Intelligent, loyal and full of energy, Savannah cats are like mini-cheetahs in more than just appearance. This large and distinctive breed is best recognised by its spotted coat, pointed ears, powerful build and expressive tail. They are closely descended from the wild Serval and depending on their genetics, some Savannah cats may still be classed as a wild or exotic animal, so it’s very important to do further research before choosing this breed.
Facts & advice
Savannah
An intelligent and cheetah-like cat with a controversial history
Vital stats
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| Size: | Large |
| Coat: | Short-haired |
| Life span: | 12 – 15 years |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, energetic, loyal |
Savannah personality & temperament
A Savannah cat’s personality can be hard to predict and genetics are to be considered when determining their temperament and unique needs. Your Savannah cat can be lively and energetic, or they can be gentler and calmer.
Savannah cats are a crossbreed between a domestic cat and the wild Serval. Based on their parentage, they are labelled as F1, F2, F3, and so on. An F1 Savannah cat is the wildest of the breed, with a Serval as one of its parents.
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| Savannah Cat Filial Number | Serval Ancestry | What to know |
| F1 | First generation Serval cat | This cat is considered an exotic animal in the UK, having a Serval parent, usually the father, and one domestic cat parent. A licence to own an F1 Savannah cat is needed in the UK. |
| F2 | Second generation Serval cat | Has one Serval grandparent. |
| F3 | Third generation Serval cat | Has a Serval great-grandparent but is mostly bred from domestic cats. |
- Savannah cats with higher ‘F’ numbers are generally smaller, more relaxed and docile – although they are still much more playful and adventurous than other domestic breeds and you should carefully consider whether you have the space and energy to care for such a boisterous pet.
- If you’re looking for a lap cat, the Savannah cat is not for you. They’re energetic, daring and they’ll keep you on your toes. They love to jump and you may find yours on the top of doors, springing from the top of the stairs, and leaping onto your kitchen cabinets.
- Savannah cats are incredibly loyal to their family. They’re affectionate and love attention, you may even find them wanting to sleep in your bed or following you around the house, like a second shadow.
- Those with a genetically more relaxed temperament can make great family pets. With the right socialisation at an early age, they love to be around people and other pets and are devoted to everyone in the home.
- You should only take on a Savannah cat if you can spend lots of time with them as they don’t do well on their own and need constant stimulation from their owners, toys or other activities.
Savannah food & diet
Because of their rarity in the UK there are some inconsistencies regarding advice on what to feed Savannah cats. It’s best to develop a good relationship with your vet and to discuss their nutrition with them.
- Considering that F3 Savannah cats’ genetics are mostly domestic, some owners are happy to feed their pet domestic cat food. In this case it’s best to give them high-quality, high-protein ‘wet’ food.
- Savannah cats do not need meats with high fat content or foods with grains or carbohydrates. These can lead to poor nutrition in your cat and longer-term health problems.
- Adolescent and adult Savannah cats are large. They’re tall, around 17 inches (43cms), muscular and they can weigh up to 25lbs (over 11kgs). The Guinness Book of World Records has recognised a Savannah cat as the world’s tallest domestic cat. So, it’s important to remember that they can have a big appetite and ask for lots of food. However, because they are so active, obesity is less of an issue than with other large breeds such as the Ragamuffin or Maine Coon.
Savannah grooming & coat care
Savannah cats do not need much support in grooming and coat management. But they do need some dedicated attention from you.
- Despite their low-shedding, low-maintenance coat, you may want consider weekly grooming sessions, to get your Savannah cat accustomed and to keep their coat healthy.
- Introduce grooming, nail clipping and tooth brushing when your Savannah cat is a kitten so they’re used to it before they’re fully grown.
- Savannah cats are not entirely hypoallergenic, but they are often considered to be allergy-friendly because they are short-haired and don’t shed much. As with any cat, they do still shed dander, so it’s a good idea to spend time with a cat before you bring them home to see how you react.
- The Savannah cat has a distinctive coat which resembles that of a cheetah. There are four colour options which include:
- Black, with spots which are only visible close up and on their belly
- Brown-spotted, a biscuit-coloured coat with dark brown spots
- Silver-spotted, a pale grey coloured coat with black spots and,
- Black smoke, the rarest of all - a paler undercoat and hairs with black tips, giving them the appearance of being covered in smoke. They still have spots too!
Savannah training & behaviour
Savannah cats can easily be trained, and it’s a great way for them to use up their energy. They can be boisterous and get bored easily.
- Savannah cats are extremely intelligent. It’s generally easy to train them to use a litter tray, and with patience, skill and dedication, you can train them to walk on a lead, play fetch and even jump on command.
- It’s best to start training your Savannah cat when they are still a kitten – using positive reinforcement techniques.
- Savannah cats and their curiosity can get them into trouble! They’re able to open doors on their own, get into cabinets, and they even love getting into showers and bathtubs. It’s best to keep your Savannah cat occupied with lots of interactive toys and fun games to burn off their energy.
