Caracal Cat

Caracal Diet

The diets of Caracals should mostly consist of whole prey and raw meat. More to that topic here. There has been some debate about feeding them pork and “hamburger” meat, which some have reported it made their caracals very sick, so our advise is to steer clear of those for the sake of caution.

They can do ok with a “commercial” diet, meaning mostly raw meats (with bone!), some shrimp/sardines/other fishy treats, and some canned big cat food like ZuPreem Feline. But whole prey is a must, even if it’s not their only source of nutrition if you want to keep your cat healthy. Good starter foods are chicks of different sizes, little pinky or fuzzy mice, quail, rabbits, and other “whole” animals.

Great sources for whole prey are RodentPro and MyPetCarnivore.

Caracals as Pets

Considering a Caracal as a pet? No problem, as long as they're legal where you live (for U.S. check here), and you can provide for them properly.

They're "wild" cats, so don't be fooled by their cute pointy ears and fluffy baby coats. They WILL get bigger, more mischievous, and wilder. They are very loving and affectionate, some say almost dog like. Compared to another midsize wild cat, the African Serval, the Caracal will be calmer and less hyper.

They have a reported lifespan of up to 20 years in captivity. Do not make the decision to adopt one lightly - If you cannot take care of it anymore, it will be very hard to impossible to rehome it with another family/person. It might have to go to a wildlife sanctuary, and they are NOT happy about that for a reason.

Caracals need lots of raw to eat, big toys to play with (think durable dog toys they can't swallow), lots of space to run and be wild (but safe), and lots of attention. An unhappy Caracal will be just as unhappy as a house cat when not played with and ignored. It might get rebellious and pissy. Literally.

Caracal cats spray. Yes, all of them. And possibly a lot. They are litter box trainable (think big litter box please, it's a big cat after all). But it's hardwired in their nature to mark their territory, and your home will not be an exception. It is possible to try to contain it, to prevent damage and (too strong) smells around the house by placing these where it will go. But nothing is 100% and it will be your job to check the Caracals' home regularly and wash/clean/sanitize everything that was in its pee-path.

Caracals might chew on your cables, push down vases, jump on cabinets - just as their not so closely related house cat. But since they're bigger and veterinary visits might very well be much more expensive, "baby" proofing your house will save you money and heartache when your caracal decides to get electroshocked from some cable or swallows something that could cause an obstruction, which sadly happens quite often!

They may get along with other pets such as domestic cats or dogs, but it id advisable to always remember that they are not domesticated kitty cats and could at any time turn their behavior around and decide to make the other pets their meal, or simply accidentally hurt them by playing rough. Do not make the decision to keep one with other, especially smaller, pets lightly. Training, supervision, and lots of attention is needed to prevent accidents and unwanted behavior due to boredom.

Caracals need outdoor enclosures with protection against harsh weathers.

They can make lovely pets, as long as you know what you're getting into and are prepared to deal with it.

Caracal Cat Price

How much do Caracal cats cost? That depends mostly on where you buy it, but typically ranges somewhere between $6,000-$9,000 for kittens, possibly less for adults. They can be more expensive, of course, but generally are not in the U.S.. Do not let people scare you into thinking that this beautiful cat will cost you anywhere as much as an F1 Savannah cat. Though don't be fooled, taking care of one might be much more expensive due to its more restricted diet and need for an enclosure - it's a big kitty, it wants to run! ;)

Watch out for scammers! If it's too good to be true, it's probably a scam!

Caracal Cat Breeders

To buy a Caracal, you have to make sure the breeder is USDA registered to make sure they can guarantee a healthy kitten and are up to USDA standards, which will only benefit you and the cat, especially considering the investment that it is. We do not breed or sell Caracals at this time but can recommend some excellent Breeders in the U.S.. Contact us if you need a recommendation.