Frequently Asked Questions
There are many different number and letter variations to classify the different savannah cats, but to keep in in simple terms we differentiate the different generations using the (F). All Foundation Savannahs have an F and a number associated with it to indicate how many generations it is from its Serval ancestor. This however is not how TICA will recognize the breed. An F1 kitten would be the first generation removed from the African Serval. An F2 would be the second generation removed from the African Serval, and so on. The percentages are just an estimation. If more Savannah x Savannah mating has occurred rather than outcrosses of a different breed, their percentages will be higher.
F1 -57% Serval – one parent will be a serval
F2 -35% Serval – one grandparent will be a serval
F3 -21% Serval – one great grandparent will be a serval
F4 -16% Serval – one great great grandparent will be a serval
F5 -11% Serval – one great great great grandparent wil be a serval
F6/F7 – 7% Serval – one great great great great grandparent wil be a serval
F1 Savannahs: If you are someone that enjoys being at home and spending tons of time with your animals an F1 Savannah is an option for you. Since these cats are closest to the African Serval they are the ones that require the most attention. If you are headed to bed, the Savannah will not be far behind you. If you are cooking in the kitchen, the Savannah will be there helping filleting the chicken. If you are doing laundry, you know you need help un-folding all the close you just folded. F1 Savannahs need that constant love and attention to remain that loving companion for you and your family. If you or your family travels frequently, or are away from home for 8 hours, then we would not recommend an F1 Savannah for you.
F2 Savannahs: Much like your F1 Savannah your F2’s will also need a lot of time put in to keep that loving and affectionate personality. Although your second generation Savannahs are a little more laid back and they enjoy their cuddle time on the sofa, and that playtime in the shower. With an F2 Savannah you have a little more freedom with still that big exotic look. This is a perfect cat for anyone that wants to spend a little time away from home but still have that larger than normal cat that everyone awes over.
F3 Savannahs: Now that we are entering the middle generations of Savannahs; this is where the more domestic traits come out, just with the added perks of the social aspect of the Servals. F3 Savannahs enjoy nap time, playtime, shower time, cooking time, etc. They will come when you call their name and know when they are being mischievous. F3’s still have that exotic demeanor in which they want their personal cat time to bask in the sun or grooming in the privacy of their kitty home.
F4 Savannahs: F4 Savannahs are very personable and seem to want to know what is going on at all times. They greet your guest with frequent head butts and sample all food left unattended. F4 Savannahs enjoy sleeping in the comfort of your body heat and waking you in the middle of the night for play time. They are very intelligent and seem to get into everything, in a playful manner of course. They do great with other animals and children, especially if they think they have a new friend to play with.
F5 and F6 Savannahs: Lower generation Savannahs are quiet honestly one of the best companions a person could have. They are so loyal to their owners and show so much love and affection to those around them. They still have the dog-like characteristics as the higher generations, but are also well equipped with their domestic behaviors. They love to play with toys, specifically for them, or not. You will often find that they enjoy hiding their favorite toys underneath rugs or in shoes. F5 and generations below will tug at your heart strings and will make you never want to let go. These Savannahs are very adaptive are an all around great cat for anyone.
The size of the Savannah Cat depends very much on the size and type of their parents and also of the percentage of wild blood they inherit from the Serval.
The biggest cats we produce are the Male and Female F4 Savannahs They get about one and a half times larger than domestic house cats, with their weight from 12 to 17 pounds, and occasionally, over 22 pounds.
F5 Female Savannahs, and all cats of further generations decrease in size but keep their long legs, big ears and the wild appearance. Savannahs need up to 3 years to reach their full size, so please be patient with your kitten.
Each individual cat will differ in size just like us humans. We can never know for sure exactly how big a kitten will get.
A Savannah cat is a cross between an Exotic African Serval and a domesticated house cat. Savannahs are noted for their tall and slender bodies and their large ears. Savannahs are a newer breed starting in the late 80’s, and the breed grows more breeders worldwide are mating a Serval to a domestic successfully.
Unlike hybrid breeds of other animals, Savannah cats are classified by the amount of each breed that they contain. We have controlled our breeding process down to an exact science to ensure everyone receives the perfect pet for their household. From F1 Savannah Kittens through F6 Savannah Kittens, we have them all. When breeding a domestic household cat with a beautiful exotic animal such as the African Serval, it takes caution, care, a lot of work and a lot of love. Here at Spot on Savannahs we breed our Savannah kittens from the heart. Our pure love of the breed has helped us create the very breed that many have come to love. Our adorable Savannah kittens are heart wrenchingly beautiful and are extremely intelligent.
There is no better family pet than a Savannah cat. With the energy and loyalty of a brand new puppy and the independence and awareness of the best domestic house cat, the Savannah kitten is breed to have it all.
The History of the SBT Savannahs starts here at Spot on Savannahs. SBT stands for Stud Book Traditional. An SBT is also bred down from the Serval but it is at least 4 Generations removed. While many Savannahs F1 through F5 are diluted with blood of domestic house cats. The SBT Savannah is a “pure” Savannah that has guaranteed only Savannahs as parents for at least 3 Generations.
