Do bobcats make good pets? No, if you intend to acquire one, you must quit daydreaming. The bobcat is a wild animal. To maintain one as a house pet, you must pay a considerable price for upkeep and adaptations. Most individuals considering obtaining this type of pet are unaware of what it entails.
Why Do People Want Bobcats as House Pets?
Some individuals are just bored with typical pets, such as cats and dogs. So, they seek something more unusual. A wild animal as a pet. One that few individuals possess. Also, one that helps them feel unique. The better the pet, the rarer it is. A black bobcat that occasionally resembles a panther may be a dream.
Frequently, people wish to demonstrate to others that this wild feline has chosen them as its family. Yet they overlook that the cat had no choice in the matter.
With the growth of social media in recent years, the demand for this type of pet has intensified. Finding someone on Instagram or YouTube with even the most unusual pet is simple.
It makes no difference whether the species is harmful or carefully protected. There is always a country where ownership is permitted.
Bobcat Legal Status In The United States
Most states in the United States have at least some restrictions addressing bobcats as pets. This does not necessarily imply that they are illegal. However, a license may be required.
While obtaining permission is simple for zoos, shelters, instructors, and other organizations, it is arduous for private individuals.
Remember that in some states. You should demonstrate your expertise and familiarity with the species you wish to own. Others will send someone to verify that you have everything necessary for good care.
Safety considerations play a very vital role here
In other instances, tall fences and double doors are necessary. So be prepared to modify your house, even if this is not always true.
But, some states refuse to prove anything. Yet, it would be beneficial if you double-checked the essentials in your best interest. If a bobcat stands in front of your neighbors in their garden, I’m sure they’re not pleased.
Occasionally, freed bobcats may attack and kill other animals or pets whether or not it is difficult to determine if the bobcat is wild or an escaped pet, your bobcat’s travels may end tragically if authorities decide to shoot it.
But, you should contact your local agricultural department to see if you can legally acquire a bobcat and what legal limits apply to your county or city. Even if ownership is legal state-by-state, restrictions may differ based on your precise area.
California is the only state where keeping a bobcat as a pet is forbidden.
- Connecticut,
- Nebraska
- Minnesota
- Iowa
- Mississippi,
- Georgia
- South Carolina,
- Virginia
- New Jersey
- New York
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Hawaii,
- Maine
The list might need to be completed.
Are bobcats domesticated?
Bobcats are not household animals. They developed from the European lynx and are an American wild species. In addition, African serval cats are closely connected.
Humans frequently discuss they tamed bobcats and declare that a particular one is tame. Social media images and YouTube videos frequently influence their opinions.
While playing or snuggling with its owner, a bobcat might resemble a domestic cat. Nonetheless, many individuals are unaware of the distinction between domestication and taming.
A bobcat may be domesticated effectively, especially when raised by people from infancy. They may even accept as family other pets and animals that would otherwise be prey. Yet, this does not imply they are domesticated.
Domestication of dogs began around 10,000 years ago. Over these years, breeders have selectively bred individuals whose conduct best suited our purposes. This is referred to as selective breeding. As a result, many generations were required to evolve today’s dogs.
Even if you locate a bobcat from the third or fourth generation in captivity at a breeder, this implies nothing. Of course, the breeder will tell you something completely different, but do yourself a favor and conduct research!
These tiny kittens are often useful and vary little from tamed cats. Yet, only once do they achieve maturity. After that, their conduct will shift after four or five years. Then they will begin to attack you.
Characteristics And Conduct Of Pet Bobcats
Bobcats can have a lively and loving disposition. However, most of the time, their behavior resembles domestic cats. Yet, this is typically not the case.
You have a wild and unpredictable animal in your residence. Therefore, it is difficult to predict aggressive conduct since even a tiny factor might induce violent behavior.
The issue does not include a lion, but encountering bobcat tracks can lead to serious disputes with your pet. For example, removing the animal’s food while it is eating is never a good idea. You are not taking beloved toys.
