The World's Tallest Domestic Cat: Unveiling the Savannah
What is a Savannah Cat?
Savannah cats are a mix between an Exotic African Serval and a domesticated house cat. Savannahs are known for their tall, slender bodies and big ears. Savannahs are a younger breed that originated in the late 1980s. As the breed increases, more breeders across the world are successfully marrying a Serval to a domestic.
Savannah cats, unlike other hybrid breeds, are classified based on how much of each breed they include. We have refined our breeding procedure to an exact science to ensure that everyone receives the ideal companion for their family. We have all of the Savannah Kittens, from F1 to F6. Breeding a domestic home cat with a gorgeous exotic animal like the African Serval requires caution, care, a lot of effort, and a lot of love. Here as A1 Savannahs, we breed Savannah kittens from the heart. Our unwavering love for the breed has helped us build the breed that many people have come to adore. Our gorgeous Savannah kittens are heartbreakingly beautiful and highly intelligent.
Savannah cats are the ideal family pet. The Savannah kitten is a breed that combines the excitement and commitment of a new puppy with the independence and knowledge of the best domestic house cat.
Different Generations
There are numerous number and letter options for classifying the various savannah cats, however to keep things simple, we identify the generations using the (F). All Foundation Savannahs are identified with a F and a number that indicates how many generations they are descended from their Serval ancestor. This, however, is not how TICA will recognise the breed. An F1 kitten would be the first generation descended from the African Serval. An F2 would be the second generation descended from the African Serval, and so on. The percentages are merely an estimate. If more Savannah x Savannah mating has happened rather than outcrosses of a different breed, then
The percentages will be higher.
F1 ~57% Serval: one parent will be a serval.
F2 ~35% Serval – one grandparent will be a serval.
F3 ~21% Serval - one great-grandparent will be a serval.
F4 ~16% Serval - One great great grandparent will be a serval.
F5 ~11% Serval - one great-great-grandparent will be a serval.
What is the SBT Savannah?
The history of the SBT Savannahs begins at A1 Savannahs. SBT stands for Stud Book Traditional. An SBT is bred down from the Serval, but it is at least four generations removed. While many Savannahs F1-5 are diluted with domestic house cat blood. The SBT Savannah is a "pure" Savannah with solely Savannahs as parents for at least three generations.
An SBT Savannah is similar in size and look to an F4 or F5 Savannah, but it has significant advantages. SBT Savannahs are more constant in their characteristics. Personality, stature, and temperament are more predictable. An SBT Savannah is an excellent choice for a family with multiple pets and young children.
Why are Savannah Cats so expensive?
Higher percentage Savannahs are extremely difficult to breed. It takes many years and a lot of luck to breed a Serval with a domestic cat. Only a few breeders globally have been successful, but as the breed increases, we are witnessing an increase.
Servals are 100% wild cats with unique requirements for caging, food, and health care. Caring for pure Servals and breeding them with domestic cats is expensive, time-consuming, and difficult, but also gratifying.
The Savannahs' high price is due to the difficulties of breeding them successfully.
Savannah cats are more than simply pets. It's a member of your family, bred to satisfy the needs of those seeking a truly unique family member for the next decade or two. Savannah cats are carefully and lovingly bred to be healthy, intelligent, and visually appealing. This selective breeding requires hard labor, a strong commitment to each cat's health, and a thorough understanding of cat genetics. Here's all you need to know about Savannah cat pricing, including why cats closer to their wild relatives are more expensive.
Understanding Filial Generations
Pricing for Savannah cats is directly tied to filial generation. This number, preceded by an F, indicates how closely linked a Savannah cat is to its serval progenitors. The number indicates how many generations separate a cat from its serval cousin. So F1 is a serval cat's offspring, F2 is its grandchild, and so on.
Cats that are closely related to serval cats are more pricey. The reason for this is straightforward: serval cats are precious, and reproducing them may be costly and difficult.
Filial Generations and Pricing
Savannah cats are rarer because they are more closely related to serval cats. F5, F6, and F7 cats are becoming more common as the breed grows in popularity. They also look more like domesticated cats than servals. Because they are increasingly prevalent, individuals are less ready to pay a higher price. More importantly, they are easy to produce and require less experience than breeding an F1, F2, or F3 cat.
