What kind of cat is a Cheetoh?

The Cheetoh comes from the crossing of specific registered cats from the Ocicat breed and specific registered cats from Bengal breed. The Cheetoh has true jungle linage from the Asian Leopard cat and is a very muscular cat that is athletic, graceful and lithe. The Cheetoh has a stalking, low-shouldered walk that is common both in the Ocicat and the wild jungle cats, but is not typically exhibited in other domestic cats. The spotted and/or rosetted spotted appearance with the large eyes and ears, enhances this distinctive wild look. The coat of the Cheetoh, sleek and shiny, is another of its distinguishing attributes. The fur is very short and thick, yet soft and velvety and is quite similar in nature to the fur of the jungle cats.

How are Cheetoh’s different from other cats?

The Cheetoh incorporates the distinctive spotted coat characteristics from the breed of both the Ocicat and the Bengal breeds. Notably that of harnessing the pronounced spotting from the Bengal breed and the taller longer legged stature from the Ocicat breed. The goal of the Cheetoh breeding program was to create a very intelligent cat that is considerably larger  with an extraordinary wild look without adding more wild blood.......but most importantly, an extremely social, docile and gentle natured lap cat that is  safe for all family members. We here at WildSpots will even go so far as to guarantee this nature in cats adopted from us.

Are Cheetoh’s safe around children?

The Cheetoh, though demonstrating a very fierce wild appearance, is at all times an incredibly social and loving cat, never aloof or showing any tendencies towards aggressive or standoffish behavior. The males exhibit definite maternal characteristics towards kittens and younger cats, never being hostile or antagonistic, a mannerism exclusive to the Ocicat and very rarely seen in other feline breeds. The gentle and mild-mannered temperament is a dependable character trait of the Cheetoh and is safe around children as any other properly care for domestic cat. Again, we here a WildSpots will even go so far as to guarantee this nature in kits adopted from us.

How big do Cheetoh’s get?

This cat is substantially different from both the Bengal and the Ocicat in that it has been consistently larger than the foundation Ocicat or Bengal parents. Weights range from 15-22lbs for the males and up to 15 lbs for the females. Many have asked why  would they be larger than the parents, and the only way to answer this without having a genetics degree is to look at the Liger. The Liger is a cross between a Lion and a Tiger and the offspring are much larger when compared to the parents.

What kind of colors do Cheetoh’s have?

Black\Brown Spotted Sienna: Includes variations of sorrel, tawny, golden, hot rufus and mahogany. Markings are shades of black, brown or tan. A light ruddy ground color is preferred. Light colored markings encircling the eyes and white ground color on the whisker pads, chin, chest, belly and inside legs is desirable. Black markings and/or spots around eyes and on the face are a bonus. The nose should be dark brick red. Eye color may be bronze or gold, copper, green, brown or hazel. Paw pads and tail tip are black.

Black\Brown Spotted Gold: The underlying coat color is very light tan or tan with silver highlights. The coat also has a mixture of black, white and shades of gray mixed together, very similar to the coat of the chinchilla (mammal). Spots and/or rosettes are sable brown or black in color and are very large and scattered over the shoulders, back, sides and haunches. Black markings and/or spots on face and around eyes are a bonus. Light colored "spectacles" around eyes are desirable. Eyes are bronze or gold, copper, green, brown or hazel. The nose should be dark brick red. Paw pads and tail tip are black.

Black Spotted Smoke: The overall color is one of dark grayness, instead of silver, with black, white and varying shades of gray mixed together. Spots and/or rosettes are distinct. Patterns appearing on the shoulders and down the back are a bonus. These patterns can appear as a cape on younger kittens. Light colored or white bars across back of ears is desirable. Light colored markings encircle the eyes. Black markings and/or spots around the eyes and on the face are a bonus. Eyes are bronze or gold, copper, green, brown or hazel. The nose is red hued outlined with black. Paw pads and tail tip are black.

Black Spotted Silver: The overall color is a cool sparkling silver overlaid with intense black markings, spots and rosettes. The degree of contrast should be intense. Black markings and/or spots on the face are desirable. White bars across back of ears is desirable. Gold frost or glitter can appear across the shoulders and back. The nose is red hued outlined with black. Eye colors are bronze or gold, copper, green, brown or hazel. Paw pads and tail tip are black.

