How Much Does a Savannah Cat Cost? (2024 Update)

Savannah Cats are beautiful and exotic cats that are a mix of the African Serval and a domestic cat. Along with their striking appearance, they’re known for being energetic, playful, and loyal. Responsible cat owners must consider the costs of caring for a Savannah Cat before bringing one home. Prices of Savannah Cats will vary depending on the generation of the cat. They can also be much bigger and more active than other domestic cats. So, caring for them can be more expensive than average.

If you’re interested in bringing home a new Savannah Cat, it’s important to consider both the upfront and ongoing costs. Getting a Savannah cat can cost you as little as $50 or as much as $20.000 depending on the source and generation. Monthly costs then range from $85–$600. Our guide is here to give you a good estimate and a better picture of what to expect when caring for a Savannah Cat.

Bringing Home a New Savannah Cat: One-Time Costs

You can expect to spend up to several thousand dollars (sometimes as much as $20,000!) when you first bring home a new Savannah Cat. The prices will vary mostly on the generation of your Savannah Cat. There will be some wiggle room with pet supplies, and it’ll depend on the brands you select.

Free

It’s difficult to find a free Savannah cat as they’re a relatively new breed and are still quite rare. You may find a Savannah Cat for free from breeders if it’s older and retired from their breeding program. However, you most likely have to pay a discounted price for the cat due to its pedigree.

Adoption

Most cat adoption centers and rescues charge an adoption fee for their cats. These fees help pay for costs of care, such as spaying and neutering, food, and microchipping. Fees are usually based on the cat’s age. Kittens typically have the most expensive fees, while senior cats that are older than 10 years old can have adoption fees as low as $50.

Breeder

The price of Savannah kittens depends on the generation of the cat. You’ll typically find breeders that breed F1-F5 generation kittens. F1 Savannah Cats have one Serval parent and one domestic cat parent. F2 Savannah Cats have a Serval grandparent, and the subsequent generations are further removed from the Serval. The sizes and appearances of the cats will vary depending on the generation, and F5 Savannah Cats still look like exotic cats, but they’re smaller and tend to be more social.

F1 Savannah Cats tend to be the most expensive and are typically sold for around $20,000. F5 Savannah Cats are much cheaper and are priced at around $1,000.

Initial Setup and Supplies

The initial setup and supplies for Savannah Cats tend to be more expensive than other cats. They’re a large cat breed, so they’ll need bigger supplies, like larger litter boxes, carriers, and beds.

Savannah Cats are also very active and athletic, so they’ll need plenty of toys and a large cat tree that can support their size and weight. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for when you first bring home a Savannah Cat.

List of Savannah Cat Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Savannah Cat Cost Per Month?

There are some recurring monthly expenses that you can expect to pay when caring for a Savannah Cat. Some factors to consider are food, toys, and litter box supplies. You may also have to anticipate regular veterinary care expenses if your cat has or develops a chronic illness. Here are some typical expenses that you can anticipate.

Health Care

There are a few consistent costs that you can anticipate paying for each month. Savannah Cats typically don’t require regular trips to the groomer, and they’re a relatively healthy breed that doesn’t require too much veterinary care. Much of your expenses will come from food, as these cats tend to be large and have bigger appetites.

Food

You’ll find some of the widest range of prices for cat food. Dry food tends to be more affordable than wet food. There are also many different premium cat food brands that sell high-quality cat food that use better ingredients.

Some cats need to eat a specialized diet, like sensitive digestion or limited ingredients, especially when they start to age. Specialized diets are usually more expensive than average cat food prices.

Grooming

Savannah Cats don’t require much grooming. They don’t shed too heavily and can often get by with getting brushed once a week.

You’ll also want to check their nails every other week to ensure that they’re short enough to prevent them from breaking or getting caught on fabrics. If you find that your cat’s extremely resistant to getting its nails clipped, you can try taking it to a professional groomer. It can cost about $20 for a groomer to trim your cat’s nails.

