Savannah cats are stunning and they definitely make interesting pets, but the Savannah cat price may just surprise you!
The first thing to know is that buying a Savannah Cat is not cheap – especially if you are buying a kitten. An F2 Savannah kitten from a reputable breed is likely to set you back a whopping £6000! ($7500) An F3 Savannah kitten price is around £3500 ($4400) in price.
Savannah Cat Price – Everything you need to know about buying a purebred
Firstly it is important to understand the legalities of owning a Savannah Cat in the UK. In the UK, F2, F3 and F4 Savannah cats are legal and available to buy from reputable Savannah cat breeders. It’s illegal to own an F1 Savannah cat in the UK without a Dangerous Wild Animal Licence, which an average cat owner will not be able to get.
The reason for this is because a purebred F1 Savannah Cat is the actual son or daughter of an African Serval cat. It is extremely important you do your research on Savannah Cat breeding before making a commitment.
What are the different Savannah Cat generations?
- An F1 Savannah Cat has a Serval parent (usually a Serval father and a domestic mum)
- An F2 is a second-generation offspring with a Serval grandparent
- An F3 is a third-generation offspring with a Serval great grandparent
… and this continues onward.
This particular breed is not as readily available as other breeds and this is what increases the Savannah cat price.
When purchasing from a respected breeder, you may find some of your initial Veterinary fees are included in this – for example, the kitten may come with their primary vaccinations and even a microchip. It is a good idea to discuss this when trying to find a breeder and deciding who to purchase your Savannah cat from.
If you are looking for a more affordable cat and in some respects, a more practical cat pet cat, you may want to look into the price of a Bengal cat.
If you truly have your heart set on buying a Savannah cat you better read on.
Do not be tempted to go for the cheapest option
When buying a Savannah Cat (or any pet!) it is not always a good idea to go for the cheapest price. While you do not want to get ripped off, you also do not want to buy from a backstreet breeder. We would never recommend purchasing an animal from websites such as Gumtree.
Do your research and buy from a respected breeder. By doing this you will ensure you are purchasing a healthy kitten who comes from a long line of well-bred Savannah cats, it can also be a good idea to ask to see evidence of the kitten’s family line – remember Savannahs are a particular breed, they are different from tabby cats – which is a fur a coloring mainly seen in domestic shorthairs/longhair.
It is also recommended you ask for evidence of various genetic testing as well as copies of the results – a good Savannah breeder will have no issues with showing you these.
Some backstreet breeds will sell Bengal kittens off as Savannah Cats. While Bengal kittens grow into beautiful, lovely cats, you should not be tricked into paying more than you should for one.
While the cheapest option does not always mean bad, it is best to be suspicious and query how they are able to sell the kittens for a low price – especially if they are trying to re-home them quickly. A reputable breeder will always want to ensure their kittens are going to good, safe homes.
A respected breeder will most likely only breed from the same Queen once a year and when finding a stud (male) will have to ensure there is no cross in the lineage (to prevent any inbreeding). Many respected breeders also ensure they follow all of the guidelines set out by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy.
Savannah Cats are rare as pets, especially in the UK, this by itself increases the price in which breeders can sell them for.
Why are Savannah cats so expensive?
Again, this all goes back to the reputation and standards of the breeder. If you are looking for a pure, well-bred Savannah, it is going to cost you. A good, respected breeder will not be looking to make a quick buck, they will be breeding the kittens because they have a love for the breed.
Other associated costs a Savannah cat Breeder may incur include:
- Stud fees (if they do not own the Stud)
- Genetic testing -to ensure healthy lineage
- Annual vaccinations and preventive treatment for the Queen
- High-quality food for the Queen and her kittens
- Primary vaccination costs for the kittens
- Veterinary health checks for the kittens
- Breed registration fee
- Microchips for the kittens
- +/- Neutering fees – some breeders may insist on proof of neutering to ensure you do not use the kitten for breeding.
- Time – While breeding cats may not be as time-consuming as breeding dogs, it still takes up a lot of time when done correctly and this will be factored into the Savannah cat price.
As mentioned previously, when done properly and respectfully breeding Savannah cats is not actually as lucrative as some people may think. It can often be more about continuing a good lineage of the breed.
How to find a good Savannah cat breeder
If you are looking for a reputable Savannah breeder, I recommend checking Savannah Cat Association. The particular site shares reputable breeders as well as a ton of information you need to know about owning one.
If you are willing to pay for the Savannah cat cost, you want to make sure your money is going to the right place.
