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Alexis De Leaver

32 reasons to love Savannah cats

Savannah cat sitting on couch.

With wild-cat appearance, you may think twice about bringing one of these felines into your home. But don't let looks deceive you, the Savannah cat is full of love and is an excellent companion. 

Perhaps better suited to a more experienced cat owner, the Savannah cat is energetic and playful and will require some of the best cat food to thrive. There are many reasons to love this cat from their ability to jump to the fact that they enjoy the outdoors. 

Here are a few of our top reasons to love this cat. Let's check them out. 

32 reasons to love Savannah cats

1. A wild beginning

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The Savannah was bred from a serval and the domestic Siamese cat. The first kitten was named, Savannah and was born in 1986. Although, the breed was not officially recognized until 2001.

2. Impressive height

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The Savannah cat has won records for their height, which is easy for them as they can stand up to eight feet tall. They are considered the tallest of all the cat breeds. 

3. Dog-like personalities

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Savannah cats are said to radiate dog-like energy. They love things like fetch, swimming and following their pet parent around the house.

4. Very energetic 

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Savannah cats are full of energy. In addition to regular exercise having some of the best cat toys in the house is a great idea to give these kitties plenty of things to do.

5. They love the water

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Unlike many of their feline companions, this cat breed loves the water. Don't be surprised if you find them trying to dip their paws in any water they can find. 

6. Highly intelligent

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The Savannah cat is one smart cookie. They are known for their high levels of intelligence, which is great for things like training. However, this also means that they can get bored quickly. Having some of the best interactive cat toys can help combat this. 

7. Love a good walk

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This one really surprised us. For a cat that has such wild origins, it was shocking to know that they actually are one of the easiest breeds to walk on a harness. Knowing how to leash train a cat will be super helpful with this breed, especially if you are using one of the best cat harnesses

8. An expensive breed

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Perhaps not necessarily a reason to love but can also be a testament to how unique this breed is. If you are looking to get a Savannah cat as your furry companion be prepared to spend a pretty penny. This cat can carry a price tag ranging in the thousands, even in the $20k range if you are working with reputable breeders.

If you are looking to adopt, then you should still expect to spend a few hundred dollars at least.

9. Excellent jumpers

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With long limbs, it is no surprise that Savannahs are excellent jumpers. They can jump up to eight feet in the air! 

10. An array of colors

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The savannah cat comes in a range of beautiful colors. Accepted by the International Cat Association are black, brown, silver, and smoked. However, the Savannah can come in chocolate, cinnamon, marbled, and blue among many other colors. 

11. Referred to as a velcro cat

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If you're looking for one of the best cats for introverts, the Savannah is certainly one of them. They generally attach strongly to one person and much like their canine friends, are loyal to a fault. 

12. Gets along well with other animals

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If you live in a house with other pets, you'll be happy to know that the Savannah cat gets along quite well with other cats and even dogs. 

13. They love heights

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This cat is a real thrill seeker and a lover of heights. We recommend having one of the best cat trees that offer your cat different heights to climb to. 

14. Easy to groom

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The Savannah cat sports a short dense coat that is super easy to care for. A weekly grooming session with one of the best cat brushes is likely all you'll need to do keep their coat looking its best. 

15. Easy to train

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The Savannah cat is one of the easiest cat breeds to train. They are super clever, energetic, and always up for learning something new. All these qualities make for a very trainable cat. Can cats play fetch? It's certainly possible with this breed. 

16. A healthy breed

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While familiarizing yourself with the most common illnesses in cats is always a good idea, you'll be happy to know that the Savannah is generally a healthy and resilient breed. 

17. Great with kids

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Savannah cats make great additions to families with children. As with any breed, we advise teaching children how to carry a cat and to supervise any interactions. 

18. Well suited for more experienced owners

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The Savannah cat requires a lot of attention and plenty of exercise. This breed may be better suited to a more experienced owner who knows all the ins and outs of ways to be the best cat owner. 

19. Classed as a large-breed cat

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It may be obvious just by looking at them, but the Savannah is classed as a large-breed cat. They can weigh up to around 20lbs. It may be worth reading up on different tips for taking care of a large-breed cat, they may have different needs when it comes to food, treats, or scratching posts. 

20. Lives up to 12-15 years old

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Owners of this breed will be glad to know that this is one of the longest living cat breeds. The Savannah can live up to 12-15 years. 

21. Loves to be in the spotlight

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These cats are real pranksters and love being the center of attention. As they love attention, this is not surprising. Savannah cats love goofing around and retain a kitten-like energy into adulthood. 

22. Prone to separation anxiety

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The Savannah cat is among the cat breeds most likely to suffer from separation anxiety. They do not do well when left alone for long periods of time. If you are trying to navigate separation anxiety in cats,  you can try to leave some clothing that smells like you out or investing in one of the best cat puzzle feeders to keep your kitty busy.

23. A big appetitie

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With all the energy they burn off during the day, it makes sense that they have a big appetite to match. You will want to serve up some of the best dry cat food or the best wet cat food to ensure your cat is getting all the nutrients they need to keep their bodies going. 

24. A good choice for allergy sufferers 

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While no cat is 100% hypoallergenic, some cat breeds shed less than others. This can make a big difference to those who have cat allergies. 

25. Very curious cats

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As these cats are very intelligent and full of energy, they are naturally curious. You may find them opening doors, climbing on top of fridges, or trying to make their way outside on their next adventure. We recommend stocking up on some of the best automated cat toys to help keep their minds occupied. 

26. A lover of the outdoors

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The Savannah cat is just one of the cat breeds that prefer being outdoors, and who can blame them? There are many catio ideas you can try out to make a safe outdoor space your cat can explore. 

27. Trademark eyes

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Savannah cats often sport a tear stain under their eyes that runs down to their nose. We think it's very unique indeed. 

28. Love to climb

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This is a breed that loves to climb. Having some of the best cat scratching posts around will offer your cat places to satisfy all their climbing needs. 

29. Requires moderate levels of exercise

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This is a high energy cat breed that will want to play with you. They require moderate levels of activity each day to stay feeling their best. 

Knowing how to play with a cat will be super important if you are lucky enough to have a Savannah cat. It is recommended to give your cat sessions of 10-15 minutes of playtime throughout the day.

30. Loved by celebrities 

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Savannah cats are favorites in the celebrity world. Music star, Justin Beiber and his wife Hailey reportedly spent $35,000 on two Savannah cats. Their names are Sushi and Tuna.

31. Can be difficult to breed

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Male Savannah cats can be sterile until the 5th generation. This can make breeding difficult. 

32. A very vocal breed

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This is a breed with a lot to say. If you are looking for a cat that is always up for having a chat, then this is the breed for you. 

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