using her litter box. Usually. But “usually” can become stinky if you don’t see it happen. I can’t trust her, and it’s stressful having to watch her all the time. I do bring Vikka in the house occasionally. But, I must either tether her, or keep her with me on a leash so I can watch her constantly. Otherwise, I’ve found that she will be “good” about 80% of the time. But in that remaining 20% she will, for example, get a malicious look in her eye and bound from floor to ceiling around the room in a playful rampage. Keep in mind, this whirlwind is 45-50 pounds of cat! When she’s not breaking things or chewing things, she may opt to simply back up to a favorite spot and lift her tail. Have you heard that only males mark territory? Umph! Not true. Lynx have been described as an “exotic” cat. But, the term exotic has also been applied to 4th and 5th generation hybrids such as savannahs and bengals. There is no comparison. To own a 100% lynx is to accept their behavior and appreciate them for what they are. Owning a Siberian Lynx presents certain contradictions. Vikka is strongly attached to me. She greets me with endearing grunts and cries, and she purrs like a chainsaw. She likes to rub her face against me and give me friendly head-butts. She rolls over on her back and lets me rub her beautiful spotted white belly. She is wonderfully playful: she chews on me in rough play and jumps on me in mock attacks - without leaving a mark. Yeah. But, she draws blood on strangers. She can be aggressive, and when she is, she intends to do damage. She has attacked my husband and daughter-in-law because they did not respect her territory. Her aggression has never been vicious; she simply wants strangers to stay away. A couple of our friends have insisted that they do not fear her and they were sure they could pet her. “I have a way with animals” and “Animals like me” they proclaimed. Well, they did pet her. Vikka tolerated it for a couple of minutes – I watched the tip of her tail begin to flick – then, each time she clamped down firmly on their arm. She broke the skin just enough to bleed. A Siberian Lynx is a fairly laid-back cat, even when they are provoked – but they can not be trusted with others. Before I obtained Vikka, I owned another Siberian – “Nikki”. Nikki was different. He had not been adequately socialized before I got him – and no one, including me, could pet him. He’d bite down to warn me to back off. But, he treated complete strangers no worse than me. And yet, like Vikka, he was, in his own way, devoted to me. I suffered a bad fall one night when I was alone. I had a ruptured kidney and a badly sprained ankle. I could barely move, and was groaning in pain. Nikki – my unfriendly bad boy – laid himself down against me, and when I began dragging myself to the phone, he stayed beside me. But, that experience did not change anything between us. I never could pet him. Nikki died about a year later. He was 2 ½ years old. I got him from an unscrupulous dealer (I later found out). Nikki was apparently inbred, and had an incurable pancreatic defect which eventually killed him. I spent a couple thousand dollars trying to save him – but that’s another story. There are few breeders of Siberian lynx in the United States , so finding a hand-raised kitten is difficult. Furthermore, the gene pool is small in this country. With so few animals available, inbreeding is a persistent problem. A prospective buyer must be extremely cautious. Inbred cats will have major health problems that may not reveal themselves during kittenhood.
From what I’ve read, wildcats live longer in captivity than they do in the wild. In captivity, a Siberian lynx is said to have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years – a long term commitment for anyone contemplating ownership! How many people will be able to care for a wildcat for that long! Circumstances change. People get a new job, lose their job, or retire. They move – probably several times in a quarter of a century – no? Perhaps they will no longer own their own home, or move to a place where wildcats are forbidden (certain states and municipalities). They marry or divorce. They become new parents or grandparents, etc., etc., etc. None of these changes bode well for a wildcat. Then what? Wildcats are not adaptable! Re-homing a Siberian lynx is much less likely than with a dog or domestic cat. They don’t accept new owners readily, if at all. It is even more difficult to find a new owner who is knowledgeable enough, responsible enough, and who has the resources to properly care for your displaced wildcat.
I can speak only from my own experience. When I obtained that sweet little kitten – I couldn’t have believed that she could grow into a surly, potentially dangerous animal. Vikka was raised with much love, and she seemed to love everyone – until – she matured, and became a one-person pet. She changed. I’ll never know why, except to say, “She’s a wildcat.” I am lucky that she remained attached to me. Vikka does not like anyone other than me – but there is at least one explanation. Clearly, she does not trust other people. She will back away if she can, and she huffs at them. It’s almost the same sound a horse makes when it’s leery of something. I have been tempted to put a soft muzzle on Vikka and have someone – such as my husband, whom she dislikes greatly - stroke her for brief periods until she learns that no harm comes from it. A type of feline ‘confrontation therapy’. It’s worth a try, but I’m not overly optimistic – and, it could backfire.
