Savannah cats grow rapidly in their first year of life and then mature over the next several years. Here is a general timeline for the growth and development of Savannah cats:
- Birth to 6 months: During this time, Savannah kittens grow rapidly and can gain several pounds in weight each month.
- Six months to 1 year: Savannah kittens will continue to grow and mature slower than in the first six months.
- One year to 2 years: At this stage, Savannah cats will have reached their full size and weight but may continue to fill out and mature until they are two years old.
- Two years and older: Savannah cats will have reached their full physical maturity by two years but may continue to mature emotionally and mentally.
Factors That Influence the Size of a Savannah Cat
Genetics
Genetics plays a significant role in determining the size of a Savannah cat. Savannah cats are a hybrid breed created by breeding a serval (a wild African cat) with a domestic cat. The size of a Savannah cat is influenced by the size of the several domestic cat parents, as well as the genetics of their ancestors.
The size of a serval ranges from 40 to 60 pounds, while domestic cats typically weigh between 8 and 15 pounds. The offspring of several domestic cat hybrids typically weigh between 20 and 30 pounds, with some individuals reaching up to 40 pounds or more.
Sex
Confirming with Purina, male Savannah cats tend to be larger than female Savannah cats, typically weighing between 10 and 20 pounds compared to the females’ range of 5 to 15 pounds. Savannah cats are obligate carnivores and require a diet that contains animal proteins. Female Savannah cats generally have a lower caloric requirement than male Savannah cats, meaning they can comfortably maintain their weight without constantly feeding or exercising.
Diet
A cat fed a balanced diet and exposed to plenty of physical activity will likely grow at an average pace. Proper nutrition during a cat’s growing years can help ensure it reaches its full potential and remains healthy.
If a cat does not receive the nutrients it needs, it may not grow to its full potential size or may develop health problems. On the other hand, overfeeding or feeding a diet that is too high in calories can lead to obesity, impacting a cat’s size and overall health.
Exercise
Exercise can play a role in determining the size of a Savannah cat, as it can help regulate a cat’s weight and ensure that it remains healthy. Regular physical activity can also help maintain muscle mass, impacting a cat’s overall size.
However, it’s essential to remember that exercise alone will not significantly impact a cat’s size, as genetics and nutrition are the main determinants of a cat’s size. Nevertheless, providing opportunities for your cat to play and exercise can help keep it at a healthy weight and promote overall health.
Tips to Measure Your Savannah Cat
Measuring your Savannah cat can help monitor its growth and ensure that it remains at a healthy weight. Here are the steps to measure your cat:
- Gather supplies: You’ll need a flexible measuring tape and a pen or pencil to mark the measurement.
- Please measure the length: Place the measuring tape at the base of your cat’s neck, and measure down to the base of its tail. This will give you the length of your cat.
- Measure the height: Stand your cat up on its hind legs and place the measuring tape at the top of its shoulders, down to the floor. This will give you the height of your cat.
- Measure the circumference: Wrap the tape around your cat’s chest, just behind its front legs. This will give you the girth of your cat.
- Record the measurements: Write down the measurements in a journal or other record-keeping system to track your cat’s growth over time.
Savannah Cat’s Generation
- F1 Savannah: F1 Savannah is a term used to describe the first generation of Savannah cats, a breed of domesticated cats bred from a serval and a domesticated cat. F1 Savannah cats are known for their distinctive appearance, which includes long legs, big ears, and slender bodies. They are also known for their playful and energetic personalities, as well as their high level of intelligence and trainability.
- F2 Savannah: F2 Savannah cats result from breeding two Savannah cats together, with one or both being F1 Savannahs. Compared to F1 Savannah cats, F2 Savannahs may be less “wild-looking” and more closely resemble domestic cats in appearance and temperament.
- F3 Savannah: F3 Savannah cats are a product of breeding two Savannah cats together, with one or both being F2 Savannahs.
- F4 Savannah: F4 Savannah cats are from breeding two Savannah cats together, with one or both being F3 Savannahs. As Savannah cats are bred over successive generations, their physical appearance and temperaments may become increasingly similar to those of domestic cats.
- F5 Savannah: F5 Savannah cats originate from breeding two Savannah cats together, with one or both being F4 Savannahs.
- F6 Savannah: The “F” in “F6” refers to the filial generation, which indicates the level of serval ancestry in the cat. In this case, F6 means the cat is six generations removed from the African Serval. The first generation is the offspring of the Serval and domestic cat, and each subsequent generation is the offspring of two Savannah cats.
- F7 Savannah: In the case of an F7 Savannah, the cat is seven generations removed from its African Serval ancestor, meaning it has a higher proportion of domestic cat genes and a lower proportion of Serval genes compared to earlier filial generations.
