Hybrid Cats What are they and Why the Fascination?

I did some research to find out what fascination is and what the cost of these cats might be sometimes very expensive to purchase, and this is the information I found on most popular unique cat breeds.

Hybrid cats are often more challenging to own than domestic cats, because they are crossed with wild cats. This increases the chance that they will be more difficult than a domestic cat.

Hybrid cats are created by crossing a wildcat species with a domestic cat. The original offspring from that breeding is called an F1 and retains most of the wildcat traits. Breeding an F1 female to a domestic cat result in kittens called F2. Breeding F2 females produces a generation called F3, and so on.

There are two domestic cat/hybrid breeds that are popular. The Bengal Cat which was crossbreed with Asian leopard cats in 1900 and the Savannah Cat breed with large-eared wild African cats. There two breeds were produced by breeding domestic cats with wild cats. The Bengal Cat which was breed with Asian leopard cats in 1900 and the Savannah Cat breed with large-eared wild African cat.?

If you want a unique-looking feline that has wild stripes and spots, large eyes, and other distinguishing features, check out these seven hybrid cat breeds. Hybrid cat breeds are created when a domestic cat is bred with an undomesticated or wild cat breed.

This breeding may be done in an attempt to get more wild patterns, colors, and other physical features, or to combine favorite personality traits and other attributes of domestic and wild cats.

Tips

While hybrid cats often look like domestic cats, many early generations can have very wild personality traits that may make them more of a challenge to care for when compared to domestic house cats.

Breed Characteristics

Some hybrid cat breeds are more mischievous and active than others, but they all can have very wild instincts. First, second, and sometimes even third generations of hybrid cats will have more of these wild traits than later generations so pet owners that are interested in getting a hybrid cat breed should be aware of this. More mental and physical enrichment will be required for these earlier generations.

Here are seven hybrid cat breeds that have grown in popularity over the years.

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? 1.? Bengal Cat

Bengal cats, not to be confused with Bengal tigers, are a hybrid cat breed that has combined the Asian leopard cat with various domestic cats, especially the Egyptian mau. These cats are known for their wild-looking spots and marbling, but they also often like water and have very dog-like personalities. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a condition affecting the left ventricle, the main pumping chamber of the heart. The walls of the left ventricle become thick and stiff. Over time, the heart can't take in or pump out enough blood during each heartbeat to supply the body's needs.

Progressive retinal atrophyan inherited eye disease that leads to blindness . PRA is a non-painful condition that tends to progress slowly over time, often starting with a decreased ability to see well at night.

Pyruvate kinase deficiency is caused by changes (variants or mutations) in the PKLR gene, which lead to a deficiency of the enzyme pyruvate kinase. These variants are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Pyruvate kinase deficiency is a condition in which red blood cells break down faster than they should. This can lead to anemia (not enough red blood cells). Most cats with pyruvate kinase deficiency lead a healthy life.

Three diseases that Bengal cats may be predisposed to developing.

??? Breed Overview

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??? Height: 13-16 inches

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??? Weight: 8-15 lbs.

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??? Coat and Color: Short hair, wide variety of colors with spots, rosettes, or marbling

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??? Life Expectancy: 9-15 years

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?? 2. Savannah Cat

?Taller than the Bengal cat, Savannah cats are also spotted hybrid cats that are popular for their exotic markings. They are a cross between a serval and a domestic cat and are the largest type of recognized and registered pet cat breed. Some states and cities have laws against owning Savannah cats, especially earlier generations of them, but most recognize them as domesticated pets.

Health Issues

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart condition in cats

Hybrid Male Sterility (HMS)?

Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiencya rare, genetic, lifelong condition that affects red blood cells. Symptoms can be vary greatly. How it affects one cat can be significantly different from how it affects another cat. In some instances, the disorder can be life-threatening at birth.

Obesity.

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??? Height: 14-17 inches

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??? Weight: 7.5 - 24 lbs.

