Savannah vs Calico - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

Savannah vs Calico - Breed ComparisonSavannah is originated from United States but Calico is originated from Egypt. Both Savannah and Calico are having almost same weight. Savannah may live 4 years more than Calico. Both Savannah and Calico has same litter size. Both Savannah and Calico requires Low maintenance.

History

savannah - historySavannah cats have been bred to look like a Serval but it is essentially a domestic cat. The first Savannah cat was born in the United States in April 1986. The person who was successful in making this happen was Judee Frank.

She bred a Serval wild cat and a Siamese cat and they produced a female kitten with the name of Savannah – named after the African savannas from where the serval cat comes from.

It will take your Savannah kitten about 3 years to reach his adult size. The Savannah will give birth to up to 6 kittens. The cat was recognized by TICA in 2001.

Today when you’re looking to buy a Savannah kitten, you’ll notice the cats are always described with a filial number, for example, F1, F2, F3, F4, and so on. The filial number describes the generation a cat comes from.

Because this cat belongs to a hybrid group, the feline is banned in a number of states and cities in the United States of America.

calico - historyNobody can say with certainty where Calico cats originate from, but it is thought they they hail from Egypt, and that they later came to port cities in Spain, Italy and France.

Today these cats are found all over the world. Wherever these cats come from, they are 99.9% female and this is because of the cat’s unique chromosomal makeup. Most of the calico or tortoiseshell male cats are because of the chromosome abnormality.

The weird aspect with these amazing cats is because of their unique genetic makeup, and also because of the fact that the males are born sterile, these cats can’t be bred and they can emerge in different litters.

Since 2001 this cat has been Maryland's state cat. An interesting fact is that the Calico became the official cat of the state of Maryland because of its amazing colors of its fur which happen to be fairly similar to that of the Baltimore Oriole, the state bird.

Basic Information

Origin:
United States
Egypt
Weight Male:
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 20 Years
12 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
None
Colors Available:
grey with black spots, cream, Tawny
White, black and orange
Coat:
Short
Long or short
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

savannah kitten - descriptionThe Savannah Cat is a fairly large cat that weighs anything from 3 to 8 kg. It is a cross between a domestic cat and one of Africa’s smaller wild cats, the Serval.

Because of the Serval in the mix, the Savannah cat is able to leap into the air too because of his long legs. The cat has a short tail, and similar to the Cheetah has tear markings running from the corner of the eyes down to the whiskers.

A striking feature of this cat is his hooded eyes and the large ears. The Savannah cat has exotic looks and is regarded as a low maintenance cat with its short fur. The coat is tawny-colored with black spots but it comes in 4 background colors – smoke, silver, brown, and black.

Temperament:

An interesting aspect with the Savannah Cat is that they are sometimes compared to dogs. They become loyal pets and companions and will follow their owners around and can even be trained to walk on a leash.

The Savannah is an intelligent cat and can be taught a trick or two. Because the Savannah cat is a hybrid, they aren’t predictable in nature. Some are friendly and social while others are more wild and hostile. Some of them don’t like meeting strangers and will growl and hiss with uncertainty.

They enjoy playing in water and it will be a good idea to invest in a paddling pool for this cat’s outdoor enclosure. It’s an active cat and will require daily exercise. It is better suited to homes where there are older children.

calico kitten - descriptionCalico cats are known for their jaunty tri-colored coats with color such as white, black and orange. In fact, to be known as a Calico cat, these 3 colors need to be present, Calico isn’t a breed of cat as such, but is actually referring to the cat’s color variations.

Some of the most distinctive breeds of cars such a the Cornish Rex and Persians have these calico coats. One odd spec with these cats is that nearly all calico cats are female and this is because of the chromosomal makeup.

Size, coat texture, shade of coat, coat length and ear shapes can all vary with the type of calico cats you get so their weight can be anything from 3 to 7kg.

Temperament:

As mentioned, Calico cats aren’t a specific breed, and that is why it is actually difficult to describe the personality of a calico cat.

You’ll find certain calico cat owners describing their cat’s behavior but you won’t find any particular scientific studies of the cat’s personality. You could have a calm cat, one that is laid-back, a very vocal cat or a very active cat. In other words, these cats can be quiet, calm, excitable, friendly, shy, or mellow – their personality is formed from the way they are brought up and socialized.

Characteristics

savannah cat - characteristicsThe Savannah cat's temperament is exceptional, and when you’ve got a Savannah in your home, you’ve got a true companion.

Cat lovers who have owned one of these cats will tell you that this cat is similar to a dog in many ways. The intelligent cat will follow his owners around and be a friendly, loyal, and devoted companion.

