07/31/2022
History
The first Savannah cat, aptly named Savannah herself, was introduced to the world in 1986. The first member of the tribe was conceived by crossing a male wild African serval cat with a domestic Siamese cat. The resulting offspring mirrored the gorgeous spotted coat and build of the wild cat, but retained the friendly, domestic demeanor of her mom.
It didn't take long for breeders to see the potential of this spectacular animal, and over the decades the numbers climbed and more generations of Savannahs were bred. In 2001, Savannah cats were recognized by the International Cat Association as an official breed.
"Savannahs are great family pets for the right family. They are high-energy and demand a lot of attention, so they are not well suited for a household where the owners are never home. That said, they will bond with any animal they are raised with, assuming that animal is receptive to their constant love."
Make any grooming experience a fun one for your Savannah while she's young by offering treats or toys after every session. And, if you dream of taking your kitty on outdoor adventures, start leash training early. It's important to take baby steps and never force your kitten to do something against her will.
Health
Like all pet cats, Savannahs should be spayed or neutered as soon as your vet recommends. Male cats in the F1, F2, and F3 generations are often sterile, but neutering is still highly recommended to help curtail any undesirable behaviors that might arise.
Being hybrids, Savannah cats can live a long time and there isn't a lot known about what health conditions—if any—they're prone to, though they can be susceptible to common feline ailments. They can live between 12–20 years, so when you bring home a Savannah, you're bringing home a friend for life.
Savannah cats can get bored easily, so having a feline or canine roommate can be helpful. These social kitties don't like being left alone for long. "They would prefer their owners around 24/7," Tarticchio says. "But [Savannah cats] can do fine with owners who are gone during normal working hours."
If you can, provide them with a safe space outdoors such as a screened porch or patio (a "catio," if you will). Your Savannah will happily spend the day enjoying the fresh air and plotting how to catch squirrels, while staying safe.
Care
Aside from regular veterinary care, ample mental stimulation is the main thing your Savannah cat needs to be happy and healthy. Her short coat requires little care other than an occasional brushing to eliminate loose hair and dead skin. Like other breeds, a Savannah needs her nails trimmed regularly and good dental care. Just remember to start nail and dental care while your pet is still a kitten—that way you won't end up wrestling your (very large) full-grown Savannah when it's time for basic maintenance.
Right: Curious Savannah cats can leap 8 feet high, so you might find them exploring high-up places in your home. They can also clear fences with ease, so never leave your kitty outside unsupervised.
Center: Because of her big brain, a Savannah cat needs constant mental stimulation. Make sure she has access to interactive toys, regular playtime, and playmates. Clicker training will keep her happy, too!
Left: Savannah kittens need to be socialized to bring out their friendly demeanor. Otherwise, she might be a little scared or suspicious of strange humans, animals, and situations when she grows up.
Living Needs
With Savannah cats, the size of your home really doesn't matter. What does matter is whether you provide plenty of places for her to hide, run, and climb. This means having at least one cat tree and plenty of challenging, interactive toys to keep her occupied. And, because she's so active, it probably won't hurt to have several scratching posts and scratcher toys throughout your house or apartment to give her plenty of opportunities to stretch and scratch.
She'll love any on-screen, cat-centric entertainment, including videos of birds and squirrels or interactive cat games on a tablet. If you have the space, your Savannah will also spend hours batting toys around a shallow pool or pan of water.
You may also want to keep all plants or breakable objects away from open shelves, where your cat can knock them down. Remember, Savannahs are capable of leaping up to 8 feet high from an almost standing position—not even the top of your refrigerator is safe from their powerful legs. They can also jump over fences, so never leave your pet outdoors unattended.
