Yappicon Yappicon Yappicon Yappicon Yappicon Yappicon Yappicon Yappicon

Create Your Savannah's Shop

Enter your cat's name, select an icon and you'll instantly see EVERYTHING personalised just for your Savannah...

Savannah Breed Summary

Playful, Adventurous, Loyal, Affectionate

A hybrid cross between an African Serval and a domestic cat, the Savannah was named after the habitat of the Serval, and its beauty reflects the golden planes of Africa. This cat is the largest of the cat breeds! Tall and lean, Savannahs have long legs, a long neck and big rounded ears that sit high on their heads.

If you want a low-energy cat to snuggle up to on the sofa, then purr-haps the Savannah isn’t the best option! This big cat has a mass amount of energy and they require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy. If this kitty doesn’t get all the activity they need then they may resort to creating their own fun – which can result in unwanted behaviour and destruction in the house. For the cat lover who can keep up with this cat’s needs, the Savannah will prove themselves to be a fun-loving, affectionate member of the family that gets on well with other pets and older children.

Fun Fact: A first-generation Savannah Cat can cost more than $20,000 (£15,366)! The cost for later generations is much lower, but can still add up to around $1,000 (£768.30).

Lifespan 12 – 20 years
Height (at the withers) F1 – F2 Savannah: 35.6cm – 45.72cm, F3 – F6: 25.4cm – 35.6cm
Weight Early generation Savannahs can weigh 3.6kg – 9.1kg. Later generation Savannahs can weigh 3.2kg – 6.8kg
Coat Short, slightly coarse
Colour Black, brown spotted tabby, black silver spotted tabby, black smoke
Eye colour Gold
Common health issues Eye conditions, kidney disease, cystitis, gastrointestinal tract disorders, infectious diseases
The Savannah cat is known for their loyalty and they're likely to greet their humans at the door, then proceed to follow them around the house! This adventurous feline requires plenty of exercise, and they love to live life in the fast lane - this is definitely not a quiet lap cat! In fact, you’re more likely to find your Savannah jumping to high places, seeking out water to splash in, requesting a walk (they can be trained to walk on a lead!), and exploring every inch of their surroundings.

Due to this kitty's larger than life personality and size, it’s recommended to provide them with plenty of hardwearing toys and games that will keep them mentally stimulated.

To live happily with a Savannah, you need to dedicate a lot of time to interact with them and be warned, this kitty has a humorous streak, so don't be surprised to find taps mysteriously turned on and closed cabinet doors suddenly open!

In April 1986, the first documented Savannah cat was born. Bengal cat breeder Judee Frank developed the first Savannah by pairing her 8lb female Siamese Sealpoint cat with a 30lb male Serval cat, belonging to Suzy Wood. Neither expected the beautiful and graceful offspring that was produced, which Suzy took home with her. The kitten was named Savannah – after the African grasslands that’re home to the Serval’s ancestors. This striking kitten became the first-generation hybrid cross (F1).

With Savannah, Suzy was now able to produce the first known F2 Savannah cat. With its unique physical appearance and dynamic personality, this cat attracted the attention of Patrick Kelly – who wanted to produce a new breed of domestic cat. With the help of cat breeder Joyce Sroufe by his side, they painstakingly researched the necessary steps needed to develop a new feline breed that’d be recognised by the national cat registry. By 1996 they were successful, and as of 2001, the Savannah cat has been recognised as a New Advanced Breed Class.