All About Savannah Cats
- angeliquedeville
- Sep 1
- 5 min read
Savannah cats are unlike any other feline companion. Born from a cross between a domestic cat and an African serval, they embody the wild elegance of their ancestors while offering the loyalty and intelligence of a household pet. From their striking spotted coats and long, graceful legs to their dog-like personalities, Savannahs captivate everyone who meets them.
But with their beauty comes a unique set of needs and challenges that every potential or current owner must understand. Savannah cats are not your typical lap cats; they are highly intelligent, require ample stimulation, and thrive in environments that honor both their domestic and wild roots.
The first recorded Savannah cat was born on April 7, 1986, when breeder Judy Frank successfully paired a male African Serval with a Siamese cat. The hybrid kitten was named Savannah, which became the namesake for the entire breed.
In 2001, The International Cat Association (TICA) officially accepted the Savannah cat as a registered breed, making it one of the newest and most exotic additions to the domestic cat world.
However, not all Savannah cats are the same. One of the most unique aspects of the breed is its generation classification, which reflects how close a particular cat is to its African Serval ancestor. These classifications, F1 - F7, help caretakers understand a Savannah cat’s size, personality, and care needs. The “F” stands for filial, which measures how many generations a cat is removed from its wild Serval parent.
Savannah cats are wildly intelligent and curious, often compared to dogs for their ability to learn tricks, walk on a leash, and even play fetch. Their sharp minds make them natural problem solvers, but this also means they can quickly figure out how to open doors, cabinets, and even windows if left unchecked.
These cats thrive on activity and need plenty of room to run, jump, and climb. Savannahs are known for their incredible leaping ability, sometimes reaching heights of over 8 feet during play and while exploring their surroundings. These cats are the opposite of couch potatoes and need a household that honors and respects their natural instincts and athletic ability.
While deeply bonded to their humans, Savannah cats tend to express affection on their own terms. They are social and enjoy interacting with other pets when properly introduced. They often prefer living with another active cat or dog companion.
Known for their distinctive vocalizations, Savannah chirp, hiss, and meow in ways that sound almost wild. They communicate through body language, which can consist of tail flicks, ear rotations, and pounces.
Savannahs are highly sensitive to their environment and the emotions of their owners. Changes in routine, new people, or a lack of attention can lead to stress behaviors. Consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement help them feel secure and loved. They are not suited for homes where they are not left alone all day.
Savannah cats thrive in environments that challenge their minds and bodies. Their wild heritage makes them more active and more intelligent than most domestic breeds. This means that standard cat care is not enough to keep them happy and healthy. These cats benefit from high protein, grain free diet similar to what their serval ancestors would eat in the wild. Many caretakers opt for raw diets of chicken, fish and whole prey. Premium wet food is not optimal but may be ok for higher generations (F3-F7). Make sure you find a reputable supplier for whole prey items. I recommend Day old chicks from Layne Labs https://www.laynelabs.com/product/1-day-frozen-chicks/ You will have to experiment with different items to find which one your cat enjoys the most.
It is so important, especially during the first couple years when the cat is in an extreme growth phase, that you make sure there is the correct balance of vitamins and minerals. Because these cats are tall and athletic, they need extra supplementation to ensure strong bones and optimal health. Otherwise, they are susceptible to bone fractures and metabolic bone disease. Unfortunately, these types of issues can lead to devastating outcomes for the animal. The good news is that with small preventative measures, it is easily avoidable.
When feeding raw diet, make sure you are offering 'bone in' (chicken wings, drumsticks, etc). They need the extra calcium and it also has dental benefits. The best practice is to add a high quality vitamin / mineral supplement to the raw 'bone in' meat source. I also recommend adding calcium supplement. My favorites are https://www.platinumperformance.com/platinum-performance-feline/FPLAG.html
Many cats also benefit from a source of leafy vegetable, such as spinach. While cats are not considered omnivores, this does aid with digestion by adding a source of fiber. It is also very important to have fresh water available at all times. Most cats will prefer to drink from a running water source as opposed to a bowl of water. There are many great affordable options for pet fountains found on Amazon and other sites. I have included my favorite below (Amazon Dooob Ceramic Water Fountain)
Savannahs must have daily high energy play sessions in order to stay physically fit and mentally stimulated. Interactive toys, laser pointers, feather wands, and fetch games are favorites. Toys should be switched out weekly to prevent boredom. Climbing structures and tall cat trees are essential to satisfy their natural instinct to jump. Without mental challenges, Savannahs can become bored and destructive. Many owners choose to build outdoor enclosures for them to explore safely. The more serval blood they have, the more likely they will need an outdoor enclosure to meet their needs.
Leash training is a fantastic way to bond with your Savannah cat and give them the opportunity to explore the outdoors safely. It is important to start slowly and with a harness that secures the cat. They are highly flexible and great escape artists. A dog harness will always be best, but check for fit. I recommend Chai's Choice Outdoor Quick Release Adventure Harness https://chaischoice.com/collections/dog-harnesses Leash training may seem like a daunting task, but as long as you go about it slowly and safely, you can establish a routine and understand the cat’s inclinations. The first step is to get them accustomed to wearing the harness. Start inside the home and make sure you lavish them with treats, praise, lots of love and playtime so they will associate the harness with a positive experience.
Go slow and make it fun!
If you plan to take your cat on outdoor adventures, I also recommend purchasing a tracking collar or other device. Fi collars https://tryfi.com/collar are my favorite for the lower generations (as they are quite big). Tractive https://tractive.com/en/pd/gps-tracker-cat also makes one. At the very least, get an Air Tag https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-airtag/airtag/4-pack that can be attached to their collar, but keep in mind that these don’t always work in rural or remote areas.
Comments