Savannah Cat Breed Information

Group

Exotic, Short Haired

Weight

5.4-11.3 kg

Length

23-25 cm

Lifespan

15-18 years

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About the Savannah Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

When you first encounter a Savannah cat, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s a cat from the plains of Africa. While this is not far off, it’s not entirely accurate either. Since 2001, this accidental cat breed has been officially recognised by TICA; it is, in fact, a short-haired house cat.

Savannah cats were created accidentally (when a Serval cat was bred with a Siamese cat). Since then have become domesticated and are now popular family members for households. However, you need to know what you’re getting into when you adopt a loyal Savannah cat.

What Is the History & Origin of the Savannah Cat?

In the mid-1980s, a cat breeder called Judee Frank brought an African Serval cat into her care; this is an African cat with sharp teeth and pointy ears. The cat was called Ernie. To Judee’s surprise, her Siamese cat gave birth to a single kitten by Ernie, which was the world’s first Savannah cat. It was officially recognised by the International Cat Association in 2001.

What Is a Savannah Cat Breed?

Savannah Cats are hybrid cat breeds; they are a cross between an African cat and a Siamese cat. Although Savannah cats share many traits with their big cat ancestors, such as playfulness and loyalty, they are much smaller and less intimidating. That said, the African wild cats related to Savannah cats are not dangerous either unless provoked. Savannah cats make great pets.

Who Is a Savannah Cat Best For?

If you want a lazy, snoozy lap-sitter, then you don’t want a Savannah cat. Savannah cats are agile and adventurous; they can leap an incredible 8 feet and need plenty of spaces to explore and things to scratch. If you like a cat that has a big personality and loyalty like a dog, then you might be a good fit for a Savannah cat. These cats will als0 need a big house to roam around in.

What Does a Savannah Cat Look Like?

A Savannah cat has a very distinctive appearance. They have narrow faces and large pointed ears that are always curious and responsive. They have striped ears and spotted coats that are brownish-yellow and black. Like their wild ancestors, they have a long tail with a solid black tip on the end.

Coat

A Savannah has a soft coat with dense fur, similar to an African wild cat. This type of coat is well suited to hot, dry conditions, but it also dries quickly – good news because Savannahs love water and will happily leap into your bath with you! The coat is soft and easy to brush.

Colour

While the majority of Savannahs have a brownish-yellow coat with black spots, some of them have black coats, brown coats, and tabby-coloured coats. Like their African ancestors, the coat of a Savannah cat is short and dense; it is easy to clean and only requires minimal brushing.

Patterns

In reality, Savannah cats have different colours and patterns; however, TICA only officially recognises particular ones. A TICA-certified cat will be yellow with black spots and stripes, but a brown spotted tabby can also be grey, brown, or white with more stripes and fewer spots.

Savannah Cat Grooming & Shedding

Savannahs are low shedding cats which means less grooming and more time throwing catnip bags around for her to chase. Savannah cats have coats inherited from the plains of Africa, where short hair is needed to keep body temperatures low, and shedding is limited.

This means that Savannah cats are also low-maintenance cats. Unlike a Persian cat, for instance, that requires daily grooming, you won’t have to spend much time brushing your furry friend. That said, you might want to give him a brush once a week to remove any extra fluff.

How Do Savannah Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

A Savannah cat is not a passive zen-like lap sitter; on the contrary, they have personalities that allowed their ancestors to survive for thousands of years on the wild plains of Africa.

A Savannah cat has long legs for jumping and running, tall ears for better hearing, and enhanced vision for catching prey. So expect your Savannah to be very active and adventurous; they are also fiercely loyal.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Savannah Cats?

Habits

Savannahs have many of the general habits of domestic cats; they all like to groom, purr, knead, and eat. That said, Savannah cats are not your ordinary domestic cat, these cats are also incredibly loyal, adventurous, and they love water – Savannah cats love a bath now and then.

Activity

Savannahs are a unique breed of cat; for one thing, they have many of the behaviours and activities that you might associate more with a dog. Expect a Savannah to run around the home, leap onto furniture and chase thrown objects – they can also be trained to walk on a lead.

Are Savannah Cats Vocal?

