Kanaani cat
Kanaani cat (Hebrew: חתול כנעני) is an experimental breed of short-haired domestic cat, developed in Israel from selectively bred hybrid foundation stock. They originate from hybrid crossing between domestic cats with African wildcats (Felis catus × Felis lybica), hence why the breed retains certain behavioural traits associated with its relatively recent wild ancestry. Its domestication and breed development process remain ongoing. Anno 2026, the World Cat Federation (WFC) is the only major cat registry that recognises the breed. In March of the same year, the Kanaani was officially certified as the World Record of rarest cat breed. The cat breed was named after the land of Canaan, the ancient designation for the region encompassing present-day Israel and neighbouring territories. The breed is developed to resemble the native wild steppe cat of the region.
| Life Span | 12-18 years |
| Weight | 3-6 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Kanaani cat
Finding a responsible Kanaani cat breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells cats commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Kanaani cat. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Kanaani cats appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Kanaani cat breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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