Savannah Cat Breed (Felis catus × Leptailurus serval) Description and Complete Care Guide

October 15, 2023 Agric4Profits

The largest breed of domestic cats is the savannah cat scientifically known as Felis catus × Leptailurus serval. A domestic cat and the medium-sized, large-eared wild African cat known as a serval are bred to produce a Savannah cat.

The International Cat Association (TICA) recognized this uncommon mix as a new official breed in 2001 after it gained popularity among breeders at the end of the 1990s. The TICA recognized it as a championship breed in May 2012.

Judee Frank created the first Savannah cat on April 7, 1986, by mating a male Suzi Woods serval with a Siamese house cat (named Savannah). The Savannah breed standard was first written by Patrick Kelley and Joyce Sroufe in 1996 and presented to the TICA board in 2001, at which point the board approved the breed for registration.

The Savannah cat can be found in a variety of colors and patterns, but according to TICA breed standards, only spotted patterns in specific hues are permitted.

Savannah cats aren’t always a wise choice for families with pets like fish, hamsters, and birds because of their acute hunting instincts. With the correct socialization as a kitten, she would make a wonderful friend for other cats and dogs, children, and other family members because of her loving nature.

The Savannah is sleek and slim, with long legs, a graceful neck, and tall, big ears that give them the appearance of being larger than they actually are most domestic cats are roughly the same size as the Savannah.

Although newer generations of the breed weigh almost the same as other breeds, their height gives them the impression that they are larger. Savannah Cats are known for having triangular heads, long, slender necks, and large, broad ears that sit atop their heads. The length of their legs is also very long. They have a 12 to 20 years lifespan.

The Savannah is a lovely option if you want a cat with an exotic appearance. Savannahs are often black, brown, or silver tabbies with black or dark brown markings, resembling their African Serval forebears. However, some might have paler hues or a smoked pattern.

The breed of Savannah cats is believed to be healthy, with no hereditary disorders or other health issues. They are not more prone to cardiac issues than other crossbreeds, but they are at danger of developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which causes the heart muscle to swell. Breeders who are responsible check for ailments that can harm the breed.

Savannah cats make wonderful companions for both kids and other pets since they are active, adventurous, devoted, and mild-mannered.

This breed is renowned for being a bit of a trickster that will sneak up on you and then whack you when you’re not looking, climb high and knock things down, and overall just be a nuisance, frequently at your expense. You will learn to put up with it because they are joking and have no malicious intentions, but you should be aware of this behavior before committing to the Savannah Cat.

They enjoy playing in the water more than most cats, which is excellent and frequently fun, but you should make sure that any ponds or fish tanks you have been cat proofed.

Because they are a highly intelligent and active breed, they need a lot of stimulation. So, fill your home with toys, games, and places to climb to keep them occupied and stop them from acting naughty.

Due to their high maintenance requirements and potential for challenging behavior that needs professional training, this vivacious, smart, and mischievous breed may not be the best choice for a first-time owner.

Along with experience, their owner must be full of love, willing to play with them, and keen to connect with them because if they don’t get the play and attention they want, you’ll find they’ll start to communicate their demands in less-than-subtle ways.

Savannah Cat Breed (Felis catus × Leptailurus serval) Grooming Guide

Savannah Cat Breed (Felis catus × Leptailurus serval) Description and Complete Care Guide

The Savannah cat sheds little and requires less maintenance than most breeds, but they still require weekly brushing to keep their coats healthy and clear of loose, dead hair.

▪ Consult your veterinarian, make sure your cat has all of the necessary injections and vaccinations. Your cat will require rabies immunizations as well as maybe other shots. As each U.S. state has distinct laws surrounding pet immunizations, be careful to verify your local laws. Additionally, take your cat to the vet for a regular checkup and dental care at least once a year.

▪ In order to prevent uncomfortably breaking if/when they get trapped in carpet or furniture, trim the nails as needed, which is typically once a week. Get your cat acclimated to having their nails cut as a kitten to make this task easier for both of you.

