Is this the first time you’re coming face to face with the Savannah Maine Coon mix? Perhaps you’re looking to adopt from your local shelter but you’re unsure whether you’re the right fit for each other.
Most people fall in love with this breed at first sight. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t? Their lush fur and all those patterns just make you want to hug them so tightly.
You see, every breed of cat is specific and has a unique personality. It’s always hard to generalize felines based on the breed because each individual has a mind of their own. However, the generalization kind of helps us see what we’re getting ourselves into.
Therefore, if you’re really keen on adopting this beautiful furbaby, you’ll want to do thorough research. It’s not all about looks, isn’t it? After all, they can be quite deceiving. The last thing you’d want as a new cat parent is to bite off more than you can chew.
Therefore, you’d get yourself and your new pet in big trouble. The urge might be just too strong, but you have to fight it. Don’t jump heads into this because it’s not a short trip but rather a long journey.
Cats can live up to twenty years so you have to keep that piece of information in mind. Once you get a pet, you become buddies for life. It’s similar to when you’re getting married really – until death does you part.
However, I must admit that getting into this is pretty brave. But for starters, let’s see what the Savannah Maine Coon mix is like so you can decide whether you’re the perfect match.
Savannah vs. Maine Coon: should these two even mix?
Sometimes, certain breeds will mix by accident. Perhaps it’s due to irresponsible cat owners or due to cases of abandonment. Either way, we’re always in for a full surprise for the ending result.
In the past, some cat breeds were intentionally mixed in order to create a better version. For instance, that’s how Ragdolls were created! But how come these exact two breeds were mixed when they seem like polar opposites?
We know that opposites attract, but just to what extent is this true? Is the Savannah Maine Coon mix a total failure or an amazing discovery?
Breeds’ origins
Savannah cats are the biggest domestic cat breeds. A Savannah cat is the offspring of a domestic cat and a serval, a medium-sized, long-eared wild African cat.
At the end of the 1990s, this uncommon mix grew popular among breeders, and in 2001, The International Cat Association (TICA) recognized it as an official, new breed.
The Savannah is a cross between two cat breeds. It is the offspring of a serval and a domestic cat. This hybridization usually results in huge, lanky felines with vibrantly speckled coats.
It’s safe to say that their looks are dashing so we can see that this result turned out to be a positive one. But what will happen when a cross-breed like Savannah cat mixes with Maine Coon?
Maine Coons are huge domesticated cats. It is one of North America’s oldest natural breeds. The breed originated in Maine, the official state cat of the United States.
The Maine Coon breed was prominent at cat exhibits in the late 1800s. Today, it’s the world’s third most popular pedigreed cat breed.
We can already see some similarities between the Savannah and the Maine Coon breed. But how will all of these amazing characteristics fit and blend into one?
A personality of a Savannah Maine Coon mix
As I already mentioned, it’s never easy to generalize things, especially when it comes to felines. These furry creatures are as unpredictable as it gets and it’s a great part of their nature.
We oftentimes forget that even though they’re our furbabies, they’re still a part of the animal world which is guided by their instincts. So, we can’t guarantee you how your pet is going to turn out.
But what we can tell you is some of the personality traits that these two breeds have. They actually have something in common which is great news.
On the other hand, there are certain things that these two cat breeds disagree on. So, let’s hope your Savannah Maine Coon mix gets the best of both worlds.
Savannah cat
Savannah cats are devoted to their owners, and they will follow them throughout the house. They may also be taught to walk on a leash and retrieve. I guess you don’t need a dog then.
Some Savannahs are said to be highly gregarious and friendly with new people and other cats and dogs, while others are said to flee and hide or hiss and growl when they meet a stranger.
Once again, we see how a feline’s behavior can be unpredictable. So you never really know what you’re getting yourself into with these pets. It’s always a gamble!
Exposure to other people and pets is most likely the most important component in Savannah kitten friendliness as they grow. As with any other pet, you need to socialize with them from an early age so they can adapt to their surroundings better later in life.
Some breeds require minimum socialization because they don’t mind having company. On the contrary, certain cat breeds need more exposure to help them grasp things better and understand their environment and other patterns of behavior.
According to breeders, over 50% of first-generation Savannah kittens show signs of anxiety and apprehensive behavior once they’re introduced into new homes. These habits, if not rectified at a young age, persist throughout adulthood.
