Savannah Cats - Frequently Asked Questions by "THE SAVANNAH CAT SHOPPE"

Oct. 20, 2009 - PRLog -- Savannah Cat Frequently Asked Questions

Why are they so expensive?
Savannahs are very difficult to breed. It takes several years and lots of money to purchase and raise a serval with several queens. Out of these queens few will go on to produce litters. Savannahs are very rare thus they are priced accordingly.

How big do they get?

The f1’s usually weigh between 15 to 20 lbs. Each subsequent generation will decrease slightly in size until the third and fourth generation where the size stabilizes. They should still have the long body and long legs making them appear larger than they really are if properly bred.

What’s the difference between a Savannah and a Serval?

A Serval is a 30 to 40 lb. exotic cat originally found in the Savannah Plains of Africa. The Savannah is a hybrid of the serval and a domestic cat and has more domestic qualities than the straight exotic.

What does F1, F2 F3 mean?

The F stands for filial generation meaning it is the sequence of generations following the hybridization of a serval crossed with a domestic. The number is how many generations away from the serval it is.

Do they get along well with other animals?
With proper socialization as they are growing up you will find they will become buddies with all other animals that do not represent food to them naturally

Do they get along with Kids?

The savannahs seem to instinctively take up with kids. As with any animal, care should be taken placing any Savannah in a household with infants or very small children.

Are they destructive?
Cats in general can be destructive depending on how you train them and what you provide for them to scratch on or play with. They love to romp and play. You must provide them with plenty of toys and playmates to prevent destructive behavior.

Can they eat cat food?
Yes, they are considered domestic cats and eat the premium cat foods on the market.

What colors/patterns do Savannahs come in?

Our registry, TICA, recognizes the spotted pattern in the colors brown spotted tabby, silver spotted tabby, black and black smoke (the black and black smoke display the spotting pattern however the spots are not acknowledged in the color). Savannah’s are produced in other colors and some have the classic pattern due to the outcrosses that were used. These non-standard colors and patterns may be registered but not shown.

What is their life span?

Many domestic cats live as long as 15 plus years. Servals have been known to live as long as 20 years.

Do they like water?

Many pure domestic cats find a fascination with water. It is believed it to be the highly active cats that tend to want to play in water thus many of the savannah’s do find pleasure playing in water. The serval loves to play in water so it only comes natural for a savannah to enjoy it too.

Are they ‘trainable’ like a dog?

Savannahs are highly intelligent and can be trained to do many things. They are not as versatile with their tricks as a dog. They can be taught to walk on a leash, sit, lie down, take their mark, and jump through a hoop, fetch, and other simple tricks.
Are males bigger than females?

The male kittens in most litters are generally larger than their female littermates.

Can they be leash trained?

Savannah’s love to walk on a leash and they learn easily.

Should you allow a Savannah to wander freely outside?

Absolutely not, and for several reasons. The danger of being run over is very real for a cat on the street. There is a chance the savannah could wander into a yard and that person may decide to keep it or there could be a dog there that could maul or kill it.

How high can they jump?
They will most likely be able to jump as high as the highest place in your home is. It may take a leap or two but they will get there.

Do any cat breed registries currently recognize the Savannah?
Currently the only international cat registry that accepts the Savannah for registration and show is The International Cat Association (TICA) although SIMBA has a committee that is working on acceptance in two other international registries at this moment.


How do I go about acquiring my kitten?
First....Decide what type of kitten will best suit your family environment. (Do you want a high energy kitten or one that is more laid back?) Decide what your budgetary constraints are. Decide whether you are willing to pick up your kitten in person, or if it will be necessary to have your kitten shipped to you.
Next....call the breeder(s) and determine which breeders have kittens available that meet your requirements (as determined above). 

If the breeder(s) you wish to purchase from do not have kittens available, decide if you are willing to place your name on their waiting list, or if you would rather alter your requirements in order to be able to purchase your kitten sooner.
If you DO decide to place your name on a breeder’s waiting list, and then ultimately purchase from a different breeder, please have the courtesy to notify the first breeder of your decision so that they can remove your name from their list and give your position on their list to the next in line.
Once you determine that your breeder of choice has an available kitten, request a copy of that breeder’s purchase agreement. READ IT CAREFULLY. Ask any questions you may have, and obtain any clarifications that are needed UP FRONT!

When you have agreed upon the terms of purchase, give that breeder a deposit to hold your kitten. (Most breeders will not hold a kitten without a deposit.)

Are there waiting lists? 

These kittens can be high in demand so one may not be available immediately. You may have to go on a waiting list or contact several breeders to find a kitten. Some breeders may require a deposit to go on their wait list.

Why has the savannah been called the ‘Most Desired’ new breed?

Many people dream of sharing their lives with an exotic cat, but due to laws prohibiting them, in addition to very few of us having the proper space and facilities to keep a wild cat, our dreams would go unfulfilled, if it were not for this magnificent breed. The Savannah breed allows us to share our lives with a feline that encompasses the best of both worlds….all the majesty, grace and beauty of the wild cat without the undesirable traits usually associated with owning a full blooded exotic.
Much like other high-energy domestic breeds, the Savannah cat thrives in a home environment. They are intelligent, affectionate, and quite dog-like in their behavior and interaction with members of the family. They are very social animals, by nature, and bond quickly to humans and pets. They are self confident and curious creatures, with a warm and loving personality.
The beauty, grace and intelligence of the Savannah, coupled with their warm, affectionate personality account for the Savannah cat being referred to as “the most desired new breed.”
Lastly, due to the overwhelming popularity of this breed and the limited number of kittens produced annually, it is very important to note that, in general, Savannah Breeders consider their kittens very precious, and many have adopted a screening process to qualify prospective buyers. As it is part of the Breeders responsibility to assure that the kitten you select is well matched to you and your living situation, please do not feel offended if at some part in your search, one or more breeders request a wealth of personal information from you. 

While not all breeders will require this, you should be prepared to submit a written description to your breeder detailing your lifestyle and type of home you can provide, including information regarding your family, age of children, age and type of existing pets, space available for play, time spent away from the home working, etc.           

The Savannah Cat Shoppe – California
www.savannahcatshoppe.com