Have you ever fancied having a “big cats” as a pet? Well, unfortunately, that will never happen. The closest you will ever get to the big cat family will be to get yourself a cat. There is an uncanny resemblance between felines and their huge, strong, and fanged cousins. In fact, historical records have it that cats were wild animals that were first domesticated more than 4,000 years ago in Ancient Egypt to help control rodents—a job they do even today. From there, they became popular in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Had it not been for ethical issues and the risks involved in domesticating lions and tigers, some of you cat enthusiasts would have actualized the idea of domesticating them. Let’s have a look at the cat breeds that will connect you to your unachievable fantasy.
The 15 Cat Breeds That Look Like Lions and Tigers:
- Toyger Image Credit: Kutikova Ekaterina, Shutterstock
Weight: 7–15 pounds
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 10–15 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Intelligent, active, social
As the name suggests, it is a small domesticated version of a tiger. It was bred by propagating Bengals with stripped shorthaired tabby felines to achieve the patterns and stripes in a tiger’s body. They are a mix of orange and brown, while the belly area may be whitish-brown. It is also powerful, muscular, has large paws and sturdy hind legs just like a cat. Toygers are intelligent, outgoing, and don’t need much exercise.
- Maine Coon Image Credit: pompi, Pixabay
Weight: 8–18 pounds
Size: Large
Lifespan: 10–13 years
Patterns: Solid, bi-color, tabby, calico
Personality: Affectionate, sociable, intelligent
This cat has a plush coat that mimics a lion perfectly. Its large size earned it the nickname “gentle giant,” which explains why it is a preferred therapy animal. The thick coat also makes it well-adapted to winter.
3. Abyssinian Image Credit: tsapenkodg, Pixabay
Weight: 8–12 pounds
Size: Small, medium
Lifespan: 9–15 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Active, intelligent, affectionate, alert
Keeping an Abyssinian breed is the closest you can ever get to living with a lion. This cat breed is among the oldest on Earth. The most common types are in ruddy or red shades, but they appear in different coat colors. All cats in this category also have tabby ticking. Other than the unusual coat, these beautiful felines boast of stunning physical attributes like gold or green eyes and a muscular body.
- Chausie Image Credit: Tania__Wild, Shutterstock
Weight: 25 pounds
Size: Large
Lifespan: 9–15 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Playful, loving
Chausie is definitely a mountain lion or puma’s cousin. It is a hybrid of the jungle cat and domesticated cats like the Oriental and the Abyssinian. They are very muscular, well-built, and have long legs. You cannot help but notice the “wild look” in them. They also like water, a hereditary habit from their ancestors. Regardless of the close physical attributes it has inherited, Chausie is affectionate and playful. However, it needs extra care and would not be a good fit for the average low-budget cat owner.
- American Bobtail Image Credit: OrangeGroup, Shutterstock
Weight: 7–16 pounds
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 13–15 years
Patterns: Tabby, bi-color, calico
Personality: Intelligent, devoted, friendly, bold
One look at the American Bobtail will remind you of the North American wild bobcats. Their similarities are due to the breeding between feral cats and several bobtails’ mutations, but not the real bobcats. They appear in numerous colors but what makes them stand out is the tabby versions. They have short tails, longer hind legs, and a muscular body.
- Cheetoh
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Chirpa The Cheetoh (@chirpathecheetoh)
Weight: 15–25 pounds
Size: Medium, large
Lifespan: 12–14 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Active, intelligent, playful
This fancy-named feline is the most appropriate for someone who wishes they could share space with a cheetah. It is a hybrid of Ocicats and Bengals. All these three breeds trace their roots from the Asian Leopard Cat, explaining their similarity to the cheetah family. It is athletic, loving, and brilliant. However, you should only consider owning a Cheetoh if you can match its insatiable need for attention and need for exercise. Being engaged keeps them happy. Since they are intelligent, you can easily get them on the leash and let them accompany you when you go out. The brighter side is that you will always have a companion and a playmate.
- Ocicat Image Credit: dien, Shutterstock
Weight: 7–14 pounds
Size: Medium, large
Lifespan: 10–15 years
Patterns: Bi-color, tabby
Personality: Confident, loyal, active, social
For the fellows who love the small wild jungle cats, Ocicat will do the trick. They are a cross breed of Abyssinians, Siamese, and American Shorthair cats. Before bringing one home, ensure there is enough space and time to let it burn its high energy levels. They appear in several base colors like blue, silver, ebony, and lavender. Ocicats have a muscular, athletic body and often bring out dogs’ personalities. They love being around people.
