Savannah cats are crossbreeds between wild African Servals and any domestic breed of cats and are popular for their tall and slender bodies, huge ears, and hind legs. Although they are cute and seemingly ideal for pets, Savannah cats are not for everyone, as they can be very expensive. So, how much does a savannah cat cost?
The Average Cost of Savannah Cats
The Savannah cat price ranges from $1,000 to $20,000, with a few reporting the cost going up to as much as $25,000. The price will vary depending on various factors, most especially in terms of what generation it belongs to.
The average price of this cat breed based on generation is as follows:
- F1 Savannah – Male $12,000 to $16,000 / Female $15,000 to $20,000
- F2 Savannah – Male $4,000 to $8,000 / Female $4,000 to $9,000
- F3 Savannah – Male $1,500 to $4,000 / Female $1,000 to $4,000
- F4 Savannah – Male $1,000 to $2,500 / Female $1,000 to $2,500
- F5 Savannah – Male $1,000 to $2,500 / Female $1,000 to $2,500
If the price is too much for your budget, you can consider adopting from a shelter or a rescue facility instead. The cost of adopting a Savannah cat is around $150 to $500. However, it is possible to adopt one for as little as $70, depending on the age.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Savannah Cat
The prices will definitely vary depending on the generation, the quality, the breeder, the geographic location, and the inclusions that come with the adoption, among others. To explain each, please read on.
- Generation
When planning to buy a Savannah cat, you will often encounter paired letters and numbers such as F1, F2, F3, F4, and so on. These actually stand for the generation of the Savannah cat, with the letter F representing the “filial” rating.
The generation affects the price, as the F1 Savannah cat breeds are generally the most expensive. The further down the numbers go, the cheaper it becomes. Although this has a few exceptions like depending on the age and color of the feline.
- Gender
Gender will also matter, as the female Savannah cats are more expensive than their male counterparts since they can be used for mating and reproduction. This is due to the fact that males tend to have hybrid infertility early in the cross-breeding process.
Fertility among male Savannahs is only expected to appear in the 4th and 5th generations and beyond.
- Age
Savannah cats, or any cat breed for that matter, are typically more expensive when young compared to older ones. Perhaps this is due to the fact that you will get to enjoy them at all stages of their lives.
Breeders and rescue groups are typically obliged to spend on vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and microchipping before they release the kittens.
- Color
Savannah cats’ most common color is buttery gold or brown with jet black spots and they are registered as Brown Spotted Tabby. Rarer color variations would naturally be priced more than these regular ones, especially those that almost resemble the colors of their serval ancestors in the wild.
- Breeders
The breeder you choose to purchase your Savannah cat from will also affect the price you have to pay. This is because breeders have their own cost of investment, depending on where they are doing their business.
Also, expect that they will put a premium on the price based on their reputation for producing quality Savannah kittens. Those that don’t hesitate to pour out resources just to ensure breed quality will definitely price their kittens higher than average, but it will be all worth it.
- Location
The geographic location also matters, as one state or city can have different price ranges for the Savannah cats due to economic conditions and the cost of doing business.
- Freebies
The inclusions that come with the purchase or adoption can also contribute to the price of the Savannah cat. With more freebies (such as free veterinary visits), it is very possible that the price of each Savannah cat will be higher than it should be.
Additional Purchase Costs
For those who purchase from a breeder overseas or online, the shipping fee can range from around $300 to $500 or more, depending on the source. The quoted price should include the crate to be used for transportation and the shipping fee.
However, due to pandemic restrictions, some catteries ceased shipping overseas. The most that you can do is to personally come to them to pick up your new pet, or fly to the nearest airport and meet them up to hand over the cat in a standard travel carrier. This will set you back an additional fee of around $100 on top of the cost of the Savannah cat.
Savannah Cat Generations Explained
F1 Savannah cats have the largest percentage of wild African Servals and are considered to be the most expensive type of Savannah cats. This is due to the fact that they have at least 50% of the genetics of their African Serval ancestor. They can even have as high as 75% Serval in them, so they are more exotic-looking than other Savannah cats that have a lower filial rating.
On the other hand, these are the genetic percentages of the other Savannah cats available on the market:
- F2 Savanah cats have an average of 30% Serval mix.
- F3 Savannah cats have an average of 19% Serval mix.
- F4 Savannah cats typically have around a 15% Serval mix.
- F5 Savannah cats are the closest to domestic cats and they usually have an 11% Serval mix.
Ways to Save Money
It is always best to find a local breeder of Savannah cats rather than purchase them overseas online. This will save you some money for the shipment, and it will also give you the opportunity to see your dream Savannah cat personally and observe the place where it grew up.
Consider getting a health insurance policy for your Savannah cat. Paying for the premium every month might be an added cost, but this will save you more money in the long run when medical issues arise later on in your pet’s life.
There are not a lot of Savannah cats rescued as they are extremely expensive, rare, and not commonly abandoned by their owners. However, there are Savannah cats that are surrendered to animal shelters each year as their original owners pass on, become ill, or just simply give up taking care of their Savannah cat.
With this, you can try finding a local animal rescue center and see if there are any rescued Savannah cats.
Things to Know When Getting a Savannah Cat
Savannah cats require moderate maintenance to keep their coats in good shape. These cats also shed moderately, but this can be minimized by providing proper nutrition, maintenance, and containing the shedding into a small area.
These cats are known to be quiet and are therefore good for individuals whose concerns are the noises that the cats might make. However, this breed will need great attention and is not recommended for people with busy schedules.
Savannah cats generally like to engage in activities, and you are encouraged to spend an estimate of 10 to 15 minutes several times a day bonding with your Savannah kitten. Owners who have kids at home need not worry since these cats are typically good, sweet, and affectionate toward others.
Finally, it is important to know that there are laws that govern the ownership of these cats. In the United States, the laws vary according to state. Several states have more restrictive laws on owning hybrid cats like Savannah which include Massachusetts, Texas, Hawaii, and Georgia.