Your guide to finding and caring for a Chausie in Honolulu
Chausies and Honolulu high-rises get along well once the cat has somewhere tall to climb. A Salt Lake condo or a Kaimukī apartment gives an 8-to-16-pound jumper plenty of room, as long as there's a sturdy cat tree by the window and the lanai door stays secured. These cats are social and busy, so they do better with someone home often or a second lively cat. Screened windows that catch the trade winds give them hours of entertainment.
Adopt a Chausie today
While we don't have enough cats near Honolulu, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 3-7 y., 4321 miles
Bengal
F, 0-6 mo., 4331 miles
Bengal, Domestic Short Hair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 4349 miles
Bengal
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 4452 miles
Bengal, Domestic Short Hair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 4452 miles
Bengal, Domestic Short Hair
M, 4 y., 4514 miles
Bengal
F, 6 y., 4652 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bengal
F, 2 y., 4691 miles
Tabby, Bengal
M, 8 y. +, 4805 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bengal
F, 3-7 y., 4827 miles
Bengal, Tabby
The Chausie is a tall, lean domestic cat whose ancestry includes the jungle cat, a wild species of Asia and the Middle East, crossed with domestic breeds such as the Abyssinian. TICA accepted the breed for registration in 1995 and gave it championship status in 2013. Large ears set high on the head, long legs and a short black, black ticked tabby or grizzled tabby coat give it a wild look.
Cats several generations removed from the jungle cat are fully domestic, and many are described as smart, playful and very active. They often dislike being alone, and some have sensitive stomachs. In Honolulu, that means planning for company, daily play and a steady diet. Chausies are rare in shelters, so watch the listings on this page, and look at similar breeds or nearby cities if none appear.
Having a Chausie in Honolulu
A Chausie pairs a leggy, athletic build with a social domestic streak. These cards cover its energy, health and space needs, plus what suits it in Honolulu's condos, lanais and warm climate.
Chausies tend to be confident, curious and affectionate, and many want to be involved in everything. They often bond closely and dislike long stretches alone, which matters in a city where commutes can leave a cat by itself all day. A second lively cat or someone home often can help. Personalities vary from cat to cat.
Plan several vigorous play sessions a day with wand toys, fetch, climbing and puzzle feeders. Many Chausies learn tricks or walk on a harness. Indoors, a tall cat tree by a screened window and a secured lanai or catio keep them busy. A bored Chausie may open cabinets or raid counters, so rotate toys.
No breed-specific disease is well documented, but some Chausies have sensitive digestion and do best on high-protein food, so watch for stomach upset after diet changes. Keep up with checkups, dental care and a healthy weight. A veterinarian can check a newly adopted cat's overall health and set up flea prevention for Honolulu's warm, humid air.
A Chausie can thrive in a Honolulu condo or a house if it has vertical space, sturdy cat trees and plenty of toys. These jumpers reach high shelves easily, so fragile items may need a new spot. Secure window screens and lanai doors matter, especially on upper floors. Indoor living suits them best.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $30 to $60 per month | $360 to $720 |
| Pet insurance | $30 to $65 per month | $360 to $780 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $450 to $1,150 per year | $450 to $1,150 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,320 to $3,000 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, sturdy climbing furniture and toys, and simple home grooming.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Honolulu.
Oʻahu's rescue community includes an open-admission shelter and volunteer-run groups; Chausies are rare, so listings here change often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Honolulu area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Chausie is coming in.
Yes, you can own a Chausie in Honolulu, and no breed-specific bans are known. The main requirements are a registered microchip and, for cats that go outdoors, an ID collar and sterilization. Hawaiʻi is rabies-free, so adopting a cat already living on Oʻahu also avoids the import quarantine that applies to cats arriving from elsewhere.
Yes, a Chausie can live in a Honolulu apartment if it has plenty to climb and do. Provide a tall, sturdy cat tree, window perches, puzzle feeders and daily play sessions, and keep lanai doors and screens secure, since these athletic jumpers reach high spots. Long days alone are a bigger challenge than square footage, so a second lively cat or a home-based schedule helps.
A Chausie fits Honolulu well if you're home often, enjoy daily play and can keep the cat safely indoors. The warm climate suits its short coat, and condo living works when there's vertical space. It's a weaker match for long absences or a very quiet routine. Each Chausie's personality varies, so think about the energy level your household can offer.
Yes, but only in a closed carrier. TheBus allows animals only in a small enclosed container on your lap or under the seat, and Skyline requires a cage or carrier that fits under the seat or on your lap. A Chausie can weigh up to 16 pounds, so choose a roomy but compact carrier. Service animals are the exception.
Yes, for the most part. Honolulu's summer heat is steady rather than extreme, and a short-coated indoor Chausie copes well with fans or air conditioning and fresh water in several spots. Keep the cat off sunny lanais, never leave it in a parked car, and save vigorous play for early morning or evening, when the air is cooler.
A Chausie needs very little grooming in Honolulu. The short, dense coat sheds lightly to moderately, so a weekly brushing is usually enough, with a bit more during heavier shedding. Baths are rarely necessary, even in humid weather. Check ears and nails regularly and brush teeth when the cat allows it. Home grooming supplies cover most needs.
No, Chausie cats are not generally dangerous. Cats several generations removed from the jungle cat, the ones TICA allows in championship shows, are domestic cats with domestic temperaments. They are large, strong and very active, so rough play needs redirecting to toys. Early-generation hybrids can be more wild in behavior and need experienced owners, and some places restrict them.
No, Chausie cats are not hypoallergenic. No cat breed is truly allergen-free, because the main cat allergen is produced in saliva and skin and spreads through grooming. The Chausie's short coat sheds relatively lightly, which may mean less hair around the house, but allergy sufferers can still react. Spending time with a specific cat before adopting is the best test.
A Chausie is a large, athletic domestic cat breed developed from crosses between the jungle cat, Felis chaus, and domestic cats, especially Abyssinians. It is recognized by TICA and has a lean, long-legged body, big ears and a short coat in black, black ticked tabby or grizzled tabby. Chausies are known for being energetic, intelligent and social.
A Chausie typically costs roughly $110 to $250 a month, or about $1,300 to $3,000 a year, counting food, insurance, routine vet care and other costs such as litter and dental care. Food runs $30 to $60 a month, insurance $30 to $65, routine vet care $150 to $350 a year and other costs $450 to $1,150 a year.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Honolulu.
