f1 Savannah cat guide_ Everything you need to know

What is an F1 Savannah Cat? (2020) The Ultimate Guide.

Here kitty, kitty, kitty! Don’t you just love cats? They are cuddly and sweet and often have very unique personalities. The real question is, how much would you be willing to pay for the cat of your dreams?

These cats are a gorgeous breed of cats that have just a touch of wild in them. They are not dangerous, but sometimes their wild side can get the best of them. F1 Savannah cats are in a category all their own. They are unique in character and appearance.

Today, we will be talking about all things F1 Savannah cat, including what they are, their size, their cost, their health, and whether or not owning one of these cats could be right for you.

What is an F1 Savannah Cat?

f1 savannah cat health

The F1 Savannah cat is the first generation of a crossbreed between a domestic cat and an African Serval. They will look most like a serval in appearance since this is the first generation of Savannah cat. The cat is tall and lanky in nature and covered in solid spots over their body. The F1 Savannah cat tends to be the largest generation of Savannah cat since they have the most African Serval genetics.

The F1 Savannah is a somewhat new breed of domesticated cat. It has not been around for centuries like most other cats but only became domesticated around 30 years ago. The Savannah cat first became popular in the 1990s and has grown in popularity from there.

What does “F1” mean?

F1 is simply a technical term to describe the cat’s breed and generation. The letter F stands for Filial which means that this is a crossbred cat and not a purebred cat. The number 1 means that it is the 1st generation of Savannah cat.

A F1 Savannah cat is going to be bred between a 100% domesticated cat and a 100% African Serval cat. The result of an F1 Savannah cat is going to be 50% domesticated and 50% African Serval. Typically the domesticated cat is going to be a Egyptian Mau, Ocicat, Oriental Shorthair, or the Domestic Shorthair.

F1 Savannah Cat Appearance

F1 Savannah Cat Appearance

Savannah cats are the tallest domestic cat. They even hold a Guinness World Record for this title. Savannah’s are exotic by nature with eyes that are expressive and very large ears. Their ears are perhaps the largest ears of any known cat breed. Typically, the F1 Savannah will be the tallest and largest of all of the generations of Savannah cats due to the fact they have 50% African Serval genes.

A F1 Savannah cat’s coat can be warm golden orange tones or cool silver tones depending on the type of domesticated cat it was bred with. Golden orange tones are the most common but it is possible to find Savannah cats that are prominently black and white in coloration. Savannah cats are long and skinny and they don’t weigh nearly as much as it looks like they might.

Females can weigh anywhere from up to 19 pounds while males can weigh more than 25 pounds. F1 Savannah cats are the largest of Savannah cat breeds and therefore will be on the heavier side because they are 50% African Serval which are larger than domesticated cats. The F1 Savannah cat is also the most expensive generation in terms of price.

Savannah cats are categorized as F1 to F5. The classification is based on how much African Serval is in the breed. F1 Savannah cats have approximately 50% serval in them, which is the highest percentage breed available. Savannah cats will always be backcrossed to either a domesticated cat or a another Savannah cat.

What is an F1 Savannah Cat Price?

price of f1 savannah cat

The price of a F1 Savannah cats varies greatly depending upon whether you want male or female and based on the breeder’s prices. You can expect an F1 Savannah cat to cost anywhere between $12,000 and $20,000.

Male kittens of the F1 category are more affordable. The male price range is more likely to fall into the $12,000 to $16,000 range. The female kittens of the F1 category are more expensive and will cost somewhere between $15,000 and $20,000. The price of female F1 Savannah cats is typically higher because they can be used to breed other cats.

The price is so high partly because these are exotic cats mixed with African Serval. However, the primary reason the price is high is to dissuade people from getting one unless they are serious about the investment. These are part wild, part domestic cats and the care they require will be very specific and quite difficult for a new cat owner.

F1 Savannah cats are the hardest to breed, which is another factor that contributes to this cost of this cat. This makes them harder to find, again leading to a higher price. It takes experienced breeders and a lot of hard work to produce F1 Savannah cats – or any Savannah cat for that matter.

This is no small investment and it’s important to take the time to understand what you’re getting into and whether you’re willing to take excellent care of this cat.

What is the Size of an F1 Savannah Cat?

size of f1 savannah cat

Savannah cats can vary greatly in size as well. However, the F1 Savannah cat category is the largest when it comes to size. The category is determined by how much serval cat is in the breed. The higher level of serval cat genetics will lead to a larger Savannah cat.

On average, an F1 Savannah cat that is male will grow to somewhere between 17 and 25 pounds. These male cats will stand anywhere from 22 to 24 inches tall with a shoulder measurement of 16 to 18 inches. They get quite tall but will not be as heavy as they look most of the time.

Female F1 Savannah cats are slightly smaller in stature. They typically weight between 13 and 19 pounds. Females can fall into the same height and shoulder measurements will be between 14 and 18 inches tall.

Keep in mind that F1 Savannah cats are not your everyday lap cats. They can be fairly large in size and also quite tall.

F1 Savannah: Cat Health and Care

f1 savannah cat picture

There is not any extensive health care required for F1 Savannah cats, although the cost to have them cared for may be slightly higher than a traditional domestic cat. F1 Savannah cats tend to be nervous around strangers so we recommend that you let the cat meet the veterinarian before they visit the veterinarian for any official health checkup.

