- 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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