Savannah Personality and Temperament
Savannah cats get their exotic appearance from the serval, a small African wildcat with stunning spots, long legs, and massive ears. The domestic cat contributes all the wonderful personality traits that make domestic cats such desirable companions.
If there’s one thing you should know about the Savannah cat, it’s this: These cats are typically have an extreme amount of energy, even when they’re several generations along. They do love to settle in for snuggles but their play drive is incredible, and they are also wonderfully intelligent. This means lots of cat proofing is required. Without it, your Savannah cat will happily explore every cupboard and drawer in your house, probably while removing various items for a thorough inspection.
Most cats will go to great lengths to avoid water, but Savannahs are the opposite. An aquarium soon becomes a coveted fishing spot, a koi pond presents an opportunity for swimming (and fishing), and your faucets quickly become favorite playthings. These cats quickly learn how things works, and when given the chance, will hop up onto countertops to activate a stream of water for splashing. Open toilets are fair game, too.
Savannahs can be quite vocal at times, demanding food or attention as the need arises. Their vocabulary ranges from insistent meows to adorable chirps. The odds are good that if you speak to them, they’ll carry on a conversation with you.
If you’re lucky enough to bring a Savannah cat into your family, prepare for daily adventures, and be ready to offer lots of love and patience as your cat learns. Savannah kittens are quite a handful, and adults retain their need for ample activity throughout their lifetimes. We’d love to say that Savannah cats are fantastic for all families, but the truth is, this big, active cat comes with unique needs. Chat with the breeder or rescue you’re considering to make sure that you’re ready to be a cat parent to a Savannah.
Care
Nutrition
Grooming
Exercise
Health
The closer your Savannah cat is to its serval relative, the wilder their diet needs to be. These cats truly appreciate fresh food—raw diets with proper feline supplementation are often recommended by breeders. Of course, you can also offer a high-quality dry or dehydrated food along with a high-quality wet food. If you do choose a commercial food for your Savannah cat, their diet should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
Savannah cats do a fantastic job of keeping their short coats in tip-top shape, so weekly brushing sessions are usually sufficient. Grooming helps to strengthen the bond between you and your cat, and it’s also a fantastic way to remove excess hair before it has a chance to wind up on your furniture. Grooming short haired cats helps to reduce hairballs, too.
Since Savannahs are such large, active cats, it’s a very good idea to teach them to accept nail trims from a young age. Without sharp tips on their claws, these cats are far less likely to damage your belongings or scratch you by accident.
Periodontal disease is a problem for many cats. For this reason (and to help extend the time between professional cleanings) teach your cat to accept daily teeth brushing using a specially shaped brush and pet-safe toothpaste.
Savannah cats can develop destructive behaviors if they’re allowed to become bored, so companionship, safe toys, and plenty of space are absolute essentials. Teach your cat to walk on a leash and harness if you can. Regular walks provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation, and give these friendly cats even more opportunities to socialize.
Treat your Savanna cat to the biggest, best cat tree you can find and consider building them a catio or a similar safe outdoor/semi-outdoor enclosure where they can really stretch out and express their wild side. Window seats are highly appreciated as are durable scratching posts, puzzle toys, and rugged cat toys.
Because Savannah cats are very tough on their toys, you’ll want to avoid anything that’s easy to break or chew apart. Check your cat’s toys frequently to ensure that there are no broken or worn parts that could be swallowed by mistake.
Savannah cats are generally healthy, however they are at risk of two heritable diseases: progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD). Responsible Savannah cat breeders try to avoid producing kittens with these diseases by performing genetic testing on their breeding adult cats.
Savannahs are also at a slightly more elevated risk of developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) than cats with a completely domestic background. In addition, most male Savannah cats are sterile until they are six generations removed from their full serval ancestor. This is simply something to be aware of. It isn’t a problem for the cat, and it isn’t an issue for those who are looking for a pet Savannah.
History
The first Savannah cat was the result of an accidental breeding between a Siamese queen owned by Judee Frank and a male serval that Frank was watching for another breeder. The kitten, born in 1986, was named Miracle, but soon after, was re-named “Savannah.”
In 1989, Savannah bred with a Turkish Angora cat. She had three F2 kittens; two lived, and one was stillborn. Savannah subsequently changed hands, finding herself with a breeder named Lori Buchko. Two of her kittens from later breedings were sold to Patrick Kelley, who had seen pictures of Savannah in a 1986 copy of the Long Island Ocelot Club newsletter.
Kelley joined forces with an exotic cat breeder named Joyce Scroufe, who wasn’t at first enthusiastic about the concept of the Savannah cat. Soon, though, word of the new hybrid spread and in 1996, a small group of breeders including Kelley and Scroufe wrote and presented the Savannah cat breed standard to The International Cat Association (TICA).