Ways to spot a good breeder:
- Asked your Veterinary surgery for recommendations
- Ask others who own a Savannah cat
- Do not be afraid to ask the breeder questions! Questions may include: How long have you been breeding hairless cats? Do the Queen and Stud have regular Vet checks? How many litters does the Queen have a year?
- Ask to see the kittens with the Queen – Do not purchase any kitten where you cannot see the mum with them (unless from a rescue)
- With purebred cats, ask to see proof of their lineage – a good breeder will have access to this.
- Ensure the kitten looks healthy. The cat’s eyes should be bright and free of discharge, ears should be clean, skin well kept and not dry. Have a hold of the kitten, it should be comfortable being held and not feel skinny or have a potbelly.
What other costs should you factor into the cost of a Savannah?
So we have established the average price of an f2 Savannah cat kitten is £6000 but the costs do not stop there. A fully grown Savannah cat is BIG and with that comes a big commitment.
A cat is a long-term commitment and with that comes costs. Other fees you will incur include:
| Vaccinations and yearly boosters | £40-£50 per year |
| Neutering | Male: £40-£60 Female: £60-£100 |
| Food | £30-£50 per month Savannah Cats are large-breed cats and they are extremely athletic, this can make their energy requirement levels higher than other breeds. With all cats, ensure you purchase high-quality food. |
| Preventative flea and worming | £20 per month |
| Pet Insurance | £15 per month Depending on age and policy |
| Toys and beds | Ongoing costs Savannah cats are intelligent creatures who love to play and hunt, a good rotation of interactive toys will prevent boredom and possible behavioral problems. I would also recommend purchasing a climbing tree designed for a large breed cat. |
| Bathing and Grooming | £20 They will need well-groomed nails to prevent causing themselves injury. |
Please be aware, that not all Veterinary Surgeons will treat Savannah Cats, especially F1 or F2, therefore it is important you find a vet who has experience with these types of cats and is happy to treat them.
When buying a cat, the price obviously does not stop after the initial purchase price. Therefore you need to take this into consideration when deciding to buy a cat.
Veterinary fees are inevitable at some stage throughout your cat’s life. This will come in the form of preventative health issues such as neutering, vaccinations, and parasite control but sadly, also through natural aging and if they become unwell. Therefore, we always recommend pet insurance, the price for this can vary, but on average it will be around £15 per month for a good comprehensive cover.
Obviously, your cat is going to need to eat, so food will be a consistent cost. Diet will change at different points throughout your cat’s life, from kitten to senior. The most important thing is to ensure you purchase a complete diet, not complementary.
Food costs will vary and often it may be beneficial to buy cat food in bulk from places like Amazon.
Depending on your home situation, you may also want to purchase an automatic cat feeder. We use this double feeder – it works great for what we need and includes cooling packs to ensure food stays fresh.
Other essentials to consider when weighing up the price of a cat are toys and brushes. All cats, especially kittens need toys. Toys are obviously for enjoyment but they also stop behavioral boredness which may result in problems or stress for your cat. Try to purchase a combination of toys that they play with you and toys that they can play with on their own – such as interactive toys.
A good cat tower scratching post will also be essential to prevent behavioral issues as well as allow your cat to display natural behaviors. The size you need will depend on the breed, for example, a Maine coon will want to buy a cat tree for large cats.
Other costs you may incur include a safe cat carrier (we love cat backpacks for ease), cattery fees if you go on holiday, microchipping (£25 roughly), cat flaps, etc.
Have you decided you really want a Maine Coon? Well, it is time to pick the perfect name for a your new Maine coon!
Are Savannah cats predisposed to any diseases?
Pyruvate kinase deficiency has been identified in Savannah cats, as has progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and flat-chested kitten syndrome. However, a reputable Savannah Breeder will have had some genetic testing performed to help protect the lineage.
This does not mean the cat will 100% get this disease within their lifetime, it is just something to be aware of. All pedigree breeds are predisposed to certain diseases.
No matter the breed you purchase, we always advise taking out pet insurance at the time of purchase. Having adequate pet insurance will ensure you can pay for any unexpected illness or injury.
Do Savannah cats make good pets?
Savannah cats are not pets for first-time cat owners. They take a lot of work and understanding to ensure you are providing them with the correct environment to help them to thrive.
They do make fascinating pets, however, it is also important to be aware of their intelligent nature and understand their need to keep an active mind. Boredom and frustration can be seen in this breed and in turn result in behavioral issues and at times aggression. Be sure to keep your cat entertained with both human affection and well-suited toys.
Savannah cats can also be very territorial, due to this they do not always tolerate or cope well in an environment that is highly populated with other cats.