Bobcat as pet?

[dragos240]

Just wondering, when I move out in about 5-7 years time, I'm wondering if it's possible to have a lynx or a bobcat as a pet, I've seen them in a few videos. If I raised one as a newborn, would it be more tame to keep as a pet? What would be the consequences? They're very cute, and the question is more out of curiosity.

[Tews]

You can't domesticate a wild animal ... period.

[dragos240]

Although, I've heard it is legal to own one in some states with a special permit.

[TheLions]

You can't domesticate a wild animal ... period.

Yes, you can. It depends from country to country.

@dragos240
Try with cat first and read this : http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/bigcats/a/bigcatsaspets.htm

[pwnst*r]

You can't domesticate a wild animal ... period.

+1

also, it's funny how if a wild animal turns on it's "owner" the thing gets shot or is looked at in a more negative view. i say, when a wild animal does that, the "owner" got what he deserved.

[pwnst*r]

Yes, you can. It depends from country to country.

@dragos240
Try with cat first and read this : http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/bigcats/a/bigcatsaspets.htm

i don't think he wasn't talking about the legality of it.

[dragos240]

I found a very interesting site also about bobcats & lynx. It's called Bitterroot bobcat & lynx. (http://www.bobcatsmt.com) They raise bobcats, and say if they're raised correctly they can be very loyal and affectionate pets.

[dragos240]

i don't think he wasn't talking about the legality of it.

Yes I was.

[pbpersson]

Just wondering, when I move out in about 5-7 years time, I'm wondering if it's possible to have a lynx or a bobcat as a pet, I've seen them in a few videos. If I raised one as a newborn, would it be more tame to keep as a pet? What would be the consequences? They're very cute, and the question is more out of curiosity.

I knew someone who owned a large dog and when it was older its mind snapped and it attempted to tear its owner's arm off.

With a bobcat you are MORE likely to run into this. I think you are just asking for trouble. It is better to get yourself a LARGE domestic cat, IMO.

I like really large cats. The one in my avatar is around 16 pounds. :)

[pwnst*r]

Yes I was.

i was referring to Tews comment, not yours, thanks.

[pbpersson]

I don't want to minimize the idea you have.

However, times are tough, people are trying to figure out how they can find work, keep their houses, and get food on the table.

Instead of spending $1500 for a bobcat, you could get something like this for ONE TENTH the price. I just got him recently and since I took this picture he has doubled in size. He was a kitten who needed a home, I got him from an adoption place. He looks very similar to some of the bobcats on that web site.

He had his shots, he was neutered, and was already microchipped. I just had to take him home with me and start playing with him.

114944

[Namtabmai]

You can't domesticate a wild animal ... period.

-1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNv2A4Kfx4k)

[dragos240]

I've actually seen that video before, it's so awesome.

[pbpersson]

At least with a bobcat you are talking something small and a human would automatically be the dominant cat just due to size and strength.

I would never, ever have a lion or tiger as a pet. They can give you playful swipe of their paw and accidentally rip your face off in the process.

[Sublime Porte]

You can't domesticate a wild animal ... period.

Every single species of domesticated animal descends from a once wild ancestor. So your statement is just complete nonsense. Sure it might not be easy being the one who does it, but to claim it can't be done contradicts the reality.

To the OP, you might wanna consider a Savannah (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah_(cat)), which is a cross between an African wild cat (serval), and a domestic cat. In the U.S you can get decent ones with direct serval ancestors, in most other countries we can only get 3rd. generation or less.

[chucky chuckaluck]

there are plenty of strays that need adopting. you might want to consider that route.

[swoll1980]

You can't domesticate a wild animal ... period.

I had a wolf. (he died about 10 years ago) He was the sweetest most loyal pet I've ever owned. He wouldn't have hurt a fly. After him, I will never attach myself to another animal. They don't live long enough.

[pbpersson]

To the OP, you might wanna consider a Savannah (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah_(cat)), which is a cross between an African wild cat (serval), and a domestic cat. In the U.S you can get decent ones with direct serval ancestors, in most other countries we can only get 3rd. generation or less.

They can be between 12 and 40 pounds. One of the things about cats is that when you get them as kittens, you have no idea how large they will be. You could end up with a shrimp or a giant.

[dragos240]

I had a wolf. (he died about 10 years ago) He was the sweetest most loyal pet I've ever owned. He wouldn't have hurt a fly. After him, I will never attach myself to another animal. They don't live long enough.

aww :)

[swoll1980]

Every single species of domesticated animal descends from a once wild ancestor. So your statement is just complete nonsense.


The "wildness" was bred out of those animals, over hundreds of years, and they are still unpredictable.

