9 Domestic Cats that Look Like Wild Cats

We’re sure you’ve noticed that some domestic cats look rather like wild cats, quite similar in some ways to tigers, leopards, and cheetahs, often looking like miniature versions of the big cats. Have you ever seen one or wanted to take one home? Today we’ll tell you which are those peculiar breeds we are talking about.

The good thing about these creatures is that, even though they’re very similar to some very wild versions, they’re totally tameable, sociable, active, and even calm, so it won’t be a problem to look after a cat of the breeds we’re going to bring you today.

Domestic cat breeds that look like wild cats

Here are nine domestic cat breeds that look like wild tigers, leopards, and cheetahs, and the best part is that they make great pets!

1. Toyger

The Toyger is a breed created by Judy Sugden in 1980, by crossing a mackerel tabby and a Bengal cat. Although physically we can say it’s a miniature version of the tiger, this 7 to 15-pound kitten is 100% domestic.

Toygers can be leash-trained and enjoy spending time outdoors, making them ideal for homes with gardens. Their personality is affectionate, relaxed, sociable, calm, intelligent, and active. They can reach 10 to 15 years of life.

2. Bengal

The Bengal is a cat breed created by Jean Mill in 1963, by crossing wild Asian leopard cats with domestic short-haired cats. As a fun fact, Jean Mill, who passed away in 2018, was Judy Sugden’s mother.

The Bengal cat weighs between 6 and 15 pounds and can live between 14 and 16 years. Its personality is curious, playful, active and intelligent. Physically, it’s just like a mini version of a wild tiger, but it’s also a very domesticated animal. It doesn’t only get along well with people, but also with dogs and other animals.

Being such a sociable cat, it isn’t recommended for people who spend most of the day outside. Bengal cats also enjoy walking outdoors and can be leash trained. Under supervision, they can play tree climbing, which they enjoy very much.

3. Savannah

Another domestic cat that looks like a wild cat is the savannah cat, which was created by Judy Frank in 1980 by crossing an African serval with a domestic cat. However, in the 1990s, Patrick Kelley and Joyce Sroufe devoted themselves to breeding them in a more refined way.

They usually live between 12 and 20 years, and their weight doesn’t exceed 12 to 15 pounds. Their personality is very active, intelligent, involved, devoted to the family, and cautious with strangers.

4. Abyssinian

Abyssinian cats are usually active, affectionate, playful, alert, curious, and intelligent. They weigh no more than 8 to 12 pounds and live between 9 and 15 years.

They aren’t suitable for solitary homes, as they require cuddles and games with humans, but this doesn’t mean that they don’t enjoy being alone, especially if it’s in outdoor spaces, such as the garden of the house. A good plan for them is to explore every corner of the home or spend hours playing with gadgets for cats, which helps them to stay mentally active.

5. Bombay

The Bombay is one of the most curious of our domestic cats that look like wild cats. Physically, it looks like a miniature panther, but it isn’t at all ferocious. Their life expectancy ranges from 15 to 20 years, and they weigh between 8 and 12 pounds.

Their personality is tolerant, calm, relaxed, playful, and sometimes quite lazy. A very notable characteristic of theirs is that, even though they’re very affectionate with their family and with the dogs in the house, they can be very jealous of other cats, as they like to be the center of attention.

6. Egyptian Mau

Egyptian Mau are active, strong-willed, and love heights. Their legs are tall and slender, which allows them to be great climbers and runners. As for their weight, they reach between 7 and 9 pounds, and their estimated lifespan ranges from 13 to 16 years.

7. Serengeti

The Serengeti breed was created by conservation biologist Karen Sausman in 1994, when she crossed an Oriental Shorthair with a Bengal. The personality of this cat is active, friendly and adventurous, as it loves heights. They weigh between 8 and 15 pounds and live an average of 13 to 15 years.

8. American Bobtail

Perhaps the cuddliest of the wild-looking domestic cats is the American bobtail. It’s a very gentle, calm, adaptable, intelligent and devoted kitty with its caregivers, but also with those who pay attention to it and give it cuddles, even with dogs. In fact, they make good companions as therapy animals because they have the personality of a dog, being so affectionate. They usually weigh between 7 and 16 pounds and live between 13 and 15 years.

9. Ocicat

The Ocicat looks like a small cheetah. It isn’t wild like a cheetah, although it does have an energetic personality. It’s also a friendly, active, social, trusting and very loyal cat.

They must necessarily interact with their owners, so it isn’t a good idea to have one in homes where they’ll be kept alone most of the time. They weigh between 7 and 14 pounds and live between 10 and 15 years.

So, we hope you’ve enjoyed our selection of domestic cats that look like wild cats – you can have any of them as a pet without any problems at all. Which of them have stolen your heart?