The Texas jaguarundi is at risk from deforestation and loss of its natural habitat. There may be some instances of low intensity hunting and persecution as it is known to take small livestock.
Jaguarundi range from Brazil to southern Texas, inhabiting mainly in Neotropical regions, though it does extend into the Nearctic. Herpailurus yaguarondi cacomitli is rarely sighted in parts of Texas and New Mexico in the southern United States, and also in Mexico. Jaguarundi usually live near water in tropical rainforest, or tropical deciduous forest type habitat, mainly on the forest margins and scrubland but can also be found less commonly in dense tropical vegetation.
The Texas jaguarundi is considered as "Endangered" by the IUCN. CITES lists the species as "Appendix 2" and as "Appendix 1" for the central and north American populations.