How easily a Siberian lynx can be trained depends on the cat and what you want her to do. For example, my first Siberian – Nikki – could be walked on a leash with no problem at all. He would go anywhere I wanted. I’d just give a tug on the lead, he’d jump ahead, and we were off! Getting the leash on and off of his collar, however, required some ingenuity. Nikki would not tolerate petting, nor any other movement toward his head. I had to use a carpet square with a large hole in the center to snap his leash on and off. Otherwise, he’d growl and bite me. Nikki really liked riding in the car, too. I started traveling with him when he was no more than 8 weeks old. As an adult, he remained calm, and he was allowed to roam freely in the vehicle. I felt completely safe, knowing he meant no harm to me as long as I didn’t attempt to touch him. Vikka, on the other hand, is very easy to handle. I can push her, pull her, pull tight things over head, hug her – anything. But, her leash training has not been as successful. On the leash, she is temperamental. If she wants to go in the direction we are headed, no problem. She trots along willingly. If she doesn’t want to go, she’ll lie down, and roll over on her back. I’ve been working on this. My husband – whom she hates – will approach her from the rear, causing her to jump to her feet to escape. This tactic, along with a sharp tug at the first sign of hesitation, is quashing her desire to stubbornly lie down. She doesn’t like the firm tug, so she jumps forward the way Nikki used to do – if my husband is closing in on her. Eventually, I think she will learn to lead, even when she doesn’t really want to go, and even when my husband isn’t there to prod her. We’ll see. In any case, I am firmly opposed to any form of punishment for a wildcat. This is a strictly personal opinion, of course. I can trust Vikka because Vikka trusts me. That’s it. So, I’ll never do anything to erode this relationship.
It is not difficult to contain a Siberian lynx. They do not chew, pry, nor dig. Chicken wire is strong enough – but the problem is not keeping your lynx in – it’s keeping intruders out. For example, as foolhardy as it seems, rodents will burrow into their pen. A good rule to remember is that a lynx can escape through any hole that is large enough for their head. They are very supple. Humans are another threat. There is great liability if your lynx harms someone and it is determined that your animal was not secrely confined. Along these lines, the entrance of the pen needs to be especially secure. Lynx are lightning fast. A moment’s inattention or a door that was not properly closed could result in escape. The remedy? -- a double gated entry. A secondary pen – large enough to accommodate a person and a wheelbarrow – should be built around the main entrance. If your lynx escapes its pen, it will find itself in another fully enclosed pen. Perhaps I should mention one more thing, although one would think everyone would know this: your pen must have a top! Lynx are strong and agile. They can jump to amazing heights in a single bound. Lynx need a spacious area to play in and a secluded den box. A neighborhood setting is unsuitable for a lynx, even if it’s legal in your community. For one thing, lynx stink. When outside, they will not use their litter box, nor will they eliminate in any one spot. Therefore, the dirt or sand in their pen must be systematically replaced with clean soil to control odor. The remedy is not 100% effective. I mentioned community. This is the first thing a prospective lynx owner must investigate! Owning a wildcat is prohibited in many communities, municipalities, and in some states.
