Your guide to finding and caring for a Chausie in Seattle
A Chausie suits a Seattle apartment as long as it has room to climb and someone around to play. These lean, long-legged cats treat a Belltown high-rise or a Columbia City townhome like a jungle gym, so tall cat trees and window perches matter more than square footage. Because so many Seattle homes are rentals, freestanding climbing furniture is a practical choice. On a gray afternoon, expect a Chausie to recruit you for wand-toy chase.
Adopt a Chausie today
While we don't have enough cats near Seattle, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 0-6 mo., 1630 miles
British Shorthair, Egyptian Mau
M, 0-6 mo., 1630 miles
British Shorthair, Egyptian Mau
M, 0-6 mo., 1630 miles
British Shorthair, Egyptian Mau
M, 2 y., 1726 miles
Bengal
F, 4 y., 1726 miles
Bengal
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 1726 miles
Bengal
F, 4 y., 1726 miles
Bengal
F, 4 y., 1726 miles
Bengal
M, 4 y., 1726 miles
Bengal, Oriental Tabby
M, 4 y., 1726 miles
Bengal, Oriental Tabby
The Chausie is a tall, athletic cat with large ears set high on the head and a short coat in solid black, black ticked tabby or the breed's grizzled tabby. It descends from crosses between the jungle cat and domestic breeds like the Abyssinian. The breed gained TICA championship status in 2013, and the cats most homes meet are several generations removed from the wild ancestor.
Chausies are usually intelligent, playful and social, and many dislike long stretches alone. Some have sensitive digestion, and they shed lightly to moderately. For Seattle adopters, that adds up to a cat that wants a vertical space, daily play and company, whether that's you or another lively cat. Chausies are rare, and each cat's personality varies.
Having a Chausie in Seattle
Chausies pair a striking, rangy build with a sociable streak. Their high energy, need for company and sometimes touchy stomachs shape daily life, and Seattle's rainy months make indoor enrichment a bigger part of the routine.
Chausies are often confident, curious and affectionate, and many like to be part of whatever you're doing. They tend to bond closely and can be talkative. A long workday away may be hard on them, so a second active cat or a work-from-home schedule can help, though every cat is different.
Plan several lively play sessions a day: wand toys, fetch, climbing and puzzle feeders. Many Chausies learn tricks or walk on a harness. In Seattle's wet months, that indoor routine carries most of the load. Coyotes live in many city green spaces, so supervise any outdoor time closely and keep it on a harness.
No disease is well documented as specific to Chausies, but some have a sensitive digestive tract and do best on high-protein food. Watch for repeated stomach upset after diet changes. Yearly checkups, dental care and a lean weight protect that long-legged frame, and a veterinarian can check a new cat's health and look over any records that come with it.
A Chausie can thrive in a Seattle apartment or house if it has tall cat trees, sturdy shelves and window perches. These jumpers reach high places easily, so fragile items may need to move. Many Seattle residents rent, so freestanding furniture works well. Keep windows secured, and expect to keep this cat indoors.
| 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* | $480 to $1,180 per year | $480 to $1,180 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,350 to $3,030 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The $30 Seattle cat license for a spayed or neutered cat, litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, 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 Seattle.
Seattle's shelters and rescues list cats of all ages, and since Chausies are rare, the listings below change often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Seattle area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Chausie is coming in.
Yes, a Chausie can ride Seattle transit in a carrier. Metro lets pets other than dogs ride in a carrier at no fare, and Sound Transit allows pets carried in small containers. Chausies can weigh up to 16 pounds, so choose a roomy, secure carrier. Cats can't occupy a seat or roam loose on Metro, so keep the carrier on your lap or at your feet.
Yes, Seattle's mild climate suits an indoor Chausie well. Winters are cool and damp, rarely freezing, and summers are short and mostly mild. The challenge is about 90 rainy days a year, which limits outdoor time, so energetic Chausies need indoor play. A rare heat wave or smoky day calls for shade, water and closed windows.
Yes, Seattle has no breed bans, and Washington law limits them statewide. You'll need a city cat license ($30 if spayed or neutered), rabies vaccination, and to stay within three dogs and cats combined on a typical lot. Some places restrict early-generation hybrid cats, so confirm the cat's generation and local rules first.
Yes, a Chausie can live in a Seattle apartment if it gets tall climbing spaces, daily play and company. About 58% of Seattle households rent, and landlords can't charge nonrefundable pet fees. Deposits are capped at 25% of the first month's rent. Plan to keep windows secured, since these jumpers can reach high perches and open screens.
A Chausie can fit Seattle well if you're home often and enjoy active play. Rainy months keep everyone inside, which suits a social, energetic cat that wants your attention. A long work schedule, or a home with no climbing room, is harder. Another lively cat can help, but every Chausie's personality varies.
A Chausie needs little grooming: a weekly brush is usually enough for its short coat, and a bit more during heavier shedding. Seattle's damp weather matters little for an indoor cat, but wipe off paws after any outdoor time. Home grooming is covered by the Other line in the cost table, so a professional groomer is rarely needed.
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 food of $30–$60 a month and pet insurance of $30–$65 a month. Routine vet care runs about $150–$350 a year, and other costs such as litter, flea prevention, dental care, toys and the Seattle license add $480–$1,180 a year. Altogether, plan on roughly $1,350–$3,030 a year, plus any emergency care.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Seattle.
