Savannah cats are the tallest domestic cats that have been developed from the African serval. The good news is that these cheetah-like beauties do not require any special care.
How you will take care of your Savannah cat will depend on its generation. The first and second generations are ‘wilder’ and might have to be fed only raw meat, while the rest of the generations can be taken care of as you would of a regular domestic cat.
Are Savannah Cats Hard to Care For?
It is not hard to take care of a Savannah cat. In fact, they might need less maintenance when it comes to coat brushing, for example, than a lot of other cat breeds.
Here are a few things that you should bear in mind:
- You would have to brush your Savannah weekly
- Trim the nails and brush the cat’s teeth as often as needed
- Teach your cat to not open cupboards, get into certain rooms, and scratch the furniture (you have to start the training while the cat is still a kitten)
- Make sure to socialize your Savannah from a young age
- Provide the cat with a high-quality tree (they can jump up to 11 feet high)
Read: Bengal vs Savannah Cats: Everything You Should Know
Do Savannah Cats Need Special Care?
Your Savannah cat is going to require special care if it is an F1 or F2 cat. Low F numbers require a lot more exercise and stimulation as they are wilder.
Another thing that you would have to consider, is the kitty’s diet. An F4 or F5 would be happy to eat regular cat food, while the wilder Savannahs might need raw meat.
What Do I Need to Know About Getting a Savannah Cat?
- Savannahs are hybrid cats that are bred from a domestic cat and an African serval
- It is illegal to own this animal in some states
- There are several classifications for Savannah cats (F1, F2, F3, and so on)
- Savannahs are big cats (they are usually between 11 and 30 lbs)
- They are highly intelligent and are more in tune with their surroundings than other cat breeds
- The kittens tend to gravitate toward dogs
- They can jump up to 11 feet in the air
Read: Do Cats and Rabbits Get Along?
Are Savannah Cats Dangerous?
Even though some Savannahs have a high percentage of ‘wild’ blood in them, they are not considered to be dangerous to humans.
However, do bear in mind that especially F1 Savannah cats retain strong hunting instincts (they may pose a danger to smaller creatures).
How Much Attention Does a Savannah Cat Need?
Savannah cats are, in general, more active than regular domestic cats and they require plenty of attention. The kitty will easily get bored if there is nothing to do.
What Is the Lifespan of a Savannah Cat?
On average, Savannahs live between 12 and 15 years, if they have been taken care of properly. However, there have been cases, when these cats lived up to 20 years.
Are Savannah Cats Noisy?
Savannahs are very vocal, and they don’t just meow, they can also chirp like their wild ancestor – the African serval. This is the sound that the cat will make when it sees something that it cannot reach.
Fact: earlier Savannah generations tend to be the loudest.
Read: Do Indoor Cats Sleep At Night?
Is Savannah Cats Good for Families?
These cats are a good choice for families with older children and cat-friendly dogs. If Savannahs have been properly raised with humans from an early age, then they will be friendly with children of all ages.
A Savannah cat is a high-energy animal that requires plenty of attention, so it is not quite suitable for a household where the owners spend more time outside than at home.
What States Ban Savannah Cats?
The majority of states allow fourth-generation and later Savannah cats. But there are some places where it is illegal to own such a breed:
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Nebraska
- NY City
- Rhode Island
- Texas (not allowed in most counties)
Do Savannah Cats Shed a Lot?
Savannahs are a low-shedding breed. This means that they require less grooming than most cat breeds.
Your Savannah cat might need a bit more attention when it will be growing and shedding its winter coat but all in all, you should not experience any trouble as long as you manage to brush the cat on a regular basis.
Read: Why Do Cats Stare at You While You Sleep?
What Does F5 Mean for a Savannah Cat?
The number after the ‘F’ indicates the cat’s generation. For example, F1 means that the cat has a wild mother or father, F2 – a wild grandmother or grandfather, and so on.
F5 is the fifth generation Savannah cat. These are domesticated creatures that are smaller than the previous generations.
They also have a sweet personality and like to be petted. This generation is more likely to enjoy being a lap cat.
What Is It Like Owning a Savannah Cat?
Savannahs have a unique temperament, and, in a lot of ways, they are almost dog-like. These cats like water, can be walked on a leash, and they have a habit of following their owners around the house.
A Savannah cat is also fiercely loyal and it becomes strongly attached to its owners.
Do Savannah Cats Protect Their Owners?
A Savannah cat won’t exactly protect you as a guard dog, but this breed might become extra cautious around strangers.
Do Savannah Cats Make Good House Pets?
A Savannah cat can make an amazing addition to your family. They are loyal, playful, and loving animals that can become friends will children and even other animals.
They do have a lot of energy though, so if you don’t want your house to turn into a disaster, you should train the cat and provide it with a lot of toys to play with (including special cat trees).
Read: Do Cats Care If You Cry?
Can Savannah Cats Be Left Alone?
You can leave your Savannah alone for a short period of time (up to 24 hours), but anything longer is not recommended.
These cats can become destructive when left alone (due to boredom) and they can get very lonely.
Do Savannah Cats Like to Be Held?
Savannahs enjoy showing affection towards those who they love. The later generations can even become lap cats, so holding and cuddling should not bring the pet any discomfort.
Do Savannah Cats Use Litter Boxes?
Savannahs do use litter boxes. They are one of the breeds that will happily use even a high-sided box as they are amazing jumpers.
Are Savannah Cats Easy to Train?
These cats are quite trainable as they are incredibly intelligent and focused, but you should be willing to invest the time in training the beautiful kitties.
Are Savannah Cats Worth It?
Get ready to spend around $75-$95 on your gorgeous kitty every month. This will, of course, depend on how much love you are ready to show the cat.
There is food made especially for Savannahs and those might cost you a small fortune. Moreover, you would have to invest in toys and a high-quality cat tree.
How Much Is a Savannah Cat?
The F1 Savannah cat is the most expensive one. A female can cost up to $20,000.The price of an F4 kitten usually ranges between $1,000 and $2,500.