Is My Daughter Nuts?

[Frozen Feathers]

You could always go for a Toyger . If I was going to spend that sort of money on a cat...that is what i would get.

 

[kingdean]

All I'm saying is, look at all the domesticated animals we have today because we took a chance and changed their instincts and way of life. It's kinda crazy for someone to say that someone shouldn't have a certain pet because it's dangerous. I know when I first got chickens everyone thought I would die from some strange chicken disease or my rooster would attack me everyday. Unless you have experience with a certain animal...

 

[hcammack]

I worked at the zoo and trust me these arnt friendly animals even if you hand raise them from cubs.

 

[Lunachick]

I just don't think it's right for a lynx to be in a house. What about kitty box? Yes and $$$ for food! Plus it's a predator.

They are BEAUTIFUL tho. In the wild, not in the house/yard.

 

[quadcam79]

thats insane, they aren't pets...yeh it's a cute kitten and all but thats just askin for trouble. people get these big wild cats and then they get older and end up in sanctuarys because they cant handle them.

lol and people think my pitbull is a liability

 

[Lunachick]

palabeco - hahaha I didn't get your reference about crocgirl, had to go check that one out. OMG I just finished reading that whole thing! I can't believe I missed that somehow.

But that's Ok I can't make hubby mad by destroying my computer screen with spit out stuff.

 

[palabeco]

I did see a program about pets, and they showed a houscat , can't remeber what is was called, but it was spotted like a linx. They said it was the only domesticated cat that had spots.

 

[Chirpy]

I had to weigh in on this one. I've wanted to raise exotic cats my whole life ... have I? No. I do, however, have multiple friends that do have exotic cats and use them for 1) educational purposes to explain to school children and adults why these animals are not "pets". 2) Rescue them from people who got them as a baby and then they grew up. They are wild. The most loved and well taken care of wild animal can turn on anyone at any time (think Siegfried and Roy!). And believe me, even the smallest of the wild cats can do serious damage to a person.

I've spent the last 28 yrs. learning about them (without ever having one) and learning why they don't belong in a household.

Thankfully, most states have strict laws with licensing requirements to keep the general public from "I just gotta have one - it's soooo cute!" Some states completely prohibit the owning of them.

Even as a baby a couple of months old most can break your wrist with a single swat - even if they are just playing with you. I have a friend who has Servals (one of the smaller exotic cats - she's raised them for 20 some years. She knows how to take care of them, she works with the Dept. of Wildlife, and yet several times a year ends up with a broken bone due to one of the cats!) Disciplining them, feeding them (they have very specific needs and food requirements - including whole animals), caring for them, housing them (minimum fencing for most breeds is 12ft high without a top and 6 to 8 ft. with a secure top, always with a double safety door entrance) ... it's all different than domestic animal care. And, as pointed out... very expensive. Some of the larger breeds are lethal to an adult human by eight months old!!

Although they can be trained to use a litter box ... many won't. Exotic (wild) cats mark their territory with their urine! Do you want that all over your house?

My suggestion for your daughter is to get involved with volunteering at the local zoo and working up to the cat area. She will learn lots, get to be near the cats and have good supervision while doing so.

I truly understand your daughters desire ... I've had the same desire for 30 some years. (Good thing she's not my daughter ... we'd commiserate together.) She needs to spend a few years researching and learning before ever jumping into something like this. We do need good people to help take care of these cats that have fallen into the wrong hands and your daughter could be a huge asset to that community some day. She needs to spend years learning first ...

 

[SpottedCrow]

http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/egyptian.html
This is a link to the only spotted breed of domestic cat.

 

[Rosalind]

There are several wild animal and big cat refuges that provide sanctuaries for big cats used in the entertainment industry and confiscated from owners who weren't properly caring for them. She could spend time volunteering at one--I did when I was a teenager, it was very educational. I cared for two tigers and a cougar, and they ate out of my hand, very sweet cats. But, they were in the sanctuary for a reason: one tiger had ripped a model's dress off while posing for a jewelry commercial, another was shy and didn't like performing in front of lots of people, the cougar was moody and only liked a few people (lucky me).