Bobcats are small wild cats found in North America. They range from southern Canada throughout the United States and into Mexico. With a gray to brown coat, whiskered face and black-tufted ears, the Bobcat resembles other species in the mid-sized Lynx genus. It is smaller than the Canadian Lynx, with whom it shares parts of its range, but about twice as large as a domestic cat. It has distinctive black bars on its forelegs and a black-tipped, stubby tail, from which it derives its name. A Bobcat's weight ranges from twenty-four to thirty-five pounds.
Owners of Bobcats compare their pet to a tabby cat, but a Bobcat's requirements are much more demanding than those of a domestic cat. Bobcats require special care and extra attention. Similar to Servels, Bobcats also have the habit of spraying their urine to mark their territory. Bobcats are very hyper and they have an aggressive nature. Bobcats need to be brought up in an outdoor enclosure where they have plenty of space to play, similar to life in the wild. If they don’t get adequate space and exercise outside, they will run around the house destroying things. Some owners are very content with their pets and others find them very time consuming and troublesome, so it is recommended that potential owners do their homework before making up their mind about having a Bobcat for a pet.
Because a Bobcat is a wild animal it is illegal to have them as a pet in a lot of locations. Before considering a Bobcat as a pet make sure that you check with local wildlife authorities and get all the necessary permits, licences and other paperwork showing you have the right to keep this animal as a pet.
Their diet shouldn’t be like any other domestic pet. Since they are exotic pets and come from the wild, they have different nutritional requirements than domestic cats. A meal for a Bobcat would consist of a whole chicken, which should be presented intact, feathers and all. They can also be given fresh killed squirrels and rabbits. They can eat raw beef, but they fair better on small wild animals and birds. They do not eat as much during the summer, but make up for it during the winter. They also require special medicine and vaccine doses. A normal dose of sedative given to other domestic pets can kill a Bobcat. They should be left with their claws and teeth so they remain healthy and able to protect themselves and eat their meals. If an owner decides to remove the claws of his pet Bobcat, then only the front claws should be removed.
Other than their playtime, they can be kept in a two-cage home which overall is fourteen feet tall and twenty-four feet wide. The two twelve by fourteen cages should be connected by a six-foot wide by six foot high walkway. The cages in which they are kept should have ramps, platforms and toys to keep them occupied. Some Bobcats are really affectionate and like to lick the face of their owner, but be ready for their tongue, which feels like sandpaper. Well trained Bobcats even sleep with their owners, but the owners that allow this need to get used to their loud purring. Bobcats get up early, around five o’clock in the morning and start playing, which means that they will start playing in the bed itself. They play really hard, putting all their energy into it, so be prepared for a damaged bed or bedding if you allow them to sleep with you.
Bobcats enjoy water and they especially like it when it rains. If there are puddles nearby, there is a good chance of the entire house getting messed up. Keep the toilet seat down and do not leave an unattended container of water around or it will be splashed all over the place. While they roam around in the house, it is a really bad idea to do the dishes or mop the floor.
Bobcats are good with people that they are familiar with. However they get very anxious when guests drop in. At such times, it is better if they are kept in their cage. When strangers are near, Bobcats become motionless. They hide and remain scared until the stranger leaves their territory. When the guests leave the Bobcat(s) will come out and sniff all around until they are sure that everything is all right and no “danger” remains.
Owners of Bobcats cannot go on long vacations or even go away for a weekend and leave the animals alone at home. If a babysitter is appointed, care must be taken that it is someone the pet(s) are familiar with. It should never be a stranger because the Bobcat(s) could be permanently traumatized by the experience. When owners start to realize that they have gotten more responsibility than they asked for, they start thinking of giving up the pet by either releasing it in the wild, which is extremely dangerous, or giving it to someone else. In the latter situation, Bobcats find it extremely difficult to trust and bond with the new owner. When you are dealing with a wild animal like a Bobcat, there are many responsibilities associated with it that never come into play when you are dealing with a domestic pet. And, as stated above, many jurisdictions have laws preventing you from keeping a wild animal as a pet. One of the most important reasons for this is that if you give up the wild pet, it will most likely have to be destroyed because it cannot be returned to the wild and going to a new owner very seldom works.
Until next time,
Teia
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