You might hear some cat parents saying how their pets adjusted to their new home well and quickly. Again, this doesn’t have to mean that it’s one of the breed’s predispositions but it can certainly play a role.
The Savannah’s leaping ability is a well-known feature that compliments its natural desire to seek out high spots. Hide your snacks!
They can definitely learn how to open doors and cupboards, and anybody purchasing a Savannah should take great steps to keep the cat out of mischief.
Maine Coon
Maine Coons are regarded as gentle giants because they have above-average intelligence and are generally easy to teach. But don’t get your hopes up so fast!
They are noted for being family-oriented and cautious around strangers. However, this doesn’t mean they’re hostile or aggressive towards them. They’re rather independent and not really attached too much to others.
Unfortunately for us, the Maine Coon isn’t recognized for being a “lap cat.” The good news is that their mild nature allows them to be comfortable among dogs, other cats, and children.
Now, here’s something you don’t hear very often in the cat world.
Many Maine Coons are fascinated by water, and some suggest that this behavioral feature stems from their ancestors, who spent much of their life on ships. A cat and water? No way! Well, now you see how each breed, and especially each individual is unique.
Moreover, Maine Coons are also noted for being extremely loud cats.
They’re really famous for yowling or howling often, trilling, chirping, and producing other loud vocalizations. So, if you’re looking to get a friend that you can chat with, perhaps Maine Coon is a perfect choice.
Keep in mind before introducing a Maine Coon into your house that this breed requires frequent exercise and can’t be left alone for lengthy periods of time. Because of this, many people refer to them as dogs in the cat world.
So, what do you get in the end?
So far, we’ve seen some of the main personality traits of these two big breeds. therefore, we can safely say that there are some obvious similarities between the two.
What we still don’t know for sure is how well the Savannah and Maine Coon mix would just turn out to be. Either way, we can hope that it’s for the best because there aren’t a lot of things that tell them apart except for their appearance!
Both breeds are active and require daily exercise. Also, both cats are described to have a dog-like personality which actually tells us a lot about them.
It means you’ll really need to find time for the Savannah Maine Coon mix. Otherwise, you might end up with an unhappy pet that could turn destructive.
Next to agility, they’re known to be loyal to their owners but apprehensive when it comes to strangers. Again, a quality that resembles a dog’s personality. Perhaps you should think about getting a puppy if this is a dream come true for you.
Jokes aside, taking care of the Savannah Maine Coon mix might be harder than it looks because of these facts. Having one very active cat might be fun but mixing two big and agile breeds into one? I think you’ll be sweating chasing after it!
We can conclude that this mix would be perfect for people who want a cat that’s more lively. Usually, felines lay around all day long and sleep through most of the night.
If you’re still not ready to take care of a dog and it’s too much of a responsibility for you, perhaps the Savannah Maine Coon mix is the answer to all of your prayers!
Physical appearance of Savannah Maine Coon mix
When you take a look at these two breeds, there isn’t really a lot in common between them. Savannah cat has short fur whereas the Maine Coon has thick, lush one. The Savannah is looking fit and athletic whereas the Maine Coon looks like it could take a nap.
I know most people fall in love the moment they lay their eyes on these two. I don’t blame them because they don’t really give us much choice with their beautiful looks.
Savannah cat
Usually, the first thing people notice is the sheer size of this magnificent breed. They’re truly a sight to see and there’s no way you could possibly miss it in a crowd.
Because the Savannah cat is a mix of the wild and a domestic one, it’s really no surprise that this resulted in one of the largest cat breeds in the world.
One of their most recognizable physical characteristics is their spots. If you look at it from afar, you might replace the Savannah cat with a wild one. These beautiful spots give them an exotic look. Unfortunately, this is usually what people mostly fall for and disregard their traits and needs.
Its build is athletic, with lanky legs and slim bodies. What most people find funny and cute at the same time are their huge ears. Well, it’s no surprise considering their history and where they actually come from! You need those enormous ears to detect your prey and enemy!
F1 generation (strongest genetic influence of the serval ancestor) Savannahs are usually the largest. When it comes to the color, the ones that are recognized are the brown-spotted tabby, silver-spotted tabby, black, and black smoke.
Other colors include rosette, marble, snow (point), blue, cinnamon, chocolate, and lilac. However, these aren’t recognized to be the breed’s standard. What also stands out is their small heads with big, puffy noses and hooded eyes.
