Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Dragon Li Cat (Chinese Li Hua): Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

Dragon Li cat sitting and looking straight

Height: 10–14 inches
Weight: 9– 12 pounds
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Colors: Golden brown tabby
Suitable for: Families with children or other pets, owners with time and space
Temperament: Social, playful, friendly, intelligent

China is home to many ancient and beautiful treasures, but you’ll agree that none of them compare to the Dragon Li cat. The cat has only gained global recognition in the past few years, making them one of the rarest cat breeds in the United States. However, the golden-brown cats are already earning a reputation for themselves because of their gentle, playful personalities.

They love spending time with humans and are highly social cats, but they usually prefer active socializing to being lap cats. That makes them perfect for getting along with families with children and other pets, but the cats aren’t for everyone. They need a lot of space, so unless you have a spacious house or the time to take them on regular walks, the Dragon Li might not be for you.

hepper-cat-paw-divider

Dragon Li Kittens

Dragon Li Kitten
Image Credit: Monika Stawowy, PxHere
Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

Dragon Li cats are some of the rarest in the United States, so finding a breeder who works with them can be difficult. Remember to do your research on any possible breeder you find. Reputable breeders should be able to show you breed pedigrees and veterinary records for cats in their care. You may have to import a Dragon Li from another country or travel a long distance to find a breeder.

hepper-cat-paw-divider

3 Little-Known Facts About the Dragon Li Cat

1. These Cats Have Legendary Origins

Locals have often claimed that the Dragon Li’s ancestors have been in China forever. They say that the cats aren’t descended from the African Wildcat like other domestic cats but from its close relative, the Chinese Mountain Cat.

Recent DNA studies have shown that’s pretty unlikely, with genetic markers suggesting that they’re descended from domestic cats brought in from other parts of the world. However, a few unique DNA markers suggest that Dragon Lis have interbred with Chinese Mountain Cats in the past, so there may be some truth to the legend.

2. Their Chinese Name Means “Fox Flower”

Although the official English name of the breed is the Dragon Li, in China, they are associated with foxes. The Chinese name for the breed, Li Hua, means “Fox Flower.” They are probably associated with foxes because of their rust-colored fur and triangular heads. The flower in their Chinese name comes because their spotted and striped coats can be interpreted as a vaguely floral pattern.

3. They’re a New Breed with Ancient Roots

Cats like the Dragon Li have lived in China for centuries or even longer, but it wasn’t until recently that anyone considered making them a standardized breed. They were first included in a cat show in China in 2004, and in 2010, they were accepted as a breed by the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

Dragon Li cat sitting with sunshine
Image Credit: Muzaffer şengül, PxHere

hepper-cat-paw-divider

Temperament & Intelligence of the Dragon Li

The Dragon Li Cat is generally social, friendly, and energetic. They love spending time outdoors with proper precautions and enjoy playing with humans. They don’t usually love to be cuddled or picked up, but they will enjoy spending time with you.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

The Dragon Li is good for families with children because they enjoy social stimulation, and they’re known to be gentle with young children. They love to play games with their owners, and giving your child a wand toy is a great way to help them bond with your cat.

Young children should always be supervised to ensure they don’t cause discomfort to your cat. Aside from the cat’s happiness, even patient cats can have their limits. You know your child is ready to spend unsupervised time with a cat when they are old enough to play gently and give the cat space when needed.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

The Dragon Li is also a good choice for multi-pet households. They’re a fairly social and outgoing breed, and they are usually bold enough to stand their ground around other cats or dogs. However, cats with very shy or reclusive personalities aren’t the best companions for them since the Dragon Li can be too social or overbearing toward other cats, even when meaning well.

The Dragon Li shouldn’t be allowed to interact with small pets such as fish, reptiles, birds, or rodents. If you choose to have small pets in the household, make sure they are in a secured tank or cage where your cat can’t get to them.

hepper-cat-paw-divider

Things to Know When Owning a Dragon Li Cat:

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

These cats require a healthy, high-quality diet but don’t have specific dietary needs. The amount of food depends on the age, size, and activity levels of the cat. Kittens should be given “growth formula” or kitten food. Senior cats generally require less food than kittens and adults, and as they age and their metabolism slows, a healthy serving size will decrease.

Exercise 🐈

One of the most significant needs of a Dragon Li cat is space to exercise. They prefer to have access to outdoor spaces, but because of their rarity, it isn’t recommended to give them unsupervised outdoor access. Instead, many owners leash train their cats or build enclosed “catio” style spaces where their cats can spend time outdoors without being exposed to dangers.

Alternatively, many owners with larger homes keep their cats entirely indoors and give plenty of access to climbing trees, space to play, and friendly playmates. It’s not recommended to keep this cat in a small apartment.

Training 🧶

Dragon Lis can be stubborn, but overall, they are relatively trainable cats. Behavior training usually is fairly easy as long as it is consistent and patient. Many Dragon Li cats also do well with other types of training, such as leash training.

They are playful and eager for company, so finding a way to make training a game and rewarding your cat with lots of praise will help training go smoothly. Some of these cats are even known to play fetch!

Grooming ✂️

Dragon Lis have short, dense coats that don’t require much help grooming. Some cats benefit from an occasional brush to keep shed fur down, but their own grooming is usually more than sufficient for their coats.

It is important to give your cat proper dental care to prevent dental issues. It’s also vital for owners to trim their cat’s claws regularly to minimize damage to surfaces.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The Dragon Li is pretty healthy since they’re a natural breed drawn from a wide gene pool. There aren’t any known genetic conditions linked to this breed. However, there are some minor conditions, including hip dysplasia and gingivitis, that can affect them.

Minor Conditions
Serious Conditions
  • None known
hepper-cat-paw-divider

Male vs Female

Male and female Dragon Li cats are happiest and healthiest when spayed or neutered. When fixed, both sexes have very similar personalities, and there is not much difference between them. Unaltered males are more likely to be territorial and aggressive towards other animals. They also have a greater incidence of behavior issues, such as spraying and scent marking.

Unspayed female cats are more high-strung and anxious. They also go through heat cycles every three to four weeks, which can cause discomfort, behavior problems, and unwanted male attention. It’s recommended that you spay or neuter your cats, if possible, to help them be healthy and relaxed.

hepper-cat-paw-divider

Final Thoughts

The Dragon Li cat is a new breed, but we hope you can see why cat fanciers are eager to bring this cat out of obscurity. Between their beautiful golden-brown coats, dazzling green eyes, and charming personalities, these cats have it all. Their intelligence and beauty have made them highly respected in China, and now the rest of the world gets to experience it, too.

Although the Dragon Li doesn’t make the ideal pet for everyone, if you are lucky enough to own one, you’ll be able to immediately see what makes them stand out.


Featured Image Credit: Phichak, Shutterstock

Related Articles

Further Reading

Vet Articles

Latest Vet Answers

The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database