Pages

.

A Cat Lover's Guide To Keeping Savannah Cats As Pets

By Timothy Reed


Cats can be fun, playful companions. If you are someone who loves the idea of an exotic looking pet in your home, you may want to consider a Savannah. Savannah cats are large, beautiful felines that do well in a home environment. Before you spend thousands on one of these gorgeous creatures, here are a few things that you need to keep in mind.

When you look at one of these cats, a wild feline likely comes to mind. They have beautiful markings on their coat as well as dark stripes down their nose that gives them a very exotic look. This comes from the Serval cats that were bred to domestic felines in order to create the breed. Many of the unwanted wild characteristics of a non-domesticated feline have been bred out of Savannahs leaving fun, playful pets that are beautiful to behold.

These cats were first bred in the 1990's but it took years for the Savannah to be formally recognized as a breed. Originally, a male Serval was crossed with a female Siamese in order to create the first Servals. Since then, breeders have been working to improve the breed.

The size of these felines can vary quite a bit. The cats that are closest to the Serval side of the breed can be massive although they may not weigh as much as you would think. They are often the size of a small to medium dog and can weigh as much as twenty pounds. Cats that are several generations away from their Serval ancestors will be closer in size to a standard domestic feline.

Because these cats are so large it is often necessary to have some special equipment in your home that a smaller feline would not need. For example, owners of these massive pets often use a rubber tote or a child's swimming pool as a litter box. This gives their pets plenty of space to move around and cover their waste. Their large size also means that you may need to cat-proof your home more extensively than you would with a smaller cat.

In addition to their size and beautiful coat, the personality that these felines have is also appealing to many owners. They tend to be less intense than some breeds and are often likened to dogs when it comes to describing their personalities.

These cats can be quite expensive. First or second generation crosses can cost thousands of dollars. As you get to further generations the pets will be smaller but will also cost less than first or second generation crosses will. Keep in mind, however, that even within the same litter there can be quite a difference in the size of the kittens.

While you may jump at the chance to grab up a Savannah, it is important to research the breeder before you do. Make sure they are working with healthy animals and that they are keeping records about the bloodlines of the cats they are breeding. Making sure the parents and babies are well socialized will also help increase your chances of getting a healthy, happy baby to add to your family.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment