Kanaani

Also called Canaani, Kanaani cat

Rare breedShort profile

From Israel, developed in the 1990s by the artist Doris Pollatschek from crosses of local domestic cats with the African wildcat (Felis lybica).1 2

At a glance the quick version

Sizemedium

athletic and energetic

playful and affectionate

wild-looking good looks

1 3

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, close-lying, rather coarse ticked coat

A lean, long-legged and muscular cat with an elegant outline. The head is a broad triangle on a slender neck, with large upright ears (tufts are welcome) and big almond eyes that are green in adults. The short, fairly harsh coat is clearly ticked, so its spots or marbling stay visible.3 1

Coloursspotted or marbled (blotched) tabby on a beige to cinnamon groundblack, chocolate or cinnamon markings3 1 2

Personality what they are like

Lively, playful and loving, with an independent streak and a strong hunting drive inherited from its wild ancestors.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High. An energetic, athletic cat that needs daily active play and climbing to burn off energy.1

The story where it all began

Doris Pollatschek began the breed in Israel in the 1990s by pairing domestic cats with African wildcats, aiming for a cat with a wild look. The WCF recognised it in 2008. In the 2020s a revival programme started in Israel using cats bred in Jerusalem.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
It was the first cat breed from Israel to be recognised by an international cat federation (WCF, 2008).1
2
The WCF standard asks for green eyes in adult cats, with yellow-green tolerated.3
3
Silver colour varieties are not allowed in the breed standard.3

Recognised by the official bits

WCF: Recognised in 2008 as the first national Israeli cat breed; since 2010 only kittens born after 1 January 2008 from Kanaani parents may be registered1
WCF: Breed standard KAN, updated 1 January 20103
TICA: Experimental registration only, no full breed status1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Kanaani. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Brushingevery week
Nail trimevery 3 weeks
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
Litter scoopevery day
Litter changeevery week
PlayDaily playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year

Start a free diary

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

Kanaani cat (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, history, recognition, temperament, fun facts
List of cat breeds (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, type, colours
WCF breed standard Kanaani (KAN), 2010 wcf.deused for WCF standard: body, coat, colours, eyes

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.