The Ashera cat is one of the rarest, and most exotic domestic cat breeds in the world. It’s a crossbreed of two exotic wild cat breeds; the African Serval and the Asian Leopard cat along with traces of domestic cat.
The Ashera is a fun, low-maintenance cat breed and considered hypoallergenic that requires very little grooming due to its hypoallergenic fur.
They are mostly known for their incredibly large size and having a dog like temperament.
| Ashera Cat Breed Overview |
| Height | Up to 4.9 feet (1.5 meters) on hind legs |
| Weight | 26-33 lbs (12-15 kg) |
| Lifespan | 25 years |
| Colors | Cream colored with brown spots |
| Suitable for | All types of families or singles. |
| Temperament | Playful, independent, intelligent |
| Breed Traits Overview |
| Lifespan | 55 |
| Energy | 4/5 |
| Sociability | 4/5 |
| Health | 4/5 |
History Of The Ashera Cat Breed
Asheras are extremely unique breeds having been crossed with two wild cats, an African Serval and an Asian Leopard.
Breeders eventually started introducing a domestic cat breed to target a more docile temperament.
The original company responsible for the breed’s development is Lifestyle Pets, based out of Los Angeles. The first individual was bred in 2006 by a team of geneticists with guidance from entrepreneur Simon Brodie.
The controversy around the origin of the breed has led to a belief that Savannah cats have been sold as a domesticated breed. With little information about where the breeding pairs have been sourced, it’s challenging to confirm their DNA.
DNA tests have been done by several breeders to ensure their Ashera is not a Savannah cat. As a result, many owners and breeders discovered they were being sold Savannah cats.
This is a big issue as there’s a massive price difference between the two breeds. After this information started to spread, Brodie went off the grid to avoid any backlash.
As a very new breed, this has set their popularity back and slowed the growth of breeding programs. For those who have been able to obtain an Ashera, the results of this breeding show in the size and beauty of the Ashera.
With their serval-like stripes and leopard-like spots combined with their more rugged facial features, they’re extremely unique for a domestic house breed.
How Much Does The Ashera Cat Cost?
The Ashera is one of the most expensive breeds in the world. Originating in Los Angeles, it’s easier to find this breed in the United States. They can are an expensive cat breed and cost upwards of $125,000 due to their rarity. However, in regions where the Ashera is easier to locate, the average cost is around $22,000.
Depending on the quality of the breeder, the price will vary. Savannah cats can be less expensive but are still an expensive cat breed ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 depending on breeders. It’s vital to be sure of genetics. Require a DNA test before purchasing to ensure you’re not being sold a Savannah cat at the price of an Ashera.
Personality Traits Of The Ashera
Asheras aren’t lap cats and will be happy to play on their own when their human family isn’t around. They’re highly energetic so you’ll need to give them several options for exercise.
Buying durable toys is a must in addition to cat perches and cat trees. When investing in perches, but sure to find some that are made for large cat breeds. They must secure tightly to whatever surface they’re on to ensure they won’t fall down once your Ashera is a full-grown 30-pound cat! In this case, a window perch likely isn’t your best option. The same goes for finding a durable cat tree.
Their intelligence also makes this breed easy to train. If you don’t feel that your cat is receiving adequate exercise, this is a breed that can easily be taken outdoors for play. They’re very trainable to go on walks or play fetch, which can increase their exercise.
If you want them to spend more time outside, it’s a good idea to get a playpen for them to ensure they don’t run away. If you want your cat to spend a lot of time outside, supervise them and always keep them in a fenced region.
While the breed is large and can look intimidating, they’re reasonably gentle and can be trusted around children and pets. Asheras are incredibly adaptable and easy to socialize if you start introducing them to new stimuli from a young age.
How To Take Care Of An Ashera Cat
The Ashera is a giant breed with dog-like tendencies. They’re independent and relatively low maintenance for cat owners. This is ideal for households that work outside of the home all day.
Their primary need for extra care comes with their health needs. As a large breed, they’re more likely to develop health conditions that can impact their quality and length of life.
Diet
Ensuring proper nutrition is vital in large breeds. The Ashera will need a balanced diet of omega fatty acids, amino acids, and protein to protect their bones and joints as they age.
You won’t need to invest in a unique formula to maintain their health. As long as you’re feeding high-quality animal-based foods, their nutritional needs will be met.
When choosing cat food, pay close attention to the ingredients. If the animal protein is a meat byproduct, it won’t give your cat the level of nutrition they need.
Rather, invest in food with high-quality meat products packed full of healthy fat and minimal plant products. This will best manage their weight and give them the best chance at a healthy life.
Grooming
Due to being hypoallergenic, they’re easy to maintain and won’t shed much. If you brush your Ashera about once per week, you’ll find that their unusual coat is easily maintained.
