The Pallas cat or Pallas’s cat (also commonly referred to as the “manul” cat) is a small wild cat that has a large population and is widespread.
This may give you the impression that a pet Pallas cat is a good idea and legal, but you would be wrong in your assumption. They are not legal as pets everywhere.
Let’s break down the legal issues you may face when trying to own a Pallas cat as a pet.
Can You Have a Pet Pallas’s Cat?
A Pallas’s cat is a wild animal and should not be kept as a pet unless you have verified that it is legal and logical to do so in your area.
Pallas cats are not legal in every area because they are regarded as wild, exotic animals that have a high mortality rate in captivity.
Can You Have a Pallas Cat as a Pet in The United States (U.S.)?
It may or may not be legal in your state or local area to own a Pallas’s cat, but it really isn’t a good idea even if it is legal where you stay.
Although these small wild cats have been bred in captivity, it is difficult to keep a Pallas’s cat as a pet because these small cats have a high mortality rate when held in captivity and are not easy to care for in a domestic setting.
Can You Have a Pet Pallas Cat in Canada?
Owning a Pallas cat in Canada may be legal in certain areas and regions, but they are considered exotic animals and are not the best option for domestication.
In fact, there are many reasons you wouldn’t want to keep one as a pet since they don’t fare well in domestic settings.
Can You Have a Pet Pallas Cat in Australia?
Having a Pallas cat in Australia is illegal because these small cats are not native to Australia. They are found throughout Asia and are very widespread but none are native to Australia.
Since these cats aren’t native, it would be difficult to import one as a pet because of the heavy restrictions in place for animal imports.
Can You Have a Pallas Cat as a Pet in The United Kingdom (UK)?
Pallas’s cats are not native to the United Kingdom, so finding one to keep as a pet will likely prove to be a difficult task. They are native to Asia and may not be able to be imported.
It depends on the region in which you live and what exotic pet laws they have in place. The best option is to check with your local officials to get the most accurate information about keeping a pet Pallas cat.
Is a Pallas’s Cat a Good Pet?
Pallas’s cats are not good pets for many reasons. Some of the reasons that make owning a Pallas’s cat a bad idea include the following:
- They are wild animals (while some can be tame, they will not be comparable to domestic cats)
- They have a high mortality rate in captivity
- They don’t fare well in low altitudes
- They are susceptible to disease and infection not normally found in their natural habitat
Let’s take a look at Pallas’s cat behavior and temperament to give you a better understanding of why they would not make for good pets.
Are Pallas Cats Aggressive?
Despite being small, Pallas’s cats are aggressive and take after the mannerisms of the much bigger cats.
Pallas’s cats only grow to a size comparable to regular housecats but tend to be more aggressive.
Are Pallas Cats Dangerous?
Although aggressive at times, a Pallas’s cat poses no real threat to humans. At least no more of a threat than your typical domestic cat.
Yes, they can claw and bite and will likely do so more than your average pet cat, but they will not be able to kill you.
Are Pallas Cats Domesticated?
While there are reports of domestication, it is best to leave these small wildcats where they belong – in the wild.
They are highly susceptible to disease and have been known to have a high mortality rate when kept in a domestic setting (for various reasons including diseases and infections).
Are Pallas Cats Friendly?
A tame Pallas’s cat may have a similar demeanor to your average housecat, but they are not bred in captivity as much as your standard domestic pet.
There is no guarantee that your pet Pallas cat will be friendly to you.
Are Pallas Cats Intelligent?
Pallas’s cats are more intelligent than most domestic breeds. In the wild, Pallas cats are hunters that require decision-making and other skills needed to survive.
This stimulates their brain more and gives them an edge over domestic housecats in regards to intelligence.
They know how to hide, be patient, and how to get cover when stalking prey.
Are Pallas Cats Solitary?
Pallas’s cats are solitary animals that are usually only seen in pairs when mating. After mating, they continue their solitary life until the cycle repeats itself.
Are Pallas Cats Territorial?
Pallas cats are territorial and will mark their territory with their scent (meaning they will spray their territory to warn intruders of their presence).
Doesn’t sound like the type of cat you would want in your house as a pet unless you love to clean. 🙂
How Much Do Pallas Cats Cost?
If you can find a breeder that actually offers a pet Pallas cat, you can expect to pay between $1,500 and $3,000 for the initial cost, not to mention all the ongoing costs associated with owning a Pallas cat as a pet.
However, I must emphasize that these cats do not do well as pets.
Most will die within a year of being held in captivity and are not well-adapted for domestic settings.
Where Can I Buy a Pallas’s Cat?
If you are trying to purchase a Pallas cat as a pet, you will have a hard time finding one of these cats for sale in the exotic pet market.
Pallas Cats for Sale
Pallas’s cats are not readily available for sale on the open exotic pet market. There are no websites that I could find that have Pallas’s cats for sale.
You can check with local breeders, but it is highly unlikely that any of them will have a Pallas cat for sale as most are aware that these cats don’t do well in domestic settings.
Adopt a Pallas Cat
You won’t be able to find any Pallas’s cat that is readily available for physical adoption. However, you can symbolically adopt a Pallas’s cat by visiting the Big Cat Sanctuary website.
Recap
In this article, I provided a lot of details about owning a Pallas’s cat as a pet and gave you more than enough reasons as to why it is a bad idea.
Pallas’s cats (also known as Pallas cat or Manul) are not good pets and aren’t in high demand in the exotic pet trade.
There are many reasons for this, but one of the main reasons is that they just don’t fare well in domestic environments.
I hope I provided the information in which you came to seek. That’s all I have on Pallas’s cats for now. If you are interested in learning more about different cat species, check out our cat section for more great articles.
