Your guide to finding and caring for a Chausie in Indy
A Chausie suits Indianapolis best as an indoor cat with plenty to climb. In a Herron-Morton Place Victorian or a Mass Ave apartment, this long-legged cat will treat every shelf like a runway, so sturdy cat trees matter more than floor space. Long Indiana winters mean most of its exercise happens at home anyway, with wand toys and puzzle feeders. Chausies are rare, and they usually want company, so a household where someone's home often is a good match.
Adopt a Chausie today
While we don't have enough cats near Indianapolis, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 8 y. +, 6 miles
Bengal
M, 9 mo., 19 miles
American Shorthair, Bengal
F, 3-7 y., 94 miles
Toyger, Tiger
M, 3-7 y., 96 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bengal
M, 0-6 mo., 129 miles
Domestic Short Hair, Bengal
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 149 miles
Bengal, Domestic Short Hair
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 149 miles
Bengal, Domestic Short Hair
M, 2 y., 164 miles
Bengal
F, 4 y., 164 miles
Bengal
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 164 miles
Bengal
The Chausie is a tall, lean cat with big ears set high on the head and a short coat in black, black ticked tabby or the breed's grizzled tabby. It descends from crosses between the jungle cat of Asia and the Middle East and domestic breeds like the Abyssinian, and TICA granted it championship status in 2013. Most Chausies in homes are several generations removed from the wild ancestor and fully domestic.
Chausies are typically smart, playful and social, and many dislike long stretches alone. Some have sensitive stomachs, and they shed lightly to moderately. In Indianapolis, that points to a home with room to climb and someone around, or a second lively cat. Early-generation hybrids are more demanding and restricted in some places. Cats vary, and each Chausie's personality will differ.
Having a Chausie in Indy
A Chausie pairs an athletic, wild-looking build with a domestic cat's need for company. The cards below cover its energy, digestion and the climbing space that keeps it content, along with what each means for living in Indy.
Many Chausies are confident, curious and affectionate, and they like to be involved in whatever the household is doing. They often bond closely and don't enjoy long days alone, which matters for Indy commuters. A second lively cat or a work-from-home schedule can help. Some are talkative, and personalities vary from cat to cat.
Plan several vigorous play sessions a day: wand toys, fetch, climbing and puzzle feeders. Many Chausies also learn to walk on a harness. Because Indiana winters keep people indoors for months, a tall cat tree, shelves and rotating toys do much of the work. Bored Chausies may open cabinets or raid counters.
No breed-specific disease is well documented, but some Chausies have sensitive digestion and may do best on high-protein food. Watch for repeated stomach upsets and talk with your veterinarian about diet. Yearly checkups, dental care and a healthy weight matter for this long-legged athlete. Indiana law requires rabies vaccination for cats at three months and older.
A Chausie can do well in an apartment or a house if it has vertical space, sturdy cat trees and plenty of toys. These strong jumpers reach high shelves easily, so fragile items may need a new spot. Secure windows and indoor living suit Indianapolis best, since coyotes live even in urban areas.
| 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 Indianapolis.
Indianapolis has a city shelter, a large humane society and smaller rescues, and Chausies are rare among their cats. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Indy area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Chausie is coming in.
Indianapolis
7929 North Michigan Road, Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis
2600 South Harding Street, Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis
1614 W Edgewood Ave, Indianapolis
Chausies can ride IndyGo buses, including the Red and Purple Line rapid-transit routes, when they're in a carrying case. IndyGo allows pets in a carrier, and most Chausies weigh 8 to 16 pounds, so a roomy, ventilated carrier on your lap works. Practice carrier time at home first, and check current fares and carrier details with IndyGo.
Yes, a Chausie can handle an Indianapolis winter as an indoor cat. Lows average 24°F and the city gets about 25 inches of snow a year, so this short-coated cat shouldn't spend time outdoors. Keep the home warm, give it a sunny window perch, and add extra play sessions to burn off energy on snowbound days.
Yes, you can get a Chausie in Indianapolis. The city has no breed restrictions, though it requires permanent identification such as a microchip, and Indiana requires rabies vaccination at three months. Some places do restrict early-generation hybrids, so confirm the rules if you live outside the city, and watch the listings here for Chausies.
Yes, a Chausie can live in an Indianapolis apartment if it has vertical space. Tall, sturdy cat trees, wall shelves and daily play matter more than square footage. Chausies are strong jumpers and tend to be active and vocal, so think about neighbors and keep window screens secure. Having someone home often makes the fit easier.
A Chausie can be a good fit for Indy life if you're home a fair amount and enjoy active play. Indoor days are long in winter and summer storms are common, so a stimulating home matters. Chausies often dislike long days alone, so a second lively cat may help. Every cat's personality varies.
A Chausie needs very little grooming. Brushing once a week with a soft brush handles light to moderate shedding, and it's worth doing more often in spring and fall. Dry winter air can leave skin flaky, so keep it comfortable indoors. Home grooming is included in the Other costs, along with nail trims and dental care.
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.
Plan on roughly $30 to $60 a month for food and $30 to $65 for insurance, about $150 to $350 a year for routine vet care, and $450 to $1,150 a year for other costs such as litter, flea prevention, dental care and climbing furniture. Together that's roughly $1,300 to $3,000 a year. Indianapolis has no city cat license fee.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Indianapolis.
