Cat Breeds That Look Like Wild Cats

The smallest feline is a masterpiece.

―Leonardo da Vinci

Dogs are deserving holders of the 'man's best friend' moniker, but cats? Cats happen to be a whole different ballgame. One might think of them along the lines of a furry, four-legged, and well-mannered roommate, rather than a pet.

Now, there are some among us who are pretty satisfied with keeping a cat as a pet companion. But there are also others who favor all things unconventional, even when it comes to a pet cat. If you happen to be looking for one, we've got you a list of some interesting and exotic cat breeds.

Their exoticness comes from the fact that these are no ordinary cats―particularly in the looks department. Their resemblance to big cats is unmistakable, and yet they'll just as well be happy to spend long hours in your lap, purring contently.

The designer breed is being developed in the United States, and is expected to replicate the regal looks of a tiger in a domestic cat.

In time, the Toygers' resemblance with the big cat will become more pronounced, with smaller ears and eyes, a fuller facial structure, larger nose, and of course, the luxurious orange coat covered with black stripes.

This domestic feline will not have a shred of tiger DNA, but will share genes with the Asian Leopard cat, who shares parentage of the Bengal cat. Which, of course, brings us to the original tiger-lookalike, the Bengal cat itself.

Their origins are a bit obscure, with some reports saying that the cross was a result of natural breeding in the wild.Documented crossbreeding of the Asian Leopard cat and the domestic cat began in the 1960s, and it took another 20 years to bear a cat which would classify as a domestic.

Bengals are appreciated for their gentle demeanor and their distinctive markings which include leopard-like spots or tiger stripes. As mentioned above, Bengals are now being used to create Toyger, a tiger-like domestic cat.

The Chausie breed originated in north Africa, possibly Egypt, by crossing the Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) with the domestic cat. They are medium to large-sized―a little smaller than the Maine Coon. Chausies are short-haired, with gold or yellow eyes.

By nature, these cats are energetic and playful, thoroughly enjoying the company of other cats and even dogs if they happen to be raised together. Chausies are known to form a very deep bond with their favorite person in the household.

In fact, the Ocicat was bred using Siamese-Abyssinian cross with silver tabby American Shorthairs. Thus, the Ocicat is entirely domestic, and makes for a gentle, yet amusing companion.

Ocicats are strong, yet of slender build, and have some unique facial features which include almond-shaped eyes, and slightly angled ears with rounded tips. Truly, Ocicats are one of the most exotic-looking domestic cats.

What we now know is that this wild-looking feline is medium to large-sized, with a short or long coat, usually seen in a brown-spotted tabby pattern.They also have the signature bobtail, and may have more than the normal number of toes as a result of polydactlism. They have a calm and relaxed demeanor, but can also be very chatty when they want to.

Savannahs are known for their long, pointed ears that sit on top of the head, the longish neck, and a short, thick tail. Their coat can be solid dark-brown to black, with spots that can be round, oval, or elongated.

Black Savannahs are solid black but may have faint spots, visible beneath the black color. These cats are very active and agile by nature, and love to play with retrieving toys. They frequently seek human interaction, which means that they cannot be left alone for long hours. This breed is definitely not for those looking for a quiet and docile companion.

The Mokave Jag is one seriously huge feline, bearing an uncanny resemblance to one of the most elusive big cat, the jaguar. The Mokave Jag is the result of selective breeding of the Desert Lynx, Highland Lynx, Jungle Cat, and Asian Leopard Cat hybrids.

The aggressive traits of these wild creatures have been effectively outcrossed by selective breeding, and the Mokave Jag is a very affectionate and intelligent house cat.

Its looks can be deceiving, though, with the exotic markings on the coat, the lynx-like long ear tufts, and the bobtail.

Designer or not, these cats are sure to have you floored with their dashing good looks, and an intelligent personality to match. Bring home a wild cat lookalike, and experience it yourself.