Cats That Look Like Leopards – Domestic Breeds That Look Like Big Cats

Cats that look like leopards are becoming increasingly popular among cat owners. Across the world, breeders are trying to cross-breed cats to produce the perfect little leopard that you can have in your home. Today we’re going to share 12 awesome breeds of house cat that look like big cats. Looking at their pros, cons and seeing which is them is the purrfect pet for your family.

Perhaps people want to bring a bit of the wild inside their home, or they just think that spotted coats look gorgeous. Of course, having a house cat that looks like a leopard is one thing, but we certainly don’t want one that behaves like a leopard. As a result, breeders don’t just go for appearance. They try to breed cats that have lovely natures and make great family pets!

House Cat That Looks Like A Leopard

Just imagine if, the next time you had a dinner party, you treated your invited guests to the sight of a Bengal leopard cat walking casually through your kitchen. What a conversation starter! Think of how much fun you could have debating the best leopard names for cats across the dinner table!

The good news is, you can live with a leopard house cat of your very own. We are about to introduce you to 12 of the coolest, wildest looking leopard like cat breeds that are totally domesticated!

1. Savannah Cat – The Famous Leopard Cat

The Savannah pet cat arose when breeders crossed an African Serval with a domestic cat. They are frequently referred to as cats that look like leopards, You can certainly see why with their adorable spotty fur.

The first litter from such pairings, called F1 Savannah cats, still have too much “wild cat” in them to live happily as domestic pet cats. But when breeders pair one F1 parent cat with another domestic cat (or another F1 parent cat), the F2 kittens grow up to be sizable and lovable pet cats.

They are smart, curious, great jumpers, and their besotted owners often compare them to pet dogs.

Savannah cats can still be difficult to find, and they can cost a lot of money. However, don’t worry, because we have plenty of other divine breeds for you to look at!

Next, perhaps the second most well known of our gallery of leopard cats.

2. Bengal Cat – The Jungle Beauty

The Bengal cat is one of the earliest crossbred pet cats. The Bengal arose when breeders matched an Asian Leopard cat parent with a domestic cat. This beautiful Asian leopard cat pet has authentic rosette markings like its wildcat cousins. However, its base coat colors can range from delicate silver to a deep tawny orange-rust. These cats often resemble a pet snow leopard cat!

These cats that look like leopards are very smart, observant, and quick to pick up training. Most Bengals have huge, playful personalities and love older kids. They will also happily join in water play and even learn to do tricks! They love to play and never seem to tire.

These first two cats were the result of breeding domestic cats with a wildcat. The next on our list was a happy accident arising from purely domestic housecat breeds.

3. Ocicat – A Happy Mistake

The Ocicat pet cat breed doesn’t have any authentic “wild cat” in her – well, aside from the ancient genetic origins all modern cats share. The Ocicat really was an oops! It was the outcome of a breeder’s attempt to obtain kittens with a Siamese-Abyssinian coloration.

During one attempt, she paired a Siamese cat parent and an Abyssinian cat parent. Later, she crossed these kittens with an American Shorthair cat…and out popped the first true Ocicat kitten!

Ocicats are super social, smart, and strong. They make great family cats for families with lots of time to interact! Whats more, their coat coloration and patterns are awesome, making them truly resemble the ideal house leopard. That’s before we mention that they are some of the cutest cats that look like leopards around.

That’s the ‘big three’ leopard cats, the ones that most people know. Fortunately, there are a few others becoming more popular.

4. Chausie Cat – The Cat That Looks Like A Lion

The Chausie (“Chow – see”) domestic pet cat is the result of a Jungle cat crossed with a domestic cat. In fact, this cat gets its name its wild parent’s scientific name of Felis chaus!

Adorable Chausie cats tend to look more like cougars than cats that look like leopards. In fact, they are sometimes known as the cat that looks like a lion because of their unique face and sandy-colored coat. But these petite cougars, with alert, focused gaze and fearless demeanor, are every bit the wild cat pet.

This is a high energy kitty, full of vim and vigor. Your Chausie needs lots of exercise and activity to keep him happy. If you’ve ever wanted to own a dog in a cat’s body, the Chausie might be just the breed for you! Leash training and water play are high on the list of activities the Chausie cat considers fun!

Now, from a new breed to a cat regarded as one of the classics. It’s a breed renowned for its elegance and regal appearance.

5. Abyssinian Cat – The Elegant Choice

Devotees have nicknamed this popular domestic cat the “Abys.” Just how the Abyssinian pet cat first arose is still somewhat mysterious. Many think they arose from an unbroken line dating back to small wild cats that roamed the streets of ancient Egypt.

The Abyssinian’s long, lithe body and tawny fur makes it a dead ringer for the African wild cat, Felis sylvestris lybica. This is the same ancient feline ancestor all cats have to thank for their existence today!

Aby cats are incredibly smart, loyal, loving, and helpful. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, these cats are convinced they can help!

Next, for you lovers of longhaired cats, the Aby has a relative that might interest you.

6. Somali Cat – The Long-Haired Aby

The Somali cat is, basically, a longhaired version of the Abyssinian cat. The Somali owes its thick, luxurious, fox-like coat to an Abyssinian recessive gene. Other than that, it is similar to the Aby in all other ways, including coat coloration and personality.

