10 Domestic Cats That Look Like Tigers, Cheetahs, and Leopards

Ever find yourself wishing you could have a wild big cat as a pet? Well, that’s probably not a sensible idea. As cuddly as they may seem, it’s no surprise they are not the best housemates you’d want. Fortunately, plenty of domestic breeds have inherited the majestic markings of their wild cousins, making them look like miniature versions of their exotic counterparts. From Bengal to Toyger, we’ve rounded up ten popular feline breeds that look like tigers, cheetahs, and leopards. Without further ado, let’s learn about each!

Domestic Cats That Look Like Tigers

1. Toyger

As the name implies, the Toyger is a special breed of domestic cat that looks just like its wild counterpart, the tiger. This breed is a crossbreed between a striped domestic shorthair tabby cat and a Bengal cat to produce a medium-sized cat with tiger-like rosette markings and branch stripes on the head and body. The Toyger’s base coloration is orange-and-black or brown, with the typical tiger markings in stark contrast. 

The Toyger has a whitish-brown belly and the tiger’s body shape. This muscular cat has a long, supple body, large paws, and strong hind legs. Toyger cats typically weigh between 7-15 pounds –  the perfect size for a domestic pet. Besides being intelligent, they have a sweet and calm personality and are social and outgoing. This makes them great companions for adults, children, and other pets.

2. American Bobtail

American Bobtails are a sturdy and uncommon domestic cat breed developed in the late 1960s. They are characterized by their medium to longhaired coat with a thick “bobbed” tail that is usually one to four inches long. This breed looks like a fluffy toy tiger with their “wild” tabby appearance.

The American Bobtail weighs from 7 to 16 pounds and has a lifespan of 13 to 15 years. In addition, they have wide faces, golden eyes, and dark tiger stripes. They are known for being an affectionate and social breed of cats that can be moderately energetic.

3. Highlander Cat

Originally called the Highland Lynx, the Highlander cat or Highlander Shorthair is another house cat breed with tiger-like stripes all over. This breed is a hybrid between a Desert Lynx and a Jungle Curl cat. Highlander cats are medium-sized cats with long, muscular bodies and curled ears acquired from their Lynx forebears.

This large cat has a bobbed tail and tabby or solid point coloration that comes in different variations and patterns. Adult highlander cats can weigh up to 20 pounds. Despite their tiger look, Highlanders are human-oriented and are highly sociable and playful cats. They are also very active and confident, so they can be a perfect fit for a person who would want to train them to do fun activities.

Domestic Cats That Look Like Cheetahs

While these breeds can be domesticated, they possess many of their wild cousin’s traits. Let’s have a detailed look at some of the breeds that have a striking resemblance to cheetahs.

1. Ocicat

As with other breeds we’ve mentioned, the Ocicat is a fully domesticated breed despite its cheetah-like appearance. This breed is a mix between Siamese and Abyssinian cats. They have golden-brown fur covered with spots that most people associate with cheetahs’ coats. This breed has a very diverse coloration with 12 variations. They have large, strong bodies with muscular legs and an average weight of 6 to 15 pounds.

The Ocicat name is derived from its resemblance to the ocelot, a wildcat species in South America. Interestingly, this breed wasn’t bred to be cheetah-like; it was created in 1964 through genetic breeding between Abyssinian and Siamese cats. The pairing bore Abyssinian-looking kittens with spots.

Ocicats have stripe patterns focused around their head and legs, as with tigers. They are well suited to indoor living as long as they receive plenty of exercise and attention. You can expect Ocitats to be friendly, outgoing, and easily trained to respond to commands. This breed is loyal and makes a great companion for everyone, including families with kids.

2. Serengeti Cat

This is a designer breed resulting from a combination between a Bengal cat and an Oriental Shorthair. It was first created in 1994 by Karen Sausman, a conservation biologist who intended to create a domestic cat breed that would resemble the African serval. Despite the attempt to mimic the African serval cat, the Serengeti cat has no serval genes. The Serengeti cat is an incredibly beautiful medium-sized breed featuring a spotted coat and a muscular frame. This breed is usually more active and loves to play and explore.

3. Egyptian Mau

Another fully domesticated cat that looks like a cheetah is the Egyptian Mau. Since these cats have natural spots, no wonder they are compared to cheetahs! However, these cats have a unique trait that distinguishes them from cheetahs: they have a single, long dorsal stripe stretching along their spine.