- Bengal Image CRedit: Uschi_Du, PIxabay
Weight: 6–15 pounds
Size: Medium, large
Lifespan: 9–16 years
Patterns: Spotted, marble
Personality: Intelligent, playful, curious, friendly
Bengals have strands of wild cats in them, explaining their similarities with the tiger. It is a hybrid of the Asian Leopard Cat and other domesticated felines like the Abyssinian, Ocicat, and the Egyptian Mau. If you can hardly find free time in your schedule, don’t pet this little sort of a tiger because they need a lot of attention and exercise to be happy. You will be thrilled at their level of intelligence.
- Highlander Image Credit: SUSAN LEGGETT, Shutterstock
Weight: 6–10 pounds
Size: Large
Lifespan: 13–15 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Gentle, affectionate, social, playful
Also known as the Highland Lynx, they are a product of the Desert Lynx and other cats. Their most outstanding physical features include their curled ears, bobbed tails, and the coats’ tabby patterns. They exist in several colors and usually tend to have a silly personality. If you go for a Highlander, you will have to create time to train and play with it. Or do other fun stuff to keep them engaged.
- Serengeti Image Credit: Krissi Lundgren, Shutterstock
Weight: 8–15 pounds
Size: Medium and large-sized
Lifespan: 13–15 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Friendly, active
The Serengeti looks like the African Serval. It is a hybrid of Bengals and Oriental cats. Like other hybrid cats, it is athletic and has a wild aura around it. They are usually silver, golden brown, or black, maintaining the stripped tabby patterns. If you plan on having one around, dedicate a part of your house for a field track because Serengeti cats are athletic. They like jumping on anything, be it shelves, perches, or the cat tree.
- Savannah Image Credit: Pxhere
Weight: 12–25 pounds
Size: Medium, large
Lifespan: 12–20 years
Patterns: Solid, tabby
Personality: Devoted, intelligent, active
They are the tallest domestic cats, an attribute that got them to the Guinness Book of Records. Their long, slender athlete bodies and spotted coat patterns make them look like small cheetahs. They often display some dog personalities, and they are equally intelligent and active. Savannah is a hybrid of the African Serval. Their ideal home setup would be a place full of physical activities to help them exercise.
- Egyptian Mau Image Credit: MDavidova, Shutterstock
Weight: 7–11 pounds
Size: Small and medium-sized
Lifespan: 13–16 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Strong-willed, active
Egyptian Mau is the most stunning and natural of all the cat breeds. It is one of the oldest feline breeds and a descendant of the African Wild cat of Egypt. This cat is more linked to the leopard or cheetah family because its spots occur naturally, unlike the other types whose genetics have been improved through crossbreeding. Their coats are silver, bronze, or smoke. The black patches complete their appearance to achieve a close resemblance to their wild cousins. The Egyptian Mau also has lithe, muscular bodies and shorter front legs, and longer hind ones.
- Somali Image Credit: Nataliya Kuznetsova, Shutterstock
Weight: 6–10 pounds
Size: Large
Lifespan: 11–16 years
Patterns: Solid
Personality: Hyper-active, intelligent, sociable, bold
The Somali qualifies for a long-haired Abyssinian. If you were gravitating towards the Abyssinian but wished it was longhaired, the Somali has you covered. These two breeds are similar in almost all attributes like personality, high energy drive, and intelligence. With the long furs, Somali looks like a shaggy lion or a fluffy fox.
- Bombay Image Credit: Viktor Sergeevich, Shutterstock
Weight: 6–10 pounds
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 15–20 years
Patterns: Solid
Personality: Playful, tolerant
Bombay cats were made to look like panthers specifically. They are a hybrid of Burmese cats and American shorthaired cats. These sleek cats may appear wild but are, on the contrary, affectionate and friendly. They also love being near people, so expect a Bombay to find your laps a comfortable place for naps.
- Pixiebob Image CRedit: DaveFrancis, Pixabay
Weight: 14–18 pounds
Size: Large
Lifespan: 13–15 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Playful, social, loyal
Pixiebobs look like bobcats, are friendly, and seem to display dog-like characters. They are genetically close to the tabbies, are big, and stocky. They come in long and shorthaired coats, which are spotted, classic, or mackerel, resting on the brown base color.
See Also: 12 Animals That Are Becoming Domesticated as Pets (With Pictures) You might you like: Bobcat vs Mountain Lion: What’s the Difference? (With Pictures)
Conclusion We hope that by now, you have made peace with the fact that you can’t have a tiger or a lion as a pet, but a cat will suffice. Every time you consider the striking similarities between them, like the typical tabby markings, you will be contented that cats are descendants of lions and tigers. One other striking revelation is that almost all the cats that look like lions, tigers, or other wild animals did not occur naturally but were instead aftermath of improved genes and crossbreeding.
