| Height: | 10 – 14 inches |
| Weight: | 15 – 25 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 – 17 years |
| Colors: | Snow spotted, snow marbled, brown spotted, brown marbled, cinnamon spotted, silver spotted, blue marbled |
| Suitable for: | Big families with plenty of family members to keep the cat engaged and provide love |
| Temperament: | Gentle, friendly, sweet, energetic, social, curious, affectionate |
If you want a housecat with a wild look straight from the jungle, then you might consider a Cheetoh cat. These unique cats were specifically bred to create a feline with the temperament and personality of a domesticated house cat but the ferocious look of a wildcat. This was achieved by breeding a Bengal cat and an Ocicat.
Surprisingly, the Cheetoh offspring of this crossing turned out to be considerably larger than either parent breed, with specimens often reaching 25 pounds. Bengals top out around 15 pounds and Ocicats are even smaller, making the Cheetoh one of the largest breeds of domestic housecat.
But it’s their coat that brings all the attention. They have a distinctly wild look, with a coat that resembles a cheetah; hence, the name Cheetoh. Even though their looks are so wild, their personalities are docile. These are affectionate and loving cats with very friendly natures that endear many to them the instant they meet. They make excellent family pets, especially for big families with plenty of people to provide the ample affection and attention that a Cheetoh desires.
Cheetoh Kitten – Before You Bring One Home …
3 Little-Known Facts About Cheetoh Cats
1. Cheetoh Cats are Basically Hypoallergenic
In truth, there are no cat breeds that are completely hypoallergenic. However, Cheetoh cats are about as close as they come. To start, this breed doesn’t shed. Furthermore, they don’t produce dander, which is what will cause an allergic reaction. If you suffer from allergies, a Cheetoh cat is likely one of your best choices in the feline world. They’re unlikely to give you any reactions, though you should still try to spend some time around one before adding one to your household so you can be certain.
2. They Look Wild, But They’re Far From It
The most compelling trait about the Cheetoh cat is its unique appearance. They look like wildcats, which is what makes them so desirable. Who doesn’t want a miniature cheetah running around their house? But even though they look wild, this breed is far from it. Granted, there are some wild genes in their blood, but the Cheetoh is eight generations removed from any wildcats, so there is no wildcat blood flowing through their veins.
Bengal cats are descended from the Wild Asian Leopard Cat, along with several other breeds. Ocicats, on the other hand, have no wild blood in them. So even though the Cheetoh might look like it belongs in the jungle, you’ll find that temperamentally, they’re housecats through and through.
3. They’re Still Considered an Experimental Breed
Cheetohs are a recognized cat breed. They were first recognized as a breed in 2004 by the United Feline Organization, and have also been recognized by The International Cat Association. But since the breed is so new, there’s still quite a lot of variance between specimens. As such, they’re recognized as an experimental breed by both of these organizations.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Cheetoh Cat
Cheetoh cats are incredibly intelligent animals. They learn quickly and they’re very adaptable, so they can do well in many situations. They’re also quite affectionate and tend to be gentle overall, in complete contrast to their wild looks. Few cats are more loving than the Cheetoh. They want to be at your side all day long and never want to be alone.
You’ll find that Cheetohs seek out the attention they want. They won’t wait idly by for you to give attention. These cats are also incredibly playful and will even wake you up in the morning just to get started with a play session!
Moreover, this breed is incredibly social. They want interaction constantly, from anyone in the family.
Are Cheetoh Cats Good for Families? 👪
Because these cats want so much attention, they’re best suited for families; particularly large ones. Cheetohs want non-stop attention all day. They don’t like to be alone, so if someone is always home with your Cheetoh, you’ll have a happy cat. These cats get along great with people of all ages, including children. They’re extremely friendly and will share a close bond with every member of the family.
Do Cheetoh Cats Get Along With Other Pets?
The friendliness of a Cheetoh doesn’t stop with people though. These cats are perfectly happy being friends with other animals as well. You’ll find Cheetohs get along famously with other cats and can even make friends with dogs that aren’t aggressive. These cats aren’t particularly territorial, so they don’t mind sharing their space with the other family pets, so long as they’re still getting ample attention.
Things to Know When Owning a Cheetoh Cat:
Cheetoh Cat Food & Diet Requirements 
You won’t need to consider any special dietary changes for a Cheetoh. These cats do well on high-quality cat food, either dry or wet. They need plenty of protein from diverse sources like all cats, but aside from this, they have no special dietary needs. Just make sure not to overfeed your Cheetoh, as this can quickly lead to weight gain and an overweight cat.
Cheetoh Cat Exercise Needs 🐈
Cheetohs have excessive levels of energy and they’re always looking for fun ways to expend it. They love to play and will jump at the chance to play with anyone in the family. Unlike many cats, Cheetohs are perfectly happy playing games like fetch, which they’ll probably want to keep playing long past the point where they’ve worn you out.
Another trait of Cheetohs is their love for climbing. These cats are always seeking out the highest seat in the house. You’ll want to provide a climbing tree for your Cheetoh to have some fun with. Otherwise, you can expect to find many claw marks all over your bookcases and any other tall furniture in the house.
Because Cheetohs spend so much time playing and expending their energy in fun ways, you won’t generally need to provide any extra exercise. Their constant play sessions should suffice. Just make sure to join in on the playtime and help develop your bond with your Cheetoh!
Cheetoh Cat Training 🎾
Cheetohs are such intelligent cats that they can learn quickly. Training one of these felines to use the litterbox is a simple endeavor. You can also train them to do other basic functions and tricks. They’ll learn fetch quite quickly and will also understand basic rules you lay down and enforce. Just stick to positive reinforcement and your Cheetoh should understand the rules pretty fast.
Cheetoh Cat Grooming ✂️
Because Cheetohs climb and play so much, you’ll need to pay close attention to their claws. If you let them get too long, you can expect to start finding claw marks all over your furniture and your home.
When it comes to their coats, Cheetohs are pretty low maintenance. Their coats are shiny, velvety, lush, and beautiful, but they don’t need much attention. A simple brushing once a week will keep it in top shape. You might want to brush more often though just because your cat enjoys it!
Aside from the nails and coat, you’ll also want to clean your cat’s teeth regularly. This is even more true if your Cheetoh hunts and catches rodents and other small prey; a common occurrence with these cats.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Luckily for Cheetoh owners, there are very few health concerns for you to worry about. These cats are generally very healthy. There’s just one minor health condition that’s somewhat common in the breed.
- Luxating Patella: Put simply, a luxating patella is a kneecap that dislocates. You might see it in your cat as a skipped step while they’re running. It can get worse if left alone, though it can be easily treated with minor surgery.
- None
Male vs Female
Like with most breeds of feline, male Cheetohs tend to be larger than their female counterparts; both in terms of weight and size. But there’s also a key temperamental difference that male Cheetohs pick up from their Ocicat parents. Unlike most breeds, male Cheetohs are non-aggressive and tend to display maternal instincts towards their young.
Final Thoughts: Cheetoh Cat
Cheetohs are some of the most unique cats you could have in your home. They’ve got the wild-eyed look of a jungle predator but the affectionate and friendly demeanor of a housecat. These cats are loving, playful, and full of energy. They’re a great fit for any family, particularly large families that always have someone in the house to provide company and attention for their Cheetoh cat. These cats want human interaction all the time. As long as you provide plenty of love and attention, they make excellent pets and they can even get along with other pets and children as well.
Featured Image Credit: Lux Blue, Shutterstock
