Unusual and unique looking cats have gained huge popularity over the last few years. It’s as if cat owners got bored with average domestic cats and are looking for something extremely rare.
So, what better choice than an exotic cat?
Exotic cats are cats with wild, exotic looks but nice temperaments, which is great for people who want a unique cat that is friendly and easy to socialize.
However, exotic wild animals require experienced owners who might need legal permission before adoption.
So, if you’re interested in learning more, I suggest you keep reading and check out the list of exotic cat species that can be perfect pets.
21 Exotic Cat Breeds You Can Adopt As A Pet
Check out the list of 21 exotic cat breeds that you can adopt as a pet and choose the one that will be your furry best friend!
1. Bengal Cat
| Height | 12-16 inches |
| Weight | 9-15 pounds |
| Lifespan | 13-16 years |
A Bengal cat is a wild-looking hybrid cat due to being a descendant of the Asian Leopard Cat.
This breed of cat is a perfect choice for people who are looking for a domestic pet with an unusual appearance.
The Bengal cat is intelligent, playful, and active but also friendly and affectionate.
Due to their wild genes, these cats require a lot of exercise and occupation that will keep them both mentally and physically active in order to prevent them getting bored.
To learn more about this stunning cat breed, I suggest reading: Is Black Bengal Cat Even Real? Gaze Upon Their Beauty
2. Savannah Cat
| Height | up to 17 inches |
| Weight | 11-25 pounds |
| Lifespan | 13-15 years |
The Savannah cat is a big cat and one of the most popular exotic cats in the cat world. The main reason for this is their size and coat color.
Moreover, they’re characterized by unique-looking spotted patterns, making their appearance even wilder.
Savannah cats have a more dog-like personality, which means that they like to explore a lot. They’re highly intelligent and are also able to learn some tricks.
However, due to their high level of intelligence, these cats are recommended for experienced cat owners only.
The main reason for that is that they need constant mental stimulation in order to be satisfied and if you want to avoid unwanted behaviors.
So, if you don’t have enough time to commit to this unique-looking cat, it’s better to keep looking.
3. Sphynx Cat
| Height | 8-10 inches |
| Weight | 6-13 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
Sphynx cats are popular for their exotic looks, which is the main reason why they’re in high demand. What makes these cats so exotic is their almost hairless body.
These medium-sized cats appear to be completely bald, but they still have a small amount of hair on their extremities, such as ears, paws, tails, and back.
They’re also characterized by large ears and eyes and a compact body.
Sphynx cats can be great pets not only because of their exotic appearance but also because they are extremely affectionate, playful, friendly, and intelligent.
The favorite activity of Sphynx cats is to cuddle and I believe that is something that most cat lovers adore too.
4. Egyptian Mau
| Height | 8-11 inches |
| Weight | 9-12 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
Egyptian Mau cats have an exotic appearance which is why they’re extremely popular in the cat world. This breed of cat originates from Egypt, hence the name.
However, what makes these gorgeous felines even more attractive is their personality.
Egyptian Mau cats are very lovely and friendly, which makes them great pets as they can get along well with almost everyone.
Moreover, these short-hair cats are low maintenance when it comes to their grooming. The best thing is that they may reach a lifespan of even 18 years.
CHECK OUT: 13 Breeds Of Cat With Big Heads + Explanation
5. Turkish Van
| Height | 9-14 inches |
| Weight | 9-20 pounds |
| Lifespan | 13-17 years |
This cat of Turkish origin is another popular cat that many cat parents want as a pet. It has a unique appearance and personality.
Turkish Van cats are extremely intelligent and active cats who are also friendly, but due to their wild side, they may not get along well with other pets.
If you’re an adventurer, you should know that these exotic cats adore water and may accompany you on many of your adventures.
6. Ocicat
| Height | 8-11 inches |
| Weight | 7-15 pounds |
| Lifespan | 13-18 years |
The Ocicat is one of the most exotic-looking felines, mostly due to its coat coloration and triangular head shape. Despite their wild appearance, they have no wild genes within their DNA gene pool.
What makes these cats so attractive, besides their appearance, is the fact that they have dog-like personalities.
They’re active, playful, and intelligent but also friendly. With proper socialization and training, Ocicat can be your perfect furry friend who can do some tricks as well.
7. Canadian Lynx
| Height | 18-21 inches |
| Weight | 11-38 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years in the wild; up to 20 years in captivity |
The Canadian Lynx is a wild cat that is characteristic of colder areas of North America. These cats are characterized by thick fur that allows them to survive in extremely low temperatures.
Although they have a wild nature and are more comfortable with other felines of the same kind, they can also adapt to being pets.
