Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

12 Exotic Cat Breeds That Are Legal to Keep as Pets in U.S. (With Pictures)

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on February 9, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

bobcat in wild

12 Exotic Cat Breeds That Are Legal to Keep as Pets in U.S. (With Pictures)

In the United States, the most common cat is the American Shorthair. Many cats at shelters are mixed breeds, but the American Shorthair appears often because it is one of the most popular breeds in this part of the world. However, quite a few exotic breeds are legal to own in the United States. Some are only considered exotic in the US because they look nothing like the American Shorthair.

The laws regarding exotic cats for each state in the US are different. What is legal in some states is banned in others. Some breeds may require a license to be owned in certain areas, and some states have confusing and complicated laws, such as not exporting cats from other areas. This is because exotic cats like wildcats are not suitable to keep as pets.

They are usually not domesticated and would rather live in the wild than in a human household. Adopting a domestic cat from a shelter is much better than paying the sky-high price for an exotic cat. If your heart is set on an exotic feline, check your local laws before purchasing one.

3 cat face divider

Top 12 Exotic Cat Breeds That Are Legal to Keep as Pets in USA

1. Serval

serval cat_Anthony Murtagh_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Anthony Murtagh, Shutterstock

A Serval is an African wildcat that is legal in some areas of the US. They weigh 20–40 pounds, which makes them about the size of a medium dog. They are tall and skinny, with cheetah-like patterns on their coat. They are somewhat similar to cheetahs and are often mistaken as them. However, they are much smaller.

Servals are aloof and independent. They will flee and hide from people they do not know and aren’t affectionate. Typically, they are not threatening or dangerous to people unless they feel cornered. They would much rather flee when stressed out than have a confrontation.

They eat small prey in the wild, typically rats and similar rodents. They will occasionally take down a bird or small antelope. While in captivity, they eat 2–3 pounds of meat daily. They are more of a runner than a climber, making them easier to care for than other exotic cats. They don’t get into things as often or try to escape because they prefer to keep their feet on the floor.

They don’t meow like domestic cats. Instead, much of their communication is done through hissing. Their hissing isn’t necessarily bad; it is simply the only way that they can communicate.


2. Caracal Cats

Caracal cat_Kristin Guyer, Pixabay
Image Credit: Kristin Guyer, Pixabay

The Caracal is native to Africa, the Middle East, India, and Central Asia and can weigh 19 to 40 pounds. Females are significantly smaller than males. In the wild, they prey on small mammals, rodents, and occasionally antelopes.

They act similarly to how you would expect a domestic cat to act. They are playful and interact with their owners, but only when they want to. They seem to have the independence of a domestic feline but to the extreme. They can ignore their owners for days before deciding that they want cuddle time. However, they are more active than other cats.

They can exhibit destructive behaviors, such as tearing up furniture, if not properly exercised. They need an enclosed area to run and play, and “catios” are recommended. These outdoor areas need to be much larger than those for domestic cats, however. Like many medium-sized wild cats, Caracal cats will hiss to communicate everything. It can sound threatening, but the cats are rarely aggressive toward people.


3. Ocelots

Ocelot cat_COULANGES_Shutterstock
Image Credit: COULANGES, Shutterstock

Ocelots are sometimes kept as domestic pets. However, they are illegal in many areas and quite rare. Unlike other cats on this list, there are no domestic breeders in the United States, so they are wilder than other cats. They are generally more challenging to keep as pets.

Ocelots often refuse to listen to people due to their fierce independence. They are challenging to train and will not pay attention to your commands. They can be somewhat playful with their people but tend to be aloof and would rather spend time alone.

They are not that social and will hide whenever visitors come over. Ocelots are not recommended for most pet owners, as they don’t adapt well to houses. There is a reason that they are rarely kept as pets.


4. Canadian Lynx

Canadian Lynx_Jukka Jantunen_shutterstock
Credit: Jukka Jantunen, Shutterstock

As the name suggests, this Lynx is native to northern North America. They are active climbers and prefer to be above everyone else. The home needs to be designed with that in mind. If you don’t provide this cat with appropriate climbing places, they will find places to sit high up.

Canadian Lynxes will get into things they shouldn’t and attempt to climb equipment that cannot hold them, like TVs. They don’t bond closely with people and generally live solitary lives. However, they are adaptable, not too temperamental, and can easily adapt to home life.

Don’t expect them to interact quite as much as domestic cats. They’re far more prone to doing their own thing than playing. They are one of the few exotic cats on this list that doesn’t like being walked, perhaps because they prefer to climb.

 


5. Bobcats

Bobcat_Piqsels
Image Credit: Piqsels

These short, muscular cats are native to North America. The Bobcat is one of the few exotic cats that enjoy being around people and will often bond with their owners. However, they are dangerous to keep if they are not raised properly. They are similar to large dogs that have not been domesticated.

They are not recommended in households with children due to their size and strength. Supervision is constantly required, but sometimes, that isn’t enough for these fast cats. When raised by people, Bobcats can be friendly and affectionate. Finding a high-quality breeder and caring for them properly are required to ensure that the Bobcat is safe as a pet.


6. Asian Leopard Cat

Asian Leopard cat_Rosa Jay_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Rosa Jay, Shutterstock

Asian Leopard Cats are sometimes kept as pets, but they’re not ideal. They are nocturnal and shy. Most hide from humans and take an extremely long time to warm up to their owners. They are hardly ever accepting of visitors or anyone from outside the household. They are easily startled and will run away quickly, but if socialized extensively, they can become relatively docile pets.

