Glossary

Hybrid cat

A cat bred from a domestic cat and a wild species, such as the Bengal from the Asian leopard cat or the Savannah from the serval.

Also called: wild hybrid, wild-cat hybrid, domestic-wild hybrid

A hybrid cat has one parent that is a domestic cat and one that is a wild species. Well-known hybrid breeds are the Bengal, from the Asian leopard cat, the Savannah, from the serval, and the Chausie, from the jungle cat. After several generations of breeding hybrid to domestic cats, the wild share is small and the animals are bred and sold as ordinary pets.

Early crosses are different. The offspring of a wild parent often grow large, may be shy or hard to handle, and can have special needs for space and diet. Males in the first generations are frequently infertile, which is why breeders use later generations. How far a cat is from its wild ancestor is shown by its filial generation, such as F1 or F4.

Rules differ widely. Some countries, states and cities ban, license or restrict hybrid cats, and the limits often depend on the generation, so check local law before buying or moving. If you adopt a hybrid, ask the seller or rescue about the generation, the registration papers, and the cat's health history, and talk to a vet familiar with the breed about diet and vaccination. Never release a hybrid outdoors.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Filial generation A count of generations since a wild-cat ancestor, with F1 the first cross, used for hybrid breeds such as the Bengal and Savannah. Pedigree A cat whose parents, grandparents and earlier ancestors are recorded by a registry, showing it belongs to a recognised breed. Breed standard The written description of the ideal cat of a breed, covering head, body, coat, colour and temperament, used by judges and breeders. Cat registry An organisation that records cats' ancestry, issues pedigree certificates, defines breed standards and licenses cat shows. Felid Any member of the cat family, Felidae, from the house cat to the tiger, and including extinct cats such as the sabre-toothed cats.