Unlike the cheetah, the Egyptian Mau is a small to medium-sized breed that is very thin and light. It has relatively long back legs, making it the fastest of all domesticated cat breeds. Egyptian Maus are naturally curious and are high-energy cats. They enjoy spending their days lounging around. They also have territorial instincts that make them overprotective, meaning they may find adjusting to households with multi-cats difficult.

4. Cheetoh Cat

Although the cheetoh cat has body markings that resemble a cheetah and a tiger, their base coat color makes them more similar to cheetahs. The breed is a mix between a Bengal cat, which carries the spotted pattern gene, and an Ocicat, which carries the tawny gene.

Cheetoh cats have long legs, making them quite athletic and graceful. They are also quite large for a domestic cat, typically up to 18 inches in length and 20 pounds in weight. Cheetoh cats have beautiful golden-brown coats with orange hues. Their legs and tail are marked with thin, black stripes.

5. Savannah Cat

The Savannah cat is a hybrid breed developed by crossing an African serval with a domestic cat. This wild-looking feline is the largest of all domestic cat breeds, with some specimens weighing more than 30 pounds. With their tall and slender build, Savannah cats look strikingly similar to small cheetahs.

Savannah cats first appeared in the 1980s, and breeders have since developed various subtypes depending on the serval parent used. While they maintain their wild-like appearance, their character depends on how many serval traits the Savannah has inherited. Generally, these cats display agility and intelligence and tend to be more independent than other cat breeds.

Domestic Cats That Look Like Leopards

If you’ve ever been captivated by the elegant beauty of a leopard in the wild, you may be interested in owning a pet that looks like one. Here are some cat breeds that look strikingly similar to leopards and can be great companions.

1. Pixie-bob Cat

The first Pixie-bob cat was discovered in the 1980s by Carol Brewer, who later became the chief breeder. In its initial development, Brewer had purchased a short-tailed, spotted male kitten. Shortly after, she adopted a male cat with a bobbed tail, which mated with a female cat from an unknown breed, to create a spotted kitten with a “wild” appearance. Brewer named the kitten “Pixie,” and over the next several years, sought spotted and bobbed-tailed cats, which she used to create her new breeding program, named Pixie-bob, to honor her first bred female. The breed was accepted as a new native breed by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1996. 

Although TICA cited Pixie-bob cats had appearances resembling American bobcats, the founding committee maintains that no captive American bobcats were used in the breeding program. Nevertheless, the breed has a leopard-like appearance with a short tail, light-colored coat, striped legs, and a spotted body. Despite their wild-like appearance, Pixie-bob cats have easy-going, friendly, affectionate, and mild-mannered personalities. 

2. Bengal

Another hybrid breed, the Bengal, is created by breeding the small Asian leopard cat with domestic shorthaired cats, such as the Egyptian Mau, the Abyssinian, the Ocicat, or the Bombay. Bengals can be quite active and intelligent, but they’re only suitable for some households. They are curious and vocal and may require much attention and stimulation to keep them busy. Bengals may have a wild personality, making them an ideal breed for people who want a pet that isn’t too cuddly. Despite their somewhat aloof personality, they are still loyal to their owners.

Bengals feature a unique spotted or marbled coat pattern reminiscent of a leopard’s, making them one of the most exotic-looking cat breeds. A Bengal’s coat colors range from golden brown to orange and even black with a white underside.

Domestic Cats That Look Like Other Wild Animals

1. Abyssinian Cats

The Abyssinian cat is an ancient breed, probably of Ethiopian origin, formerly called Abyssinia. It has a distinctive wild resemblance. Abyssinian cats have slender bodies with long legs and tapering tails. They have finely textured red or brown ticked tabby coats.  

Abyssinians have large eyes, which can be anything from hazel green or gold. The breed’s tail tip and the back of its hindlegs are dark brown or black, adding another layer of uniqueness to its appearance. These cats have agile builds, allowing them to be quick and athletic. The breed is also known for its intelligence and active nature. Aside from their active nature, they tend to be attached to their owners.

2. Chausie Cat

The Chausie cat breed is a hybrid between a jungle cat and a domestic cat. The Chausie breed was recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) as a domestic breed in 1995. This breed is medium to large and has a powerful, muscular body. The coat has distinctive markings ranging from solid black to grizzled, tabby, and brown.

The Chausie cat has a long body, with the male weighing between 11 to 16 pounds and adult females 8 to 13 pounds. These cats are intelligent, outgoing, playful, curious, and active.

Summary of 10 Domestic Cats That Look Like Tigers, Cheetahs, and Leopards

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