They don’t have much dander, which reduces their need for bathing or excessive grooming. This will save you money on groomers and save you time on maintenance.
This breed is much heavier than most domestic cat breeds and loves to jump and climb. As a substantial breed, they can do serious damage to furniture if their nails aren’t maintained.
If you aren’t clipping their nails frequently, you’ll find that your posts are scratched up and your couches start getting holes. Get your cat used to nail checks from an early age with adequate training.
The Ashera is more prone to dental diseases than many other breeds. Because of this, it’s vital to keep up a routine of tooth care. By brushing your cat’s teeth often, you’ll reduce the inflammation that can often occur around the gum line.
While brushing can be uncomfortable for cats and difficult to accomplish, it’ll majorly improve their health.
Training
The Ashera is extremely intelligent and able to learn new behaviors. With proper exposure, you won’t have any problem getting your feline to walk on a leash or engage in games like fetch. This makes them incredibly easy to litter box train as well.
You’ll benefit from training this breed for grooming and medical purposes. You can do this quickly and easily with treats and positive verbal feedback from the time they are young.
The size of these cats makes it difficult to wrestle for a nail trim if they are not trained first. The more time and effort you put into training, the easier it will be to deal with the breed.
You should also train them not to jump on furniture to protect your home from their nails. As long as you have plenty of options for them to play with, this won’t be a problem. Invest in a cat tree for large breeds while they’re still young and encourage them to utilize that instead of the human furniture.
As long as you’re diligent with training and reinforcing the behaviors you want to see with treats and positive attention, you’ll have a well behaved feline.
Health
The Ashera has inherited some of the health conditions found in the African Serval. These can shorten lifespans and increase your vet bills significantly. Many Ashera breeders and owners have reported cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a common heart problem in cats. This comes from the ventricles of the heart becoming abnormally thick.
Ashera’s also have a higher frequency of developing periodontal disease. This occurs from abnormal inflammation in the mouth or gums. This abnormality can cause irregular heart rhythms but can be treated with medication. Knowing that your Ashera is at higher risk, it’s recommended to brush their teeth regularly.
These health issues can increase the cost of care of an Ashera; however, are treatable. Diseases like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy often don’t have symptoms, this is something to keep close watch over. Keep up with your veterinary visits and make an effort to check for irregularities to avoid early death in your feline.
Because of their African roots, Ashera breeds will really feel the cold in the winter months. It’s vital to provide your cat with a heated cat bed for them to snuggle into during those cold nights.
Physical Attributes Of The Ashera Cat
The physical appearance of the Ashera is very much in line with that of a wild cat. Their markings and bone structure are similar to that of a serval which gives them a sleek and strong appearance. This is one of the things that sets this cat breed apart from other large breeds.
- Head: The breed has a long face with a pointed snout. The snout is pronounced and often white in color around the whiskers.
- Body: Their body’s are incredibly long and athletic. Standing at over four feet tall when on the hind legs, this breed is massive. In some individuals, their body size may look much larger than their head size.
- Ears: Their ears are large, standing straight up. The pointed tip of the ear is very similar to the look of a wild cat with large ears adapted for hunting. The ears can often look too large in proportion to their body size, especially as kittens.
- Eyes: Their eyes are generally green or yellow in color. Set close together and almond in shape, this feature is also very similar to its wild ancestors.
- Legs and Paws: The legs of the Ashera are extremely strong. This agile cat can run and jump very athletically due to their long legs. While their paws are large and legs are long, they’re proportional to the size of the cats body.
- Tail: The tail of this breed is long but proportional to body length. They usually have black stripes across the tail to match the stripe and spot patterning on the body.
- Coat: The Ashera has a very thin coat with minimal shedding or undercoat. They are silky smooth to the touch and don’t require much grooming as a result of their short thin luxurious coat.
- Color: The color of this breed is very much in line with the leopard and serval. They’re generally a golden brown color with stripes or spots. The markings are usually black but can be a brown or gray color as well. Coat pattern doesn’t differ much between individuals.
Conclusion On The Ashera Cat Breed
This intelligent breed of cat is an excellent purchase for those with money to spend. Being one of the most expensive breeds out there, you’re bound to make a dent in your wallet when committing to this breed.
The Ashera makes a great companion for families and singles alike and will mesh well into your household. If the price is right, this breed is bound to win you over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Ashera cats Savannah cats?
The Ashera is said to be a mix between two wild cat breeds and closely resembles a Savannah Cat. The controversy surrounding this exotic breed is lengthy but some Ashera Cat breeds have been identified. If you see an Ashera Cat it is likely to be a Savannah Cat if DNA tested.
Can you own an Ashera cat?
Hybrid breed cats that can be indistinguishable from wild animals in size, characteristics, and behavior are regulated as wildlife at the higher and more restricted class of the wild parent.