The Savannah Cat

The Savannah cat is the result of crossing a domestic cat with a serval, which is a wild species of cat from Africa. The hybrid was first attempted in the late 1980's when a breeder successfully mated a serval with a domestic Siamese cat. Savannahs are classified by how many generations they are removed from the wild serval. An F1 is the offspring of a direct mating of a serval and a domestic cat. There are F2, F3, F4 etc. generations, depending on what percentage of the kitten is serval. Since these are hybrids there are sterility problems and the basic issues that present themselves when breeding different species. All Savannahs have a percentage of wild serval in them, but the generation that they are will dictate many variations in size, coloring and temperament. In addition, these cats can be  very, very expensive, with some F1's costing many thousands of dollars.

 Cool Cat Facts...
The Savannah cat is not an actual breed, it is a hybrid -
the result of cross-breeding between two different species- domestic cats and African servals.                                                                      

Is A Savannah Cat Right For You?

The Savannah cat is not recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), the world's largest cat organization. They are recognized by the TICA, another large organization and are one of the most popular "exotic" cats. These cats are usually very large and retain a wild look that is very attractive. They have very long legs, and depending on the generation, can have very large ears as well. The Savannah can make a nice pet in the right environment, but requires lots of stimulation and, ideally, room to roam. If left alone for long periods they may become destructive, and with their size, strength, and leaping abilities its tough to keep them off of or out of places. A secure cat pen outdoors would be greatly appreciated by this active cat. Savannahs can have a very dog-like personality and enjoy learning tricks, playing fetch and  walking on a leash. Shedding may be high and regular grooming is desired. These are graceful, very large-sized cats that have few breed-related health issues, although medications and anesthesia should be administered sparingly due to the tendency of the liver to be smaller than a domestic cat. Some breeders recommend a special diet for these cats as well. Because they are a very active animal, and a domestic/wild hybrid, the Savannah may not be suitable for a family with children or additional pets.

Savannah Cat Breed Standards

Head Shape: The head is a broad, modified wedge shape, with rounded contours, triangular when viewed from the front and with a small chin. The head is slightly small for the body size. Ears vary depending upon generation, large with rounded tips. Eye spots on the backs of the ears are highly desirable. The eyes are almond shaped, large, gold, green or orange in color.
Body and Tail: Large size body, well muscled, powerfully built, and longer than tall. Legs are long  Feet should be medium size and oval shaped with long toes. Five toes in front and four in back. The tail should be 3/4 of the body length. Not whip-like.
Coat: Short in length. Dense and soft.
Pattern: Wild pattern, tabby or tiger of different shades of brown and grey, clearly spotted is very desirable.
Overall Appearance: This should be a hard-bodied and muscular cat with a long, powerful torso, and good bone.  Wild looking, large, exotic.

Inside Cat or Outside Cat?

Wondering if you should allow your cat to go outside unsupervised? Well there are definitely some pure breeds that should never be outside cats. Hairless breeds like the Sphynx are extremely vulnerable and should always be supervised outdoors. Docile breeds like the Burmese may not be able to defend themselves. All cats allowed outdoors are exposed to diseases and parasites that they would not otherwise encounter. Fred Flintstone put his saber-tooth out every night, but the cat jumped right back in the window - and he was a saber-tooth! Still, most of us feel a little envy when we see our domestic companion out on some high perch, sniffing the breeze of liberty, and there is no doubt that cats love their freedom. So what do YOU think ....Inside Cat or Outside Cat? Comment Here...

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