Featured Image Credit: tung256, Pixabay
Have you ever fancied having a “big cats” as a pet? Well, unfortunately, that will never happen. The closest you will ever get to the big cat family will be to get yourself a cat. There is an uncanny resemblance between felines and their huge, strong, and fanged cousins. In fact, historical records have it that cats were wild animals that were first domesticated more than 4,000 years ago in Ancient Egypt to help control rodents—a job they do even today. From there, they became popular in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Had it not been for ethical issues and the risks involved in domesticating lions and tigers, some of you cat enthusiasts would have actualized the idea of domesticating them.
Let’s have a look at the cat breeds that will connect you to your unachievable fantasy.
The 15 Cat Breeds That Look Like Lions and Tigers:
1. Toyger
Weight: 7–15 pounds
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 10–15 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Intelligent, active, social
As the name suggests, it is a small domesticated version of a tiger. It was bred by propagating Bengals with stripped shorthaired tabby felines to achieve the patterns and stripes in a tiger’s body. They are a mix of orange and brown, while the belly area may be whitish-brown.
It is also powerful, muscular, has large paws and sturdy hind legs just like a cat. Toygers are intelligent, outgoing, and don’t need much exercise.
2. Maine Coon
Weight: 8–18 pounds
Size: Large
Lifespan: 10–13 years
Patterns: Solid, bi-color, tabby, calico
Personality: Affectionate, sociable, intelligent
This cat has a plush coat that mimics a lion perfectly. Its large size earned it the nickname “gentle giant,” which explains why it is a preferred therapy animal. The thick coat also makes it well-adapted to winter.
3. Abyssinian
Weight: 8–12 pounds
Size: Small, medium
Lifespan: 9–15 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Active, intelligent, affectionate, alert
Keeping an Abyssinian breed is the closest you can ever get to living with a lion. This cat breed is among the oldest on Earth. The most common types are in ruddy or red shades, but they appear in different coat colors. All cats in this category also have tabby ticking.
Other than the unusual coat, these beautiful felines boast of stunning physical attributes like gold or green eyes and a muscular body.
4. Chausie
Weight: 25 pounds
Size: Large
Lifespan: 9–15 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Playful, loving
Chausie is definitely a mountain lion or puma’s cousin. It is a hybrid of the jungle cat and domesticated cats like the Oriental and the Abyssinian. They are very muscular, well-built, and have long legs. You cannot help but notice the “wild look” in them. They also like water, a hereditary habit from their ancestors.
Regardless of the close physical attributes it has inherited, Chausie is affectionate and playful. However, it needs extra care and would not be a good fit for the average low-budget cat owner.
5. American Bobtail
Weight: 7–16 pounds
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 13–15 years
Patterns: Tabby, bi-color, calico
Personality: Intelligent, devoted, friendly, bold
One look at the American Bobtail will remind you of the North American wild bobcats. Their similarities are due to the breeding between feral cats and several bobtails’ mutations, but not the real bobcats. They appear in numerous colors but what makes them stand out is the tabby versions.
They have short tails, longer hind legs, and a muscular body.
6. Cheetoh
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Chirpa The Cheetoh (@chirpathecheetoh)
Weight: 15–25 pounds
Size: Medium, large
Lifespan: 12–14 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Active, intelligent, playful
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Chirpa The Cheetoh (@chirpathecheetoh)
A post shared by Chirpa The Cheetoh (@chirpathecheetoh)
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
This fancy-named feline is the most appropriate for someone who wishes they could share space with a cheetah. It is a hybrid of Ocicats and Bengals. All these three breeds trace their roots from the Asian Leopard Cat, explaining their similarity to the cheetah family.
It is athletic, loving, and brilliant. However, you should only consider owning a Cheetoh if you can match its insatiable need for attention and need for exercise. Being engaged keeps them happy. Since they are intelligent, you can easily get them on the leash and let them accompany you when you go out. The brighter side is that you will always have a companion and a playmate.
7. Ocicat
Weight: 7–14 pounds
Size: Medium, large
Lifespan: 10–15 years
Patterns: Bi-color, tabby
Personality: Confident, loyal, active, social
For the fellows who love the small wild jungle cats, Ocicat will do the trick. They are a cross breed of Abyssinians, Siamese, and American Shorthair cats. Before bringing one home, ensure there is enough space and time to let it burn its high energy levels.
They appear in several base colors like blue, silver, ebony, and lavender. Ocicats have a muscular, athletic body and often bring out dogs’ personalities. They love being around people.