First of all, let me state what you do not feed them – regular cat food! They can not survive on such fare long term. Cat food is for pussy cats. Lynx need fresh, bloody, red, raw meat, which includes ample amounts of organ-meat: liver, kidney, heart, lung, spleen, etc. – the same ingredients they would eat in the wild. Beef will suffice, but not on its own. Poultry, rabbit, etc. should be included – bones and all! Fur and feathers are good, too, but make a mess. Additionally, it is a good idea to add small amounts of grain and a vitamin supplement designed for wild felines. The bottom line is this: it can be expensive to feed a wildcat -- very expensive, if you must feed your cat entirely from the super market. Another alternative is to feed your cat the same fare used by zoos for their large felines. I don’t consider this a good option. It’s not readily available, and I doubt that this diet can stand alone. And, again, it’s expensive. Our situation provides us with large quantities of meat that is free. My husband goes to a small local slaughter house and gets leftover beef (and, sometimes, venison) that is fully wholesome and nutritious, but unsuitable for packaging. In return, he offers to work for them when they are busy – he is an experienced meat cutter. He also performs handyman chores that save them considerable money. It’s a barter situation that is not feasible for everyone who hopes to own a wildcat. As for the chicken we feed, we buy it from the supermarket. Leftover chicken at the farm level is subject to salmonella contamination, so we buy chicken processed for human consumption. Fortunately, in the super market it is less expensive than red meat. For this reason, some wildcat owners maintain their animals exclusively on a chicken diet. My husband raised lynx for 12 years. I believe him when he states, “Don’t do it.” This is not what nature intended. Your cat may subsist on this, but their health and vitality may be affected. For Vikka, chicken represents less than one third of her total diet. It depends. My first lynx was raised with another kitten – a housecat. They grew up together, and Nikki would never hurt his little friend. Nikki was also raised with a puppy – and hated him from the get go. Vikka was also raised with a housecat and a dog. By the time Vikka reached ¾ her adult size, it became apparent she would kill her kitty companion. Vikka liked the dog, however. The dog didn’t like Vikka. Over all, I’d say that a lynx is no less or no more predictable with another pet than a dog or kitty. Sometimes, domesticated or not, certain animals do not get along well together. If you already have a beloved family pet, they might get along. It is equally possible one or the other will be unfriendly.
Vikka is very destructive if not constantly supervised. Most of the time she will lie around quietly. Without warning, however, she will begin chewing on something – a photo album, a table leg, the sofa cushions, etc. I’ve been unable to break her of this. She does extensive damage within a few second’s time! She also gets periodically ‘hyper’ and races around the room in sheer glee, her big paws never touching the floor! Everything is subject to being knocked over and broken – lamps, knick-knacks, furniture! Plus,she likes high places, such as the top of the fridge and cabinets. If there is anything on top of them, down it goes! The only solution I’ve found is to keep her on a leash or tether her out of reach of anything she can damage. She accepts this well, but I don’t like it. I want to let her loose, but I don’t dare.
ARE THERE ANY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR NAILS? Wildcats don’t have “nails”. They have claws! Big ones! They are at least an inch long, embedded in paws the size of a man’s palm, and powered by large-boned, muscular legs. Vikka is my sweetheart – but she would have injured me several times – albeit, accidently – if she still had claws. Furthermore, Vikka is unfriendly toward strangers. She would be outright dangerous if her claws were intact. When she feels threatened, she becomes aggressive in her demeanor. She sometimes reaches out with a paw, as if to snag the person she dislikes, to draw them near her! She cups her clawless paw around their arm or leg. This has always surprised me, but with Vikka her displeasure is usually expressed by aggression. This happens in the blink of an eye, and if she had claws, there would be no escape. Unquestionably, the wound would be serious. This is the type liability a wildcat owner can not accept.
Wildcats, including lynx, will spray. This is true for both males and females, contrary to what you may have heard. This fluid comes from the anal gland, and the odor is foul. On the bright side, the scent does not endure like the smell of urine, and, unlike urine, is easily removed with soap and water or an enzyme cleaner.
HOW MESSY ARE THEIR DROPPING AND CAN THEY BE LITTER TRAINED? Wildcat scat is usually firm, and no more smelly than that of a dog. However, their urine is odorous, much like that of a housecat – except – that it is in much larger quantities! As for litter training – yes, they will use a litter box – “most” of the time. It’s those other times that prevents you from letting them have the run of your house!
Lynx don’t usually require much veterinary care. They should be kept up-to-date on their vaccinations, of course. They need periodic worming, which you can do yourself. Occasionally, however, a lynx may need emergency care, like any other animal. It is essential to have a vet available who will agree to see a wildcat. Most vets will not accept them! The life of your cat may depend on making arrangements for veterinary care before an emergency arises! When Vikka was 2 years old, she chewed the leg off of one her teddies and swallowed it. I found the shredded toy, but did not realize part of it was missing. Two months later Vikka became very ill – from a stomach ailment. It was that ingested teddy’s leg, no doubt! She vomited other parts of the toy – which had been lodged in her stomach all that time! I called our vet – he was out of town! I asked his partner – who was supposed to fill in for him in his absence – to treat her. He refused! Clearly, he was afraid of Vikka. We called 7 vets that day before we found one who would see her! By that time, Vikka was so weak she couldn’t raise her head. We’re lucky she survived. The lessons learned: work out medical care for your cat before you need it! [AND! Give no toys to your cat that can be chewed and swallowed.]