Although they look like they’d be at home in the wilderness, these cute kitties make good pets for the right homes. They have big personalities and love to be the center of attention. They also adore performing, which makes the Somali a highly successful show cat!

Our next leopard-like breed may sound like it is named after a popular snack, but it is a beautiful cat that really does resemble a leopard.

7. Cheetoh Cat – The Cat That Looks Like A Cheetah

The Cheetoh cat is the result of a Bengal cat crossed with an Ocicat, and it may be the perfect cat for those seeking the perfect domestic leopard. Even a quick glance at their amazing coats leaves no doubt that this is a cat that looks like a Cheetah. Indeed, they get their breed name from their strong resemblance to the wild Cheetah (hence, “Cheet-oh”).

Because the Cheetoh descended from Bengal and Ocicat domestic cats, it stays true to the Asian jungle cat in both its looks and its gait. Cheetoh pet cats are sizable yet very docile and gentle in their nature. They are also very smart. These are true lap cats with strong maternal instincts in both male and females of the breed. If you have kids, this cat that looks like a Cheetah could be the perfect cat for you.

While we are on the subject of cats with names resembling their wild cousins, here’s another!

8. Toyger Cat – The Cat That Looks Like A Tiger

You can probably guess from the name which wild big cat this beautiful breed represents! The Toyger cat is a tabby cat extraordinaire – a house cat that looks just like a mini tiger, hence the name “Toy – ger!”.

The Toyger cat arose from a Bengal cat crossed with a domestic shorthair cat. These cats capture the best traits of each parent, with a laid-back, loving, and interactive nature that makes everyone an automatic new friend.

These wonderful and intelligent domestic cats are perfect for leash training and learning new tricks. They assimilate easily into the routine of their new family. When added to their delightful appearance, how could anyone say no?

9. Pixie-Bob Cat – The Domestic Cat That Looks Like A Lynx

Some enthusiasts like to claim that the Pixie-bob cat is actually descended from the North American Red Coastal bobcat. However, the truth is that people simply bred these cats to closely resemble the wild Bobcat. Today’s Pixie-bob breed got its name from the breed’s first mama cat, who was named Pixie.

Pixie-bob cats can be polydactyl, which means they have up to seven toes instead of the usual four or five toes. Unlike all other purebred cat breeds, however, this doesn’t disqualify them from being shown!

The Pixie-bob domestic cat is a sizeable housecat that can weigh 22 pounds or more. They really are a domestic cat that looks like a lynx. However, they certainly don’t throw their weight around, and they are often compared to pet dogs in their eagerness to learn leash walking. Most Pixie-Bobs enjoy interactive games, and many love playing in water!

We are taking a wonderful tour through cat-kind and geography today. Now, we move from wild North America to Africa.

10. Serengeti Cat – Saving The Serval Cat

The Serengeti cat comes from a Bengal cat parent crossed with an Oriental Shorthair cat parent. And, they really are some of the most distinctive cats that look like leopards around.

Karen Sausman, of Kingsmark Cattery, first registered this wild-appearing domestic cat breed with The International Cat Fanciers Association (TICA). Sausman’s background as a conservation biologist led her to create a cat that looked like a wild Serval. She did this to help reduce illegal trafficking in wild Serval cats.

These beautiful cats are medium-sized in body, confident, and friendly in personality. They are very playful and get along well with other pets as well as kids. As far as cats that look like leopards go, this relatively new mix is one that has a lot of potential kitten owners very intrigued.

Staying in Africa, why don’t we take a tour through history and look at a truly ancient breed of cat that looks like a leopard.

11. Egyptian Mau Cat – An Ancient Breed

Today’s Egyptian Mau cat probably evolved from small Egyptian wild cats and the ancient North African wild cat, Felis sylvestris libyca. Their lineage is considered to be pure (i.e. no crossbreeding), and dates all the way back to 4,000 B.C.! Just think – the Pharaohs owned Mau cats!

They can have striking silver, bronze, or smoke-grey coats with black markings. This makes them a domestic cat that looks like a leopard, but not just any leopard, a snow leopard!

The Egyptian Mau cat is very smart and loyal, to the point of fierceness. They tend to bond strongly to one person and are very friendly in a family setting, but somewhat reserved with strangers. No wonder – they were once worshipped as gods and won’t let you forget it!

Alas, we are almost at the end of our journey through domestic leopard cats, so let’s finish with a new and very promising breed.

12. Mokave Jag Cat – The New Leopard Cat

The Mokave Jag cat, or “Jag cats” as owners call them, is quite new. The breed only received its official purebred registry approval in 2005! This striking cat is a cross between a Bobcat, Asian Leopard cat, and Jungle Cat.

They really are cats that look like leopards, and even their faces seem more feral. Although, the sole breeder of Jag Cats choose parent cats carefully to ensure her kittens will grow up to be wonderful and loving pet cats!

We think that the Mokave Jag cat is as close as you can come to finding an Asian leopard cat for sale. But, be prepared for a price tag to match – the current Asian leopard cat price is $5,000 for a kitten and a whopping $15,000 for an adult cat Jag cats are big cats that can reach 20 pounds or heavier.

These cats are extremely smart and social, but as a new breed we don’t know a lot about them at the moment.