▪ Examine their ears once a week for infections, which can cause unusual redness, a terrible aftertaste, and occasionally discharge, among other symptoms. Cleanse them with a cotton ball moistened with a gentle cleanser suggested by your veterinarian to prevent infection.

▪ Brush their teeth often to prevent tartar buildup and gum disease, which will lower the likelihood that they’ll need to pay for pricey dental care at the veterinarian clinic.

▪ Give it nutrient-dense meals according to its age, you need to feed your cat while it is still a kitten. Check the product label to determine whether the meal you selected is appropriate for the age of your child. Your cat can consume adult cat food after turning one year old.

▪ Give food to your adult cat twice daily, you might need to give the cat three smaller meals each day, depending on its age. The dietary needs of your cat depend on its age, activity level, and overall health.

Therefore, think twice before altering your cat’s diet and see your veterinarian. A diet can be created by your veterinarian to meet the needs of your cat’s lifestyle.

▪ Every day, give it new water. Once, if not twice a day, empty the water out of your cat’s bowl and refill it with fresh water. Before adding fresh water to the bowl, be careful to rinse it and get rid of any dirt and debris.

Fortunately, grooming a Savannah cat shouldn’t be too difficult for you because they adore being petted.

Savannah cat for sale: On Pets4Homes, the largest pet marketplace in the UK, you can search for Savannah kittens and cats for sale in your area and purchase or sell them.

Many potential customers might be confused by the letter/number/combinations of F1, F2, F3, etc. in Savannah Cat Generations & Designations. Breeders utilized these alpha-numerical names to group their cats into generations before TICA recognized the Savannah cat as a domestic breed.

The “F” stands for “filial generation,” or the number of serval ancestors the cat has passed down to. An F1 cat, for instance, is one generation removed from a serval, and so forth.

F1 Savannah cats

The largest of the savannah cats is the F1 variety. They are made up of half serval and half house cat. A wild-looking, gorgeous cat with a domestic cat disposition is what ethical savannah breeders aim to make. Percentages of serval more than 50% in savannah cats are simply an estimate due to the laws of genetic inheritance.

An F1 Savannah will contribute 50% of its genes to an F2 Savannah, and an F2 Savannah will contribute 50% of its genes to another cat, which may or may not be a savannah.

More domestic than serval features may be inherited from the F1 parent. Consequently, genetic testing would be necessary to determine the precise proportion of serval blood in a savannah that is not an F1.

F1 savannahs are gorgeous, refined cats that might attract attention when you introduce one into a space. They are not suitable for everyone, though. F1s and typically F2s need a lot of attention because they are so near to the serval.

They are very inquisitive and can be pretty naughty. They frequently enjoy frolicking around the house and could tip over your possessions if you leave anything exposed.

Although F1 savannahs enjoy playing and being petted, they are clearly not couch cats. It’s doubtful that an F1 will let you pick it up or hold it for very long.

Traveling to the vet may be difficult with an adult F1, but they get along well with other animals and usually position themselves as the “alpha.” Taking your Savannah to the vet when she is still a young puppy may help her become accustomed to the setting of the office and may reduce nervousness.

Savannah cat F2

F1 and F2 savannahs are comparable in certain respects, but not always. Genetic principles of chance cause some F2 kittens to resemble servals while others may resemble domestic cats. They may, however, be slightly easier to control than F1’s because they have more intelligence and energy than a non-savannah.

Read Also: Understanding Cats

F3 Savannah cats

Savannah cats from the F3 generation and later are usually better suited to busy and/or large families. These cats are typically friendlier and less aggressive around larger groups of people. Savannahs are typically more intelligent and active than regular pet cats. Because of this, these latter generations will be more amenable to play with and possibly hold. The majority of the time, they are happy to play with kids and may even want to sit on your lap.

Savannah cats are renowned as the priciest felines in the pet community. Usually, this hybrid cat carries high price tags of more than $10,000.

The Savannah cat price ranges from $1,500 to $25,000. Savannahs from earlier generations, such as the F1, usually cost more than Savannahs from later generations. The coat color of these cats is another aspect that influences their cost.