8. Bengal
Weight: 6–15 pounds
Size: Medium, large
Lifespan: 9–16 years
Patterns: Spotted, marble
Personality: Intelligent, playful, curious, friendly
Bengals have strands of wild cats in them, explaining their similarities with the tiger.
It is a hybrid of the Asian Leopard Cat and other domesticated felines like the Abyssinian, Ocicat, and the Egyptian Mau.
If you can hardly find free time in your schedule, don’t pet this little sort of a tiger because they need a lot of attention and exercise to be happy. You will be thrilled at their level of intelligence.
9. Highlander
Weight: 6–10 pounds
Size: Large
Lifespan: 13–15 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Gentle, affectionate, social, playful
Also known as the Highland Lynx, they are a product of the Desert Lynx and other cats. Their most outstanding physical features include their curled ears, bobbed tails, and the coats’ tabby patterns. They exist in several colors and usually tend to have a silly personality.
If you go for a Highlander, you will have to create time to train and play with it. Or do other fun stuff to keep them engaged.
10. Serengeti
Weight: 8–15 pounds
Size: Medium and large-sized
Lifespan: 13–15 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Friendly, active
The Serengeti looks like the African Serval. It is a hybrid of Bengals and Oriental cats. Like other hybrid cats, it is athletic and has a wild aura around it. They are usually silver, golden brown, or black, maintaining the stripped tabby patterns.
If you plan on having one around, dedicate a part of your house for a field track because Serengeti cats are athletic. They like jumping on anything, be it shelves, perches, or the cat tree.
11. Savannah
Weight: 12–25 pounds
Size: Medium, large
Lifespan: 12–20 years
Patterns: Solid, tabby
Personality: Devoted, intelligent, active
They are the tallest domestic cats, an attribute that got them to the Guinness Book of Records. Their long, slender athlete bodies and spotted coat patterns make them look like small cheetahs. They often display some dog personalities, and they are equally intelligent and active. Savannah is a hybrid of the African Serval.
Their ideal home setup would be a place full of physical activities to help them exercise.
12. Egyptian Mau
Weight: 7–11 pounds
Size: Small and medium-sized
Lifespan: 13–16 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Strong-willed, active
Egyptian Mau is the most stunning and natural of all the cat breeds. It is one of the oldest feline breeds and a descendant of the African Wild cat of Egypt. This cat is more linked to the leopard or cheetah family because its spots occur naturally, unlike the other types whose genetics have been improved through crossbreeding.
Their coats are silver, bronze, or smoke. The black patches complete their appearance to achieve a close resemblance to their wild cousins. The Egyptian Mau also has lithe, muscular bodies and shorter front legs, and longer hind ones.
13. Somali
Weight: 6–10 pounds
Size: Large
Lifespan: 11–16 years
Patterns: Solid
Personality: Hyper-active, intelligent, sociable, bold
The Somali qualifies for a long-haired Abyssinian. If you were gravitating towards the Abyssinian but wished it was longhaired, the Somali has you covered. These two breeds are similar in almost all attributes like personality, high energy drive, and intelligence. With the long furs, Somali looks like a shaggy lion or a fluffy fox.
14. Bombay
Weight: 6–10 pounds
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 15–20 years
Patterns: Solid
Personality: Playful, tolerant
Bombay cats were made to look like panthers specifically. They are a hybrid of Burmese cats and American shorthaired cats. These sleek cats may appear wild but are, on the contrary, affectionate and friendly. They also love being near people, so expect a Bombay to find your laps a comfortable place for naps.
15. Pixiebob
Weight: 14–18 pounds
Size: Large
Lifespan: 13–15 years
Patterns: Tabby
Personality: Playful, social, loyal
Pixiebobs look like bobcats, are friendly, and seem to display dog-like characters. They are genetically close to the tabbies, are big, and stocky. They come in long and shorthaired coats, which are spotted, classic, or mackerel, resting on the brown base color.
- See Also: 12 Animals That Are Becoming Domesticated as Pets (With Pictures)
- You might you like: Bobcat vs Mountain Lion: What’s the Difference? (With Pictures)
Conclusion
We hope that by now, you have made peace with the fact that you can’t have a tiger or a lion as a pet, but a cat will suffice. Every time you consider the striking similarities between them, like the typical tabby markings, you will be contented that cats are descendants of lions and tigers.
One other striking revelation is that almost all the cats that look like lions, tigers, or other wild animals did not occur naturally but were instead aftermath of improved genes and crossbreeding.
Featured Image Credit: tung256, Pixabay