The size or appearance of an SBT Savannah can be compared to an F4 or an F5 Savannah but there are several advantages to owning an SBT. SBT Savannahs are more consistent in their type. Personality and size are better foreseeable and the temperament is predictable. An SBT Savannah is the perfect choice for a family with other pets and small children.
Higher percentage Savannahs are very difficult to breed. It takes many years and a lot of luck to mate a Serval with a domesticated cat. Only a few breeders worldwide have had success but as the breed grows we are seeing a more and more.
Servals are 100 % wild cats with special needs in terms of their caging requirements, diet and health care. Caring for pure Servals and mating them to domestic cats is costly, time consuming and demanding, but also rewarding.
The difficulty in breeding the Savannahs and having success is the reason they are so expensive.
A Savannah cat is more than just a pet. It’s a member of your family, bred to meet the goals of people who want a truly special family member for the next decade or two. Savannah cats are carefully and lovingly bred to be healthy, intelligent, and beautiful. This selective breeding takes work, a strong commitment to each cat’s health, and a keen understanding of cat genetics. Here’s what you need to know about Savannah cat pricing, and why cats closer to their wild ancestors are more expensive.
Understanding Filial Generations Savannah cat pricing is inextricably linked to the cat’s filial generation. This is a number, preceded by F, that indicates how closely related a Savannah cat is to its serval ancestors. The number is an indication of how many generations a cat is removed from its serval cousin. So F1 is the offspring of a serval cat, while F2 is the grandchild of a serval cat, and so on.
Cats more closely related to serval cats are more expensive. The reason for this is pretty simple: serval cats are valuable, and breeding them can be expensive and difficult.
Filial Generations and Pricing The more closely related a Savannah cat is to the serval cat, the rarer it is. F5, F6, and F7 cats are increasingly common as the breed increases in popularity. They’re also more similar to domesticated cats, and look less like their serval relatives. This means that they’re more common, so people aren’t willing to pay as much. More importantly, they’re easier to breed and do not require the same expertise that breeding an F1, F2, or F3 cat demands.
At Spot on Savannahs, all of our cats are carefully bred for health and temperament. So no matter which cat you choose, you can expect a quality pet whom you will love and treasure. We can work with your financial constraints to determine the right cat and the right price point for you.
Other Factors That Affect Price Higher filial (F1-F3) generations tend to be more expensive, but this is not the only determining factor. Some color patterns are more desirable than others. Specific genetic combinations can also be more desirable. In general, the rarer the cat, the higher the price will be within each filial generation.
Why You Shouldn’t Get a ‘Discount’ Savannah Cat A cat is not a piece of art or accessory. It’s a living, breathing animal with complex needs. That’s why it’s so important to get a healthy cat who has been bred in a way that minimizes the likelihood of serious health, behavior, or temperament issues. The money you save on a “discount” cat may not be savings at all. If the pricing is too good to be true it usually is. There are many scammers out there. Furthermore, with a discounted cat you could end up spending much more money on veterinarian bills and cat training. And don’t forget about the heartache of living with a cat who is in poor health or who has a bad disposition.
Getting a Savannah cat isn’t like getting a cat from a shelter or adopting a cat from a friend. This is a new breed, and that means that opportunists may capitalize on would-be owners’ naivete. The results can be disastrous.
If you understand the value of a Savannah cat, you need to carefully research your options and choose a breeder who is truly committed to the cat’s welfare.
Savannah cats need to be fed a high quality cat food in wet and dry form. Here at Spoton Savannahs our cats diet is typically a combination of a wet, dry and raw meat. The Kittens will get a high nutrient, well balanced wet and dry food as well as raw chicken. Our Adults get a grain free dry food offered all day as well as a variety of wet food and raw meat once a day. We do recommend that you use a product with no corn as it is hard for the cats to digest and could cause intestinal problems.
Kitten food: Royal canine cat & Kitten dry food along with raw meat , and whole prey
All of our kittens are fully litter box trained prior to going to its new home. The kittens will stay with their mothers for a minimum of 6 weeks and the mothers do a great job teaching the little ones the ropes. We use a wood pellet form of litter which is all natural and a great natural deodorizer.
All of our kittens are properly vaccinated prior to leaving our cattery. They are vaccinated against Rhinotracheitis Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, and Chlamydia Psittaci (KV & Chlamydia), and they are typically vaccinated at six, nine, and twelve weeks. All of our kittens are also vaccinated against Rabies for their first year and dosed monthly for protection from fleas, heartworms, roundworms (Toxocara cati), hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme), and ear mites.
Since Savannah Cats are a fairly new breed and some are considered Hybrid cats, please consult your local fish and wildlife department for thin your area. Please note that each state, county, and city has different regulations and can change frequently. Check hybrid laws and regulations in your area by visiting: www.hybridlaw.com
