what is a good exotic pet in the large cat family?

Question

hi im looking to buy a exotic pet in the future. I want a big cat like a lion tiger mountain lion excetra. can some one hel pme pick one. I want somithing that does get 2 big and that does not cost to much to feed. i undertsand that its a loot of work but im ready for it thank you

Answer 1

None of them. Large cats are wild animals and not pets. All of them would also be expensive to feed as all cats (including domestic cats) or oblagate carnivores (meaning they have to eat meat to survive) Having a big cat is more than a matter of a lot of work. These animals will never be a pet they will always be wild and are very powerful and could easily kill you or someone else. They may not even mean too humans are fragile creatures when compared to theses powerful animals and can easily be killed or severly injured just by the cat trying to play with the human like they would another cat. Please do not try to get a big cat as a pet there are enough how are euthanized or put into rescue because people thought the would make a good pet and found out the didn't

Answer 2

LOL if COST is a factor you've just eliminated every exotic pet.

You'd need a vet who's experienced in exotics. You're looking at large carnivores who require GOOD meat every day, up to 60 pounds a week when full grown. You can't buy dead cattle and process them yourself, any animal put down on a farm has the killing fluid in their blood and tissues.

How are you going to house a large cat that can jump over most fences? What kind of life will it have in a small enclosure? Can you get insurance for your property if you have one on your land? Does your city ban exotics? (Many do).

If money is an issue, stick with standard small animals. Food costs alone on a lion would run you around $900 a month (thats figuring $5 a pound for meat, not bone or fat).

Answer 3

Getting a big cat like a lion or a tiger is just a bad idea. They both get too big, cost too much to feed, and just might find YOU tasty.

It's not only a lot work, but requires a lot of experience and time put in learning how to protect yourself, others, and the animal itself.

Some breeders have solved your dilemma by putting the exotic pattern of wild cats onto house cats in order to create a house cat that is patterned like a leopard.

Bengal cats are pretty exotic. They are a hybrid of Asian Leopard Cat but have the wild personality bred out of them while keeping spectacularly patterned coats - and many have the rosetted leopard pattern.

http://www.breedersden.com/bengal.htm

Another interesting and exotic printed cat is the Egyptian Mau. They are not wild cat hybrids, but are actually a naturally occurring spotted domesticated cat breed. They resemble the cats found in the paintings of the ancient Egyptians.

http://www.breedlist.com/egyptian-mau-breeders.html

Here's a link for Savannah Cat breeders, they are the serval hybrids

http://www.savannahcat.com/public/index.php

Answer 4

A sugar glider. They are expensive but so is a hedgehog. Both require more care because they are exotic. Before I tell you about sugar gliders and their care requirements, i will say, vets are hard to find for these little guys. Before you do anything, even if you get a hedgehog or anything else, find a good vet. Most exotic pets will become ill, because whether in the UK or USA or anywhere else, they are not where they are meant to live. Because they are exotic vet bills can become a problem, going as far as thousands of pounds/dollars for the simplest of problems. Also most are very hard and expensive to care for and feed. For example..hedgehogs need proper lighting and heating and need allot of room (so are not good if your home has a tendency for power cuts). Sugar gliders require a LARGE area to live and and play. They also need a mate. Both hedgehogs and sugar gliders are expensive and can cost hundreds of pounds/dollars each, and because you need 2 or 3, the cost goes higher. im not going to tell you how to care for them, because I dont need to. I strongly advise you to get a pet such as cat, dog, hamster, ferret, budgerigar,cockatiel ect. All those are cheaper an easier to care for, vets are easier to find, and in most cases vet bills cheaper.

Answer 5

hi
all big cats are very expensive..and very expensive to feed.
even the smallest which would be a bobcat is very expensive to care for.
also in most places its illegal to own such animals... some people say u can get a permit.. but Ive never actually seen that proved to be true.
I am a wildlife rehabber and so is a good friend of mine.. she has a cougar and a bobcat (both illegally owned) and both have had their canine teeth removed and their claws taken out.. so they can never be released... Now.. she DOES have a special permit to keep these 2 animals in captivity.. and I have fed them! The cougar gets fresh road kill... DEER!
and calves that are born dead.... they eat big! and when there are no fresh dead deer or dead calves being born.. she has to buy fresh meat from the store... can u imagine? I dont know exactly how much it costs daily to feed her... but its very very expensive... she doesnt get deer and calves very often.. LOL
you might consider.... and I cannot even remember the name of the cat now... I think they may be considered exotic... but I dont think they eat meat.... and are fairly large cats.. I will have to get back w/ you.. or u can email me.

Answer 6

Clearly you are not ready.

Big cats are not pets.

And if you are worried about the cost of feed, you really need to be worried about the cost of vet bills, housing, etc.

You need a license to own such an animal.

If you want an exotic pet that doesn't cost much to feed, get tropical fish or a gecko.

Answer 7

your looking for a wild animal that doesnt get to big and doesnt cost much .????
i seriously suggest that you buy a domesticated feline.
wild animals are designed to be exactly that .
although it may seem like a great idea to have your own mountain lion . its a romantic notion and actualy serves no purpose to the cat . it is worth considering a visit to your local zoo to have as chat with them about the reality of keeping wild cats ?

Answer 8

You are nuts. Noone buys an exotic animal just becuase. If you want a large house cat, buy a bengal cat. You are in way over your head if you buy a wild animal.

Answer 9

I'm pretty sure what you want is illegal and I'm pretty sure you don't have the qualifications to take care of such an animal. The closest cat breed I know of to exotic is the Bengal, and there is even some controversy over those.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengal

Answer 10

you wnat a tiger or a lion and dont expect to feed it alot, you sure are asking alot. You for wont be able to get 1 as they now Illegal to sell get ect.
They belong in the Wild not in a back garden or in some fancy house like whacko jacko had. !!