Ocelli are little bright bands on the back of the ears that are bordered by black, dark grey, or brown, creating an eye-like impression. Their short tail is adorned with black rings and a solid black tip.
In kittens, the eyes are blue (like in other cats), but in adults, they can be green, brown, gold, or a combination of these colors.
Maine Coon
Maine Coons may grow to be the size of a bobcat! This equates to a length of between 19 and 40 inches (48-101 cm) and a height of between 8 and 16 inches (20-40 cm).
They’re rather heavy, weighing between 15 and 25 pounds (6.8-11.3 kg). Maine Coons have adapted to survive the severe winter! They aren’t that fluffy just for fun.
They are really designed in this manner to withstand harsh environments. Also, you might’ve noticed that they have large, hairy paws that look like snowshoes and allow them to move on snow without becoming caught.
All of these layers of silk and luscious fur give them a fluffy look that most people like. However, you should be aware that the Maine Coon’s luxurious fur demands careful care.
Maine Coons have large ears that are rounded at the points and have fur on top of them. The prominent cheekbones give a Maine Coon its distinguishing appearance and unusual face structure. This is why their faces appear significantly longer than those of other felines.
Aside from their friendly demeanor, the broad diversity of colors and patterns of a Maine Coon cat’s hair is what has garnered them a lot of popularity.
Maine Coon’s short hair comes in a variety of hues, including white, black, orange, brown, cream, red, blue, and variants of these colors. There are tabby, bi-color, calico, solid, and color point designs available. All of these are lovely and fascinating.
Possible health issues of a Savannah Maine Coon mix
Unfortunately, each cat breed’s genetics might indicate certain health concerns. Some breeders claim that Savannah cats have no known specific care or dietary needs, while others advocate a diet free of grains and byproducts.
A few advocate a raw food diet that has at least 32% protein and no byproducts. Many breeders recommend calcium and other supplements, particularly for growing cats and F1 and F2 generations.
Most Savannah breeders believe that Savannahs require more taurine than the ordinary domestic cat and so prescribe taurine supplements that may be mixed into any diet type.
However, most veterinarians oppose grain-free and raw diets for cats since they have been related to problems caused by food-borne pathogens or poor nutritional balance.
Hip dysplasia is a hip joint condition that can cause debilitating disability and arthritis. Males of bigger, big-boned breeds like Persians and Maine Coons are the most usually afflicted with hip dysplasia.
Many of the original Maine Coon cats who lived in New England have a condition known as polydactylism. They have one or more extra toes on their paws.
How to know if this is the right breed for you?
It might be difficult to choose between two such wonderful breeds. You can’t seem to tear your gaze away from them, and it doesn’t help that they resemble each other!
That is why you must make a decision that is best for you. It’s critical that your personality matches that of your kitty because you’ll be stuck with each other for a long time!
Although these cats are considered to be outgoing in the cat world, they prefer to spend most of their time with one human.
Without a doubt, they do not love hugging others or lying by their sides. However, if they actually like you, they will tell you.
The energetic, engaging, and charming Savannah Maine Coon mix gets along well with youngsters and other animals. That is if you respect their bounds.
This cat breed, along with the Siberian cat, is among the most active breeds. The kitten stage may be extremely exhausting due to their erratic behavior.
You honestly can’t turn your back on them because they’re constantly up to something. But it’s their pranks that make them unique.
If you don’t have the time or patience for such a bundle of pleasure, you should reconsider your decision. The objective of getting a cat is that the co-existence makes you both happy.
And if you get tired of chasing after your mixed breed all day long, you should consider purchasing some sort of electric toy that will do the job for you. This SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Concealed Motion Cat Toy will have your cat playing for hours.
Whenever she’s bored and looking for attention, turn on the button on the toy and enjoy watching your kitty as she’s having the time of her life.
Bottom line
Perhaps you’ve never heard of the Savannah Maine Coon mix before. Now, you have the chance to adopt or purchase one of these but you’re a bit hesitant.
It’s safe to say that this breed isn’t a piece of cake. They require daily exercise, a more expensive diet which might consist of raw meat even.
But I can guarantee you that you’ll have a blast with this pet. They’re rambunctious, vocal, and fit to wreak havoc in your house. From time to time they will offer you cuddles and kisses and return to their shenanigans.
