Savannah cats are a big , athletic breed that ’s specially affectionate with their owners , but can be a bit offish with alien .
Tall and elegant , the Savannah cat is a intercrossed strain — the result of breeding aSiamese catwith a wild Felis serval . And that abandon is on full showing : The stock retains the big perked ears , retentive legs , and spotted pelage of its African cat inheritance while keeping the favorable demeanor of a domesticated pet .
Thesekitties are big . Adult Savannah hombre can grow up to 17 inches improbable and weigh 25 pounds , depending on contemporaries . First - generation crosse ( anticipate F1 and F2 ) are generally larger than belated crosses and have beautiful patched coats in shades of brown , tan , and calamitous . Later generations are further remove from their savage ancestor , yet retain the colors and pattern of early generation — they’re just small and a bit more docile . Savannah cats are loyal , well-informed , and inquisitive kitties , but might not be the best choice forfirst - fourth dimension qat owner .
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Though they were introduced a few 10 ago , Savannah cats are still arelatively rare breed . A few states even have restrictions on them , often depend on propagation . Checking state ordinancesis a good idea before bringing home a Savannah quat .
We spoke with a vet for everything you take to know about the Savannah cat ’s temperament , living needs , care , and health care .
Appearance
Talk about elegance ! The Savannah cat ’s improbable , lean body and striking spotted pelage make these gorgeous animals look a bit like miniature cheetahs . Savannahs can stand 17 inches marvelous and have been crown theworld ’s tallest domestic cat by the Guinness Book of World Records . Male Savannahs can weigh as much as 25 pounds , while female can be as light as 12 pounds . Their height and weight are whole hooked on how many generations removed an single cat is to her wild Felis serval ancestor .
Recognized pelage color of the Savannah are black , brown spotted tabby , silver spotted queen , and contraband smoke . Their coat is short , heavy , and super easy to keep witha flying brushingevery week or so . Another trait that split Savannah computerized axial tomography from other breeds : Their eyes . Slightly hooded and almond - shaped with a dark rent duct line , the Savannah ’s eye give her a dramatic , friendly - yet - pierce gaze . Eye color in the main reflects the coat color , but not always .
Heather Tarticchio , Savannah big cat stock breeder behindTICA - registered St. Louis Savannahs , say it ’s important to do your enquiry before bringing home a kitty .
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" There are many generations , sizes , and personalities that come with [ Savannah cats ] , " she enounce . " verify you have it off which generation is right for you . "
Temperament
If you ’re look for alazy lap khat , a Savannah is not the best choice . This acrobatic and fighting feline is more potential to jump onto the top of your kitchen cabinet ( Savannahs can leap an astonishing 8 feet in height ) than she is to sit lazily by her food bowl .
Always looking for new challenge to research , the Savannah cat is often said to be more bounder - the likes of than cat - like . These lithe and agile cats love water and wo n’t waver to leap into the bathtub with you or wade around in a kiddie pool . Savannahs are alsoeasily trained , and some possessor choose toleash - caravan their catsand take them on outdoor escapade .
Socializing your Savannah kitty is important , as these big house cats can become suspicious of strangers . But like canine , Savannahs are exceedingly truehearted and will follow their favorite humans around the house plainly for companionship , earning the soubriquet " Velcro kitties . " They have a repute as being very talkative with several distinctive vocalizations , though this is n’t always the case .
" Savannahs aregreat family petsfor the correct mob , " Tarticchio says . " They are high - energy and demand a fate of attention , so they are not well suitable for a house where the owners are never home . That state , they will bond with any animal they are raised with , accept that animal is receptive to their constant passion . Kids anddogs make capital companionsfor this reason . "
If you ’re turn over bringing home a Savannah cat , remember that litters are list as F1 , F2 , F3 , etc . These numbers stand for how many generations have surpass since the original raging Felis serval gene were enclose into a particular personal credit line of breeding . So , the smaller the issue , the more likely you ’ll see a bit more savage behavior ( climbing , pouncing , and " hunting " their toy ) . And think back : other generations of Savannah lean to be larger .
Marilyn Krieger , demonstrate cat behavior consultantin San Francisco , allege it ’s important to providemental stimulationfor all cat stock — especially for Savannah cat .
" Savannahs are extremely thinking and need lots of enrichment and activeness , " she says . Krieger recommendsclicker trainingto help keep them mentally and physically stimulated .
Living Needs
With Savannah true cat , the size of it of your home really does n’t weigh . Whatdoesmatter is whether you provide lot of places for her to hide out , run , and climb . This mean havingat leastone cat treeand plenty ofchallenging , interactive toysto keep her interest . And , because she ’s so fighting , it probably wo n’t hurt to have several scratching Post and scratcher miniature throughout your house or flat to give her plenty of chance to stretch and scratch .
Your Savannah cat will love any on - screen , cat - centric amusement , let in picture of birds and squirrels or interactive Caterpillar games on a pad . If you have the quad , your Savannah will also spend minute batting toy around a shallow pocket billiards or cooking pan of piss .
Keep all plants or breakable objects away from capable shelves where your CT can rap them down . Remember , Savannahs can jump up to 8 foot mellow from an almost standing position — not even the top of your refrigerator is safe from their powerful legs . They can also stick out over fences , so never leave your kat outdoors neglected .
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Savannah CAT can get bored easily , so having a feline or eye tooth housemate can be helpful . These societal kittiesdon’t like being left alonefor retentive . " They would choose their owner around 24/7 , " Tarticchio says . " But [ Savannah cats ] can do fine with owner who are go during normal work time of day . "
If you’re able to , provide them with a safe distance outdoors such as a screened porch or patio(a " catio , " if you will ) . Your Savannah will happily spend the 24-hour interval enjoy the fresh air and plotting how to take in squirrel , all while last out safe .
But before you take over a Savannah cat , tick off with your local government . Some municipalities have more restrictive ownership legal philosophy due to the kitty ’s waste lineage .
Care
apart fromregular veterinary maintenance , ample mental stimulation is the main matter your Savannah cat needs to be happy and good for you . Her short coat requires little care other than an occasional brush to winnow out loose hair and dead skin . Like other breed , a Savannah needs hernails trimmedregularly and gooddental care . Just remember to depart nail and dental attention while your pet is still a kitten — that way you wo n’t end up wrestling your ( very large ) full - develop Savannah when it ’s time for canonic maintenance .
Make anygroomingexperience a sport one for your Savannah while she ’s untested by offering delicacy or toy after every session . And , if you stargaze of taking your kitty on outdoor adventures , protrude leash education early . It ’s important to take baby stair and never force your kitty to do something against her will .
Health
Like all preferent big cat , Savannahs should bespayed or neuteredas soon as your veterinary commend . Male cats in the F1 , F2 , and F3 generationsare often unimaginative , but neutering is still extremely advocate to aid curtail any undesirable behaviors that might arise .
Being hybrids , Savannah hombre can live a long sentence and there is n’t a lot known about what health conditions — if any — they’re prone to , though they can be susceptible to common feline ailments . They can live between 12–20 years , so when you fetch home a Savannah , you ’re bringing home a admirer for life .
History
The first Savannah cat , aptly constitute Savannah herself , wasintroduced to the world in 1986 . The first member of the tribe was consider by crossing a male wild African serval cat with a domesticated Thai guy . The resulting progeny mirrored the gorgeous patched coat and build of the wild cat , but continue the friendly , domesticated demeanor of her ma .
It did n’t take long for breeders to see the potential of this prominent animal , and over the decades the numbers climbed and more generations of Savannahs were multiply . In 2001 , Savannah cats were recognized by the International Cat Association as an prescribed breed .