If your pet lynx is to be expected to become reasonably tame, it should be bottle-fed from a tender age – no more than 10 days old. Lynx are “wired” to be wild. It is important for them to be handled continuously, and therefore, to imprint on humans while they are still very tiny. My first lynx (Nikki) was not handled until he was at least 6 weeks old. Too late. I was never able to tame him completely. Bottle feeding a baby lynx is not for amateurs! They can easily die. A good breeder will do this for you. You should get your lynx when he is 8 or 9 weeks old. He may still be on a bottle, but he will be unlikely to aspirate its contents, and by that time, part of diet will be solid food.
This is a loaded question. I’ll mention a few things that come to mind. Stability. To keep a lynx, your life, your life-style, your income, your family status, and your living arrangement must be adequate, dependable, and consistent – for the next 20-25 years. A major change in your life could easily result in a homeless lynx. Displaced wildcats are not easy to place in an alternative environment, and they do not adapt well to such changes. Euthanasia is too often the result. Modesty and realism. If impressing friends and onlookers is a large part of your desire to own a lynx, you will be disappointed. If you expect him to be a live-in companion, you will be disappointed. You cannot take your lynx to work. You can not take your lynx to visit your friends, unless they don’t mind having their furniture sprayed or their carpet pee-ed upon. You can not let your lynx interact with the general public. You cannot take your lynx in your car without his litterbox. You cannot sleep with your lynx. He is nocturnal and you are not. Furthermore, he’ll pull and chew your hair. I don’t know why, but all lynx do this! Plus, they will “mark” your bed. You simply can not keep a lynx in your house like he’s a German Shepard. You can take your lynx for walks on a leash. But, keep in mind, you should always be accompanied by another person to “ride shotgun” for you. This person will prevent naïve onlookers from trying to touch your pet, because they assume that if he is on a leash, he is surely tame! The public, in general, is ignorant about wildcats, and they can not be relied upon for any common sense whatsoever. The general public must be protected if you are going to walk your cat amongst them. Your sidekick must also be on the lookout for unleashed doggies, especially the small ones. We took Vikka for a walk in mostly vacant park one day. I had Vikka on a leash, of course. A car pulled up and parked. As the family, which included two children, got out of the car, they let out their two tiny Chihuahuas . No collars; no leashes! The family did not notice our wildcat at that point, but the pups did – and Vikka certainly saw them, too! She dropped into a menacing crouch as they made a beeline directly toward her! My husband dashed toward them and quickly scooped them up before they her. She was revved up, intent, and waiting for them to come within range. Obviously, her predatory instincts had been fully triggered. Although the family clearly violated posted leash laws, I would have felt awful if those two little children had witnessed a swift and brutal end to their doggies. It nearly happened.
I want to summarize what I’ve said thus far, and add a few extra points. At this point, despite everything you’ve been told, perhaps you’ve still decided it would be cool to own a wildcat! I know the feeling. You just can’t get the idea out of your head. You just have to have one! Okay. But slow down – especially if “cool” is the operative word for you. It is possible, if you do a little more research and a little more thinking before you commit to this adventure, owning an exotic feline may become less appealing. A lynx is not a kitty-cat. He’s a wildcat! The predictability and temperament that describes your house cat is in sharp contrast to what you can expect from a full-grown lynx! Admittedly, a lynx kitten is irresistibly cute – but, really - should you purchase one of these adorable little fur-balls? Some Additional Points To Think About: -- A good place to start is to find out from your local authorities if you are legally allowed to own a lynx as a pet. If not, forget it. There’s no way around the laws. Your illegal cat will be confiscated and euthanized. -- Furthermore, even if wildcats are legal, your neighbors may cause you grief. They may fear an accidental escape or dislike the odor that is wafting in their bedroom window. -- If your expectation is to go out and socialize while
accompanied by your lynx - chances are good – it won’t work
out! Instead, be prepared to spend lots of time at home – alone
– with your pet. And -- don’t be too surprised if some friends
and relatives prefer not to get anywhere near your impressive “wildcat”.