Savannah cats do not shed excessively and therefore do not require extensive grooming care either. The challenge will be bathing your cat as they love to play and will easily get dirty with no regrets when playing outside – this is the wild African Serval genes.

F1 Savannah cats are overall healthy and will most likely live 15 years or more. They don’t tend to have genetic issues or any substantial health issues. Most savannah cats are healthy overall. This is, of course, an average and there is no guarantee.

Most breeders will have the breeding cats they use tested for things like congenital and non-congenital health issues. Congenital health concerns would be what you would need to be most mindful of as these health issues can be genetically inherited.

Here are some of the health issues that an F1 Savannah cat may obtain, which are no different than that of domestic cats.

  • Cleft palates
  • Dwarfism
  • Liver shunt
  • Extra toes
  • Bacterial infections
  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Ringworm

If you notice any symptoms of illness or have any suspicions that your cat might be sick, you should reach out to your veterinarian immediately to be sure the issue is not something life-threatening.

The most common health issue that you may need to be concerned about would be an obstruction that comes not from health issues, but rather from your cat’s playful nature. Your cat should not be given toys that are easily torn apart or swallowed as these cats are a playful breed and the toys can be hazardous.

Be mindful of the toys that you buy for your cat so that they have appropriate things to play with that won’t be hazardous. F1 Savannah cats are very playful and will need toys to entertain them.

As far as feedings go, you can use high-quality cat food or you can feed them raw meat. The best thing to do is talk to the breeder and the veterinarian about the best diet for your cat. We don’t recommend using cheap cat food as this can lead to an upset stomach and growth issues. This is especially true cats that have a lot of wild serval genetics.

Ketamine Risks

One more thing to point out here in regards to the health and care of an F1 Savannah cat. Because these cats contain serval blood, they are at a higher risk for anesthesia or the use of ketamine.

The advanced risk is primarily due to the high-stress nature of the serval. This means they will be nervous in the event that they have to have any type of procedure that requires ketamine which will lead to requiring a higher dosage to get them to sleep.

The danger is that a high enough dosage may be in excess of what is ultimately safe for the cat’s lean body mass.

Here are some potential side effects of ketamine:

  • Impaired judgment
  • Confusion
  • Flashbacks
  • Overdose
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Increased heart rate
  • Respiratory depression

This is just something to be aware of in the event your cat needs to be put to sleep for a procedure.

Expected Temperament and Behavior of an F1 Savannah Cat

f1 savannah kitten picture

Remember that an F1 Savannah cat is approximately 50% serval. This makes the cat almost exactly half wild and half domestic animal. In this particular category, the cat tends to be more wild in nature as far as their activities and their bonding to humans.

That being said, these cats are not considered dangerous or mean. In an environment in which the cat feels comfortable and safe, they are likely to form strong bonds with the humans in the home. They will be tolerant of others but strangers do make them nervous.

When strangers enter the home, an F1 Savannah cat is far more likely to find a place that feels safe to them and hide out until the coast is clear. They do not mind people but they are anxious by nature. They get along with other animals, particularly dogs, very well.

The same goes for children. They typically will not be mean to a child but will mostly just stay away from them unless the child is one of the safe humans they choose to bond with. They will allow children and humans to pet them but they do not care to be held.

F1 Savannah cats prefer to find high places out of reach to rest and hide away. We mentioned that the F1 will bond with a few select people but even those bonded people will probably not be able to hold the cat or contain it for very long in some way. They are not lap cats, although they do like attention.

These cats do require love and attention but it is typically on their terms.

The F1 Savannah cat has a lot of energy to get out. They love to play with toys and with you. They will need things to play with and places to play and expend energy. They don’t habitually tear things up in play but it can happen. They are less likely to play destructively if they have plenty of appropriate toys and space to play.

Training an F1 Savannah Cat

baby f1 savannah cats

F1 Savannah cats can be trained to use the litter box just like a domestic cat might be. However, you will want to be careful not to leave plastic bags or cloth bags just lying around as sometimes these cats are attracted to those for litter box purposes.

If your cat is upset or has something they are trying to communicate, this is the time you are most likely going to find them not using the litter box. It’s typically a sign of some sort.

F1 Savannah cats can also be leash trained. The most successful leash training is completed with a harness. This will not happen overnight. If you intend to leash train your cat, keep in mind it will take time and patience. Also remember that the cat is anxious by nature.

Is an F1 Savannah Cat Right for Me?

f1 savannah cat temperament

We’ve shared a lot of information here regarding F1 Savannah cats. Only you can decide if this type of cat is right for you. As you decide, keep all of the data and details shared here at the forefront of your mind.

The first thing you should consider is the cost and whether or not you will be able to provide the necessary care and attention that your F1 Savannah cat will require. You will want to consider whether your lifestyle is compatible with caring for this cat and whether your home is set up to accommodate the cat.

These cats are very lovable. They are beautiful cats with fun personalities. They love to be catered to and taken care of but also value their personal space. They are not a lap cat but they are not completely anti-social either.

Before you jump on the bandwagon, consider all of the facts to know if an F1 Savannah cat is right for you!