Your guide to finding and caring for a Chausie in Denver
A Chausie fits Denver best in a home with room to climb and someone around for much of the day. In a Capitol Hill or Cheesman Park apartment, a tall cat tree by a window gives this lean, athletic cat a view of the street and a place to burn off energy. Chausies are playful and social, so they do well with a work-from-home schedule or a second lively cat. Expect to move a few things off high shelves.
Adopt a Chausie today
While we don't have enough cats near Denver, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 10 y., 837 miles
Egyptian Mau, Tabby
M, 2 y., 837 miles
Ocicat, Domestic Short Hair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 837 miles
Bengal, Ocicat
M, 2 y., 840 miles
Ocicat
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 845 miles
Egyptian Mau
F, 3-7 y., 845 miles
Egyptian Mau
F, 0-6 mo., 845 miles
British Shorthair, Egyptian Mau
M, 0-6 mo., 845 miles
British Shorthair, Egyptian Mau
M, 0-6 mo., 845 miles
British Shorthair, Egyptian Mau
F, 3 y., 867 miles
Bengal, Domestic Short Hair
The Chausie is a tall, long-legged cat whose family tree includes the jungle cat of Asia and the Middle East, crossed with domestic breeds such as the Abyssinian. TICA registered the breed in 1995 and gave it championship status in 2013. The short coat comes in black, black ticked tabby or the breed's grizzled tabby, over a lean frame with large ears set high on the head.
Cats several generations removed from the jungle cat are fully domestic, and those later generations are the ones most homes meet. They tend to be smart, playful and social, and many dislike long stretches alone. Some have sensitive stomachs, and early-generation hybrids can be more demanding and are restricted in some places. In Denver, picture an athletic cat that needs climbing space, daily play and company.
Having a Chausie in Denver
A Chausie pairs a wild-looking build with a sociable, domestic personality. The cards below cover its high energy, need for company, sensitive digestion and the vertical space that keeps a long-legged, athletic cat content in a Denver home.
Chausies are usually confident, curious and affectionate, and many like to supervise everything you do. They bond closely and tend to dislike long, empty days, which matters for Denver commuters. Another lively cat or a work-from-home schedule helps. Some are chatty, and each cat's personality differs, especially in early generations.
Plan several vigorous play sessions a day: wand toys, fetch, climbing and puzzle feeders. Many Chausies learn tricks or walk on a harness, which can add some leashed time outdoors. Without enough to do, clever cats like this one open cabinets and raid counters. Young cats need the most activity.
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. A veterinarian can check recurring problems and suggest a diet. Regular checkups, dental care and a healthy weight matter for this lean athlete.
A Chausie can live in an apartment or a house if there is vertical space: sturdy cat trees, shelves and window perches. These jumpers reach high shelves easily, so fragile items may need new spots. Indoor living with secure window screens suits them best, including in an upper-floor Denver unit.
| 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* | $465 to $1,165 per year | $465 to $1,165 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,335 to $3,015 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, the $15 one-year Denver cat license, 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 Denver.
Denver has a city shelter and nonprofit rescues, and Chausies are uncommon, so the listings here change often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Denver area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Chausie is coming in.
Yes, Denver residents can have cats, and the city's breed-specific rules apply to certain dogs, not cats. Your Chausie will need a Denver license and a rabies vaccine, and cats over 6 months must be spayed or neutered. Some places limit early-generation hybrids, so knowing a cat's generation is useful.
Yes, if the apartment has vertical space and daily play. Chausies are athletic jumpers, so plan a sturdy cat tree, wall shelves and a window perch, plus wand-toy sessions every day. Secure screens matter on upper floors. Because these cats dislike long days alone, a lively second cat or someone home often helps.
It can be, for people who want an active, social indoor cat. Denver's apartments and bungalows both work if you add climbing space and play time. A Chausie is a harder fit for households away most of the day, since these cats tend to get bored and mischievous without company.
Yes, as indoor cats. Denver winters are cold, with freezing nights on about 156 days a year, but afternoons often warm into the mid-40s. A Chausie's short coat gives little insulation, so offer warm perches and keep outdoor time brief. Wipe paws after walks to remove salt and ice melt.
Yes, in a carrier. RTD prohibits pets on vehicles except small pets in carriers, and service animals are exempt. A Chausie weighs about 8 to 16 pounds, so choose a carrier it can turn around in. On commuter rail, keep the carrier on the floor or your lap, not a seat.
Not much. The short, dense coat usually needs a brush once a week, a bit more during heavier sheds, and an occasional nail trim. Don't shave a cat for the seasons. Home grooming tools fall within the Other costs listed on this page, and most Chausies don't need professional grooming.
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 to $60 a month for food, $30 to $65 for pet insurance, $150 to $350 a year for routine vet care, and $465 to $1,165 a year for other costs such as litter, parasite prevention, dental care and enrichment. A sensitive stomach may push food toward the higher end.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Denver.