The short answer is yes; Savannah cats are vocal! Like all cats, Savannahs make cat sounds when they’re hungry or lonely, and they also hiss when they’re upset. The difference is that Savannahs might hiss a little more than a domestic cat, and they also have chirping sounds that have been inherited from ancestors. They will certainly let you know if they’re hungry!

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Savannah Cat?

Although Savannahs are essentially domestic cat breeds according to TICA and many Savannah cat owners, there are a few notable differences. For one thing, Savannah cats are significantly bigger than a typical house cat, and they have very active personalities!

Weight

It’s useful to know what weight your cat will be; after all, you don’t want to have trouble breathing when your pet leaps on your chest to hang out for an evening! Savannah cats weigh more than typical domestic cats; they weigh from 5.4 kgs up to a massive 11.3 kgs!

Height

Savannahs are also taller than an average domestic cat, that’s down to their strong legs that are ideal for leaping, chasing, and digging, and their tall ears that are perfect for hearing sounds of distant prey and predators. Domestic cat breeds are around 23 cm tall; Savannah cats are up to 43 cm!

Size

If you like a cute and cuddly cat that lives in the background of your life, a Savannah cat is not the animal you want. As well as being more active and adventurous than many other cats, a Savannah cat is also much bigger overall. A 43-cm cat has a certain presence in your home and a big personality to match!

Are Savannah Cats Easy to Train?

Savannahs are responsive and can be trained quite easily; one reason for this is that they love attention and are motivated by food; the other reason is that they are intelligent exotic animals. The best way to train Savannah kittens is to teach them new habits frequently.

Does the Savannah Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

It’s important to acquire your kittens from a qualified and regulated breeder. Although it might cost more, your cat is less likely to have some of the genetic issues associated with poor breeding. Also, remember to feed your Savannah a high-protein, low-carb diet.

Like any other cat out there, they are predisposed to:

Feline Leukemia Virus: Savannah cats can be susceptible to feline leukemia virus, which compromises their immune system.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus: This breed may also be at risk for feline immunodeficiency virus, impacting their overall health and resilience.
Bacterial Infections: Savannahs can develop various bacterial infections, especially if exposed to unsanitary conditions.
Toxoplasmosis: They are prone to toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can cause serious health issues.
Urinary Tract Health Concerns: This breed may experience urinary tract health issues, requiring regular monitoring.
Dental Problems: Savannah cats can suffer from dental problems, necessitating good dental care.
Cardiomyopathies: As they age, Savannah cats may develop cardiomyopathies, particularly affecting their heart health.

What Is the Lifespan of a Savannah Cat?

Typical cats can live for between 15 and 18 years; Savannahs have a similar lifespan of around 15 years. That said, the lifespan of a Savannah cat can vary depending on the breed and life standards. For instance, these cats need an excellent diet.

How Much Does a Savannah Cat Need to Be Fed?

When it comes to food, you need to pay special attention to your Savannah cat’s diet. Over time, a typical domestic cat has become accustomed to store-bought cat food, but it’s not enough to sustain Savannah cats. Instead, they need high-quality protein-rich meals and low carbs.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Savannah Cat in Australia?

If you want a Savannah cat in your life, you need to be ready to put your hand deep into your pocket – they don’t come cheap! The cats are priced according to their Filial rating (how far from the original they are). F1 Savannah cats cost an average of $16,000, F3 is around $5,000.

Savannah Cat FAQs

Are Savannah cats high maintenance?

Yes and no! On the one hand, these cats are agile and intelligent; they need a lot of interaction and attention. On the other hand, they are very independent and look after their own cleaning.

Can I let my Savannah cat outside?

The choice is yours! Savannah cats are much like any pet cat when it comes to outdoor living, but if you walk her on a leash, remember she might not enjoy the dogs going past.

Which Savannah cat is the biggest?

The largest Savannah cats are the ones with the closest genetic heritage to their African ancestors. This means that F1 and F2 male cats are the largest domestic breed overall.

What is the difference between a Bengal cat and a Savannah cat?

The main difference between a Bengal cat and a Savannah cat is the hybrid breed. Bengal cats are related to the Asian leopard, while Savannah cats are related to wild serval cats. Both these spotted cat breeds are domesticated hybrid cats.