10 cats that look just like tigers

We think we can speak for many people when we say most of us would not want a tiger in our home. Besides the obvious legal barriers for owning a pet tiger, we imagine they would drain your bank account with those cat food charges, they would probably need their own bedroom, and we’d be too fearful to sleep at night with a tiger sleeping next door. But tigers really are beautiful. Their poise and grace are mesmerising so it’s understandable why the look of them may be appealing. These cat breeds look just like tigers all while being safe to have in your home, trainable and most importantly, loveable.

You may have heard “Bengal” before in reference to Bengal tigers so it’s no wonder that these domestic cats with the same name are almost a spitting image of the wildcat. Bengal cats were actually bred in the 1960s as a cross between a wild leopard cat and various domestic cat breeds. They are medium-sized with a thick tail, long body, and strong back legs that allow them to leap great heights. But their fur really gives them that tiger look with stripes that resemble the wildcat and circular patterns that look like those found on a leopard. They are even hypoallergenic!

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Toyers are actually known as the “tiger cat” so clearly you can’t get much closer than this guy. This cat was actually bred to look like a tiger by crossing a Bengal with a stray cat roaming the streets of India. Toygers have lots of stripes with orange, gold, and red tones throughout. These cats do require a lot of physical activity so it’s important to evaluate if you are able to meet their needs before adopting, but they are quite sweet, making them perfect for families.

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Did you do a double-take? Savannah cats truly do look like they belong out in the wild. While they have a glaring physical similarity to tigers, they actually have the personality of your average house cat.

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Native to Egypt (surprise!), Egyptian Maus were classified as a sacred animal. Many ancient Egyptian works of art depict this breed in a superior way. With more of an ashy colour, their dark stripes give them the appearance of a tiger. They are also known for their astonishing agility and speed.

Ocicats are incredibly muscular and stealthy. Their name is derived from the Ocelot, a small striped wildcat, and is the only cat breed selectively bred to look like a wildcat.

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How cute is this name? Cheetohs are very energetic and love to play. The markings on their fur give them a cheetah-like look, but tiger stripes can also appear on their fur. Only bred for the very first time back in 2001, the Cheetoh has established a reputation of being sweet, easily trained, and loyal.

Another high-energy cat for the list! Chausie’s need to be stimulated enough, otherwise they become restless and can be destructive around the house. While they don’t sport tiger stripes like some of the others, their eyes, pointed ears, and angled legs give them a tiger-like shape.

Abyssinians are strong and lean. They need lots of physical activity but are also highly intelligent and incredibly loving. One thing to note about the Abyssinian is that they typically don’t do well with other cats. They want to be the only cat that gets the attention in your home, similar to most younger siblings.

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Believe it or not, these cats that look like tigers have a very dog-like personality and despite their name, they actually have zero relation to the bobcat. Pixiebobs can be pretty large for a housecat, weighing up to 8 kilos and their spotted coat will make it feel as if there is an actual wildcat living in your home.

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