Serengeti Cat Breed Information

Group

Short Haired

Weight

6-7 kg

Length

20.3-25.4 cm

Lifespan

9-15 years

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About the Serengeti Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The elegant yet wild-looking Serengeti cat is nothing short of unique. With its loving character, playful personality and sticking appearance, this kitty has won the hearts of many a cat owner.

In this guide, you’ll find everything there is to know about the enchanting Serengeti breed, from its history to its grooming requirements and more. Cat lovers, read on!

What Is the History & Origin of the Serengeti Cat?

The Serengeti cat was created in California in 1994 by a biologist named Karen Sausman.

This fairly rare domestic cat breed was produced by crossing an Oriental Shorthair with a Bengal cat.

Although Bengal cats are far removed from their wild ancestors (by several generations), the Serengeti cat has an incredible resemblance to the wild African Serval, with huge upright ears and a remarkable spotted coat. (Though these two animals share no genetic similarities)

A project to promote the Serengeti in 1995 resulted in the cat breed expanding throughout the USA, UK, Europe, Russia, and Australia.

Currently, the only cat breed registry that recognises Serengeti cats is The International Cat Association (TICA).

What Is a Serengeti Cat Breed?

This unique breed of domestic cats emerged by pairing the Oriental Shorthair and the Bengal cats.

The Bengal is actually a cross between a domestic cat and an Asian Leopard cat, which is why it’s classed as a hybrid.

Since the Serengeti cat has a Bengal parent, it naturally inherited a small amount of wild blood, which becomes very transparent once you spend some time with this feline. It can clearly be seen in both the Serengeti’s temperament and striking coat patterns.

Who Is a Serengeti Cat Best For?

Wondering if the Serengeti cat would be a good addition to your family?

Without a doubt! Thanks to their playful and highly energetic natures, these kitties get along very well with kids of all ages.

When it comes to other pets, the Serengeti cat has no problem getting along with other cats and dogs, as long as they’re given time to adjust to new household additions.

These cats have a huge amount of energy. Therefore they’re best suited to an active family that can keep up with their need for a whole lot of physical and mental stimulation. They certainly aren’t the lazy sleep-all-day types of cats.

What Does a Serengeti Cat Look Like?

Serengeti cats have distinct features, such as a spotted coat, very large ears with rounded tips, and comparatively long legs.

The Oriental Shorthair passed on their striking big ears, and they are easily as long as the cat’s entire head!

These kitties have big round eyes, as well as long slender necks that connect to the base of their skulls without tapering.

Coat

The Serengeti cat’s coat is short and sleek.

Colours

The coat colours of the Serengeti cat include:

Silver-spotted tabby
Brown-spotted tabby
Lavender
Smoke
Snow
Solid black (known as melanistic black, and is very rare)

Patterns

The Serengeti breed standard recognises these cats by having a pattern of high-contrast spots, although a solid black coat is also accepted.

Additionally, some Serengeti cats have rosettes rather than spots, thanks to their Bengal ancestors, but this is usually seen as undesirable by breeders.

Serengeti Cat Grooming & Shedding

If you’re on the lookout for a kitty that doesn’t shed very much, you should definitely consider the Serengeti – their coats barely shed at all!

In terms of grooming, these cats are considered low-maintenance, and regular brushing isn’t required with this breed (although they do love the attention that comes with being groomed).

Besides that, it’s important that you keep up with occasional nail trimming and ear cleaning.

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

The Serengeti cat is among the most active and agile cat breeds. They are remarkably athletic, and they’ll happily spend their days climbing trees (and most likely your furniture), often getting perched on a high ledge to observe the world below them.

Needless to say, Serengeti cat owners will need to provide their kitties with a spacious environment – where they can freely dart around your property at the see of light!

Despite acting like a rather wild cat, the Serengeti is just as loving and loyal in nature. They form very tight bonds with their human companions, and they enjoy following them all around the house.

Living Needs

Due to the Serengeti being an extremely active breed, they need a whole lot of exercise to burn off all that energy. A big property with a garden is ideal for these cats.

If you decide to keep a Serengeti cat as an indoor cat, you will need to make sure that they have access to a secured balcony or garden.

Just like the Bengal cat, the Serengeti thoroughly enjoys playing in the water, so a garden pond or a paddling pool would be great to have!

