Appearance , Personality , History , Care , & Helpful Information for Pet Owners

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The   Savannah   qat is ahybrid cat breedthat is a cross between theAfrican servaland adomestic cat .   The Savannah was named after the habitat of the serval , and their mantrap echoes the lush magnificence of those golden knit stitch in Africa . Much like their wild cousin , the Savannah cat is magniloquent and lean with long leg , prominent ears , and a spotted coating .

Savannah cat sitting in front of a cat scratcher

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Learn more about experience with this highly active and well-informed computerized tomography breed , including if they are sound to own in the United States .

Breed Overview

Personality : Affectionate and social with owners , pets , and older children ; intelligent and trainable

Weight:12 to 25 pounds ( depending on the coevals )

Length:20 to 22 inch ( depending on the generation )

Coat Length : inadequate to medium hair

Coat Color : Tawny , black / brown spotted tabby , black / silver recognize queen , or contraband smoke with a strong or tabby pattern

Coat Patterns : Spotted , striped , or solid

Eye Color : Amber or green

lifetime : Up to 20 years

Hypoallergenic : No

Origin : Africa ( Felis serval ) , varied placement ( domestic big cat )

Savannah Cat Characteristics

The Savannah cat make an splendid companion in the right-hand domicile . They ’re sociable with people and pets , extremely level-headed , and always unforced to greet their owners with friendly head bumps . A Savannah cat may follow their proprietor around the home like a dog and are often described as " Velcro cats . " They are n’t the case of cat to sleep all 24-hour interval and nest on your lap ; they need a home that will give them plenty of exercise and playtime .

Savannahs generally get along well with other cats and dogs , and they ’re honorable with older children ( toddlers may be well drown by these large , playful Caterpillar ) . When purchase a Savannah cat , choose a stock breeder who has socialized the kittens in a dwelling with pet and kids so that they are not shy or fearful of these interaction .

History of the Savannah Cat

Thefirst known Savannah catwas bear in 1986 , and fittingly , the kitten and the breed were called Savannah . The cat seemed to have the staring combination of dotty and domestic trait from the parents .

In the early 1990s , Patrick Kelley , founding father ofSavannahcat.com , heard about the breed and enlisted the help of Joyce Sroufe , founder ofA1Savannahs ,   to help him develop the Savannah breed into what we eff today . Thanks to their efforts , The International Cat Associationrecognized the Savannah as a stock in 2001 .

Savannah Cat Care

Savannah cats are not for the faint of heart and require much more physical exertion and attention than the distinctive house cat . They can even be clicker- and tercet - trained .

Exercise

Savannah cats ' long legs and gymnastic grace lend themselves to jump , and these cats love landing on high surfaces . ply a tall cat Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or other safe climbing chance . Of of course , you must also gestate your Savannah to spy high-pitched places — cabinet tops , shelves , refrigerators — and attempt to scale them as well . It ’s a quirk that many possessor learn to have intercourse ; just verify there are no breakable items in your cat ’s way .

Like servals , many Savannahs do it to play in   the water . Fill a kiddie pool and let your cat explore the urine at their own pace ( do n’t plunk the cat into the pool ) . An enclosure around the pool can allow for out-of-door fun without the risk of escape . Just check that to provide shade on hot summertime day . You might even find them curiously search the bath or exhibitor .

In summation , Savannah cats will often acceptwearing a harnessand accompanying their owners on out-of-door walks . furnish appropriate outlets for scratch to preserve your piece of furniture , likescratching posts .

Grooming

The Savannah cat has a short coat that is easy to care for . you’re able to sweep your computed tomography hebdomadally to help keephairballsat bay , and trim your cat ’s nails as often as need to damp their sharp crown for indoor sustenance . Brush your cat ’s teethfrequently and get appropriate veterinary cleaning .

Training

Savannah cats have been called dog - like in their dearest of playing fetch and their power to be trained . You canclicker - cultivate them as you would a dogto do tricks and obey commands .

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Common Health Problems

Savannah qat are loosely intelligent and should be given the same veterinarypreventative care visitsand treatments as other domesticated cats . However , they are more prostrate tohypertrophic cardiomyopathythan fully domestic quat . This heart experimental condition causes thickening of the heart ’s left ventricle , which can lead to heart unsuccessful person .

Also , hybrid male sterility is to be expect until the F4 generation .

Appearance

The Savannah computerized axial tomography is marvellous and skimpy with prospicient legs and a long neck opening ( its parent stock , the serval , is sometimes called the " giraffe true cat " because of these characteristic ) . Their large ears sit high atop their heads and are more rounded than most domestic cats ' ear .

The Savannah ’s coating ranges in color from light tawny to smoky black and bears a characteristic black spot pattern with occasional bars . Occasionally , a Savannah big cat may be solid black , lacking speckle .

Diet and Nutrition

Savannah computed tomography have the same nutritional requirements as domesticated cats . Some experts recommend a combination ofcommercial juiceless foodorwet foodandraw or cook nub . Some experts finger the strain needs moretaurineand may recommend a taurine supplement . Provide access to fresh , clean water at all times .

Talk to your vet for nutritionary guidance for your specific cat , and cut through their intellectual nourishment consumption and weightiness to preventobesityand other health problems .

Where to Adopt or Buy a Savannah Cat

You may be able to regain a purebred savannah computerized axial tomography through abreeder , but these cats are a rare discovery . If you would rather assume from a rescue administration , check out theSavannah Cat Rescue .

Types of Savannah Cat

The type of savannah guy are express in terms of filial generation ( i.e. the number of generation a qat is from the serval in its descent ) , including designations from F1 through F8 .

A Stud Book Traditional Savannah cat is at least four generations removed from the Felis serval but has only Savannah cat parent for at least three generations , without further outbreeding with domestic cats .

A male person is not prolific usually until the 6th genesis from the serval parent . The females are unremarkably fecund from the first generation .

Savannah Cat Overview

The Savannah cat is a fantastic family pet with gaga collection . Not only are they beautiful and salient animals but are also large , playful , and enjoy interact with child and other pets . Unfortunately , Savannah cats are not easily acquired ; their breeders are few and far between , and the cats are very expensive . In increase , land laws may ban them or require permits for possession .

Pros of the Savannah Cat

Cons of the Savannah Cat

More Cat Breeds and Further Research

If you ’re concerned in similar strain , check out :

Otherwise , check out out all of our othercat breed profiles .

The price of Savannah cats can order from $ 5,000 to $ 20,000 . F1 generation cats are the most expensive .

Savannah hombre are playful , intelligent , and active , so they can be challenging house ducky that require affected role , loving owners .

Savannah cat are illegal to own in Georgia , Hawaii , Nebraska , and Rhode Island and can not be legally possess without a licence in many locations . Look up your local law before bringing a Savannah cat into your household .

Guide to Savannah Cat Generations . Savvy Paws .