Savannah Cat: All Facts and Information At One Place!

WEIGHT	12-25 pounds
Length	20-22 inches
Coat length	Short to medium hair
Coat Colour	Tawny, Black/brown spotted tabby, black/silver spotted tabby or black smoke with a solid or tabby pattern
Colour	Amber or green
Lifespan	Up to 20 years
Origin	Africa (serval), Varied Locations (domestic cat)
Behaviour	Affectionate & social with pets, owners, and older children; intelligent & trainable

The Savannah cat is a hybrid animal made when an African serval and a house cat got together. The savannah was named after the place where the serval lives, and its beauty reminds people of the golden plains in Africa where the serval lives. The Savannah cat is tall and thin, with long legs, big ears, and a long neck, just like its wild cousin. It has spots on its fur that make it look wild.

On the other hand, Savannah cats are friendly and affectionate with other pets and older children. But because of their mixed ancestry, savannah cats can’t be legally owned in many places without a permit, and it’s against the law in some states to own one.

Savannah Cat Characteristics

So, now you know what is a savannah cat? Moreover, the Savannah cat is a great pet because it gets along well with people and other animals, is very smart, and is always ready to give its owners a friendly head bump. Furthermore, even though this cat looks wild, it likes living in a home and playing with its owner. A savannah cat tends to follow you around the house like any other pet but also enjoys its feline independence.

Savannahs usually get along well with other cats and dogs, and older children can take care of them (toddlers may be easily overwhelmed by these large, playful cats). If you want to buy a savannah cat, choose a breeder who has experience raising the kittens in a home with kids and pets, so they aren’t shy or afraid of them.

History of the Savannah Cat

In the early 1980s, Judy Frank, a Bengal cat breeder in Pennsylvania, was the first person who was known to have bred them. Even though the savannah cat breed is fairly new, it is very popular. There are more than 60 breeders of savannahs worldwide, and dozens of them in North America.

The International Cat Association & The International Progressive Cat Breeders’ Alliance are two registries accepting the savannah cat.

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Appearance

The savanna cat stands at a regal three feet, with long legs and a lanky neck (its cousin, the serval, is also called the “giraffe cat” because of these features). Its big, rounded ears are set high on its head, unlike those of other housecats.

The coat of a savannah can be anywhere from pale tawny to dark black. Furthermore, it always features the species’ signature black spots, broken up by the occasional bar. The occasional spotless black savannah cat exists.

Diet and Nutrition

The dietary needs of a Savannah cat are identical to those of a house cat. Moreover, some authorities suggest mixing commercially available dry or wet food with raw or meat that you cook. Thus, experts suggest a taurine supplement would be beneficial for the breed. Moreover, some say that since its wild predecessors ate a whole-protein diet, the dry food you feed shouldn’t contain any grains or maize.

Make sure you offer your cat some clean water (although a savannah cat is likely to play in the water dish).

Moreover, talk to the breeder and vet about the kitten’s food before adopting. As your cat ages, its nutritional requirements may fluctuate, and you’ll want to keep an eye on its weight.

Types of Savannah Cat

The nomenclature for savannah cat kinds ranges from “F1 savannah cat” to “F8 savannah cat,” where “F” stands for “filial generation” (the number of generations separating the cat from the serval in its ancestry).

• F1 savannah cat is half serval since they descend from a domestic cat and a serval. Since they relate more closely to wild animals, these savannah cats are the largest and least affectionate of the species. Moreover, they can reach a maximum weight of 25 pounds and a height of 16–18 inches. So, how much are savannah cats? Besides, they cost up to $20,000, are not ideal for families with small animals or children, and have the worst safety ratings.
• All F2 savannahs have at least one serval grandparent. It’s about as big as an F1 and has a similar temperament, but it has a tendency to be a little warmer and less wary of strangers. You can save up to $11,000 on one, and it’s far better suited to a family’s needs.
• A serval is a great-great-grandparent to an F3 cat. There have been reports of it weighing as much as 20 pounds, with a height of around 17 inches. So, are savannah cats dangerous? While they maintain a wild appearance, their moods are even more mellow and friendly than F2.

