Where Do Pallas Cats Live and Can You Keep Them as Pets?

Where do Pallas cats live – these strangely alluring monkey-faced cats? More importantly, can you have a Pallas cat as a pet? Before we launch into the answers let’s find out a bit about this mysterious ultra-furry feline.

Firstly, you might be reading this wondering what the Pallas cat is. Or you may have heard about them as the original grumpy cats. Some people even rate them as one of the cutest breeds of cats on the planet.

So who is this curious creature and where does it come from? Let’s find out.

Can I have a Pallas cat as a pet?

Before we look at where Pallas cats live, let’s answer a more pressing question… Can you keep a Pallas cat as a pet? After all, we’re a nation of pet lovers so it’s a natural question to ask and answer.

In short, the sad (but ecologically sound) truth is no. You can’t keep a Pallas cat as a pet because these are wild cats that thrive in their natural surroundings. Unlike most domestic cats and dogs, the Pallas cat is a solitary creature that doesn’t fancy living with our indoor creature comforts.

If you have your heart set on a feline with a wild look, why not consider a Toyger or a Maine Coon cat instead?
And remember, every feline has a wild heart in some way, so adopting a cat could also be an idea.

Pallas or Pallas's cat? BTW, technically it is Pallas’s cat (more on why further below), but according to Wiktionary, Pallas is the alternative form of Pallas’ cat. As you can see we're simply going with Pallas Cat. 

Why are Pallas cats so cute?

Why are Pallas cats so kawaii? Simple. They pretty much tick all the cuteness boxes that exist.

Firstly, even though they’re wild, they’re super small with adorably short legs. Secondly, they have uber thick fur coats. In fact theirs is the thickest of any cat in existence, with a long woolly undercoat to keep extra cosy in snow. Thirdly, they have naturally round, flat faces with big eyes and we humans can’t get enough of flat faces.

Why? Well, babies are born with cute, teensy tiny noses and therefore relatively flat faces. Flat faces kind of stir something in our instincts that say ‘Protect! Adore. Love!’

That said, if you’re considering a flat faced dog or cat then choose wisely. Cats and dogs that are deliberately bred for flatter faces (brachycephalic breeds) often have breathing and other health conditions when they grow up. Breeds like the Persian cat, French Bulldog and Pug dog are just some of these.

Unlike Brachycephalic breeds, the Pallas cat’s flatter face is the result of natural evolution for the environment in which it lives.

Where do Pallas cats live?

The Pallas cat lives in central Asia. Although it used to live from the Caspian Sea through to China its population now dwindles, making it ‘near threatened’ and resulting in conservation efforts.

Nowadays Pallas cats mostly live in parts of Mongolia and Russia.

The Pallas cat has evolved to live at extremely high altitudes (another reason you can’t keep them as pets). As mentioned, they have incredibly thick fur to keep snug in the snow – their habitat is high up in snowy mountainous regions. This also adds to their cuteness, making them look soft and cuddly, and they have a tail to curl up in for added warmth.

Watch this video of a Pallas cat in action (plus it’s narrated by Sir David Attenborough):

Fast facts about this little wild cat

Now that you know where the Pallas cat lives you’re probably also wondering where it gets its name.

This pretty kitty was named after a zoologist and botanist named Peter Simon Pallas. The name was apparently given in his honour by a William Thomas Blanford who was the editor of The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma as well as a geologist and naturalist.

But! Before these guys names the Pallas cat, it already had a name. Since the Pallas cat comes from central Asia it makes sense that it’s called ‘Manol’ in Mongolian or ‘Manul’ in Kyrgyz, two central Asian languages.

Actually this wild little fur ball has several names. These and other fast facts here:

Cat insurance for your wild little feline

While we know the Pallas cat lives on the highest reaches of the coldest parts of the cold Asian steppes, your little feline lives safe at home, with you. Whether yours is an indoor cat or an outdoor cat who goes exploring, it’s worth having a cat insurance plan for scrapes, bites, falls and illnesses.

Cat insurance helps you pay for those unexpected vet visits, from diagnosis to treatment and prescribed medication. After all, just a day or two of overnight stays at the vet hospital can amount to crippling costs. But you needn’t pay those alone when you’re with PD.

Get one or more months of FREE award winning pet insurance with PD. Click below to start a quote.