It’s also a good idea to have plenty of climbing and playing opportunities for your furry friend inside your home, like cat trees, scratch posts, interactive toys, and suitable shelves for them to perch on.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Serengeti Cats?

Habits

This cat breed sure loves to jump, climb and get comfortable in high places, whether it’s on top of your refrigerator, your bedroom cupboard, or your shelves.

Another habit they tend to show is not leaving their owner’s side. That’s why the Serengeti has often been referred to as the “Velcro Cat”. They truly seem to stick like velcro to their favourite humans!

Activity level

When it comes to being active, the Serengeti is super athletic – one could say they are certainly fit for the jungle! They spend a great deal of time playing, running, jumping, and climbing independently, which means most of their exercise will come naturally.

These cats enjoy doing interactive cat puzzles, laser beams, and other toys to keep them entertained.

Vocalness

This cat is known to be quite chatty, and they’ll happily meow at their human companions for no apparent reason at all.

Both their Bengal and Oriental Shorthair parents are to thank for their inherited extra-talkative traits.

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

Height

The Serengeti cat is typically between 20.3cm and 25.4cm tall.

Weight

Females Serengeti cats weigh between 3.5 and 5.5kg, whilst male cats are slightly bigger and weigh around 6 to 7kg.

Size

The Serengeti is a medium-sized cat.

Are Serengeti Cats Easy to Train?

The Serengeti still shares some subtle traits of a wild cat, making them pretty difficult to train when it comes to performing tricks, but early socialisation and basic obedience training are certainly doable and beneficial.

Does the Serengeti Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

The Serengeti is generally a healthy cat, and since they’re still a fairly new breed, they currently aren’t known to be prone to any health conditions.

However, because they’re descended from Oriental Shorthair and Bengal lines, it’s good to be aware that they may suffer any of the health issues commonly seen in these cat breeds as well.

Health problems associated with Bengal cats:

Heart Disease: This can manifest as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle thickens, potentially leading to serious complications.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This degenerative eye disease gradually affects vision, which can ultimately lead to blindness.
Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency: A rare form of anemia that affects red blood cell production, causing fatigue and weakness.
Joint Disorders: Issues like hip dysplasia and patella luxation can result in discomfort and mobility challenges.

Health Problems associated with Oriental Shorthair cats:

Heart Disease: Similar to Bengals, they are also susceptible to various heart conditions.
Skeletal Dysfunction: This can involve issues with bone formation and alignment, affecting overall mobility.
Cancer: They may face an increased risk of certain cancers, such as mediastinal lymphoma, which affects lymph nodes in the chest.

What Is the Lifespan of a Serengeti Cat?

On average, Serengeti cats live for 9 to 15 years.

How Much Does a Serengeti Cat Need to Be Fed?

Like all cat breeds, Serengeti cats are obligate carnivores.

This means that their digestive systems are suited to digest animal-based food sources only. These cats can do well on a variety of diets – whether it’s wet, dry, or raw cat food.

Make sure that you pick a high-quality brand so that all your kitty’s nutritional needs are met!

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

The price for a Serengeti kitten can be pretty hefty, as they are considered a rare cat breed and are difficult to find. You can also expect to be put on a waiting list for one of these beauties.

You could pay anywhere from $900 to as high as $3,500 for one of these ultra-special kitties!

Serengeti Cat FAQs

Where do Serengeti cats come from?

The Serengeti cat breed’s origins lie in California, USA. This cross breed was developed to look like the wild and gorgeous African Serval by crossing Bengal and Oriental Shorthairs.

Are Serengeti cats hypoallergenic?

Serengeti cats aren’t big shedders, and they have short cat hair, but that doesn’t make them hypoallergenic! (In reality, no cat is 100% hypoallergenic)

If you’re prone to experiencing cat allergies, you should spend some time with a Serengeti to see how your body reacts before purchasing or adopting one.

Are Serengeti cats affectionate?

Absolutely! The Serengeti cat breed is thanks to a combination of two of the most affectionate, people-pleasing cat breeds.

Although these kitties are very friendly and loving, they do take some time to warm up to strangers – whether it’s a human or another pet.

But, once they get comfortable with you, they’ll never want to leave your side! (Hence the nickname, “Velcro Cats”). And they also enjoy curling up on their favourite human’s lap.