Energetic | Chic |...and a tad hyper. Savannah cats are the epitome of feline beauty. A mix between a wild African serval and a domestic cat, they’re known for being extremely active floofs and hold the Guinness World Record for the tallest domestic cat. This pairing can make them a bit of a handful so are not ideal for first-time cat owners. Let’s take a closer look at this interesting breed of cat and see if they’re worth the £15k price point.  

SAVANNAH CAT BASICS

Average Lifespan: 15- 20 years

Average Weight: 3.5 - 9kg 

Coat Length: Short 

Colouring: Black, brown spotted tabby, black silver spotted tabby, black smoke

Shedding: Low

THE WILD ANCESTRY OF THE SAVANNAH CAT

Just by looking at these large spotted kitties, you can tell they have some wild DNA in them. Savannah cats were first developed in the 1980s in the States and are a cross between a domestic cat and a wild African serval. Common domestic cats that are used for breeding include the Ocicat, the Egyptian Mau, the Oriental shorthair, the Bengal, and the domestic shorthair. TICA is the only cat fanciers association to recognise the Savannah cat and unfortunately, these cats are ineligible for recognition from the GCCF due to their wild lineage 

Breeding hybrid cats is controversial due to its ethical concerns and isn’t supported by International Cat Care or PDSA vets. First-generation Savannah cats are also illegal to own in the United Kingdom without a licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. Second-generation Savannah cats and beyond are legal to own however remain extremely rare in the UK. This rarity comes with a hefty price tag with some Savannah cats costing upwards of £15000. Just take a look at Justin Bieber’s Savannah cats Tuna and Sushi who cost the singer $35000 USD!

WHAT DOES A SAVANNAH CAT LOOK LIKE?

Ethics aside, Savannah cats are unquestionably gorgeous. They’re bred to look like a wild cat and share many traits with their serval cousins. They’re the tallest domestic cat breed standing at 45cm and can weigh up to 9kg. Even smaller Savannah cats feel heavy due to their long bodies and strong athletic legs. The most popular coat colour is a golden-brown spotted tabby which most closely resembles the African serval, however, there are other colour variations that are just as spectacular. 

WHAT IS THE PURRSONALITY OF THE SAVANNAH CAT?

Owning a Savannah cat isn’t for the faint-hearted. They’re energetic and athletic and need plenty of playtime and exercise throughout the day to tame their wild side. They do well with furmilies with older children and other fur babies to keep them company during the day. Young kids may get overwhelmed by their large size and boundless energy levels. Although Savannah cats can be a tad hyper at times, they’re also loyal and affectionate and form strong bonds with their pawrents, often following them from room to room or peeking their head around the corner, keeping tabs on their pack members at all times.

DO SAVANNAH CATS CUDDLE?

If you’re after a floof that wants to cuddle 24/7, the Savannah cat probably isn’t the one for you. Although they do enjoy cuddles from time to time, they’re far more focused on playing with their pawrents than partaking in extended spooning sessions. 

SAVANNAH CAT FEEDING REQUIREMENTS

As Savannah cats have a varied gene pool they aren’t linked to any hereditary cat diseases. They can also thank their wild serval lineage for their long lifespans, as it’s not uncommon for a Savannah cat to live into their twenties. With this, it’s especially impawtent that pawrents are feeding their Savannah cat nutritionally dense cat food to keep them living long into their old age. 

Domestic cats, just like wild cats, are obligate carnivores and need a diet high in animal meat to keep them healthy and thriving. Look for something with at least 60% high-quality animal meat to provide your Savannah cat with all the nutrients they need to sustain their high energy levels. 

SCRUMBLES, THE PAWFECT FOOD FOR SAVANNAH CATS

When it comes to nourishing your Savannah cat, it's essential to provide them with high-quality nutrition. Scrumbles cat food is a purrfect choice for Savannah cats for several key reasons:

1. Natural Ingredients: We only use natural, high-quality ingredients to provide Savannah cats with all the good stuff without any unnecessary B.S. Our recipes are free from artificial additives, preservatives and other yuckies like added sugar and salt.
2. Packed with Animal Meat: We use up to 77% responsibly sourced human-grade meat or fish in our dry cat food and wet cat food to keep carnivorous Savannah cats full of energy and maintain their beautiful looks. 
3. Digestible Recipes: All of our cat food is designed to be easily digestible, helping to prevent stomach upsets, stinky farts and sloppy poops. We use pre or probiotics for less stinky kitty-litter and avoid red meat which is hard for domestic cats to digest.
4. Tailored Formulas: We offer tailored recipes for all Savannah cats, young and old. 
5. B Corp: We’re the second-ever pet food brand to be certified B-Corp and we take this very seriously. We donate 1% of sales to environmental causes, use eco-friendly packaging and 100% recyclable tins in our wet cat food and are committed to reducing our carbon pawprint.

Since you’re here, you might be interested in:

1. Can cats eat cheese?
2. Domestic Shorthair: Cat breed guide
3. Why does my cat snore?