- 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? Chausie 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.
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