-- Furthermore, be prepared for the expense to purchase additional liability insurance for your wildcat as part of your homeowners policy. No mishap will be covered if you have not specifically declared ownership of this animal. You can not afford to be uninsured in this regard. -- More so than domestic felines, lynx are very independent individuals, and as such, you will never truly ‘own’ one. This is a cold, hard fact and nobody is going to change it. There is no way to predict the temperament of your baby lynx. He may grow up devoted to you. Your charming and playful kitten may become surly and distant toward you as he matures into an adult. I have a friend who is experiencing this outcome with her previously gentle and friendly 3 year old Siberian. Previously, he was friendly with everyone. Now, he growls even at her. She is unsure if he will actually bite her. I think he will. Growling is a warning not to be ignored. My friend is heartbroken. Sociability varies with the cat. One way or the other, you’ll have to live with the commitment you’ve made, and love your cat for what he is. -- Don’t plan on going out too much. Your life will revolve around your lynx! Unlike a house cat, your unusual pet needs you at home! What’s more, if you think it’s a chore trying to find a sitter for your house cat so you can enjoy a 2-week cruise or camping trip, try finding someone you can trust to care for your lynx! -- The regular cat food that is readily available at your local store won’t satisfy the needs of a lynx. A proper diet can be described in a word: expensive. And, you’ll have to mix and prepare it yourself. To achieve a consistent mix of organ meat, red meat, vitamins, bone, and vitamins, we grind our feed. If you choose this approach, you’ll find that it’s a bloody messy job. And, we had to buy a big $600 dollar grinder. Some people choose to chunk feed, but achieving a balanced diet is not assured. Lynx are fussy. Vikka refuses to eat organ meat, for example, unless it’s mixed with the rest of her meat. -- Be aware that the first time you walk into your animal clinic with your lynx, it may be the first time your veterinarian has seen a lynx hands-on. However, even if he is experienced with wildcats, don't be too hard on him for not being as helpful as you expected him to be! Medical research on wildcats is scant. Therefore, even though your vet can perform a myriad of tests on your ailing lynx, there are few norms established to help him determine what the tests mean! If your lynx simply has worms or an infection, diagnosis will be straightforward. But, if your kitty has abnormal levels of pancreatic enzymes, for example, that diagnosis may be difficult! The reality is your pet is "different." Sometimes, your vet's approach to treatment may have to be trial-and-error! It can be a frustrating, drawn-out, and expensive ordeal. I speak from experience. Fortunately, a well-bred lynx should need little veterinary care, but there is the additional problem of finding a vet willing to take on such a challenging and dangerous patient. -- For better or for worse, your ownership of a lynx
will be a long-term commitment! Lynxes can be expected to live for 20-25
years! They tend to be a one-person pet and may not adapt to a change
in owners if your circumstances should change. Therefore, consider what
changes may take place in your personal life that might complicate your
responsibility. Never forget that a lynx is instinctively the ultimate
killing machine. It is not safe for children to be around these felines.
The wishes of a new spouse and the safety of your future children could
transform owning a lynx into an impossible situation. These wildcats do, in fact, possess a number of attractive and engaging characteristics! There are a few positives worth mentioning. -- Your lynx will probably agree to walk on a leash. -- Unlike most house cats, some lynx enjoy riding in a car. If you start transporting your lynx as a kitten and take him with you frequently, he'll probably become a seasoned traveler! Don’t forget his litter box, however. -- Your lynx may become insistently affectionate – with you, at least. If so, he will purr loudly! A pet lynx is also full of other endearing sounds: grunts, whimpers, and “barks” (for lack of a better word). He will not meow. He will not rub against your legs like your domestic cat, but a charming head-butt will demonstrate his affection for you. He will lick you compulsively as you pet him – with a tongue so rough it feels like it’s removing your skin. This is a plus. This is how you know he loves you! -- Your lynx will play like a big dog! He will enjoy playing with you, with his toys, and with other animals in your household (if they are willing and he doesn’t want to eat them). -- Your lynx should be fairly good about using a litter box. He may not use it 100% of the time, however. -- Your lynx will never want any owner other than you. You will feel special that this big cat loves only you. This is not really a good thing, however. Admittedly, I long to share Vikka with other people. Many are quite fascinated by her, so it’s disappointing when they learn they can not interact with her. They must be content to look, but not touch. I wish it wasn’t so. If you have read this far and you are willing to accommodate all of the negatives associated with owning a lynx - you may be a good match for one of these beautiful and fascinating creatures. My best advice is to think about it carefully – and plan long-term. |
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