Cat lovers usually won’t discriminate between breeds, but it’s perfectly natural to long for an exotic feline of your very own. Tabbies and tortoiseshells can get old, so there’s nothing wrong with wanting a unique kind of cat. On the other hand, procuring an exotic breed has its own challenges.
Some cat breeds are very rare and can only be procured in specific areas of the world. However, it’s not always legal to buy, sell, or own one of these breeds. Even if you could manage to get your hands on a rare exotic breed in a legal manner, chances are that the process will cost you a lot of hassle as well as your hard-earned money. Plus, some exotic breeds might not even be legal to own where you live, so be aware of scams and smuggled pets.
Luckily, there are some common yet still exotic breeds where you can skip some of the red tape. Let’s have a look at some of these now:
1. Egyptian Mau
This is among the oldest-ever cat breeds still in existence. In fact, it’s related to the Ancient Egyptian felines that kept the Pharaoh company. The personality traits of the Egyptian Mau include intelligence, expressiveness, and grace.
2. Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex is a quirky, interesting cat that’s related to the Siamese. While Siamese cats are quite common, their relatives stand out among the crowd. This is mainly due to its appearance; the Cornish Rex is among the only cat breed to have curly, short fur. These cats also have just an undercoat of hair, with no guard coat.
Along with having a unique aesthetic, the curly hair of this breed also means that there’s less shedding. This is why this breed might be preferred by people who have allergies to worry about. While the Cornish Rex does groom itself just as much as other cats, the lower amount of shedding could mean fewer chances of triggering an allergic reaction. There’s also a lot less dander on these cats, so you’ve got a nice deal here.
Like the Siamese cat, the Cornish Rex is also playful, curious, and adores attention. All in all, this breed makes a fun pet and will also turn heads. If you want both of these advantages, you’d better go for a Cornish Rex if possible.
3. Japanese Bobtail
The Japanese Bobtails is also an ancient breed, one that can be traced back for centuries in Japan. Their name is self-explanatory, as they have a small rabbit-like bob instead of a regular tail.
These adorable cats are very friendly and even crave attention from complete strangers. They’re also active and vocal, so be prepared for a lot of meowing around your home. If you’d prefer a quiet breed or one that requires less exercise, it might be a good idea to skip the Japanese Bobtail for now.
4. Somali
Somali cats are among those exotic breeds that are worthy of winning beauty pageants. If you’re on the lookout for a gorgeous, sleek feline that looks like a cross between a cat and a fox, go for this breed. They’re also sometimes called fox cats, so one can imagine how they look.
Somalis also have a regal air to them, but they’re not above a bit of mischief. Their name ‘fox cat’ is also given due to their playful and mischievous nature. Some specimens of this breed have even played tricks on their humans. If you do get one of these beauties, get ready to stay on your toes!
5. Manx
Like the Japanese Bobtail, the Manx cat also has a bob in place of a tail. This physical trait has prompted some people to give them the nicknames of ‘Stubbins’ and ‘Rumpies’.
Another unique trait of Manx cats is that their back legs are longer than the front ones. This means that their walk is more like a hop.
While their walk might be more awkward than graceful, Manx cats are among the most gentle and playful cats you can have. They’re also not above being picky about their humans, so you might have to struggle in order to win their trust.
If you do get on a Manx’s good side, though, you’re in for a treat! These kitties can greet you with a very high-pitched trilling voice and even play fetch just like a dog does.
6. Havana Brown
This is one of the more unusual breeds that you can still acquire relatively easily. It’s the only kind of cat you can find today with a completely brown coat. No white underbelly, no other marking–just a pure, chocolate-toned fur all over.
The specific shade of a Havana Brown cat is also very hard to find on other species, making this breed a valuable acquisition. Even their paws and noses are brown instead of pink.
What really recommends these cats for pets, though, is their friendly nature. In fact, they’re sometimes so friendly that their owners have to be careful about strangers in the vicinity. If you can manage to adopt a Havana Brown for your very own, you’d have a gentle, affectionate, and loyal friend at home.
7. Savannah
This is a popular cat breed that comes from a wild cat’s lineage. The Savannah cat was derived from a mixture of a jungle cat breed called servals and a domestic breed.
This is an especially energetic breed of cat, so you might want to make sure that there’s plenty of space around. Making time for walks and playing outside might also be in your future. You can put a leash on these cats for their own prediction as well.
Moreover, these cats will grow up to be quite large. If you’re searching for a cat that can play like a dog, this is a great choice to make.
8. Toyger
As the name tells us, this is an exotic cat breed that resembles a little tiger, complete with stripes. If a cat lover has dreamed of having their own tiger cub, this could be one way of fulfilling their wish.
These little wild-looking creatures are fast becoming a very popular cat breed. However, several cat breed associations don’t really recognize it as a legit breed for now. The International Cat Association (TICA) has given the Toyger full recognition, though, so that should be good enough for most cat enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The felines we’ve discussed above are certainly exotic breeds, but they might not all be easily available. Some might be more commonly found in countries outside the United States, while others could be illegal to domesticate within certain state laws. If you must have an exotic cat for your new pet, make sure to look up the regulations beforehand. As long as you’ve got all the paperwork in order, getting an exotic feline as a pet may not be such a difficult path.