- One of the most distinctive Savannah cat traits is their super-jump. From their wildcat ancestry, the this breed has retained the ability to spring up to 8 feet (2.4 m) from a stationary position. A range of cat trees and scratching posts of different sizes around your home will keep your pet occupied safely.
- Savannah cats are affectionate and love attention. They’re happiest spending time with people and they don’t do well in isolation.
- A bored Savannah cat can be destructive, and knowing their F number (F2, F3, F4) indicates how much of their genetic make-up is wildcat. The higher the number, the further back in their ancestry is the wild cat, and, in theory, the more relaxed their temperament will be.
- Your Savannah cat may want to go outside to explore but they should never be outside unsupervised. If you can, create a safe outside space or ‘catio’ with branches, cat trees and lots of toys to keep them entertained. If they are unsupervised, they could be at risk of theft due to their beautiful markings and financial cost.
- Savannah’s are also a risk to native UK wildlife as their jumping ability is unlike any other domestic cat and their wild ancestry gives them a high prey drive.
Common Savannah health conditions
As a cat owner you will want what’s best for your pet’s health so they can live a long, happy life. Like all breeds, Savannahs are prone to certain health conditions. To help you be more aware and prepared for these potential ailments if they should arise, we have put together information on the health issues that we see the most in Savannahs.
Like all cats, the Savannah can suffer from eye problems such as glaucoma (caused by increased pressure inside the eyeball); cataracts (opacity of the lens); entropion (inward rolling of the eyelids); retinal problems; or conjunctivitis (inflammation of the insides of a cat’s eyelids). Of these, Savannahs are most prone to conjunctivitis, which has various causes including infections, scratches to or something within the eye’s surface, a lack of tear production, allergies, or entropion. Treatment of each eye condition depends on the type and severity of the problem, although many are treated using eyedrops.
Savannahs, like other cats, can suffer from a number of infectious diseases. These include viruses (like feline leukaemia virus, FIV or cat flu), bacteria (which cause abscesses) or other less-common infections like toxoplasmosis and chlamydia (which cause brain and eye diseases). FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) is a condition which starts with the common signs of infection but can become more serious. Depending on the infection, antibiotics may be used as a treatment. Whilst feline leukaemia and cat flu can be vaccinated against, unfortunately there is no vaccine against FIP and FIV both of which are aggressive viral infections that eventually prove fatal.
The Savannah, like all cats, can suffer from problems affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is a long, winding tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus, with various twists and turns along the way. Conditions such as gastroenteritis caused by infections (like feline enteritis), poisoning or an obstruction within the bowel (due to the cat eating string for example) commonly cause vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Savannahs can be prone to giardia, a parasite which is found in the small intestine. They become infected with giardia from other cats or by drinking water containing the parasite. Treatment for giardia is given via a combination of medicines. For other gastrointestinal disorders, treatment depends on the exact cause, but prompt intervention usually results in full recovery.
Conditions that affect a cat’s bladder and urethra are collectively known as feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which is more commonly referred to as cystitis. Savannahs can suffer from these conditions, which can be caused by stress, not urinating enough, infections and bladder stones or crystals. Cats suffering from cystitis make frequent, painful attempts to urinate, and blood is often found in the urine. Treatment depends on the cause, but cats diagnosed with cystitis will usually require pain relief, access to plenty of water, special diets and perhaps some help to reduce stress.
Cats’ kidneys are responsible for filtering the waste products from their blood into their urine. Savannahs may be affected by kidney disease caused by infections, blockages, tumours or toxins (especially licking anti-freeze) as well as age related changes. Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidney function deteriorates gradually over a period of time. Treatment depends on the cause and the extent of damage, but usually begins by flushing the kidneys using intravenous fluids, followed by special diets and medications. Unfortunately kidney disease is irreversible, but with the right support many cats can enjoy a reasonably normal life.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Savannah cat
Savannah cats make great family pets for people who love high-energy pets. But there is a lot to think about before choosing a Savannah cat.
- Ask the breeder about the ancestry of your Savannah cat before making your decision. It’s illegal to own or import an F1 (first generation) Savannah cat without a licence and registration with your local council. Only Savannah cats of F2 or above are eligible for pet insurance.
- Choosing a Savannah cat is a big commitment, and this is not a breed for first time owners. Even if you’ve had a cat before, getting advice from experts is a good idea so you are prepared.
- Savannah cats are susceptible to eye conditions, infectious diseases, gastrointestinal tract disorders, cystitis, kidney disease. Additionally, there are common illnesses which affect all cats.
Savannah frequently asked questions
The Savannah cat is bred from the domestic cat and the African wild cat called the Serval.
Savannah cats were first bred in the 1990s, so they are a new breed.
Due to their intelligence and energy, Savannah cats can be trained using positive reinforcement techniques to walk on a lead and play fetch.
Savannah cats’ temperament depends on their genetic make-up. The further back in their ancestry the Serval cat appears, the more docile the Savannah cats’ nature will be.
Savannah insurance considerations
Savannah cats sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may require treatment. Petplan cat insurance offers peace of mind that they will always be protected.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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