[jflaker]

All cats are cool. I was watching Leno and he had someone come on with a 8 month old Cougar (Puma concolor), also known as puma, mountain lion, catamount, or panther, and it was playful and seemed like a regualar OVERSIZED cat.....I wouldn't want to get it pissed as it could rip you from end to end in short order

Unfortunately, much like a standard sized cat where you can get scratches, a large cat can accidently open major wounds.

Wild cats are best observed in nature and not taken as pets. They can be unpredictable and even if they are generations removed from the wild, they still retain their hunting instincts and can revert to a wild animal without warning.

If you want to do something like this, you would be better off creating a rescue for these animals and become an expert in their care so they can be removed from environments where they are being abused.....

[Sublime Porte]

The "wildness" was bred out of those animals

Thank you for conceding my point.

[swoll1980]

Thank you for conceding my point.

I don't get it.

[RazVayne]

Why is everyone agreeing you can domesticate a wild animal?
Of course you can!
Hell,a russian scientist actually started a large project in which he domesticated wild foxes in 6-7 generations(which is very fast).

Anyway,if the OP wants a cat,I'll give him mine...it's been puking hairballs all day.ugh

[swoll1980]

Why is everyone agreeing you can domesticate a wild animal?
Of course you can!
Hell,a russian scientist actually started a large project in which he domesticated wild foxes in 6-7 generations(which is very fast).

Anyway,if the OP wants a cat,I'll give him mine...it's been puking hairballs all day.ugh

The statements meant, you can't take a wild animal, raise it, and expect it to be domesticated, just because it grew up with you. Obviously any animal can be domesticated through breeding. The meaning in those statements was implied, and I think you would have to really go out of your way to take it out of context.

[mister_pink]

Someone sent me a bobcat on ebay when I ordered an office chair :(

[dragos240]

Someone sent me a bobcat on ebay when I ordered an office chair :(

Lucky.

[pwnst*r]

Someone sent me a bobcat on ebay when I ordered an office chair :(

is it comfortable?

[Namtabmai]

I wouldn't complain that much, think about the poor guy that desperately wanted a bobcat and is currently trying to domesticate an office chair. :(

[expelledboy]

My mother had a lion as a pet when she was younger and it didnt harm any of them.. however she did say that you could NOT play with it when it grew up[-XIf you did it would playfully rip your head off!

They had to feed it lots of food to keep it lazy and calm, cause after all once a cat has had enough to eat all it does thereafter is sleep.
Considering this dont you think the animal would be boring as a pet and amazingly expensive?

I had a pet cheater for awhile as it grew up but they stink! They are the most likely wild cats you can domesticate.

If I where you I would go adopt a normal size cat (not a kitten) that was still playful. Those are the best cats you can get! Period.

[MikeTheC]

My cat has two pet humans (http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=7330919&postcount=308).

This just goes to prove you can domesticate anything.

[pbpersson]

I will never attach myself to another animal. They don't live long enough.

My cats typically live to be 17-19 years old.

Does this mean you will also never attach yourself to another human being because they might die before you have known them for twenty years?

[pwnst*r]

My cats typically live to be 17-19 years old.

Does this mean you will also never attach yourself to another human being because they might die before you have known them for twenty years?

unless you're a pet lover, that's not even close to being the same.

[Namtabmai]

I've had cats all my life, and I've had my current cat since he was 6 weeks old. Anyone that knows me knows how devastated I'd be if anything happened to him. I personally don't even consider him a pet, while MikeTheC linked post might have been intended to be a joke, it's actually some what true.

That said, I would never knowingly put my cat before a human.

[0per4t0r]

If you're looking for a larger, more wild type of cat, look at these:

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

http://www.bengalcat.com/index.php


Dang, I read cat fancy too much.

[swoll1980]

My cats typically live to be 17-19 years old.

Does this mean you will also never attach yourself to another human being because they might die before you have known them for twenty years?

A human has a life expectancy of 75 years. Would I attach my self to a 65 year old human? No!

[pbpersson]

unless you're a pet lover, that's not even close to being the same.

Pets are never too busy for you, they are never bored when you tell them something important, they never argue, they don't hold grudges, they just want to be near you and love you every day as long as they are alive.

I have four cats because they all needed homes.

Had I not come into their lives I don't know what would have happened to them but I know my life would not have been as happy.

I know they will someday leave me and I dread thinking of that, but I will enjoy them as much as I can while they are here.

[Namtabmai]

Pets are never too busy for you

You ( and your cat's ) have obviously never heard of catnip (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catnip).

A choice between me and catnip? Catnip everytime for my cat.