At A1 Savannah, we meticulously breed all of our cats for health and temperament. So, regardless of which cat you choose, you can expect to have a high-quality pet that you will adore and cherish. We can work with your budget to find the ideal cat and price range for you.
Other Factors That Affect Price
Higher filial (F1-F3) generations are typically more expensive, however this is not the only determining factor. Certain color combinations are more appealing than others. Certain genetic pairings may also be more desirable. In general, the rarer the cat, the higher its price within each filial generation.
Why You Shouldn't Get a 'Discount' Savannah Cat
A cat is not a work of art or an accessory. It's a live, breathing organism with intricate requirements. That is why it is critical to get a healthy cat that has been bred in a manner that reduces the likelihood of major health, behavior, or temperament problems. The money you save on a "discount" cat may not actually be savings. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. There are numerous scams out there. Furthermore, with a cheap cat, you may end up spending far more money on veterinarian costs and cat training. Don't forget about the sorrow of living with a sick or aggressive cat.
Getting a Savannah cat is not the same as getting a shelter cat or adopting a friend's cat. This is a new breed, which means that opportunists may take advantage of would-be owners' inexperience. The consequences could be disastrous.
If you appreciate the significance of a Savannah cat, you should carefully investigate your alternatives and select a breeder that is sincerely dedicated to the cat's well-being. Do not let yourself be taken advantage of. A1Savannahs is the first breeder of Savannah cats. We've been doing this for almost three decades. We know how to breed healthy, happy cats who will become cherished family members.
Diet
Savannah cats should be fed high-quality cat food, both wet and dry. At A1 Savannahs, our cats' diets often include a combination of wet, dry, and raw meats. The kittens will receive nutrient-dense, well-balanced wet and dry food, as well as prepared chicken. Our Adults are fed a grain-free dry diet throughout the day, as well as a choice of wet foods and raw meat once per day. We recommend that you choose a product without corn because it is difficult for cats to digest and may cause intestinal problems.
Litter Training
Before they leave for their new homes, all of our kittens have been properly litter box trained. The kittens will stay with their mothers for at least 6 weeks, and the mothers do an excellent job teaching the tiny ones the ropes. We use a wood pellet litter that is completely natural and works excellent as a natural deodorizer.
Vaccinations
All of our kittens are fully vaccinated before leaving our cattery. They receive vaccinations against Rhinotracheitis Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, and Chlamydia Psittaci (KV & Chlamydia) at six, nine, and twelve weeks of age. All of our kittens are vaccinated against Rabies during their first year of life and given monthly flea, heartworm, roundworm (Toxocara cati), hookworm (Ancylostoma tubaeforme), and ear mite treatments.
Vet Care
Please notify your veterinarian that you are getting a hybrid feline so that they can prepare and educate themselves on your new kitten. Savannah cats' livers may be smaller than typical due to their Serval Ancestry, increasing the risk of negative effects from some drugs. When administering some drugs during surgical procedures, your veterinarian must use extreme caution. An isoflurane gas or injectable anesthetic protocol designed specifically for exotic or hybrid-bred felines should be employed. Your veterinarian is always invited to confer with our cattery veterinarian prior to any procedures. Please contact us if you require any other information.
Please Do Not Declaw!
Please educate yourself completley before making the decision to declaw your feline. Declawing is actually an amputation to the first joint of the toe and we do not recommend it. Declawing can cause numerous health problems as your kitten gets older not to mention extremely painful all though out the cats life. There are several other ways to prevent your kitten or cat from scratching your furniture.
Savannah Colors and Patterns.
Savannah cats are a new hybrid breed that combines wild serval cats with domestic cats. They certainly are the best of both worlds, with the sharp brain, gorgeous colors, and athletic skill of their wild forebears while maintaining the kind nature and great loyalty of a domestic cat. The International Cat Association (TICA) only accepts spotted and marbled cats as real Savannah cats. Many amazing color patterns exist inside these boundaries. Some owners prefer nonstandard color schemes. As the Savannah cat breed's creator, we are proud to offer gorgeous, loving cats that meet TICA criteria. Some available color phases are:
Brown Spotted Tabby:
The most prevalent coat color is brown spotted tabby, which is ideal for owners who want to keep their Savannah's "wild" look. The coat is golden with black patches of varying hues. Some brown-spotted tabbies have grayish coats with relatively subtle patches.
