Cats are increasingly important in our culture and lives. They provide companionship without the neediness of a dog (sometimes) and can live to be over 20 years old. Many homes have more exotic species of felines, like the Savannah cat or Bengal. These cats also have enormous adoption costs and require care different from that of your usual house cat. One big difference is the amount of exercise they need. Let’s look at an F1 Savannah cat and what to expect.
Meet the Savannah Cat
The first Savannah cat was born on April 7, 1986, and soon, the popularity of the cats spread through other households. The creation of the species was an accident when Judee Frank’s Siamese cat became pregnant by the serval that lived next door. Frank did not even know her cat was pregnant. The first Savannah cat’s name was Savannah, and the name was stuck as a breed identifier.
Savannah cats are spectacular-looking spotted cats that are half serval and half domesticated cats. They are very expensive and fairly rare because of it. These cats are much taller and longer than your average housecat. Their necks are very long, giving them a look of elegance. They can be bred with a serval to produce a Savannah cat that looks closer to its wild parent and less like a domesticated cat. Other times, a domesticated cat of any type is bred with a serval.
Appearance:
Gorgeous with black or dark brown spots over a lighter-colored body. Typically, it is tan or light brown, but other variations can happen when the domesticated cat’s fur color is dark or tabby. They have enormous rounded bat-like ears with white ocelli to scare off predators that may believe the black and white on the Savannah cat’s ears to be big eyes.
Savannah cats’ facial markings also make the species look like its wild African parent. They have dark tear stains and winged eyes with cheetah-like markings. They also have very long legs, wide noses, and hooded eyes, like the serval. The body is long and muscular, with the hindquarters slightly higher than the front.
Size:
The height of an average F1 Savannah cat is 17 inches, F2 is 15 inches, F3 is 13.5 inches, and F2, which is the closest to the domesticated cat’s appearance, is 11 inches. The Savannah cat’s length is 20 – 22 inches.
*The tallest cat on record is an F2 Savannah cat measuring 19 inches tall!
Weight:
12 – 20 pounds, though some have seen these cats weigh as much as 40 pounds. Clearly, this was not a healthy weight, and they were likely severely obese, which is cruel and can seriously affect their health. Exercise is a must for these cats. If they do not get it, they will become destructive, overweight, and depressed.
Lifespan and Temperament:
These cats can live 12 – 20+ years. They are loyal and playful, similar to a dog, more so than a cat. They aren’t all lap cats but are affectionate. They love to play with their toys and may play alone for hours. These are cats that can growl and hiss at new people, so it is absolutely crucial to socialize them as much as possible around safe people as soon as you get the kitten settled into its new home. They enjoy going for walks in the park, and most of them love water. This might be the perfect beach strolling buddy.
Health Issues:
As with all cats, having them regularly checked for issues is essential. They should be on flea medicine and up to date on vaccinations. The one genetic disease the cats are prone to inheriting is Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency. Pyruvate Kinase is an enzyme in red blood cells that helps cats have energy. Cats with the disease have short-living red blood cells, leading to them becoming anemic. If the anemia is severe enough, it can kill the cat. A test from the breeder can check for this disease.
Energy Level:
Very high, and exercise is crucial to keeping these cats from being destructive when bored. It is equally important to socialize these cats in positive environments when they are still kittens. People who do not put much work into these wild-like cats will have a relationship with them in which they both suffer. Think of what it’s like having an Angolian Shepherd; that’s what having a Savannah cat is like. Sometimes neurotic, always giggle-worthy, and someone who loves to play and explore.
An outdoor catio-style enclosure is recommended to let your cat get some fresh air. Savannah cats cannot be outdoor cats, but they do enjoy running on a cat wheel or going for leash walks. They love playing with toys and will play for hours by themselves. Savannah cats also love a good game of fetch.
Behavior Issues:
Some male Savannah cats can be aggressive and territorial. They may spray inside your home, and once they’ve done so, they will be able to smell the area and remark as they see fit. They can also have a difficult time learning to use the litterbox. Remember, there aren’t any litterboxes in the wild. Some who have not socialized their cats enough can be bitten, hissed at, attacked, or have their furniture and items destroyed.
What’s an F1 Savannah Cat?
An F1 Savannah cat is the closest to a serval the hybrid gets. This means it will look and probably act like a wild serval. The cat will be around 17 inches tall, have a long elegant neck, and long legs, with the rear legs slightly longer than the front. F1 stands for the cat’s size and how closely related to a serval it is. These cats are typically a mixture of a Savannah cat and a serval.
The other types of Savannah cats are shorter and may or may not be bred with a domestic cat. All Savannah cats that look like servals are mostly servals since their Savannah cat’s mother or father is half-serval. This creates a cat that is 3/4 serval, which means you will need to spend a good amount of time training, bonding with, and socializing the kitten.
Adopting a Savannah kitten is not for everyone. It is important to remember that these are at least half wild animals from Africa, so the chances of them “hunting” any small pets in the household are very good. These highly intelligent cats are an excellent addition to the right family. Do plenty of research on the best breeders closest to you, and always read any reviews. Not all Savannah breeders are created equal.