It is thought that by F4, the cat’s size and disposition have stabilized. By that point, every single one of your ancestors was a serval. At least three generations of a traditional Savannah cat’s family tree must consist of purebred savannah cats without any additional outbreeding with domestic cats, putting it at least four generations removed from the serval.

In most cases, males are not fertile until the sixth generation after the serval parent. In most cases, females are fertile from the start.

Savannah Cat Training and Care

Exercise

The long legs and athletic grace of Savannah cats make them good at jumping, and these cats love to land in high places. Give your cat a tall cat tree or other safe ways to climb. You should also expect your savanna cat to look for high places, like cabinet tops, shelves, and refrigerators, and try to climb up there. It’s a funny habit that many cat owners learn to love. Just make sure your cat doesn’t run into anything breakable.

Many savannahs like to play in the water, just like servals. So, fill their pool with water & let your cat explore the water at its own pace (don’t throw it in). With a fence around the pool, people can play outside without having to worry about getting away. Just make sure there is shade on hot days in the summer.

Also, most savannah cats are fine with wearing a harness and going for walks with their owners.

Grooming

The savannah cat’s coat is short and easy to take care of. Moreover, you can brush your cat once a week to help prevent hairballs, and you can trim its nails as often as it needs to keep the sharp tips from hurting it when it’s inside. You should brush your cat’s teeth often and take them to the vet for cleanings.

Training

People say that Savannah cats are like dogs because they love to play fetch and one can train them. Moreover, using a clicker to teach them tricks is a great idea, and to do what you say, just like you would with a dog.

Common Health Problems

Savannah cats are usually healthy and should get the same preventive care and treatments from the vet as other house cats. But they are more likely to get hypertrophic cardiomyopathy than cats that live in homes. This heart problem makes the left ventricle of the heart thicken, which can lead to heart failure.

Also, until the F4 generation, you can expect hybrid males to be sterile.

Savannah Cat Summary

The Savannah cat is a great companion animal thanks to its wild good looks. Its huge size and energetic nature match its exotic good looks; it gets along great with both children and other pets. Unfortunately, savannah cats are difficult to acquire due to the scarcity of savannah cat breeders and the high cost of individual savannah cats. Moreover, they may be illegal in some states or require special permits to own.

FAQs: Savannah Cat

Are Savannah Cats Pets?

Savannah cats have a gentle temperament and are friendly to people of all ages and other pets, making them ideal household companions.

How Much Is A Savannah Cat?

So, you must be thinking about savannah cat price? How much does a savannah cat cost? Depending on their familial ranking, Savannah cats can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000. This higher savannah cat price point is because primarily of the cost of F1 Savannah cats, the most exotic generation of the breed.

Can Savannah Cats Be House Cats?

They have a long-life expectancy of 12-20 years, making Savannah “friends for life.” For the proper household, a Savannah may be a wonderful addition. They are not a good fit for a home where the owners are rarely there because they are high-energy and need constant attention.

What Is So Special About a Savannah Cat?

The temperament of the Savannah cat is one of mischief, exploration, and steadfastness. These cats enjoy playing in the water & can be trained to walk on a leash and play fetch, making them a unique feline. Her canine demeanour is an act, though.

Can Savannah Cats Swim?

They are water creatures. It’s hard to imagine a cat happily taking a bath in the water, but Savannahs don’t fear it, and they rather enjoy swimming. A few Savannahs may even hop in the bathtub with their human owners.

How Big Is a Full-Grown Savannah Cat?

Males can weigh anywhere from 14 to 20 pounds and measure anywhere from 16 to 18 inches in length. Women typically have a height of 5’10” to 5’11” and a weight of 10 to 13 pounds. Compared to the F3, these generations have a temperament dissimilar to that breed.

Can Savannah Cats Be Declawed?

Never would we advocate for the declawing of a cat. Don’t get a Savannah cat if you plan to declaw it. There is a wide variety of causes for a cat to scratch.