Care of Your New Bengal

The Savannah cat is a newer breed that resulted from crossing a wild African Serval with a domesticated cat. At times the Savannah goes by the name of the "Serval hybrid," and offers owners a chance to have a very large cat with the body type and coat pattern of the Serval. This cat is well tempered, enjoys human contact and forms strong, lasting bonds with its owners. They are very playful and gentle around children as well. It was the mid-1990s when breeders finally made a successful crossbreed of the Serval and a domestic house cat, which is why there are very few "early generation" Savannahs.

The Savannah cat is very popular s truly exemplify the regal elegance of the cat family, are highly intelligent and have display very charming personalities. Several states in the U.S. that do not allow the ownership of large, exotic cat breeds such as the Serval or ocelot do allow the Savannah hybrid due to its smaller size. The largest Savannahs weigh some 25 pounds, are more manageable than a Serval and do not require any special diet or living facilities, whereas a Serval requires a costly diet of raw meats and needs a large outside area to roam.

House Manners

Savannah cats can be completely "litter box trained" by the breeder before going home with you. A Savannwill receive the kitten at around 9 to 11 weeks of age and usually the breeder can ship the kitten directly to you. The cost depends on the generation, the "provenance" (parentage, location of ancestry, etc.) and the exact breed youon getting a male Savannah, then you should have him neutered in order or he will definitely spray your home.

While there are very few first-generation Savannahs around, they are available but the demand is extremely high, putting the cost of a new kitten in the $500-$1500 range. Caring for your new Savannah kitten is a combination of common sense and learned behavior (on your part!), just like with any other domestic animal. There is no special care or treatment required, but you should take your new "family member" to a veterinarian who knows how to treat these gorgeous felines. Savannah cats receive the same vaccinations as domestic cats.

Here Come the Bengals

Bengal cats are a breed that resulted from crossing Asian Leopard Cats with domestics, usually an Egyptian Mau or an Ocicat. A Bengal cat is not a tiger, although that name has been applied to wild breeds, too. The Bengal got itprionailurus bengalensis. During the late 1960s, breeders started mating Asian Leopard Cats and domestics but it wasn't until the mid-1980s that a focused effort produced a domestic hybrid with the Asian Leopard Cat appearance plus an even temperament. The Asian Leopard Cats and hybrid offspring were bred with certain domestic cats to allow the pattern, coat color and gentle personality to come through.

Unlike Savannah kittens, a Bengal kitten is ready to go home with you at about 7 to 9 weeks of age (two or three weeks earlier) as they are more quickly weaned from their mothers. These animals are very intelligent, in incurably curious, sweet, affectionate and peaceful. They attach to their owners in a powerful way and can become a most loving pet. As with the Savannahs, a Bengal cat should be spayed or neutered to avoid impregnation or spraying. Bengals require no special diet (beyond the highest quality cat food) and no dietary supplements.

Bengals come in "pet," "breeder" and "show" categories, allowing prospective owners to be choosier about the kind they want. If you are interested in breeding Bengals of your own, then you are going to pay a much higher price for a kitten ($1250- $2000), whereas pet quality kittens start at $500. Bengals can take up to two years to reach mature, adult size, with the females smaller than the males at 8 to 12 pounds and male adults reaching 10 to 15 pounds.

Pick a Breed, They're Both Wonderful

Both Bengal and Savannah cats adapt to their environments well, and owners generally prefer to keep them inside as this is the best safest place for them. Of course, every cat enjoys the outdoors and it is in the blood of the Bengal and Savannah cats to want to roam outside. However, it's best to have your cat trained on a leash to ensure that they will not run away if given the opportunity. Both of these fine cats are recognized by TICA (The International Cat Association) as exotic breeds.

As long as you treat your Savannahs and Bengals with love and affection, they will cherish you for as long as they live. Caring for these special, slightly strange and thoroughly wonderful creatures is a great opportunity for anyone, and a particular delight for many families. Although they cost a bit, and require special security and attention, Savannahs and Bengals make wonderful family members and definitely give back much more than they receive, in love, loyalty and old-fashioned fun.

