Savannah cat (comprehensive article)

Legalities

It is important to check the legality of owning a Savannah cat where you live. Most states in the US regard the Savannah cat as a domestic cat in following federal and United States Department of Agriculture advice. New York State doesn’t, although 5 generations from the wild Serval are allowed in NY State but not NY city. Other states restrict ownership of hybrid cats (Alaska, Iowa, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Georgia). Update Feb 2011: Georgia, Hawaii and Massachusetts have banned this cat in addition to New York).

As for the UK, I shall direct you to my article of the position regarding the Bengal cat as the same rule applies to the Savannah. Note: legislation is constantly changing so check the position. Your breeder should be able to help.

At Sept. 2009 first generation Savannah Cats (F1s) can only be kept under license in the UK and in outdoor cages. Second generation and lower fillials can kept like other domestic cats, pursuant to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA).

In the UK the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which reflects the European Union (EU) European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, promotes animal welfare as well as being the relevant criminal legislation in respect of animal cruelty (e.g. causing unecessary suffering). For a person responsible for a Savannah cat, for example, the Act creates an offence of failing to meet the needs of an animal as required by good practice. [Note:the UK is not a party to the treaty mentioned above].

There has been considerable debate in Australia about the importation of breeding Savannah cats. It was deemed illegal to import them. See updates.

In Alaska the Savannah cat is banned after some confusion about the interpretation of the law: Savannah cat banned from Alaska [link].

There has been an ongoing debate about the difference between an Ashera GD and a Savannah cat [link].

One last point. The law is constantly evolving. It is sensible therefore to check. The information above is correct to the best of my knowledge at early 2008.

Keeping Wild Cats – new law in Oregon plus a discussion on how keeping wild cats is beyond the commitment of most and that under the new law in Oregon breeders of F1 Savannah cats are affected.

Character

Savannah cat – copyright Helmi Flick – click for larger image

I would like to refer to the Bengal cat as they have similar characters (e.g. they both like water). In fact Kathrin Stucki (see the video below at the bottom of the video section) mentions this characteristic in her introductory video. She and Martin live with F2 Savannahs ansd she mentions that they like to join her in the shower or bath even (play with the bubbles!).

There is some wild blood in a Savannah, obviously (The F3 generation is 12.5% Serval). This shows itself in an assertive and active cat. F1s have about 53% Serval in them.

They are trainable and can play fetch – dog like indicating a high level of intelligence. Combine this with a very athletic body (great jumpers – see above for the origin of this skill) and you have a cat that requires your input.

Other notable characteristics:

• they take on the role of alpha pet (the boss)
• they get on with other pets including dogs
• very intelligent and a good personality
• they have plenty of energy – do you? :-). They love to play and romp around. This may translate into damaging the odd thing but plenty of toys and playmates resolves this. There athletic rangy and flexible build make them great jumpers after their ancestor the Serval who catches prey by jumping on it from a height.
• they have their own brand of “hiss”, which is apparently quite noticable. A cat hiss mimics a snake’s hiss and is thought to originate from the snake hiss over the period of the cat’s evolution. The cat is pretending to be a snake and other animals know that that is to be avoided. You can see a tame Serval hiss on this page.

Mary and Callie, Savannah cat and Serval at a show photo
copyright Helmi Flick and brilliantly cat wrangled by Ken Flick

The Savannah cat is adaptable and will get along with well-behaved children and socialized dogs. They are apparently instinctively friendly with kids.Here is a tip from a leading UK cattery on Savannah cat diet. At Strawbell Pedigree Cats they have found that their Bengal and Savannah kittens and adults love boiled chicken including the livers and no salt. It is served cooled with the water in which it was boiled. Their cats also eat raw chicken. They found, as I do, that some wet packaged food is unattractive to cats. Unless we are fully informed as to dietary requirements of a cat, one thing worth noting is that it is unwise, as I understand it, to only provide a homemade diet as it will not necessarily contain the added supplements such as taurine that are vital to a cat’s health. See, for example, Bengal cat and Taurine and Cat Food Rice Taurine. This page provides some examples of homemade cat food recipes and discusses dietary requirements: Homemade cat food.