Why keeping this wild Indian cat as a pet is a very bad idea

Lately, there’s been growing interest online in keeping caracals as exotic pets. Their unique look and wild elegance might seem appealing, but the truth is: caracals are not meant to be pets, and owning one comes with serious consequences, for both the animal and the owner.

 

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They’re wild at heart

No matter how much people try to raise them like domestic cats, caracals don’t really change their wild nature. They’re used to living alone, hunting, and roaming huge areas.

When you keep one in your home, that natural behaviour doesn’t just disappear. Instead, it can turn into stress, aggression, and even destructive habits. Many owners report that their caracals get anxious, start spraying, or lash out unpredictably. So, it’s not really the cuddly companion some might hope for.

Safety is a serious concern

Caracals are powerful animals. They might look like your regular cat, but they’re definitely not it. Their sharp claws and strong jaws mean they can seriously hurt people, even if they’re “just playing.”

There have been real cases where caracals attacked their owners or children nearby. In 2019, a woman and her daughter were attacked by a pet caracal after it escaped its home, according to People Magazine. The cat, as such, had to be euthanised after the attack.

Handling such a strong, wild predator isn’t something to take lightly, it’s dangerous for everyone involved.

Special care is a lot to handle

Unlike a regular cat, caracals need a very specific diet that mimics what they’d eat in the wild; think raw meat, bones, and whole prey.

Feeding them right is expensive and complicated. Plus, vets with the knowledge to treat wild cats like these are rare, so medical care can be a real challenge.

On top of that, caracals are used to roaming large territories. Most homes and backyards are nowhere near big enough for them to be happy or healthy. Without proper space to run, climb, and explore, they can get bored or stressed, which just makes behavioural problems worse.

 

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Laws and ethics matter

In India, caracals are protected by law. Owning, trading, or capturing them is illegal. Unfortunately, some people still try to keep them as exotic pets, but that only encourages illegal wildlife trade and puts wild populations at risk.

Speaking of which, caracals in India are quite rare, there are only a few dozen left in some regions. Taking them from the wild or breeding them in captivity for pets is harmful to their survival as a species.

While caracals might fascinate us, they belong in the wild, not in our living rooms. Trying to tame a wild cat like this isn’t just unfair to the animal, it’s dangerous and often illegal. Instead, let’s admire these incredible creatures where they belong, and support efforts to protect them in their natural homes.