Still, to own such a cat, you’ll need a lot of experience with wild cats, including certain conditions and permissions.
If you have permission and experience, you need to adapt an enclosure to the cat’s needs to keep them in perfect condition.
8. Toyger
| Height | 10-13 inches |
| Weight | 8-15 pounds |
| Lifespan | 11-15 years |
The Toyger cat got its name after a tiger, and if you look at the picture of this cat, it’s obvious why.
With the striped markings, these cats look like miniature tigers.
However, despite the wild look, these medium-sized felines can be perfect family pets, mostly because of their easy-going personality and friendliness.
What makes this cat different from other wild cats, who are usually quiet, is that the Toyger often has a lot to say.
So, if you don’t like vocal cats, maybe the Toyger is not the right exotic cat for you.
9. Nebelung
| Height | 10-13 inches |
| Weight | 8-15 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12-18 years |
The Nebelung cat is a relatively new breed of cat that is recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA).
Due to being new in the cat world, it’s still rare to find.
However, if you wish to have an exotic pet cat who has a nice personality, this kitty would be a purrfect choice.
The Nebelung cat is characterized by a fluffy blue-gray coat and striking golden eyes.
When it comes to their personality, they’re very gentle and affectionate, which means that they’ll definitely adore your company.
This cat will adore being the center of attention in its family but may not be so friendly with strangers. So, if you come across this breed of cat, don’t miss your opportunity!
10. Abyssinian
| Height | 13-16 inches |
| Weight | 6-10 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-13 years |
Abyssinian cats are just… WOW! When you look at this breed of cat, you probably wonder where you can get one? If you’re an exotic cat lover, this breed is a perfect pet choice.
The breed originates from Egypt and has a unique appearance due to the agouti hair, which is present in the ticked pattern.
These cats are also characterized by the M-shaped marking on their forehead due to the ticked tabby cat pattern.
Besides their wild-like appearance, these cats are highly popular because of their easy-going personality.
Not only are they intelligent, they’re also extremely friendly and sociable. That means they can get along very well with almost everyone, including children and other pets.
11. Ocelot
| Height | 15-18 inches |
| Weight | 25-34 pounds |
| Lifespan | 9-11 years |
The Ocelot is an amazing wild cat that feeds itself by hunting smaller animals using its smell or keen vision.
These cats are highly active, especially when compared to some domestic cats.
Usually, they work better in smaller groups, which is more common for dogs or other animals, rather than cats.
Still, owning such a wild cat requires a lot of experience, and if you’re the right person for that, you can only own it in Texas or Florida if you have legal permission.
READ ALSO: List Of Biggest Cat Breeds On Earth (20 Domestic Cats)
12. Caracal
| Height | 15-18 inches |
| Weight | 20-40 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years in the wild; 16-18 years in captivity |
Now, the Caracal cat is a real example of an exotic and wild-looking feline. If you take a look at the picture of this cat, you’ll immediately notice the large ears with hair on the tips.
These cats are most common in forests of Africa and Asia, but with a lot of experience, they can be kept as pets but only with permission in Idaho or Florida.
Keep in mind that these cats have a wild nature, and keeping them is not as easy as keeping other domesticated cat breeds.
13. Bobcat
| Height | 21-24 inches |
| Weight | 10-33 pounds |
| Lifespan | 7-9 years |
The exotic and wild-looking cat of the mountains and forests of North America is the famous Bobcat that is characterized by its short tail (bobtail).
These cats are very large and are usually quiet cats who survive by hunting.
However, Bobcats can easily adapt to humans. Still, that doesn’t mean that you can adopt it as easily as any other domestic cat.
If you want a Bobcat to be your pet cat, then you need to have a lot of experience and even legal permission in Missouri or Michigan; otherwise, you can forget about this breed.
14. Chausie Cat
| Height | 13-15 inches |
| Weight | 14-26 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
The Chausie cat is a large cat, whose coat color and pattern makes it look like a bigger version of the Abyssinian cat.
The Chausie cat is also characterized by long legs, a strong body, and a ticked tabby pattern due to the agouti hair.
Moreover, the Chausie cat is considered to be a hybrid breed that resulted from a crossbreeding of a wild jungle cat and a domestic cat. Luckily the breed was accepted by the TICA in 1995.
The reason why these cats are popular among cat lovers is because they have both exotic looks and nice personalities.
That means they’re extremely intelligent and playful but also very friendly and loyal.
Because of their high energy level, these cats need a lot of active time to keep them satisfied and happy. But because of their loyalty, you can be sure that your feline friend will stay by your side forever.
