Ashera Cat: Pictures, Info, Characteristics & Facts

Ashera Cat Overview

The Ashera cat is a gorgeous, large, exotic cat breed. It’s not a recognized breed by any of the major cat fancier clubs. It’s considered a rare breed by those who breed and sell these cats, and they can be difficult to find. There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the Ashera, though. In fact, these cats are hiding a big secret. Keep reading to find out what exactly makes these cats so special

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While the Ashera cat is majestic and beautiful, there’s one catch to this cat: the Ashera cat is actually a Savannah cat. The Ashera cat name was developed as part of a scam to make more money off of the sale of cats. Genetic studies performed on Ashera cats have indicated that they are of the same genetic makeup as the Savannah cat. It might sound too strange to be true, but the Savannah Cat Association has spoken out about this issue. After being caught in the scam, the Ashera cat name has all but gone away, and the primary breeder of the cats has closed their doors.

Ashera Cat Breed Characteristics

Ashera Cat Kittens

The Savannah cat is a breed that has been developed from the crossbreeding of domestic cats and the African serval. Because of this, these cats do tend to have stronger wild instincts than the average house cat. This means that kittens may be more curious than the average kitten, so it’s important to ensure your kitten is kept in a safe area where they can’t get into trouble.

Thanks to their dog-like temperament, the Savannah is a highly trainable cat, and training can start while your cat is still a kitten. The earlier you start training simple commands and how to wear a harness and leash, the better. These are very social cats as well, so socialization should start while they are young, just like you would do for a puppy. Exposure to interesting sights and sounds, as well as meeting other animals and people, is a great way to improve your kitten’s social skills.

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Ashera Cat

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

Yes, the Savannah is a great cat breed for families. They are social and loving cats that enjoy spending time with their people. They are high energy enough to keep up with active families, but they tend to be gentle and laid back with their family, although daily exercise is a must. They may be somewhat wary of strangers, like most cats, but the highly social temperament of this breed makes them likely to accept strangers quickly.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

The Savannah cat typically gets along with other pets very well. Early socialization is important for ensuring your cat is comfortable with other animals. You should also provide slow introductions, as you would with any cat, to prevent behavioral problems and fights.

Keep in mind that the Savannah may be more in touch with its wild roots than the average domestic cat. This means that they may be even more of a risk to small animals than other house cats are. Never leave your Savannah alone with rodents, reptiles, birds, and other small pets.

Things to Know When Owning an Ashera Cat:

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

Because they are closer to wildcats than most domestic cat breeds, the Savannah cat’s dietary needs are slightly different. They need a higher protein diet than most house cats, and many people recommend a grain-free diet. However, this breed has a tendency to become deficient in taurine, which can occur when eating a grain-free food. Taurine deficiency can lead to serious medical concerns, so always talk to your vet before switching to a grain-free diet.

The recommendation of feeding a fully or partially raw diet is recommended by many Savannah cat breeders. Many vets don’t recommend feeding a raw diet, though, due to the risk of foodborne illnesses spreading to people and pets. It can also be exceptionally difficult to properly balance your cat’s diet at home without guidance, so always consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist before attempting to feed your cat a homemade or raw diet.

Exercise 🐈

The Savannah cat is full of energy, and they’d love to play games and get exercise with you. These cats can learn a variety of games, like fetch, as well as tricks, like sit and lie down. They can solve puzzles and be taught to walk on a leash and harness.

The mental stimulation from tricks and puzzles is a good way to burn extra energy, but physical activity should still be provided on a daily basis. Teaching your cat to walk on a leash will likely be one of the best things you can teach them. This will allow them to explore, go on walks with you, and better socialize with strangers and their environment.

Training 🧶

If you’re able, start training your Savannah cat while they’re still young. Familiarizing your kitten with commands and tricks will likely make training easier as they age. This is an intelligent breed, though, and you can count on your Savannah’s personality and curiosity to engage them in training sessions. Keep things fresh and interesting in your daily exercise and play routine so that your cat isn’t bored by the repetition of learning a new command.

Grooming ✂️

This is a short-haired breed, so grooming visits are rarely needed. As part of the Ashera cat scam, they were claimed to be hypoallergenic, but this is false. This is a low-shedding breed, though, so you won’t have to brush your cat frequently.

Brushing can help maintain the health of the skin and coat by distributing the natural oils across the body. It can also remove loose hair and dander. Your cat is likely to keep themselves groomed and will require minimal assistance.

Trim your cat’s nails only enough to take off the sharp tips, if desired. Trimming the nails too far back can reduce your cat’s ability to grip surfaces until the nails grow back. If you’re unsure how to properly trim your cat’s nails, a vet clinic or groomer will be able to help you.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Male vs Female

Male Savannah cats are typically larger than females, both in height and weight. While the personality traits between males and females are very similar, it should be noted that both male and female cats tend to do best in a home with other female cats.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Ashera Cat

1. There are Differences Between Generations

Like all hybrid breeds, the Savannah cat becomes more removed from its wildcat heritage with each new generation of cats. F1 Savannahs, which are the first generation, are the largest cats, and with each additional generation, the cats get smaller, eventually reaching the size of the average house cat after a few generations. Because Savannah cats are wilder if they’re an earlier generation, it’s usually recommended for first-time Savannah owners to get an F4 or later generation. The first few generations exhibit more wild behaviors than later generations.

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2. They’re Prone to Food Sensitivities

The Savannah is typically a healthy cat breed, but they do seem to be prone to developing food sensitivities. In particular, the Savannah seems to have difficulty digesting grains, especially corn. This sensitivity is the reason that it’s usually suggested to feed Savannah cats a grain-free or raw diet.

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3. They’re Not Legal Everywhere

F1 Savannahs are illegal in at least 10 states, and laws within states can change between cities. This is because of their wild parentage. In fact, early-generation Savannahs are illegal in many areas, and in some areas, all Savannah cats are illegal. Always check your local laws before considering bringing home a Savannah cat.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, the Ashera cat was “developed” for the sake of scamming people by charging more for them. Because of this, many people failed to appreciate the Savannah cat, which is the true breed of the Ashera. The Savannah cat is social and fun, but it’s a lot of cat! The Savannah isn’t for everyone, but for active people and people who are home most of the day and love spending time with their cat, the Savannah is a great match.

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Featured Image Credit: Mirencats, Shutterstock