Care of Your New Bengal

The Savannah cat is a newer breed that resulted from crossing a wild African Serval with a domesticated cat. At times the Savannah goes by the name of the "Serval hybrid," and offers owners a chance to have a very large cat with the body type and coat pattern of the Serval. This cat is well tempered, enjoys human contact and forms strong, lasting bonds with its owners. They are very playful and gentle around children as well. It was the mid-1990s when breeders finally made a successful crossbreed of the Serval and a domestic house cat, which is why there are very few "early generation" Savannahs.

The Savannah cat is very popular s truly exemplify the regal elegance of the cat family, are highly intelligent and have display very charming personalities. Several states in the U.S. that do not allow the ownership of large, exotic cat breeds such as the Serval or ocelot do allow the Savannah hybrid due to its smaller size. The largest Savannahs weigh some 25 pounds, are more manageable than a Serval and do not require any special diet or living facilities, whereas a Serval requires a costly diet of raw meats and needs a large outside area to roam.

House Manners

Savannah cats can be completely "litter box trained" by the breeder before going home with you. A Savannwill receive the kitten at around 9 to 11 weeks of age and usually the breeder can ship the kitten directly to you. The cost depends on the generation, the "provenance" (parentage, location of ancestry, etc.) and the exact breed youon getting a male Savannah, then you should have him neutered in order or he will definitely spray your home.

While there are very few first-generation Savannahs around, they are available but the demand is extremely high, putting the cost of a new kitten in the $500-$1500 range. Caring for your new Savannah kitten is a combination of common sense and learned behavior (on your part!), just like with any other domestic animal. There is no special care or treatment required, but you should take your new "family member" to a veterinarian who knows how to treat these gorgeous felines. Savannah cats receive the same vaccinations as domestic cats.

Here Come the Bengals

Bengal cats are a breed that resulted from crossing Asian Leopard Cats with domestics, usually an Egyptian Mau or an Ocicat. A Bengal cat is not a tiger, although that name has been applied to wild breeds, too. The Bengal got itprionailurus bengalensis. During the late 1960s, breeders started mating Asian Leopard Cats and domestics but it wasn't until the mid-1980s that a focused effort produced a domestic hybrid with the Asian Leopard Cat appearance plus an even temperament. The Asian Leopard Cats and hybrid offspring were bred with certain domestic cats to allow the pattern, coat color and gentle personality to come through.

Unlike Savannah kittens, a Bengal kitten is ready to go home with you at about 7 to 9 weeks of age (two or three weeks earlier) as they are more quickly weaned from their mothers. These animals are very intelligent, in incurably curious, sweet, affectionate and peaceful. They attach to their owners in a powerful way and can become a most loving pet. As with the Savannahs, a Bengal cat should be spayed or neutered to avoid impregnation or spraying. Bengals require no special diet (beyond the highest quality cat food) and no dietary supplements.

Bengals come in "pet," "breeder" and "show" categories, allowing prospective owners to be choosier about the kind they want. If you are interested in breeding Bengals of your own, then you are going to pay a much higher price for a kitten ($1250- $2000), whereas pet quality kittens start at $500. Bengals can take up to two years to reach mature, adult size, with the females smaller than the males at 8 to 12 pounds and male adults reaching 10 to 15 pounds.

Pick a Breed, They're Both Wonderful

Both Bengal and Savannah cats adapt to their environments well, and owners generally prefer to keep them inside as this is the best safest place for them. Of course, every cat enjoys the outdoors and it is in the blood of the Bengal and Savannah cats to want to roam outside. However, it's best to have your cat trained on a leash to ensure that they will not run away if given the opportunity. Both of these fine cats are recognized by TICA (The International Cat Association) as exotic breeds.

As long as you treat your Savannahs and Bengals with love and affection, they will cherish you for as long as they live. Caring for these special, slightly strange and thoroughly wonderful creatures is a great opportunity for anyone, and a particular delight for many families. Although they cost a bit, and require special security and attention, Savannahs and Bengals make wonderful family members and definitely give back much more than they receive, in love, loyalty and old-fashioned fun. Urban Safari Cattery is home to the finest savannah cat breeding with information regarding the history and development of this beautiful breed. Visit online today.