Savannah Cats are elegant and magnificent felines known for their great size and agility. If you’re considering adopting one of these beautiful cats, you might be worried about keeping it contained.
Due to their wild cat DNA, Savannah Cats are more agile than most housecats, which means there is almost no structure they cannot climb. Although most cats are skilled jumpers and climbers, the Savannah can jump over 8 feet high. If you’re getting a Savannah Cat and aren’t sure how to keep it contained, keep reading. In the article below, we’ll go over how high the average Savannah Cat can jump and what you can do to keep them contained.
How to Keep a Savanah Cat Contained
The Savannah Cat has a higher prey drive than most domestic cats, especially F1s, due to their African Serval DNA. This makes it incredibly easy for them to get lost; they might see a bird and chase it for a while and then find another bird to stalk, and before they know it, they are far away from home and have no idea how to get back home.
The Savannah needs plenty of daily exercise, but it’s best to keep them indoors for most of the day. If you have a 6-foot fence (the standard height), you can install rolling bars or fence extensions to ensure your pet cannot jump the fence. Keeping your Savannah entertained with tall cat trees, interactive toys, and games you participate in can reduce its urge to escape. You can also train your cat to walk on a leash for a little fresh air and exercise, but it’s best not to allow it to be an outside cat.
Savannah Cat Types
There is a wide range of Savannah Cats, which can be F1, F2, F3, F4, or F5. F1 and F2s have the most African Serval DNA, while F4s and F5s have the least. Because of their low Serval DNA, F4s and F5s aren’t considered true Savannah Cats.
Savannah Cats act differently depending on the amount of African Serval DNA in them; F1s and F2s are typically loners and don’t enjoy having other cats around, while F4s and F5s love having other pets around and will spend as much time playing with them as they can.
Their physical traits and abilities also differ based on the generation type. The average male F1 Savannah Cat weighs about 22.9 pounds and has a height of 16.5 inches. The F5, however, weighs in at 13 pounds and has a height of 13 inches.
With these physical differences comes a difference in physical ability. Keeping an F1 contained is an even harder task and gives you even more reason to keep them inside, not just for their safety but for the safety of the other pets and wildlife around you.
Final Thoughts
The Savannah cat is an adorable, large, yet loving cat that any family would be proud to call their pet. However, they can jump quite high and must be kept inside at all times unless you’re walking your pet on a leash, which they easily learn due to their high intelligence.
Savannah cats can jump much higher than your average housecat, so it’s vital to have an enclosed area they can’t jump or climb out of. If you want to adopt a Savannah cat, ensure the breed is legal to own in your state or city.
Featured Image Credit: Kolomenskaya Kseniya, Shutterstock