15. Serengeti
| Height | 8-10 inches |
| Weight | 11-15 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
The Serengeti cat is an unusual cross between the Oriental Shorthair cat and a Bengal cat.
The main goal of creating this breed was to get a cat breed that is similar to a Serval without wild cat DNA.
I would say that the main goal is achieved because these cats really do look exotic. They have muscular and tall bodies while being friendly, playful, and even chatty.
Even though this breed of cat is somewhat newer to cat lovers, it has managed to gain popularity, which may also be the reason for its spicy price.
16. Serval Cat
| Height | 20-24 inches |
| Weight | 19-40 pounds |
| Lifespan | 9-12 years in the wild; up to 20 years in captivity |
Serval cats are exotic cats of African origin. These cats can be kept as pets, however, a certain level of experience is required in order to do that.
With their appearance, they resemble a cheetah. They’re tall and athletic with large pointed ears. These cats are naturally calm and quiet, and with proper socialization and training, they can be good pets.
Servals also have a high level of intelligence which allows them to learn things quickly; therefore, they’re also able to learn some tricks or how to walk on a leash.
Moreover, these cats are considered to be very healthy and may reach a lifespan of even 20 years in captivity.
However, in order to avoid issues such as obesity and similar, remember to exercise these cats a lot as they’re highly energetic.
17. Geoffrey’s Cat
| Height | 7-10 inches |
| Weight | 7-11 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
Geoffrey’s cat is an exotic-looking wildcat that is native to South America. Even though they haven’t been domesticated, people have managed to keep them as pets.
When it comes to these cats, domesticating and keeping them as pets is even encouraged because they’re considered endangered.
However, if you manage to adopt one, remember that these cats are not like traditional domestic cats and that they need a person full of experience.
Moreover, you’ll also need permission and be ready to pay a high price if you want this exotic feline to be yours.
18. Fishing Cat
| Height | 15-17 inches |
| Weight | 10-35 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
The Fishing cat is another cat with unusual looks that deserves to be on the list of exotic cats that can be pets. This breed of cats is native to Southeast Asia.
Unfortunately, these cats have never been entirely domesticated.
However, experienced wild cat owners may keep them as pets as long as they have legal permission and licenses, along with paying a large sum of money to have one.
19. Asian Leopard Cat
| Height | 14-16 inches |
| Weight | 11-15 pounds |
| Lifespan | 8-10 years in the wild; 12-13 years in captivity |
The Asian Leopard cat is a wild cat that can be found in South and East Asia. Because of their wild nature, they need to be properly socialized from a young age if you want to keep them as pets.
Remember that owning an Asian Leopard cat won’t be the same as owning a domestic cat breed.
These cats need a lot of space where they can move around completely free.
Thanks to this breed of cat, today we have a Bengal cat who is characterized by exotic looks and a nice personality which is why it’s getting more and more popular among cat lovers.
20. Jungle Cat
| Height | 12- 14 inches |
| Weight | 25-35 pounds |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years in captivity |
Jungle cats are exotic cats that originate from Asia and Egypt and are considered to be the largest exotic cats. Again these wild-like cats are only suitable for experienced owners because they aren’t used to captivity and similar.
However, if trained and socialized on time properly, these cats can live up to 15 to 20 years in captivity.
Keeping these cats as pets may not be easy, as they require a quiet area and a lot of secured outdoor space where these cats can enjoy their natural habitat.
21. Siberian Lynx
| Height | 23-30 inches |
| Weight | 27-70 pounds |
| Lifespan | 14-17 in the wild; 20-24 years in captivity |
The Siberian Lynx cat is another big exotic breed of cat. Despite their wildish looks and temperament, these cats can be kept as feline pets.
The thing about these cats is that they have dog-like personalities, which means that they’re playful, active, and intelligent.
They’re able to learn quickly, and you may easily teach them to walk on a leash.
However, these cats require an experienced owner that will provide them with a lot of attention and a large space where they can enjoy themselves without causing a mess.
READ ALSO: 10 Curly-Hair Cat Breeds You Have To Check Out! (With Photos)
Final Words
This article provides you with 21 exotic cat breeds that you can adopt as a pet.
The list contains exotic-looking cats such as Sphynx cats, Turkish Van, Bengals, and similar ones that have an unusual appearance and a nice personality which makes them great pet cats.
On the other hand, the list also contains some cat breeds with wild genes that can be suitable for experienced cat owners only, and some may require you to have legal permission to adopt them.
Either way, if you want a unique house cat that will stand out and be your purrfect companion, I hope that this list will help you with your final decision.
Additionally, whichever breed of cat you choose, I recommend you look for reputable breeders so that you can get the top-quality kitten that you’re looking for !