Unique Challenges Of Caring For Non-Domestic Felids
It may be a source of disappointment for many animal advocates, but many people out there “own” and breed non-domestic felids. Exotic cat keeping, while not exactly widespread, has a certain prevalence that, at the very least, has caught the attention of animal advocates and lawmakers across the United States. While keeping big cats is expensive and potentially dangerous, more and more people are turning to hybrid breeds, exotic cats that are bred with domestic cats to create crossbreeds that are less dangerous. Though vet care for hybrid cats is “very similar” to that of domestic cats, they are not exactly the same, and indeed many exotic cats have special needs that vets need to be aware of.
This article, written with a veterinary audience in mind, describes various types of non-domestic felids, and outlines the various special needs that each has, in addition to offering some general advice. The paper is not a “study” per se, but more of an overview for veterinarians, with a list of resources so they can delve further into the issue. It describes various combinations of wild and domestic cats—including Savannah cats, Bengal cats, and many more—and note that while many of the smaller hybrid breeds may be housed in conditions suitable for a domestic cat, some larger hybrid cats need much more space and natural enrichment. Of special note, the authors remark that there are many breeders and owners who are under the impression that hybrids are resistant to feline leukemia, which is absolutely not the case. In addition, nutritional disorders are common among nondomestic felids, from hypocalcemia, secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism, and metabolic bone disease. As far as diseases go, the paper notes that there is “no true consensus” for the appropriate vaccination of nondomestic cats or hybrids.
For animal advocates, the article does not offer much in the way of the advice for how to reduce exotic pet ownership, however, it does show that vets hold some power. Not only do vets likely have contact with people who keep nondomestic felids, but if they keep up on their local laws and regulations, they may be able to intervene when it becomes appropriate. As such, it may be useful for companion animal advocates and wild animal advocates to form alliances with vets to help discourage exotic animal ownership, intervene when laws are broken, and provide the best possible care instructions for hybrid cat keepers when nothing else can be done.