FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTIONS

  • What do I feed my Chausie? Chausies do best, like any domestic feline, on a high quality commercial cat food. It is best to check with your breeder, and continue to feed the same diet. Chausies need good food to ensure life-long health and vitality!
  • Will my Chausie use the litter box? Chausies that have a high percentage of domestic ancestry will use a litter box just like any other house cat. Those with more wild blood may be less dependable.
  • Are Chausies aggressive? Chausies are assertive rather than aggressive. They want human attention, food treats, etc. and will definitely let you know. However, you should not see any signs of true aggression, such as unprovoked attacks, threats or destructive actions. They are highly active and intelligent cats, and can get into mischief if bored, so they need lots of toys and perhaps a feline companion to play with.
  • Can Chausies be trained? One of the pleasures of owning such an intelligent cat is that it CAN be trained, if you start young, and are consistent with it. Chausies have been trained to walk on a leash and to play fetch. Use your imagination as to what other tricks they could be trained to do!
  • When are Chausies most active? Like most felines, Chausies are most active in the evening hours. As kittens, this will be very apparent in sneak attacks on toes beneath blankets! However, as the kitten becomes accustomed to your household and your schedule, it will adjust accordingly. Chausies do not sleep as much as other felines, and are pretty much ready to play any time!
  • What about breeding? Chausie females are fertile from the start, but males are usually not fertile until the 4th or 5th generation removed from the wild ancestor. However, they still produce male hormones and will act like any domestic tom. Therefore, unless you are willing to invest the time and money to become a serious breeder, your Chausie would be better served by early neutering or spaying.
  • What about declawing? All cats have a natural instinct to scratch, which serves the purpose of keeping their claws in good trim. With house cats, it is necessary to teach them to use a scratching post or cat tree. If possible, they should be kept in areas where they can scratch and carefully supervised when let into areas where scratching is off limits. After a while, they learn to make the distinction. If you are conscientious about teaching your kitten, you shouldn't need to declaw it. Many breeders strongly discourage the declawing of their kittens, and you should discuss this possibility with them before you take a kitten home.
  • How should a healthy kitten behave? When you select your Chausie, you should look for a kitten that is clean, friendly and interested in its surroundings. Be very gentle and don't frighten the kitten -- any cat may hiss, scratch or bite when scared. Your kitten may be shy when first brought home, but if you give it time, it will approach you and bond with you readily.
  • Are Chausies good with children? This depends on the age and personality of the child. No cat enjoys rough handling or teasing, and Chausies are no exception. If your child is old enough to understand and respect the cat's need for space and privacy, and to handle it gently, a Chausie might fit in your household, but in general, very young or inexperienced children should not be left unattended with any cat.

 
Chausie Photos
Mission Statement
Breed Group
History

Home