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??? Coat and Color: Short hair, brown, silver, or black colors with spots

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??? Life Expectancy: 12-20 years

??? 3. Chausie

Chausies are a cross between jungle cats and domestic cats. They are playful cats that enjoy the company of other cats, dogs, and people and are very social. Chausies are built for running and jumping and also often resemble Abyssinian cats.

Health Issues

The shortened length of their intestines can cause some complications in the digestive system. They can have a low tolerance to some plant-based foods which, over time, can cause inflammatory bowel disease

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??? Height: 14-18 inches

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??? Weight: 8-16 lbs.

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??? Coat and Color: Short hair, solid black, black grizzled tabby, and black/brown ticked tabby

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??? Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

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??? 4. Serengeti

?Unlike other hybrids, the Serengeti is a cross between two domesticated cat breeds: the Bengal cat and Oriental shorthair. They have slimmer features than their Bengal cousins but maintain the exotic, spotted coat; the ultimate goal of this breed is to look like a serval without using wild cats to breed. They are very active and agile and maintain the vocal attributes of their Oriental shorthair ancestors.

Health Issues

Serengeti cats are generally a healthy breed, with a few health issues, such as urinary crystals like kidney stones.

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??? Height: 10-16 inches

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??? Weight: 8-15 lbs.

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??? Coat and Color: Short hair, variety of colors with spots

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??? Life Expectancy: 8-12 years

5.? Cheetoh

If you like spots then you will love cheetoh cats. This newer hybrid cat breed was developed from crossing the Bengal cat with an ocicat in an attempt to create a gentle but wild-looking breed. This hybrid cat is a large-bodied cat but is said to get along well with other pets as well as people. The cheetoh is not as common as the Bengal or Savannah but is growing in popularity due to its striking markings.

Health Issues

Heart Disease in Cats: Just like their Bengal ancestors, Cheetoh cats may be prone to developing adult onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, caused by the enlargement or thickening of the heart. This is the most common type of heart disease in cats.

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??? Height: 12-18 inches

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??? Weight: 12-25 lbs.

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??? Coat and Color: Short hair, multiple colors with spots.

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??? Life Expectancy: 10-15 years

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??? 6. Toyger

If you're after stripes without having a pet tiger, then a toyger may be what you're looking for. Developed by crossing a Bengal cat with a domestic tabby cat, this breed is friendly and highly trainable. Like many other purebred cats, toygers can be prone to developing heart disease but are very playful and make great house cats even though they are not as common as Bengals.

Health Issues

?It's been reported that they may have a higher risk of heart murmurs. And it's possible that they could be affected by conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and pyruvate kinase deficiency that affect Bengals.

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??? Height: 9-13 inches

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??? Weight: 7-15 lbs.

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??? Coat and Color: Short hair, brown to orange with black stripes

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??? Life Expectancy: 10-15 years

?7.???? Pixiebob

Bred to look like a cross between a bobcat and a domestic cat, pixiebobs are highly social and active cats. Like bobcats, pixiebobs have a bobbed or shorter tail and ear tufts. They make chirping noises and usually have polydactyl toes.

Health issues

Pixie-Bobs are a relatively healthy cat breed .

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??? Height: 9-13 inches

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??? Weight: 8-17 lbs.

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Coat and Color: Often short-haired but can have long hair, brown, red, or rust color with spotting

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??? Life Expectancy: 13-15 years

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Many hybrid cat breeds are recognized as domesticated cats, but like other purebred cats, each breed is known for its own unique features. Researching any breed of cat before committing to caring for it is important for any cat owner, regardless of whether or not you are considering a hybrid.

Summary of Hybrid Health Issues.

Hybrids, whether early generation or domestic, often have the following common health issues, which can be expensive and leave the owner feeling helpless:

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??? Painful irritable bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic diarrhea

??? Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

??? Progressive Retinal Atrophy

??? Tri-Trichamonas Foetus

??? Luxating patella

??? Often high corona titers and the only known test for FIP – Feline Infectious Peritonitis (but not always reliable)

??? Gingivitis and mouth lesions (most common in Chausie’s)

?Video: https://youtu.be/yfRIZruTohc?si=YUTN8u-GcrSe3HzG

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