Your guide to finding and caring for a Chausie in Omaha
A Chausie suits an Omaha apartment, as long as it has plenty to climb. These tall, athletic cats treat a Midtown Crossing condo or a Blackstone flat like a gym, leaping to the top of every bookshelf and chasing wand toys down the hall. They're social and don't love long, empty days, so they fit people who work from home or already share their place with a playful cat. Because Chausies are uncommon, watch this page for new listings and save a search.
Adopt a Chausie today
While we don't have enough cats near Omaha, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 614 miles
Bengal
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 658 miles
Bengal, Domestic Short Hair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 658 miles
Bengal, Domestic Short Hair
M, 4 y., 819 miles
Bengal
F, 8 y. +, 826 miles
Bengal
F, 6 y., 836 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bengal
F, 2 y., 893 miles
Tabby, Bengal
F, 3-7 y., 1022 miles
Bengal, Tabby
M, 8 y. +, 1072 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bengal
M, 8 y. +, 1141 miles
Bengal
The Chausie is a tall, lean, long-legged cat with large ears set high on the head and a short coat in black, black ticked tabby or grizzled tabby. The breed traces back to crosses between jungle cats and domestic breeds such as the Abyssinian, and TICA granted it championship status in 2013. Cats several generations removed from the jungle cat are fully domestic, though they keep that rangy, wild look.
Most Chausies are active, clever and sociable, and many follow their people from room to room. Expect chasing, climbing and plenty of chirping, though every cat varies. Some have sensitive stomachs and do better on high-protein food. In Omaha that energy gets spent indoors, so a tall cat tree, a window perch and daily play matter more than a big floor plan.
Having a Chausie in Omaha
A Chausie pairs an athletic build with a sociable streak. The cards below cover its energy, its digestive quirks and the vertical space and enrichment that keep it content in an Omaha home.
Chausies tend to be confident, curious and affectionate, and many like to be involved in everything. They often bond closely and dislike long stretches alone, so a busy household or a second lively cat helps. Some are talkative. Cats closer to their wild ancestors can be more independent and less predictable.
Plan several vigorous play sessions a day: wand toys, fetch, climbing and puzzle feeders. Many Chausies learn tricks or walk on a harness, and Omaha's paved trail network gives a harness-trained cat quiet places to stroll. Bored Chausies invent their own games, like opening cabinets or raiding counters.
No breed-specific disease is well documented, but some Chausies have sensitive stomachs and do best on high-protein food. Watch for loose stools or vomiting after a diet change. A veterinarian can check weight, teeth and overall condition at yearly visits, and a lean build is worth protecting.
Omaha has plenty of rentals, from Midtown condos to converted older homes, and a Chausie can thrive in them with sturdy cat trees, shelves and window perches. These jumpers reach high places easily, so fragile items may need to move. Keep this cat indoors with secure screens.
| 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* | $472 to $1,172 per year | $472 to $1,172 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,342 to $3,022 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The yearly Omaha cat license, 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 Omaha.
Nebraska Humane Society, Omaha's open-admission shelter, and local rescues list cats here, though Chausies are uncommon and listings change often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Omaha area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Chausie is coming in.
Only in a carrier. Omaha's Metro buses, including the ORBT line on Dodge Street, require pets to ride in a carrier unless they're service animals, and Omaha has no subway. A Chausie is a lean, large cat, so choose a roomy, secure carrier and practice with it at home first. Keep it on your lap or the floor, not a seat.
Yes, as indoor cats. Omaha winters bring about 135 freezing nights a year, some below zero, and heavy snow, so a short-coated Chausie shouldn't be outside. Keep the home warm, add perches near sunny windows and schedule extra play sessions. Wipe paws after any harness walk on salted sidewalks.
Yes. Omaha has no known breed-specific rules for cats. You'll need to license your cat at 4 months old, with a lower fee if it's spayed or neutered, and keep rabies vaccination current under Nebraska law. Households can have up to five cats without a permit. Some places restrict early-generation hybrids, but later-generation Chausies are domestic cats.
Yes, if the apartment offers vertical space and daily play. About 43% of Omaha households rent, and many Chausies do well in condos and apartments with tall cat trees, shelves and window perches. Their jumping and climbing can be hard on belongings, so a sturdy setup and several play sessions a day keep them from getting bored.
It can be, for people who are home often and enjoy an energetic cat. Omaha's mix of apartments and houses, plus long winters that keep cats indoors, suits a cat that thrives on climbing and games. A Chausie may struggle with long solo days, so a second playful cat or flexible schedule helps.
Very little. The short coat sheds lightly to moderately, so a weekly brushing is usually enough, and a bit more during seasonal shedding. Dry winter air can make skin itchy, so brush gently and keep nails trimmed. Grooming costs stay low, and are covered in the Other line of the cost table.
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.
Expect about $30–$60 a month for food, $30–$65 a month for pet insurance, $150–$350 a year for routine vet care and $472–$1,172 a year for other costs. Together that's roughly $1,340 to $3,020 a year, depending on food choices, coverage and how much climbing gear you buy.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Omaha.
