Savannah and Bengal cats are excellent breeds. They are different, and you need to consider several factors before determining the best breed for you. At a glance, Savannah and a Bengal cat may look the same. The similarities are because they are both the breeds of domestic cats and wild cats. The Bengal breed was obtained from breeding an Asian leopard cat and a domestic cat, while the Savannah is a breed between a Serval and a domestic cat. In this post, you will learn the significant features of the two cats, enabling you to make the best choice.
Size and appearance
Although the two cats have remarkable similarities, they can be differentiated through their appearance and size. The savannah breed is bigger and can reach a weight of up to 25 pounds and have an average height of 17 to 22 inches.
On the other side, the Bengal breed is slightly smaller and can reach a weight of up to 17 pounds and a height of 22 inches.
The Savannah appears long because of its lean body and a significantly long tail. The F1 generation of the male savannah cats is similar to the Serval cat. They have round eyes that are blue for kittens and brown or green eyes when mature. Due to their long body, they appear lean and slender.
On the other side, the Bengal breed has a relatively shorter tail. The F1 males have remarkable similarities with a domestic cat. They have large rounded eyes that are green and darker than those of the Savannah. Due to their relatively short body, they appear muscular and stocky.
The savannah breed is the best for you if you prefer a big breed. In some instances, they can reach up to 40 pounds without appearing or becoming obese. However, if you like the breed that has the size of a regular house cat, then the Bengal breed is the best for you.
Temperament
Understanding the temperament of a cat is significant in choosing the best breed. The essential attributes of a cat’s temperament are its ability to socialize, royalty, and activeness. Savannah cats have varying socialization skills, which strongly depend on how they were raised as kittens. If a savannah kitten is exposed to people, it will develop as a social cat, interacting with its owners and newcomers. However, if the cat had little exposure to people as a kitten, it might only be comfortable around its owners and hide from the sight of visitors. An important temperament of the savannah breed is its loyalty. Some owners say that the cats are as loyal as dogs and very friendly.
The most prominent temperament of the Bengal breed is their playful and active nature. The cats pay attention to every movement and interpret any human gesture as an invitation to play. They are playful and a great companion, especially for children. Their extroverted nature is also evident in their demand for attention. They are extremely noisy, especially when they need something. They will only keep quiet when you have met their demand. They are friendly, and their social nature is portrayed when they are kittens and even in their adulthood. Although they are loyal, they are more independent than the savannah breed.
If you are looking for a highly active and social breed, choose the Bengal breed. It is also a perfect breed for an environment with children which is noisy because they enjoy playing. However, if you like a loyal cat that is moderately active and social, choose the savannah breed.
Cleaning and glooming
Glooming and cleaning a cat are one of the care and maintenance practices you must consider before choosing the type of pet to keep. If you have a tight work schedule and only have a little time to spare for your pet, you need a breed that requires minimal maintenance.
The savannah breed does not require complicated cleaning and glooming. First, they do not enjoy being in water; hence, you may only need to bathe them in particular instances, such as when their coat has sticky substances. However, they require weekly brushing of their fur to remove any shedding and straighten it. Their nails grow long and sharp and can cause injuries, especially when playing or the cat is agitated. The nails need weekly trimming.
The Bengal breed is also not a complicated breed regarding maintenance. Although it is much more tolerant to water, it also requires bathing on special occasions. Cats that have been used to bathing since they were kittens may not cause much trouble when washing them. The Bengal cats enjoy glooming and often straighten their fur with their tongue. Weekly brushing is enough to remove any shed and to keep the coat tidy. Their nails must also be trimmed weekly.
Intelligence
Both breeds are intelligent and can be trained to perform tricks like dogs. The ability to receive elaborate training is unique because only a few cat breeds have it.
The table below shows some important features of the two breeds
Feature |
Savannah |
Bengal |
Weight |
13-25 pounds |
9-17 pounds |
Height |
16-22 inches |
18-22 inches |
Glooming |
Minimal |
Moderate |
Sociable |
Very |
Very |
Interaction with other pets |
Yes |
Yes |
Life span |
13 years |
16 years |
Exercise needs |
Needs exercise |
Needs exercise |
Conclusion
Savannah and Bengal cat breeds result from mixing domestic and wild cat breeds. Most of their characters are the same. However, if you prefer a more exotic breed with little characteristics of a domestic cat, then the savannah breed is the best for you. On the other side, if you prefer a regular house cat with a touch of wild characteristics, then the Bengal breed is the best for you. Ultimately both breeds have similar health, maintenance, and care needs. There is nothing that makes one breed better than the other.
FAQ
Which is best to buy, a savannah or a Bengal cat breed?
Buying a kitten is the best for any cat. As the kitten grows, it becomes used to its household members. A mature cat may take a long to adapt to a new environment and may run away and become a stray cat.
Where can I buy a savannah kitten?
You can buy a savannah kitten at the Savannah breeding center. Their website is https://savannahcatbreed.com/.