Savannah
Savannah Cat Breed Profile
Weight | 7.7-22 lbs (3.5-10 kg) |
Origin | USA |
Color | Silver, brown, black; multi-colored |
Fur | Short |
Lifespan | 15-20 years |
Personality | Entertaining, curious, loyal, adventurous |
Energy | ![]() |
Playful | ![]() |
Independent | ![]() |
Meowing | ![]() |
Shedding | ![]() |
Breed Characteristics
The Savannah cat, or just Savannah, is a large slim cat with long legs and exotic fur markings. It comes from a cross between a house cat and a serval, an African wild cat. The serval gives the Savannah its unusual spotty coat that looks a little like that of a leopard. So it’s no wonder that the Savannah is one of the most expensive domestic cat breeds.
Personality and Temperament
The Savannah is very curious and intelligent - and known for constantly eating. These cats can even set off alarm clocks, turn on water faucets, open cupboards and doors, turn lights on (or off) and even turn the TV on.
The Savannah is very friendly and sociable. That’s why they get on so wonderfully well with other cats and/or dogs. They’re open and confident with strangers. But that doesn’t mean that the Savannah is a cuddly cat. They’re much too active to want to sit in your lap. But they will give you plenty of affectionate headbutts.
The Savannah isn’t afraid of water at all, and will love splashing around in kiddie pools or bathtubs.
Keeping Them Happy
To make sure this cat doesn’t come up with silly ideas to fill the time (or at least not quite as many), it needs challenging toys. They’ll also have to be pretty robust, otherwise the Savannah will make short work of them.
Like the Bengal, Siamese, Balinese and Burmese, the Savannah is a little like a dog as it can be walked on a leash and be taught to fetch.
The adventurous Savannah loves to climb and jump - the higher the better! When they’re fully grown, they can jump 6.5 feet (2 meters) high from standing still! To make sure they don’t climb on your bookshelves (and throw things off), you’ll need an especially high cat tree.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very active and playful
- Loves to climb and jump
- People-oriented
- Very intelligent
- Learns to walk on a leash
- Easy grooming
- Gets along well with other pets
Cons
- Not a good choice for first-time owners
- One of the largest cat breeds
- Needs a lot of attention
- Needs a lot of exercise
- Needs a lot of toy
Good For Beginners?
Watch out: if you’re thinking of getting your first cat, such a confident, clever and active cat as the Savannah could be much too big a challenge.
Appearance
The Savannah is a large, slim cat with big ears, long legs, a long neck and spotted fur.
History
Savannahs are hybrid cats. Hybrid means something combined, crossed or mixed and comes from the Latin “hybrida” for “mongrel”. This cat breed dates back to 1986, when a normal house cat bred with a wild serval cat.
Fun Facts
The Savannah jumps faster than a normal domestic cat.
Comparable Breeds