Silver spotted tabby:
Silver spotted tabbies have a gene that removes pigment from the agouti hair—the core color but not the markings. This results in a gray or silver cat with prominent black patches. The appearance is stunning, with a strong contrast between the two coat colors. Silver is the second-most common Savannah cat color.
The marbled Savannah specks merge together to create a lovely swirled marble effect. Marbles come in two colors: brown and silver.
Black and black smoke.
From a distance, black Savannahs appear to be solid black. Their coats are completely black, and their patches are considerably darker. Black smoke Savannahs have a similar color pattern, but with a white undercoat that contrasts with the deep black color.
Nonstandard patterns:
Cats with a higher filial generation—F followed by a number, indicating how far removed a cat is from its serval ancestors—begin to resemble domestic cats rather than wild serval cats. Even in cats closely related to servals, recessive genes or odd breeding procedures can sometimes result in nonstandard hues. Even though these colors are deemed undesirable and are not accepted by TICA, some breeders continue to offer them, and some owners find them quite appealing.
Nonstandard Savannah cat colors include:
Fawn is a diluted cinnamon color.
Blue is a diluted version of black, whereas lilac is a diluted chocolate blue.
Chocolate is due to a recessive gene.
Cinnamon is a recessive gene.
A few unusual colors are still regarded desirable, and we occasionally get cats in these colors. They include:
Snow is a unique color pattern in which the coat is white with beige patches.
A1 Savannah is dedicated to assisting you in finding the ideal cat for your needs. Our kitties are all healthy, happy, and lovely. Click on the Photo Gallery Link to see examples of different color and pattern options.
Savannah Personalities
Savannah cats have affectionate and outgoing attitudes. They are extremely intelligent cats that learn quickly. Most of them enjoy walking outside on a leash or playing outside in a safe confined area. Some enjoy playing catch and following their favorite person around like a dog throughout the house. A Savannah expects to be a family member who participates in all activities, rather than merely a typical house pet. They obviously enjoy water and have frequently surprised us with unplanned visits in the running shower. If you want a caring friend or a steady buddy, a savannah is the pet for you. Take a peek below to determine which Savannah is best for your property.
Savannah Trait Differences Between Generations
F1 Savannahs: If you enjoy being at home and spending a lot of time with your animals, an F1 Savannah is an option for you. Because these cats are the closest to the African Serval, they require the greatest attention. If you're going to bed, the Savannah won't be far behind you. If you're cooking in the kitchen, the Savannah will be there to assist with filleting the chicken. If you're washing laundry, you know you'll need help unfolding everything you've just folded. F1 Savannahs require continual love and attention to be a caring companion for you and your family. If you or your family travel regularly or are gone from home for eight hours,We would not recommend an F1 Savannah to you.
F2 Savannahs: Just like your F1 Savannah, your F2 will require a significant amount of time to maintain their loving and affectionate disposition. Although your second generation Savannahs are more laid-back, they adore cuddling on the sofa and playing in the bathtub. With an F2 Savannah, you get a little more mobility while maintaining that large exotic flair. This is the ideal cat for anyone who wishes to spend some time away from home while still having a larger-than-average cat that everyone admires.
F3 Savannahs: As we enter the middle generations of Savannahs, more domestic qualities emerge, with the added benefit of the Servals' social element. F3 Savannahs like napping, playing, showering, and cooking. They will respond when you call their name and recognize when they are being mischievous. F3s maintain their exotic disposition, preferring personal cat time to lounge in the sun or groom in the solitude of their kitty abode.
F4 Savannahs are quite friendly and appear to be always interested in what is going on. They greet your guests with frequent head butts and sample any food left untouched. F4 Savannahs adore sleeping in the warmth of your body and waking up in the middle of the night for playtime. They are quite intelligent and appear to be interested in everything, yet in a fun manner. They interact well with other animals and children, especially if they believe they have a new friend to play with.
F5 and F6 Savannahs have lower generation. Savannahs are truly one of the best companions a person can have. They are extremely loyal to their owners and show a lot of love and compassion for those around them. They retain the dog-like features of previous generations while also being well-versed in household habits. They enjoy playing with toys, whether designed expressly for them or not. They often like hiding their favorite toys under rugs or under shoes. F5 and generations below will pull at your heartstrings and make you never want to let go. These Savannah cats are extremely adaptable and make excellent pets for anyone.