Medications and Vet Visits

Once your Savannah Cat gets all its vaccinations, you don’t have to expect to visit the vet frequently. One vet visit can cost between $50-$250, depending on the nature of the visit.

Aside from any unforeseen vet visits, you can expect to pay for heartworm medication and other routine preventative medication for parasites.

Pet Insurance

Pet Insurance is a great way to save on costs and budget for veterinary care. Much of pet insurance prices depend on your cat’s age and breed, and older cats will have much more expensive premiums than kittens.

Your location will also affect premium prices, so if you live in a large city with higher living costs, you can expect more expensive premiums.

Environment Maintenance

One of the main concerns for environment maintenance is cat litter. While liners and deodorizers reduce odors and make cleanup more convenient, they’re often not necessary supplies. If your cat prefers using a cardboard scratcher over a sisal scratching post, you can expect to purchase replacements regularly.

Entertainment

Cats need a good variety of toys for exercise and enrichment. There are all kinds of toys that Savannah Cats would enjoy playing with, such as balls, cat wands, and treat dispensers.

Toys are especially important for Savannah Cats because they require a lot of exercise. They can also go through toys a lot more quickly than smaller cats and tear through the material with their teeth and nails.

One way to budget for cat toys is to use a cat box subscription service. Cat box subscription services provide new toys once a month to keep your cat entertained. They often deliver a curated collection of toys that you don’t usually find at retail pet stores. Cat box subscriptions can help you budget better for toys because you’ll pay the same amount every month, and they can also help you save time by reducing the number of visits you make to the pet store.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Savannah Cat

If you have a relatively healthy Savannah Cat, you don’t have to expect to pay more than $100 a month. Costs will get significantly expensive if your cat requires more medical attention. There’s wiggle room for anticipated costs, and you can choose more affordable brands and skip premium brands to save on care costs.

Additional Costs to Factor In

There are some additional costs to consider when caring for a Savannah Cat. You’ll have to look into pet sitters or boarding facilities if you plan to go on vacation or won’t be home to care for your cat for a few days.

Bigger Savannah Cats can unintentionally cause significant damage in the home as they leap from place to place. They may knock over home décor or accidentally scratch furniture.

Some Savannah Cats may need a little more assistance adjusting to living in a new home. You may have to pay for consultations with a cat behaviorist if your Savannah cat starts to exhibit destructive behaviors.

• Related Read: How to Train a Savannah Cat — 6 Simple Steps

Owning a Savannah Cat on a Budget

Savannah Cats aren’t the most budget-friendly cat breed. Their large size alone can impact costs because you have to buy more food, cat litter, and bigger supplies, like extra-large litter boxes and larger cat trees.

You can ease the burden on your cat care budget by choosing cheaper brands. There are plenty of cat food brands that aren’t labeled as premium brands, but they still produce high-quality recipes.

Sometimes, subscriptions for certain pet care items, like toy boxes and medications, can help reduce costs. Also, be on the lookout for sales and discounts, especially during the end-of-the-year holidays. Many large pet supplies stores will have sales where you can stock up on food and toys.

Saving Money on Savannah Cat Care

You’ll have to learn to be a little savvy and know where to look for savings opportunities. Many retailers and stores have sales and discounted items that you can purchase from time to time. When it comes to veterinary care, purchasing a pet insurance plan can help you better anticipate costs and assist you with paying for unexpected vet bills.

Conclusion

Overall, caring for Savannah Cats requires a significant financial commitment for most cat owners. Depending on what generation of Savannah Cat you bring home, costs can range anywhere from $3,000 to well over $25,000. After that, you can expect to pay between $80 to $600 on monthly care costs.

So, while Savannah Cats are beautiful and stunning pets, careful consideration must be made if you want to bring one home.

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Featured Image Credit: Kolomenskaya Kseniya, Shutterstock