Small Nondomestic Felids in Veterinary Practice

Small nondomestic felids and wildcat × domestic cat hybrid breeds are gaining in popularity as pets. Although their care is very similar to that of the domestic cat, their nondomestic nature requires special considerations regarding safe handling, vaccination, and other aspects of veterinary care. There are also legal and ethical considerations regarding private ownership of these species and breeds. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief description of some of the more common small, nondomestic felids and hybrid cat breeds that may be encountered in private practice and to discuss some of the unique aspects of their husbandry and veterinary care.