The first Savannah cat was a hybrid born in 1986, the daughter of a domestic feline and an African Serval. Named for the savanna where the Serval lives, the Savannah cat is a fairly large and well-domesticated house pet. (Servals had been pets in Africa, and also adopted in some other parts of the world). TICA - The International Cat Association which defines all cat breeds - recognizes the Savannah as a new or emerging breed.
Selecting a Savannah Cat
A Savannah is capable of being a prize-winning show cat or a friendly indoor pet. The desirable traits overlap between these two roles, but a pet owner will not be as concerned with the show qualities as a breeder or fancier.
For show, some of TICA's prize characteristics include: extremely large, high ears; a small head relative to the lean but muscular body; long, slender and strong legs; short to medium length of coat. Colors and patterns include the solid black "melanistic" Savannah, although the images in this article show the more characteristic pattern of dark brown spots.
This breed's personality is very special. While TICA uses the terms "confident, alert, curious and friendly", many owners would start their list with "friendly" and "energetic". The Savannah cat is unlikely to sit on the owner's lap, but will play with and rub against family members. They are excellent jumpers, and will pounce or chase enthusiastically.
From a breeder's perspective, it is vital to know how far back a particular cat's all-Savannah lineage extends.
Because this is a new cat breed, still close to its wild roots, it is vital to check with all the jurisdictions to determine whether a Savannah cat hybrid is permitted as a pet. In the United States, for example, cities or counties may be more restrictive than the state.
Selecting a Breeder of Savannah Cats
One approach is to check for local cat breeders, since this will minimize the kitten's stress in being transported. Careful research is important: is the cattery registered with TICA? What is their business record? Are their animals healthy and treated well? Do the referrals check out?
Perhaps most importantly, does the breeder interview the prospective owner to ensure that this will be a good fit for the Savannah? Some prospective owners may find this intrusive, but it may be the best indicator of how well the breeder cares for the cats.
Caring for a Savannah Cat
Most of these guidelines are common to adopting any kitten into a family. At first, the Savannah kitten should stay in one small room, furnished with kitten food, water, bedding, and a litter box. Some toys may help it pass the time and enjoy its surroundings. It is best not to have hiding places other than the bedding, since it can be stressful for a kitten to be pursued and retrieved.
Cat-proofing, like baby-proofing, is a wise precaution. Fragile objects should not be exposed on ledges. Potted plants may be knocked down, nibbled or dug up. Savannah cats may need tougher toys than those enjoyed by other cats. They will also expect their humans to spend some quality time playing with them.
Servals pursue fish and frogs in the wild; many Savannahs share the trait of enjoying the water. They may investigate open toilets as well as a sink or bathtub.
It is important to keep a Savannah cat indoors. It is able to climb and jump - very well - and is motivated to stalk prey beyond any established territory. This can result in a lost pet, or one that meets with painful misfortune.
The Savannah cat will eat regular cat food. They grow quickly, and do best on high-quality food.
Kittens should receive the usual feline vaccinations. As a young cat breed, no specific health issues have been reported for the Savannah cat; but it is possible that for an individual to carry problems from its domestic ancestry. Intact males are likely to spray, so neutering should be considered for a pet.
A well-treated Savannah cat should bond with its human family and reward it with warm, playful friendship.
References:
Author unknown, TICA.org, publication date unknown, referenced July 25, 2010: introduction to Savannah cats; and the standards for the Savannah cat breed (PDF).
Patrick Kelley (founder), SavannahCat.com, publication date unknown, referenced July 25, 2010.
Author unknown, SavannahBreedSection.org, publication date unknown, referenced July 25, 2010.
Holly & Dale Hummel, SavannahCatBreed.com, publication date unknown, referenced July 25, 2010.
Author unknown, Wikipedia.org, last-modified date July 24, 2010, referenced July 25, 2010: the article about the Serval, not about the Savannah cat.
Mike DeHaan - Copyright (c) Mike DeHaan, B. Math., of DeHaan Services. Well written and well researched freelance articles; ghost writing for clients.
