Cats are one of the most popular pets in The United States and always have been. Our love for a friendly companion and urge to tame something wild often has us looking at cats that look like Tigers. I suppose this is better than walking down the street and seeing Tigers in people’s windows!
It is important to do your research on these cat species before you rush out and buy one. They are not as domesticated as the typical breeds that you see everyday. Most breeders will tell you many generations your cat had been domesticated to give you an idea what you are in for.
If you do your research and find the right breed, they might be the best friend you will ever have. Most of the cats that look like animals are extremely loyal and do not leave their owners side.
Chausie
| Origin: France | Colors: Black, Brown, Silver | Weight: 7 – 15 lbs. |
This furry friend looks very muscular with a broad chest and heavy bone structure. Their long legs and long knew make them very long when you compare them to your average house cat. These are one of the most common cats that look like Tigers because they have short fur that is easy to maintain. They are often compared to a Cougar for their striking resemblance.
Chausie Cats should be kept indoors because of their tendency to get in trouble. They have a natural sense of fearlessness, so they do not know any better than to mess with the wrong animals. Luckily, they are intelligent and athletic enough to get themselves out of trouble in a hurry most of the time.
Bengal
| Origin: The United States | Colors: Many Variations | Weight: 7 – 12 lbs. |
The Bengal cat is the result of breeding an Asian Leopard Cat with a domestic cat. The goal was to get an exotic looking animal with the temperament of a domesticated one. They are extremely muscular with large spots and stripes with a white belly.
Bengal Cats are often compared more to a dog than a cat because of the way they act. They are intelligent, active, trainable, and have a great sense of smell. If you socialize this breed from the beginning, they will be a very social and loyal friend.
Pixie-bob
| Origin: The United States | Colors: Orange, Brown, Black | Weight: 8 – 15 lbs. |
This great looking breed stongly resembles the American Bobcat even though genetics show that they are not related to bobcats in any way. They vary greatly in size from medium to extremely large depending on its parents. Males and females are both outfitted with a belly pouch.
Pixie-bobs can be one of the most anti-social cats that look like Tigers if you do not socialize them well from a young age. A socialized friend will follow you around all day and lay by your feet. They are very family oriented and will socialize with anyone that “plays nice” with them. This breed is also well known for its ability to be trained to pick up keywords.
Ocicat
| Origin: The United States | Colors: Brown, Orange, Silver | Weight: 6 – 14 lbs. |
You wouldn’t be able to tell from their wild appearance, but this is the most domesticated of all the cats that look like Tigers. They are named after the Ocelot, which they resemble almost exactly. These athletic looking cats look much lighter than they are because they are purely muscle.
Your Ocicat might as well be an Ocidog most of the time. These cats love to play catch, walk around on a leash, come when called, and do tricks. They do not like to be alone all day and will cause damage with their curiosity if they do not have someone to keep them enetertained.
These furry cats are a great family pet because they will go from one person to the next looking for someone to pet them.
Savanna
| Origin: The United States | Colors: Brown, Silver, Black | Weight: 15 – 20 lbs. |
Savannas are one of the large cats that look like Tigers, averaging between 15 and 20 pounds. They are a cross between a domestic cat and a large eared wild African cat called a Serval. They look very wild with their orange color with large black stripes and spots.
With proper socialization, Savanna’s can be extremely social to strangers and attract everyone’s attention. They are extremely intelligent and love the challenge of learning new tricks. They can learn the simple tricks (sit, down, etc), but they are also often taught difficult tasks like opening doors and closets.
Serengeti
| Origin: The United States | Colors: Silver, Black, Ebony | Weight: 8 – 12 lbs. |
These cut kitties have large stripes and spots that accent their tabby body very well. The huge ears, often larger than the head itself, stick out like a sore thumb. They are of average weight in this group but they are extremely long.
A Serengeti needs to have plenty of toys and towers to climb if they are kept indoors. They are very active and tend to be more vocal than many of the other cats in their category.
If they are properly introduced, they will get along fine with other pets and children. Serengeti’s tend to by shy in new environments while they adjust, so just give them some space to explore.
Toyger
| Origin: The United States | Colors: Orange, Tan, Black | Weight: 7 – 15 lbs. |
The Toyger gets its name from its appearance, looking like a mini-Tiger to most. The orange color is well accented with thick black stripes and a muscular body. They are a cross between a Domestic Shorthair and a Bengal Tabby.
While they look like they are the wildest cat of the bunch, Toygers are very mellow-tempered and friendly in most cases. They will get along with children and other pets fine if they are properly introduced. Much like the Bengal cats, they are easy to train and love to play catch.
Ussuri
| Origin: Russia | Colors: Tabby, Black | Weight |
This Siberian cat and domestic shorthair crossbreed is the rarest of the cats that look like Tigers. There is no formal breeding program for this cat species, so not much is known. They are often marked with stripes, rings, and spots on their legs and sides, with a stripe running down their spine.
What we do know is that they are very loyal and active. They are not lap cats and would rather be playing or exploring than cuddling up next to their owner.
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