Instructions
Examine the kitten's size. Bobcats are one-and-a-half to two times the size of a normal house cat. Their paws are much bigger than regular felines. If the kitten is quite large for its age when compared to other kittens, then it could be a bobcat or hybrid, especially if it is the size of an adult house cat when young.
Look at the kitten's markings and fur. Bobcats have grayish brown, tawny or reddish brown fur with dark brown to black spots. They also have dark-colored bands on the forelegs, belly and face. Their belly usually features a lighter color of fur.
Check for tufted ears and face. The ears of a bobcat have tufts of hair at the tips. Around their mouth, they have an abundance of tufted hair that hangs down beneath the jaw.
Measure the length of the kitten's tail. Bobcats have short tails with a black tip. A bobcat kitten's tail will likely be 2 to 4 inches long, depending on the kitten's age. Typically these tails are much shorter than other cats.
Examine to determine if the kitten's eyes are different from other kittens. Bobcats have yellow eyes with black elongated pupils that face forward.
Observe the nature of the kitten. Bobcat kittens will be more aggressive than others. According to James A. MacMahon of "Deserts" in Audubon Society Nature Guide, their paws leave two-inch diameter tracks showing a heel pad, four toes and no visible claw marks. Their footprint trail also will be very narrow, as a bobcat's hind foot prints lie near its forefoot prints.
How to Tell If a Kitten Is a Bobcat
Bobcats get their name from their short tails. In recent years, bobcat hybrids have become household pets. In the wild, bobcats are carnivorous predators, who like to hunt rabbits and birds. Man is their greatest predator, but bobcat kittens are also prey to coyotes and larger cats. The characteristics of bobcat kittens also make them incredibly different from house species of felines.