Last updated Jan 17, 2025
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Cats of all breeds and mixes are beautiful creatures, but if you dream of living with a cat that looks as if it stepped straight from the wild into your home there are a few breeds to consider.
Owning a wildcat look alike is quite possible. A few special breeds look like sleek jaguars, mini leopards, courageous cougars, fearsome tigers, or untamed lynx.
Some exotic-looking cat breeds have no wild blood while others are hybrid created by cross breeding a domestic cat with a small wildcat species. All of the breeds below have the temperament of a domesticated cat combined with the looks of a wild cat.
#1 Bengal
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Large shorthair
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$1,500 - $3,000
The Bengal is a hybrid breed originally developed by crossing a small wildcat species called the Asian leopard cat with domestic cats in the 1960s. Arizona cat breeder Jean Sugden Mill aimed to create a domestic cat with the wild-looking leopard spots. It took a few decades, but she succeeded in her quest. Today’s Bengal, which comes in shorthair and longhaired varieties, is active, energetic, and playful, making them entertaining and beautiful companions.
#2 Bombay
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Medium-sized short-haired
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$400-$2,000
The Bombay breed was created by cat breeder Nikki Horner, who longed to develop a cat that looked like the black panthers found in India. It took her more than a decade, but she successfully bred American Shorthairs with Burmese and ended up with a striking cat with a sleek black coat and copper eyes. Bombay cats are affectionate and social with their beloved families. These cats are playful but also relaxed, which makes them easy to live with.
#3 Chausie
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Large short-haired
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$500-$2500
The Chausie (pronounced chow see) is a hybrid breed that was created in the United States in the 1990s by crossing domestic cats with a small wildcat species called the jungle cat (felis chaus). Chausies come in three colors: brown ticked tabby (similar to the coat pattern seen in Abyssinian cats), solid black, and black grizzled ticked tabby, a unique pattern inherited from the jungle cat. Despite their wild ancestry, Chausies are loving and social cats. They have a lot of energy and love to play.
#4 Egyptian Mau
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Small to medium-sized shorthair
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$500-$3,500
With its leopard-like spots, the Egyptian Mau might look wild, but this breed is 100% domestic. In fact, the Egyptian Mau is the only naturally spotted domestic cat breed (all other spotted cats inherited the pattern from a wild ancestor). This ancient breed comes from Egypt—similar spotted cats are seen in Egyptian artwork and artifacts. Egyptian Mau cats are very social and affectionate with the human family they live with, but these sensitive cats can be a touch shy with strangers until they get to know them better.
#5 Ocicat
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Medium-to-large short-haired
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$800-$1,200
The Ocicat was developed by accident when a breeder was trying to create a Siamese cat with points the color of an Abyssinian. Though the original goal was never met, the breeder succeeded in creating an ivory cat with golden spots that looked a bit like an Ocelot (hence the breed name). It took two decades and the addition of a third breed (the American Shorthair), but the spotted Ocitcat has stolen hearts of cat lovers. These cats look wild, but have no wild blood. Ocitcat are loving and friendly, even with strangers.
#6 Pixiebob
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Medium-to-large sized short-haired
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$1800 - $3000
The Pixiebob looks like a miniature wildcat walking out of the forest—and in fact, it looks a bit like the wild coastal red bobcat found in its region of origin, the Northwest United States. But despite folklore to the contrary, the Pixiebob is 100% domestic and not at all wild. Pixiebobs have spotted tabby coats and natural bobtails, and many Pixiebobs are polydactyl (they have extra toes). This breed is active, sociable, and has been described as having a doglike personality.
#7 Savannah
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Large-sized short-haired
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$1,500 - $25,000 (depending on generation)
The Savannah cat is a hybrid breed that was developed by crossing domestic cats with the African serval, a small wildcat species native to Africa. The first domestic cat-to-serval breedings took placei in the 1980s, but the Savannah wasn’t awarded for championship status with The International Cat Association (TICA) until 2012. Although early-generation Savannahs (F1 and F2) retain more wild characteristics, later generations (F3 and beyond) are energetic, curious domestic pets that demand a lot of attention and activity.
#8 Serengeti
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Medium-sized short-haired
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$600 - $2,000
The Serengeti hails not from the plains of Africa, but from California where a breeder set out to create a cat breed that looked like the African serval. Unlike the Savannah, which was developed using the wild African serval, the Serengeti has no serval blood. The Serengeti was developed using Oriental Shorthair cats and Bengals, which contribute a touch of wild blood through their Asian leopard cat genes. Overall, though, the Serengeti is considered domestic. These energetic cats are very agile and become extremely attached to their human families.
#9 Toyger
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Medium-sized short-haired
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$1200 - $3000
The Toyger is meant to resemble a tiger in miniature, so it’s the ultimate cat breed for people who love the big wild cat species. The foundation of the Toyger breed was created using a tabby domestic shorthair cat, a Bengal, and a street cat from India. The goal was to solidify mackerel markings so they appear as bold as a tiger’s stripes, and the eventual result is stunning. Toygers are friendly, playful, and confident enough to enjoy harnessed leash walks outside.
“Mini” Tigers,a novel idea….
Where can I get a bengal cat breed?
Hi Iris, this tool will help you to find a breeder near you: https://www.adoptapet.com/s/adopt-a-bengal
Hope this helps!
– Mallory
This is pure vanity. Why do people want to have exotic breeds when there are so many cats waiting to be adopted in animal lshelters? Most of them ended up being put to death.
I AGREE, wholeheartedly!
With as many as 90 million feral and abandoned cats in the USA and an estimated 1.9 billion throughout the world; with thousands of domestic cats being euthanized every month for lack of a home and thousands more living in unsanitary/ unsafe/ hoarding/ abusive and outdoor situations; with these cats’ devastating impact on wildlife: driving many critically endangered species of birds and reptiles to extinction, breeding ‘designer’ pet cats seems like a significant misdirection of energy.
I mean I’m all for pet adoption I have 2 but the answer is simple …Because they want an exotic breed
My kitty is allegedly a Bengal , (she was given to us from a family member) she looks like a tabby to me!!! And I have papers that she was $1500 & bengal!!! Wondering if the person that purchased her was fooled into thinking it was a Bengal instead of Tabby!!! I love her either way!!
I think my cat is a Tabby- Ocicat mix.
These all cat breeds are really amazing. I also have a Bengal cat in my home from 2 years. I really different cat breeds as a pet.
You never even touched on the Highland Lynx.They are a fantastic cat with a great personality,polydactyl paws,stubby tails & a great attitude.They can also reach 20 lbs without being overweight.
I love the Bengal Cat. By the way, where is the Bengal name came from Royal Bengal Tiger?
Toyger looks like a lion to you but it looks like a little tiger to me. Also that Savannah is a Serval.
Love the look of the Bengal