Four years passed before TICA ended a moratorium on new breeds, and in 2001, the Savannah was accepted for registration only. By October of 2001, the breed advanced to exhibition only status, and soon, Savannah cats were impressing judges at TICA cat shows across the United States.
The Canadian Cat Association accepted the Savannah in 2006 and soon, the breed gained recognition and popularity worldwide. TICA granted the breed Championship status in 2012, allowing Savannah cats to compete against other breeds and further expanding popularity.
Did You Know?
Savannah cats aren’t welcome everywhere. Some states forbid ownership of Savannah cats even when they are registered as domestic cats, and some states require Savannah cat owners to obtain permits. Some states only allow Savannahs from F4 or F5 and later generations.
Savannah cats typically get along well with everyone, but the Savannah Cat Association recommends that homes with infants or small children choose generations F3 and later.
F1 Savannah cats have a purebred African serval parent. F2 Savannahs are a generation removed, F3 Savannah cats are two generations removed, and so on. Most pet Savannahs are from generations F3 and later, partly because these cats have highly predictable temperaments.
The Breed Standard
Eyes
Legs & Paws
Tail
Body
Head
Ears
Coat
Color
Where To Find a Savannah Cat or Kitten
You’re not likely to find many Savannah cats languishing in animal shelters, though you could find a Savannah mix, or a cat looks like a Savannah in an animal shelter. Occasionally, local cat rescue groups or even Savannah breeders might have adult Savannahs in need of adoptive homes. You can also try searching for a Savannah cat via Petfinder.
Finding a Savanna kitten is easier, as there are a fair amount of Savannah cat breeders who offer kittens for sale. However, know that purebred Savannah kittens are one of the most expensive cats you can buy—pet-quality Savannah kittens from later generations (F4 and higher) cost on average $1,500 to $3,500, with show-quality kittens from these generations costing as much as $4,000. F1 (first generation) Savannahs are often $10,000 to $18,000.
Before choosing a Savannah breeder, do your research to ensure they are breeding responsibly. This is especially important for a hybrid breed like the Savannah, which includes wildcats in the breeding program. Ethical breeders provide suitable care and living conditions for their adult breeding cats and kittens, as well as any African servals in their care. Before breeding, responsible breeders test their adult Savannahs for genetic diseases known in the breed, including progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD), to reduce the chances of passing on health problems to kittens. A good Savannah breeder also conducts extensive socialization with the kittens from birth until they go to their new homes. To start your search, visit the breeder referral pages of the The International Cat Association and the Savannah Cat Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Savannah cats cost?
The price of Savannah kittens is generally lower for generations that are farther removed from the African serval. The most expensive is an F1 Savannah (first generation), which might cost $10,000 to $18,000. A pet-quality Savannah kitten in the F4 to F7 generations usually costs anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500. Show-quality kittens in these later generations often cost $2,000 to $4,000.
Why are Savannah cats so expensive?
Pedigreed cats like the Savannah are more expensive than non-pedigreed cats because reputable breeders spend a lot of time and money on their breeding programs to ensure their adult breeding cats are healthy, temperamentally sound, and good representations of the breed. They also spend a lot of time and money raising the kittens to get them ready to go to their new homes. Savannah cats in particular are among the most expensive of all purebred cats. This is because Savannah breeding programs involve small a wildcat species called the African serval, which are expensive to purchase, feed, and house.
Are Savannah cats good pets?
Savannah cats are curious, intelligent, friendly, and affectionate. They bond closely with their human family and like respectful kids, though the Savannah Cat Association recommends that Savannahs that will live with young children should be later generation (F3 and higher). This breed is one of the most active and curious breeds, so you must be prepared to provide enough exercise, play, and mental stimulation. Without it, a Savannah will make their own entertainment and can become destructive in the house.
Are Savannah cats cuddly?
All Savannah cats are individuals, and some might enjoy cuddling more than others. In general, Savannahs are known to friendly and affectionate, and they bond closely with family, so cuddles are not unexpected. However, the Savannah’s high activity levels mean that any cuddles might be short-lived.
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So cool since its hard to get one in china
Those prices are low. F3 are in the 3000-4000 range, F2 4000-7500, F1’s up to 15K
Corrected. Thank you, Chris.
I think I have a kitten that is part Savannah. She’s about 6 months old and matches the description to a tee. I’d love to be able to submit a photo to see what you think.
Hey Kimberley, we’re not able to tell you your cat’s breed—formally speaking, a cat cannot be considered a part of any particular breed (or a breed-cross) unless they have the appropriate paperwork and history to back up that claim. TheCatSite has a nice forum where people share photos of their cats and get feedback on what breed they look like and which markings they have, and you might enjoy sharing a photo of your kitten there.