Helpful Tips for Raising a Pet Lynx
If you want a unique animal to own and love, you might consider a pet Lynx. This medium-sized cat is known for having long ear tuffs and a bobbed tail with a black tip. The paws are oversized, the fur dense, and the legs long. On average, the Lynx will grow to about two feet tall, three feet long, and at maturity, weigh around 25 to 40 pounds although some can reach upwards to 65 pounds. If cared for properly, this cat can live up to 15 years.
In the wild, the Lynx hunts for rabbits but when in short supply, they will consume red squirrel, grouse, mice, voles, and plamigan. The keen eyesight makes it an outstanding hunter for small prey. Currently, the Lynx lives primarily in Washington, Montana, Maine, Wyoming, Idaho, Michigan, and Minnesota. More of a nocturnal animal, one that appreciates solitude, owning a pet Lynx comes with several challenges.
The most important consideration of having a pet Lynx is to realize these cats are wild. While not dangerous like cheetahs, tigers, or cougars, they are still exotic and wild. Therefore, great consideration would be involved in owning this type of animal. The Lynx needs a specific habitat, diet, space, and more. Before anything, you need to get in touch with your state government to determine if owning such an animal is allowed where you live.
Buying and owning a pet Lynx is strictly regulated and in fact, to have permission to keep such an animal, several licenses would need to be secured. The amount of time to process all the paperwork involved takes several months so be prepared for a long, drawn out process that may or may not result in having this type of animal as a pet. Other considerations include:
Habitat – The Lynx needs to be kept outside in a secure enclosure. Since this animal could do damage to neighborhood animals, most states make it illegal for them to roam, even if living in the country. Remember, the Lynx likes to roam so unless adequate space is provided, the animal would quickly become restless and aggressive. The enclosure should be made of heavy chain link to include a roof since this cat is a great climber. Of course, the animal would also need shelter from the elements.
Veterinarian Care – Having a pet Lynx would require regular care by a skilled veterinarian. Obviously, few veterinarians have the expertise to care for this type of cat so you need to find one relatively close to where you live so the cat receives appropriate care.
Food – Your pet Lynx would have a special diet. These cats do not eat standard cat food since they are carnivores (meat eaters). On average, an adult Lynx eats one to four pounds of meat daily, consisting of raw chicken or turkey (bones included), beef, game meat, salmon, and tuna. Lynx also love fresh fruits, especially oranges, strawberries, apples, and cherries. As you can see, owning a Lynx involves a financial investment, just for food.
Interaction – If you purchase a baby Lynx, you would have an opportunity to build a close relationship but even if buying an adult, you need to learn about this cat’s behaviors and characteristics so you can recognize times for play and times when your pet Lynx wants to be left alone.
Breeder – Make sure you purchase a pet Lynx from a reputable and licensed breeder. This person should be highly reputable and responsible, someone that follows all required state and federal guidelines for breeding and selling this type of animal.