Just a few facts about the SAVANNAH Cat:

The Savannah is a hybrid domestic cat breed.  It’s a cross between the wild serval and a domestic cat.  Like all cats, they should be indoor only.  They are a large breed and need a lot of exercise, and you should have lots of room and provide them with lots of interaction and challenges.  If you do want them to “experience” the outdoors, make sure you have a solidly-built enclosure so that there is no way for them to escape!

History:

Bengal breeder Judee Frank crossbred a male Serval with a domestic cat, producing the first Savannah cat in 1986.  Thus led to the establishment of a new ‘domestic’ breed based on that Serval/domestic cat cross, which led in 1996 to the accepted breed standard for Savannahs, as presented to the board of The  International Cat Association (TICA).  The breed was accepted by TICA in 2001.

Savannahs are one of the larger domestic breeds, being tall and slim built,  the early generations weigh in around 20-30 lbs.  (Later generations range from between 12-20 lbs.)  But genetics led to random factoring so there can be significant size variations, even within a litter.

Their coats depend on the domestic breed used in the cross, but they usually have some form of dark spotting on a lighter coat, while some breeders prefer the wilder-looking spotted breeds (such as the Bengal, Egyptian Mau) as the domestic out-crosses to preserve the markings.  The breed standard calls for brown spotted tabby, silver spotted tabby, black and black smoke only, however, and out-crosses accepted by TICA include: Begal, Ocicat, Egyptian Mau, Maine Coon, and several others.   Something to remember:  Being a hybridized-breed, their appearance may vary much more than most cat owners are used to.

Temperament:

Many compare Savannahs to dogs in terms of their loyalty.  They are known to follow their owners around the house everywhere, can be trained to walk on a leash (which many cats can be), and to fetch.  Like most cats, Savannahs will greet you with a head-butt or an unexpected pounce.   They can be social and friendly with new people and other cats and dogs, but may also run and hide, or revert to hissing and growling at unfamiliar people and animals.  Early exposure to lots of people and pets is the key to socializing your Savannah kitten – as with any cat or dog.

They are intelligent, inquisitive, get into everything (learning to open doors), are noted for their jumping ability (onto top of doors, high cabinets, refrigerators, over fences…) and can jump over 8 feet from a standing position.  If you are even considering owning a Savannah, know that you will have to take special precautions to ensure their safety – and to prevent them from getting into everything!  They love water and will play in it totally immersed – and will even play with their water bowls until empty!

Vocally, they can chirp like the wild Servals, can meow like their domestic parent, do both, or a mixture.  Their ‘hiss’ is more like that of a snake hiss and may be alarming to humans who hear it for the first time.  The early generations (such as F1 or F2) may also exhibit more aggressive behaviors, but these can also be found in later generations (F3 and lower), but may diminish as the Savannah is socialized.

Health and Well-Being:

Generally, the Savannah is a fairly healthy breed, being a hybrid.  However, you must find a veterinarian who knows how to treat the Savannah.  Care is advised in prescribing medications (lower doses may be required); blood values may vary; may not respond well to anesthesia contain Ketamine; many believe modified live vaccines should not be used, only killed virus vaccines.  They usually have no known special food requirements but many recommend a very high quality diet of no grains or by-products – including partial or complete raw feeding of high protein. They require calcium and other supplements, especially while growing.  However, the Savannah’s diet is not without controversy, so it is best to seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian or exotic cat specialist before feeding.

Ownership Laws:

Laws governing ownership of Savannah cats and other wild/domesticated hybrid crosses, and wildlife vary by state.  They are illegal in New York State, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Georgia,  and others – and also specifically they are illegal in New York City.  Check your state laws before even thinking about adopting any hybrids.