All of this makes pet bobcats extremely risky for families with young children. Regrettably, children must learn to interact with animals despite their unique behavior. They have no concept of right and wrong, and their harmonic playing can lead to disastrous outcomes.
But other non-dangerous activities have a significant influence on your house.
Bobcats like spraying anything they believe to be theirs. Namely toys and other equipment, as well as their sleeping area. Carpets, furniture, and any other items in your home would become soiled. Wild animal urine has a pungent odor, and it would be difficult to remove it from surfaces.
Bobcats are solitary animals with wide areas in which they prefer to wander. Take precautions to prevent your pet from escaping since neighbors and authorities may not be amused.
Bobcats Need Specific Food
Exotic pets, like the anteater, require a more specialized diet than bobcats. But, you would have to devote more effort to the diet, as you would with a dog.
Also, some individuals dislike some parts of the diet. Bobcats, for instance, are severe carnivores that like hunting. In this situation, live feeding is unnecessary, but you must deal with meat.
Whole rabbits, for instance, are an excellent option. Yet, bobcats require significant amounts of food to consume one rabbit daily. I hope your refrigerator has adequate storage space.
Another factor to consider is the expense of this diet. Prepare to spend between $5 and $10 on meat every day. Hence, the annual cost of feeding a bobcat ranges from $1800 to $3650. A sum that is not affordable to everyone.
Bobcats Require Extensive Space
It should come as no surprise that most wild creatures require room. For example, although bobcat zero turn mowers are smaller than other felines, such as ligers, they may reach the size of a large dog breed.
Some websites recommend a size of 4 meters by 2 meters by 2.5 meters for a single bobcat. Even though this may seem like a lot already, I would argue it is the bare minimum and is only adequate for a temporary enclosure.
Bobcat zero-turn mowers require a large amount of outdoor and interior space because of their high mobility. Bobcats require a spacious garden with an escape-proof fence to suit their demands.
How Much Does A Bobcat Cost?
Identifying a bobcat breeder in the United States who sells kittens is possible. Nonetheless, these breeders are frequently affiliated with the fur business and sell to licensed private individuals.
Available bobcat kittens range from $900 to several thousand dollars. It relies primarily on the color and personality of the kittens.
But remember that these cats are not tamed, and their behavior will likely alter as they age.
The costs of having a bobcat as a pet do not end here. As previously said, you must budget several thousand dollars annually for feeding and veterinary care.
In addition, there are one-time expenditures associated with installation and home modifications.
What Else Should Be Considered About Bobcats as Pets?
Some individuals consider declawing their large pet cat. However, this is not courteous and implies much more than simple nail trimming. After the procedure, the animal will be far less hazardous but lose crucial skills, such as climbing.
The operation is comparable to amputating the initial bone of a human finger. This is cruel and has nothing to do with animal compassion.
Also, it is difficult to locate a veterinarian who will treat bobcat sounds. Some will accept your pet, but you may have to search extensively, particularly if you live in a remote region.
Some wild animals, like bobcats, are happiest when living in their native habitat. However, size bobcat are designed to survive in captivity for more than 20 years. This is a lengthy commitment with several constraints on the owner’s life.
If you maintain the pet, you cannot go on vacation or engage in other typical activities. Regrettably, many individuals understand this over time and decide to euthanize their feline companion. This is quite unfortunate, as animals that have been bred and lived with people for an extended period can no longer be returned to the wild.
Organizations like Big Cat Sanctuary have huge cats whose prior owners abandoned them.
Various: American Bobtail Cats
If you don’t want an actual bobcat vs lynx but still want a pet with a very similar appearance, I would advise looking into American bobtail cats.
They resemble bobcat equipment yet have all the benefits of domestic cats. In addition, they are family-friendly and energetic, making them ideal pets.
There are speculations that this breed is a cross between a bobcat in the wild and a domestic cat. Nonetheless, despite these hybrids, it is more likely that domestic cats solely produced American bobtails.
by Fashion Facts 24