Lynx Pointed, Gold Spotted Snow: The body is snow white with slight gray shading on back and rump permitted. Extremities can be various shades of buff or light gray. Gold or buff colored spots and/or rosettes cover the entire body including and belly. Spots on legs are a bonus. The tail is black ringed. The face has gold or buff colored markings and/or spots. Ears are light gray or buff, ringed with black and lynx pointed. White bars across back of ears are preferred. Eyes are a deep, bright blue. Nose is black with lighter reddish center. Paw pads and tail tip are black.

How much does a Cheetoh cost?

Because of the uniqueness of the jungle linage, the size attributes and the awesome puppy like personality, the average price for a quality marked registered Cheetoh is $800. If the cat has exceptional show quality markings sometimes the price is higher and cats with less pronounced color or markings sell for less.  Also at times we will will have older Cheetohs that would given a new home for a much lesser price too.

Is there anything special about feeding Cheetoh’s?

You will find that all cats, wild or domestic, eat birds, mice, rabbits, ect. as part of their natural diet. They don't go searching fields looking different grains to eat. Even though we feed our Cheetoh's normal quality dry pet foods we also make sure that meat raw or cooked, is served often in their diet because it makes for a natural healthier pet. The favorite around here is chicken gizzards which we find is cheaper per pound that many canned cat foods, thus making it our favorite too. We just use a pair of scissors to cut them up into bitable chunks  and a cat feast is born. Stew meat and beef tips are also served occasionally.

Is the Cheetoh a registered breed?

Yes. The Cheetoh became a  recognized registered breed with the United Feline Organization (UFO) in November of 2004. They are also registered under "experimental breed" with The International Cat Association (TICA) at this time. This is the first step necessary to having the breed also become recognized with TICA. These are the persistent goals of the Cheetoh breeders. WildSpots cattery is registered with UFO as an authorized Cheetoh Breeder  #2148 and is a member of (TICBA) The International Cheetoh Breeders Association.

At what age can a Cheetoh kit go to its new home?

Most kits will be ready between 8-12 weeks old. When a kit is ready and certain arrangements are made, some can go to their new homes as soon as 7 weeks old.

We now use a personal delivery lady, thus the kit is on her person the entire flight. When you go to the airport you don't even need to park, she will deliver them right to you. Its the most ideal way there is. The average cost to ship a cat in the continental USA is usually around $250-$300 

General description of a Cheetoh

The goal of the Cheetoh breeding program is to create a cat with an extraordinary wild look and an extremely docile and gentle nature. The Cheetoh will incorporate the distinctive characteristics of both the Ocicat and the Bengal, but will have its own unique attributes which includes large size, unsurpassed gentleness of character, and a wild look that otherwise can be found only in the jungle. The Cheetoh is a very muscular cat that is athletic, graceful and lithe. This cat will have the stalking, low- shouldered walk that is common both in the Ocicat and the wild jungle cats, but is not typically exhibited in other domestic cats. The spotted and/or rosetted appearance with the large eyes and ears, enhances this distinctive wild look.

The coat of the Cheetoh, sleek and shiny, is another of its distinguishing attributes. The fur is very short and thick, yet soft and velvety and is quite similar in nature to the fur of the jungle cats.

The Cheetoh, though demonstrating a very fierce appearance, is at all times an incredibly social and loving cat, never aloof or showing any tendencies towards aggressive or standoffish behavior. The males exhibit definite maternal characteristics towards kittens and younger cats, never being hostile or antagonistic, a mannerism exclusive to the Ocicat and very rarely seen in other feline breeds. The gentle and mild-mannered temperament is a dependable character trait of the Cheetoh. This cat is also extremely intelligent and curious, often demonstrating an un-feline sense of humor.

In summation, the overall intent for breeding the Cheetoh is to create the wildest looking domestic cat in the feline kingdom without adding further wild blood. To have a large, sweet natured lap cat that resembles a jungle cat, but has a completely dependable docile nature that can be trusted around anyone, especially children.