- Savannah Cat Size: up to 45 cm in size and 120 cm in length
- Coat type: Shorthair
- Color: Brown-beige with dark dots and stripes
- Character traits: Independent, Trustful
- Energy: very playful, intelligent, active
- Scales: 8 kg (female cat), 10 kg (male cat)
- Origin: USA
Origin and Breeding of the Savannah Cat
When breeding the Savannah cat, the aim was – just like with the Bengal cat – to create a domestic cat with the look of a wild cat. American breeders in particular are constantly trying to crossbreed wild cats and domestic cats with the aim of making the cat look exotic, but at the same time be as loving and people-oriented as a domestic cat.
The Savannah cat originated in the USA. In the 1980s, a serval was mated with a Siamese cat . This was not only complicated, but is also classified by animal rights activists as cruel breeding. The forced mating usually took place between a physically inferior domestic cat and a much larger wild cat. To put it more clearly: servals, which are found in the wild mainly in African savannas and steppes, have a shoulder height of up to 60 centimeters and weigh between six and 13 kilograms, with the males usually being heavier than the females.
The gestation period also differs. In domestic cats, it is ten days shorter than in servals. The kittens can therefore be born immature and then require human help. However, the kittens are often too large in relation to their mother, which can lead to serious complications during birth.
While at the beginning of breeding only servals were mated with domestic cats to obtain Savannah cats of the first generation of offspring, since 2007 it has been possible to mate Savannah cats with each other. However, this is only possible from the fourth generation of offspring onwards. As the Savannah tomcats are usually sterile until the third filial generation.
The appearance of the Savannah cat
The Savannah cat has a beige-brown coat covered with black spots and stripes. The areas around the mouth, chest and belly can also be lighter in color. The tail is short, thin and darkly striped.
The body of the Savannah cat is long, muscular and usually slim. It rests on long legs that have enormous jumping power – the Savannah can jump up to two meters from a standing position! The ears sit high on the head and are relatively large compared to the head. When fully grown, the Savannah cat can reach a size of up to 45 centimeters and a length of up to 120 centimeters, making it one of the largest domestic cat breeds in the world.
Attitude and Character
You can’t help but notice that they come from the wild: the Savannah cat needs a lot of exercise and mental challenges. They can’t be kept as a pure house cat. In Germany, animals from the F1 to F4 generation are required to be registered. Animals from the F1 generation are not allowed to go outside because they still have a strong hunting instinct and local wild animals are to be protected. Otherwise, the authorities check whether there is sufficient outdoor access. For example through an enclosure, and a heated indoor area, to enable the Savannah cats to be kept in a species-appropriate manner. Incidentally, Savannah cats are not allowed to enter Australia and New Zealand.
Purchasing a Savannah cat is expensive and involves a lot of uncertainty. You can’t tell what the kitten’s later characteristics will be: there is a risk that even in F5 and later generations, the characteristics of the wild ancestors will come to the fore or even become dominant. Some Savannahs can be impulsive and temperamental, while others are cuddly and affectionate. If you buy a Savannah cat, you should be prepared for these different scenarios and be aware of the demanding nature of keeping it.
The Savannah cat needs a lot of exercise and activity, but unsecured free-range running is not advisable: on the one hand. The animal may not return, and on the other hand. The Savannah can cause great harm to the local fauna due to its strong hunting instinct.
Occupation of the Savannah Cat
A Savannah should not be kept alone. The best partners are representatives of the same breed or cats of other breeds, as long as they are similar in size, temperament and age to the Savannah. A quiet Persian, for example, is not a good match for a Savannah. Savannah cats also generally get along well with dogs, as long as they are compatible with cats.
The breed definitely needs space and lots of opportunities to play and climb. The Savannah can jump very high and far. It likes to jump vertically into the air. It is playful and very curious. The furnishings in the home should be safe and solid because it likes to turn everything into a toy. The cat’s toys should be sturdy and not too small.
In terms of character, Savannah cats inspire with their high play instinct, their bright nature and their quick learning ability: Creative games with treats are the right way to keep the Savannah cat physically and mentally busy.
Some Savannahs like to fetch or quickly learn other tricks. A special feature is that Savannahs love water; they actually go for a bath and some even swim while doing so. A paddling pool in a secure garden or a cat pool on the balcony provide fun. Many breeders also report that Savannahs get used to a harness and leash well and enjoy walks in the garden this way.
Savannah cat: the right diet
There is no one right answer to how to feed the Savannah. The diet of Savannah cats from the first four generations should be as close as possible to that of the Serval, with feeder mice, day-old chicks or pure meat. According to reports from breeders, canned food can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Later generations can be fed raw food or a high-quality ready-made food with a high meat content and just an extra portion of meat. However, if you want to BARF your cat, you should carefully consider which supplementary foods are necessary so that there is neither malnutrition nor an oversupply of certain nutrients. Dr. Fressnapf  offers such advice online and creates suitable feeding plans. There is also so-called complete BARF , which contains all the important nutrients. You buy it frozen and then defrost it in portions.
Savannah cat: robust health
The breed is currently considered healthy and robust. Breed-specific diseases are not known. However, the breed is still young, so there is not a large database of hereditary diseases. However, the still large gene pool and the inclusion of the serval probably have a positive effect on health.
The only thing to keep in mind when vaccinating is that live vaccines or modified live vaccines are taboo for Savannah cats. Not every vet is an expert in this area. Therefore, before treatment, ask your breeder or an expert which preparations have proven to be compatible with the Savannah.
Little is known about the breed’s life expectancy. Servals can live up to 20 years in captivity and about ten years in the wild.