Often, the Asian Leopard Cat requires a license to own. They can be challenging to purchase legally and require specific documentation. Some subspecies are endangered, which makes them even more challenging to own.


7. Jungle Cat

jungle cat Felis Chaus_Matt gibson_shutterstock
Image Credit: Matt Gibson, Shutterstock

The Jungle Cat is native to Asia, Egypt, and Sri Lanka. They are often used to create domestic hybrids, and they are one of the easier cats to locate and adopt. They usually live for 15 to 20 years when kept in captivity and adequately cared for.

They are nervous, docile cats that will spend much of their time hiding. They are skittish around loud noises and multiple people. The Jungle Cat is best suited for quiet households and single owners.

They need a lot of privacy, so ensure you provide them with plenty of hiding spots around the house. You can also keep them in a large, outside enclosure for much of the time.


8. Geoffroy’s Cat

Geoffroy's cat_Martin Mecnarowski_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Martin Mecnarowski, Shutterstock

The Geoffroy’s Cat is the smallest wildcat. They only weigh 4 to 8 pounds when fully grown, making them much smaller than most cats on this list. They are similar in size to domestic cats, though they don’t act alike. Although they are bred in captivity, they are rare. They have a relatively small gene pool in captivity, making breeding a bit more complicated than it is with other cats.

Their smaller size makes them timid and more docile than other exotic felines. They take a while to train and require extensive socialization to live in a household. Many are prone to stress-related problems due to their difficulty adapting to life as pets, even if they were raised in captivity.

They are not that social, though they will bond with people if given the time and effort. They need a relatively quiet area to thrive, so we don’t recommend them for larger families. If they feel cornered, the Geoffroy’s Cat can become aggressive. While they are relatively small, they can cause quite a bit of damage. You still need to treat them like a wild cat, even if they aren’t much bigger than a domestic one.


9. Siberian Lynx

Siberian Lynx_slowmotiongli_shutterstock
Image Credit: slowmotiongli, Shutterstock

The Siberian Lynx is an entirely different species from the Canadian Lynx, though they are similar. Both species are Lynxes, so they act similarly when kept as domestic pets. However, they are rarer and more difficult to find in the U.S.

Males are usually larger than females and can weigh up to 80 pounds. A cat that size can quickly kill an adult human if they want to, so extra care must be taken when owning one of these animals as a pet. Females are much smaller and can weigh as little as 40 pounds, though that is still large as far as cats are concerned.

Siberian Lynxes are playful and hyperactive. They need a great deal of exercise and room to roam. Otherwise, they may become bored and get into trouble. Owners recommend having an outdoor area for them to run around in, even if you plan to have them spend much of their time inside. They like walking on a leash and are known for having a dog-like temperament.


10. Savannah Cat

Savannah cat_Lindasj22_shutterstock
Image Credit: Lindasj22, Shutterstock

The Savannah cat is the best of both worlds. They are a mix between a domestic cat and a Serval. Often, breeders raise several generations of Savannah cats. F1 Savannahs have the most Serval blood, and they are larger and act more like wild cats. As you move down to F2 through F4 cats, they get smaller and tamer. This allows you to choose the exact mix of wild and domestic.

Cats with savannah coloring are often more expensive than those that inherit a domestic pattern. If you’re willing to give up the wild-looking pattern, you can save quite a bit on these cats. There are many breeders in the US, but demand is relatively high. You often have to wait a while before a Savannah is available.


11. Chausie

Chausie cat_Tania__Wild_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Tania__Wild, Shutterstock

The Chausie is a hybrid cat that is a mix between a Jungle Cat and a domestic cat. They were first bred and recognized in 1995, so they have been around longer than other exotic cats sold as pets. Most Chausie cats sold are the fourth generation, so they are pretty tame. These cats are also fully fertile, which isn’t true for cats higher up on the family tree.

In general, Chausies are intelligent and outgoing. However, it depends on the domestic cat used in the breeding. Chausies can be hyperactive and seem to be all over the place as kittens. Adults tend to calm down and are quieter, though they are still more playful than your average cat.

Unlike many cats on this list, the Chausie does not like being alone. They require regular human contact to remain happy. They can get along with other cats and even dogs if raised beside them. They usually cannot be successfully rehomed as adults, so be sure you can commit to caring for a wild kitten.


12. Bengal Cat

bengal cat_Gidon Pico, Pixabay
Image Credit: Gidon Pico, Pixabay

This hybrid is created by breeding a domestic cat with an Asian Leopard cat. The domestic breed is typically an Egyptian Mau since they are spotted and resemble an Asian Leopard cat. Bengals have a wild appearance and a gleaming coat. Many cat owners choose the cats due to their appearance, but ensuring that you have space and the ability to care for them is crucial.

They are incredibly energetic cats and need plenty of play and exercise. If their needs aren’t met, they can become irritable and destructive. They require more work than your average cat due to their high mental and physical stimulation needs.

Bengals are regulated in a few states and outright banned in some cities. Cats in the F5 generation and further are considered entirely legal and can be kept in most places.

cat paw divider

Summary

Exotic cats require far more work and planning than an average domestic cat. Even hybrids require a lot of time from their owners, though that doesn’t mean they’re more affectionate or loving. Many are not as adaptable to human homes, so they are not an excellent fit for everyone. You must be completely aware of what you’re getting into before purchasing. Exotic cats are often only suitable for particular people.

Related Reads:


Featured Image Credit: Piqsels

Get Catster in your inbox!

Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.
Catster Editors Choice Badge
Shopping Cart

Pangolia

© Pangolia Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.