How Much Does a Savannah Cat Cost?
The Savannah cat is a domestic breed that is a cross between an African Serval and the domestic cat that started in the early 1980s. Their cross is very popular among breeders since it greatly resembles a wild cat. These cats are different than most domestic cats since these cats can be trained on a leash and are capable of learning tricks such as playing fetch. Savannah cats are expensive since this breed is difficult to find and there are few breeders who have successfully created the perfect Savannah cat.
How much do Savannah cats cost?
The Savannah cat price depends on the category, size, gender, the age of the cat, its ancestry, where you live and the breeder selling it. 1st generation cats that have 53% of the Serval breed can cost higher than others, for instance. This simply means that the lower the percentage of Serval breed, the cheaper the price. The price list below in our table is the average price of Savannah cats from 1st to the last generation.
First generation males and females, sometimes referred to as Elite, have more than 53% serval in them, can cost anywhere from $7,000 to $23,000.
Second generations (29% serval) can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000, while third generations (16% serval) can cost anywhere $1,000 to $6,500. Lastly, a fourth generation can cost $1,000 to $2,800. Females, on average, can cost up to 20 percent more.
These cats are expensive due to the tricky mating and difficulty it can bring to breeders. As of today, only a select few breeders, as seen when performing searches, were able to successfully breed F1 and F2 breeds.
| Type | Description | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 (50% Serval) | Tend to be up to 25 pounds and measure 20 to 25 inches tall. F1s, out of all generations, will have the most "wild" Serval bred into them. Tend to hide a lot, especially if they don't know the person. | $7,000 to $20,000 | $5,000 to $24,000 |
| F2 (30% Serval) | Typically weigh 20 to 25 pounds and can be similar to the F1, maybe a bit shorter. Tend to be much more social since they are more domesticated. | $3,400 to $15,000 | $3,000 to $12,000 |
| F3 (19% Serval) | Weighs about 12 to 18 pounds and can look similar to a typical house cat. These cats do love attention, to sit on laps and will be more loving. | $2,500 to $5,000 | $3,000 to $5,000 |
| F4 (15% Serval) | Will weigh the same as an F3 and the only noticeable difference is the shape. | $900 to $2,500 | $1,000 to $4,000 |
| F5 (11% Serval) | Same as the F4 but will be the most domesticated out of the bunch. | $700 to $4,500 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
What is going to be included in the adoption fee?
Before an adoption, a breeder will request a small deposit to hold your kitten, usually about $100 to $200. Once the breeder talks with you and gives the go-ahead, a contract will have to be signed to proceed.
Reputable breeders should always include a health checkup report from a reputable breeder, a health guarantee, up-to-date vaccinations, a travel crate if shipped, and most of the time, a microchip. Most kittens, unless talked about ahead of time, will be spayed or neutered. Also, if registered with the TICA, a certification will be sent certifying it is, indeed, a purebred.
What are the extra costs?
Some breeders do not include neutering and microchipping with their price. If you are going to buy from a breeder, be sure to ask what has been done and plan for these additional expenses.
For those who purchase from a breeder online, shipping fees may apply if you’re not able to pick up personally. Shipping fees can range anywhere from $150 to $400 or more if shipping by air.
Recurring costs, as with any cat, will include the food, cat litter, accessories, toys, medications and routine/surprise vet visits. Plan on budgeting at least $300 to $500 per year for a healthy cat. Unlike a traditional cat, however, this breed will require a special diet and may not do well on typical dry cat food found at most pet stores. Instead, it’s highly recommended you feed them a high-quality cat food with no by-products and fully cooked meat with no bones.
Tips to know:
Savannahs can come in many colors, but they are primarily known for its dark spots. Common coat colors include silver, black, smoke and snow. Brown tends to be the most popular since it resembles a wilder look, whereas silver tends to be the second most popular color due to its “majestic” appeal.
Its temperament is known to be similar to a dog, especially if it’s properly socialized. These cats are known to be intelligent, loyal and will always want to be involved, no matter what you’re doing in the house.
This is a newer breed that has an ancestry of a wild breed such as the savannah cat, and due to their ancestry, these cats are going to have a lot of wild tendencies.
These cats can weigh up to 35 pounds and can grow upwards of 25 inches long to the shoulder; however, these cats can appear much larger than they really around since they have a stronger athletic build when compared to other domestic cat breeds. The difference between this type of cat and others is that it’s going to have larger ears and has an exotic fur that has tiny markings similar to a leopard. The size can greatly depend on their ancestry.
Regular grooming is highly recommended for this breed as they tend to shed rather easily.
A Savannah Cat tends to have a very caring and loving personality. Highly intelligent compared to most cats, many owners find that it’s relatively easy to train.
Well-behaved, most of these cats will get along with other cats, dogs and children. Remember, like most animals, each cat will have their own personality.
The reason these cats are so expensive is that they are very difficult to breed. Costly to raise them, these breeds tend to require proper care to live a long and healthy life. Let’s not forget that the demand is very great as well.
The term SPT, which you may see in some ads, means Stud Book Traditional. This simply means the cat is bred down from the Serval, similar to the F3 classification mentioned above, but more than four generations have been removed from the serval, allowing it to breed with other Savannahs, not domesticated cats. The SBT, in a nutshell, means it’s pure and will only have Savannah parents. When comparing the SPT to a Savannah, they will be comparable to an F4 and F5 and the main difference is that most owners are able to predict what the cat will be like since you’re able to know more about its ancestry.
It’s known to jump as high as 11 feet.
Due to the cat’s high energy level, it’s important the cat has room to roam and exercise. According to Petful.com, they need a zoo-like atmosphere to swim, hunt and explore to help fulfill its natural instincts.
If you’re looking for a lap cat, most, especially the F1 and F2s prefer to roam on their own and won’t have the basic domesticated instincts.
In some states, this breed will be considered a wild animal and it may restrict you from owning one without the proper documentation. If you decide to get one, check with your local government to see if any rules apply.
Never let them roam outside on their own as they can run away, but if you insist, they are easily leashed trained and can be walked just like a dog.
This breed isn’t considered hypoallergenic.
How can I save money?
As you can see, the costs can get well into the thousands of dollars, making it one of the most expensive cat breeds to own. Consider checking out a local cat rescue or Humane Society to find a kitten that may remind you of a wild cat. There’s no reason to pay close to $20,000 when you can spend less than $50 and support a good cause.
If your heart is set on a Savannah cat, see if a rescue exists in your town.
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Average Reported Cost: $0
How much did you spend?
- TAM paid $ and said: said:
F4 female at $1,500
Was it worth it? Yes
