14 Wild Dog And Cat Species That Are Amazingly Rare

Joseph Welkie
Updated September 23, 2021 288.2K views

You probably won't see these rare dog and cat species in your local woods. They are some of the rarest dogs and cats in the world - whether because of deforestation, loss of habitat, or lack of eligible mates to breed with, you'll be hard-pressed to find these canines and felines around the world. If you have found them, you're probably either a scientific researcher or a very wealthy person.

Think you've seen all the cats and dogs in the world? You are mistaken. Sure, 47% of Americans have a dog in their house and 37% have a cat, but that doesn't mean they're experts in the field. There are some creatures out there that you didn't even realize existed.

If you are curious about what is causing the dwindling populations of these dogs and cats, where you might find them, and what their eating habits are, you've come to the right place. We've got the 411 on these rare dogs and cats that you could spend a lifetime searching for.

  • Margay

    Margay
    Photo: Shutterstock

    Loss of habitat is what made this cat's population dwindle. They can be found in Central and South America, if you look hard enough.

  • Darwin's Fox

    Darwin's Fox
    Photo: Shutterstock

    It is estimated that there are fewer than 3,000 Darwin's foxes left in the world and the last of them can be found in Chile.

  • Pallas's Cat

    Pallas's Cat
    Photo: Shutterstock

    Found mostly in Central Asia, the Pallas's cat is considered "near threatened" by the IUCN.

  • Black-Footed Cat

    Black-Footed Cat
    Photo: Shutterstock

    Black-footed cats are the smallest breed of cat in Africa. They are mostly nocturnal, which might explain why they are difficult to find and study. It's estimated that there are fewer than 10,000 of these cats left in the wild.

  • Island Fox

    Island Fox
    Photo: Shutterstock

    Found on the Channel Islands of California, there are several different species of these small foxes, but their population dwindles because of loss of habitat.

  • Fishing Cat

    Fishing Cat
    Photo: Shutterstock

    The fishing cat calls South Asia home, but they are listed as vulnerable by the ICUN due to loss of habitat. They camp alongside lakes waiting to find their next fishy meal.

  • Rusty-Spotted Cat

    Rusty-Spotted Cat
    Photo: Shutterstock

    One of the smallest feline species in the world, the rusty-spotted cat can only be found in India or Sri Lanka. The population is decreasing and is considered "vulnerable" by the IUCN.

  • Dhole

    Dhole
    Photo: Shutterstock

    Dholes are native to Central and East Asia. They're pack animals but, unlike wolves, members of the pack are quite playful and friendly with one another. There are fewer than 3,000 of these animals left in the wild.

  • New Guinea Singing Dog

    New Guinea Singing Dog
    Photo: Shutterstock

    Hailing from Papua New Guinea, these dogs have a very distinctive howl that makes it sound like they are singing. There is a domesticated version of these dogs, but wild New Guinea singing dogs are exceptionally rare.

  • Flat-Headed Cat

    Flat-Headed Cat
    Photo: Shutterstock

    You can find these cats in Indonesia and Malaysia; their population is endangered due to loss of habitat.

  • Bush Dog

    Bush Dog
    Photo: Shutterstock

    Bush dogs are known for their superior swimming abilities due to their webbed feet. They call Central and South America home.

  • Maned Wolf

    Maned Wolf
    Photo: Shutterstock

    It looks like a wolf. It also looks like a fox. It's neither! These creatures are the only species in the genus, Chrysocyon, and they're native to South America.

  • Ethiopian Wolf

    Ethiopian Wolf
    Photo: Shutterstock

    Considered Africa's most endangered carnivore, the Ethiopian wolf is threatened by agricultural development in their habitats.

  • African Wild Dog

    African Wild Dog
    Photo: Shutterstock

    The African wild dog, or "painted dog," is one of the most social canines in the world; they pretty much do everything in packs. However, there are fewer than 1,500 of these animals left in the wild, and their population is decreasing.