1. How did the Savannah cat come about?
This breed is very popular now, but it has existed for about thirty years – in 1986, a breeder in America first crossed a Siamese female with a male Serval. And from that, the first Savannah cat was born. A particularly beautiful cat that became super popular among breeders by the late nineties. In 2001, TICA (The International Cat Association) officially recognized the Savannah as a new cat breed.
These cat trees are perfect for Savannah cats!
2. Where does the name Savannah come from?
A Savannah is a crossbreed between a domesticated house cat and a wild cat. This is called a hybrid cat. In this case, the wild cat is a Serval – a beautiful feline that lives in the wild on the African savannas. And because a Savannah has many traits of its tough ancestor – it is large and has the same spotted coat – it was given the beautiful name Savannah.
3. The appearance of a Savannah
Savannahs are larger than typical domestic cats because they are descended from the Serval. They weigh between four and seven kilograms, and are slim, muscular, and athletically built. Their neck is long, as are their legs. The tail of a Savannah, however, is not particularly long, but it is thick and has a beautiful rounded tip.
The head of a Savannah is actually quite small compared to its imposing body. It has the shape of a triangle with two beautiful large, upright ears. And in some Savannahs, there are also super cute tufts growing from the ears.
4. The coat of a Savannah
The coat of a Savannah is tough. It is short, feels somewhat coarse, and has a dense texture. Only Savannahs with clear spots (dots) on their coat meet the breed standard. As for colors, there is a lot of variety. Think of black/brown spotted tabby, silver spotted tabby, melanistic, and black smoke.
Fun fact: Despite the rough texture of the coat, the spots feel very soft, just like the undercoat.
5. The character of the Savannah
To understand the character of a Savannah, it’s helpful to first explain the different generations in which this breed is bred. This has a significant impact on the final character of the cat.
Bred kittens are often referred to with the letter “F” followed by a number. An F1 Savannah kitten is directly descended from a cross between a wild Serval and a domestic cat. An F1 is usually large and retains many of the wild traits of a Serval.
After that, Savannahs are classified from type F2 to, for example, F4. The higher the number, the further removed the Savannah is from the Serval. This means it will have more of the character traits of a domestic cat. This is something to consider carefully if you’re thinking about getting a Savannah. Because with small pets or children, you’d ideally want a calm cat with minimal hunting instincts. But now, back to the character.
Savannahs are friendly and social with people, other cats, and dogs. They are very loyal to their owners. They love being around them and tend to follow them everywhere. A Savannah has a lot of energy and needs space. In addition to a large cat trees, you will also need a large house with a spacious outdoor area if you decide to get a Savannah. Fun fact: Most Savannahs can be trained to walk on a leash and love going to the forest with their owners.
6. The care of a Savannah
The coat of a Savannah is easy to maintain. They shed less hair than regular cats, so they don’t need to be brushed often – a brushing once a month is fine. They actually enjoy it too.
As for food, it’s not very complicated – Savannahs eat almost the same as regular house cats. High-quality dry food and wet food, plus a tasty treat now and then. However, this breed does require supplementary food to keep their muscles and bones strong. That’s why their daily meals need to be supplemented with high-quality fresh meat.
And besides that, you take care of a Savannah just like any other cat. Love and plenty of cuddles and attention are, of course, essential. Just like enough drinking bowls with fresh water, preventive flea treatment, worming, and of course, always clean litter boxes with good litter. Their teeth and overall health should also be checked by a veterinarian every year.
Savannahs have a lot of energy, and they need to be able to burn it off. As we mentioned earlier, a large outdoor area is recommended, as well as regular long walks on a leash. But inside, Savannahs also need stimulation. Provide plenty of toys and make time to play with your cat yourself. A small, simple cat tree is not enough for a Savannah. Therefore, always choose cat trees that suit Savannahs. They can really enjoy themselves every day with those.
Discover here what the care of a cat roughly costs
7. The health of Savannah cats
Purebred cats are bred for unique traits. The Savannah also has characteristics that make it special, such as:
- Large and athletic build
- Unique coat with spots
- Thick tail with a rounded tip
Do you want a Savannah cat? Then do thorough research on this breed. While this breed is very healthy, it’s not suitable for everyone (or every home) because of their active character and sometimes wild traits. In some countries, keeping a Savannah cat is even prohibited.
If you want a happy cat at home, ask a veterinarian for advice. You can also check the websites of Dier & Recht and the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority for information about the health of the breed, whether it’s allowed, and what rules apply to breeders.
Always buy a Savannah (if the breed is allowed in your country) from a trustworthy breeder, preferably one who is part of a breed association. This way, you can be sure that the cat is healthy and well cared for. Also, ask the breeder for a health certificate or guarantee for extra peace of mind.
8. How long does a Savannah live?
Because these cats are so healthy and strong, their life expectancy is also high. A Savannah can live up to 20 years. And that’s obviously great, but it’s something to think about carefully when you bring such a cute kitten into your home. Savannah kittens eventually grow into large cats that need care and attention.
9. Who is a Savannah cat not suitable for?
A Savannah of the F1 type is directly descended from a Serval, as we mentioned above. These are very beautiful cats, but they are wilder than regular house cats. Savannahs of this type are therefore not suitable for:
- People with a small house
- People who don’t have space for an outdoor enclosure
- People who are often away from home for long periods
- People who don’t have time for proper care and sufficient attention
If you choose a Savannah starting from F5, then the cat’s character is most similar to that of a regular domestic cat. In that case, it’s not a problem if you live in a smaller space, work during the day, or don’t have an outdoor enclosure. But, of course, you should always make time for care, cuddles, and lots of attention!
10. Buying a Savannah
Savannah cats up to and including F4 are not on the positive list in the Netherlands – they are descendants of the Serval cat. This means you are not allowed to buy or keep a Savannah. If you think that a Savannah (starting from type F5) is suitable for you, then you can safely purchase a Savannah kitten.
Make sure to go to a recognized breeder, preferably one who is part of a breed association. This way, you can be sure that you are buying a healthy, well-socialized cat that has been bred in an animal-friendly manner. Always ask for the papers, a health certificate, and check the parents of the kitten. Also, take a look at the environment: is it clean and homely, and are the parents present? That’s a good sign. Don’t buy cats via Marktplaats, eBay, or from unlicensed breeders.
A Savannah from a good breeder costs about 1000 euros. If you are looking for a cat, but it doesn’t need to be a pedigree, check out shelters or adoption agencies. Many lovely cats are waiting for a good home.
And remember: you don’t have a cat for just a short time, but for its entire life. So, you must be willing to care for the animal properly and set aside money for its care and veterinary visits.
Also, meet the super-soft British Shorthair!
Disclaimer: Petrebels does not consist of veterinarians or behavioral experts: all content, information and tips on this blog are intended to inspire and inform you. Does your cat have complaints or problems and do you have doubts about your cat’s health? Then always go to the vet or a behavioral expert.