With so much intelligence, beauty, and energy, this cat has all the qualities of a splendid feline companion.

The Savannah will form a particularly strong bond with the human family member who grooms and feeds him.

Everybody who has known the social, affectionate, loyal cat has nothing but good words to say and he may just be the cat companion you want.

calico cat - characteristicsThe Calico is such an amazing type of cat and because it comes from so many cat breeds, the personality will vary, although having said that, there are a few characteristics that seem to be specifically attributed to the Calico cat.

One thing is for sure, these are intelligent, sweet, appealing, warm-hearted, loving cats that are good with children too. Perhaps in keeping with the quirky, jaunty coat, there is some quirkiness in the personality too, but that is precisely what makes these amazing cats the interesting characters they are.

To add to that, when you do research, you find that some have acted in bravey and saved their humans from harm in one way or the other.

Health Problems

savannah kittens - health problemsThe Savannah is generally a healthy cat. The cat can also fall prey to some of the typical cat illnesses there are -

Allergies:

Allergies happen with cats when their immune systems become sensitive to certain things. Cat allergies can be environmental, from fleas or from food allergies.

While some allergies may come and go, others will require an examination by the vet as they can include itchy skin problems. Typical allergy symptoms include sneezing and coughing, runny eyes, diarrhea and vomiting.

Irritable bowel disease:

This is a gastrointestinal disorder. Cats of any age are affected but it is found more in older cats. Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract can come about because of a food allergy for instance or parasitic or bacterial infection. Your Savannah cat will be vomiting and lethargic and have diarrhea and weight loss.

Hookworms:

These are parasites that invade the small intestines of a cat. It can cause anemia and inflammation of the small intestine. Hookworms can produce symptoms such as weight loss, coughing, and diarrhea as well as skin irritations.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy:

This condition causes thickening of the muscular walls of a cat’s heart. The heart’s left ventricle is thickened. The heart can beat rapidly and this results in more oxygen usage. It can also lead to oxygen starvation which causes heart cells to die off. A condition known as arrhythmia develops where the heart beats irregularly.

calico kittens - health problemsThe lifespan of the Calico cat be anything really and if you provide your calico with a wonderful home it will be able to reach 15 years of age.

Sometimes Klinefelteris Syndrome is a threat with this cat as a result of the XXY chromosomes. Their health is impacted because the disease can cause problems such as increased body fat and reduced bone mineral content.

Caring The Pet

savannah cats - caringThe Savannah cat's diet needs to be a high-quality type of food with efficient levels of protein and taurine. The reason for this is that all cats are carnivores. A properly balanced raw diet will be the best nutritionally balanced food you can provide.

The Savannah has a short coat, which makes him low maintenance. He will still need to be brushed once a week. This will ensure a healthy sheen, and it will remove loose hairs and dust.

Provide for this intelligent cat’s physical and mental stimulation. He will need a variety of interactive toys. You yourself, need to become involved with your feline friend and give him a game too.

Make sure your Savannah is up-to-date with all his vaccinations. If you’re in any doubt about your pet’s health and wellbeing, get him to the vet who can provide you with valuable information on his health and his diet to ensure optimal health for your feline friend.

calico cats - caringGently brush the Calico’s fur from time to time to ensure the jaunty colored coat is always shiny and healthy. It helps with the removal of dead hair as well and the cat enjoys the attention.

Every cat requires vaccines to prevent him from getting the deadly cat viruses there are, and to keep the cat free from parasites.

If there are any warning signs that there’s something wrong with your Calico, get him to the vet immediately.

Your Calico kitten will need to receive 3 meals a day. As your cat matures, two smaller meals a day will be good for your cat. You’ll find both canned- and dry packaged foods and your cat will let you know which one he prefers.

Your adorable Calico may beg for treats in between but as a responsible pet owner, make sure you don’t allow your Calico to overeat as obesity brings its own set of health issues.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Calico vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Calico vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Calico vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Calico vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Calico vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Calico vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Calico vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Calico vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Calico vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Calico vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Calico vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Calico vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Calico vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Calico vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Calico vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Calico vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Calico vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Calico vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. Calico vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. Calico vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Calico vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Calico vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Calico vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Calico vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Calico vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. Savannah vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Savannah vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Savannah vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Savannah vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Savannah vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Savannah vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Savannah vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Savannah vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Savannah vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Savannah vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Savannah vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Savannah vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Savannah vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Savannah vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Savannah vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Savannah vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Savannah vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Savannah vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Savannah vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Savannah vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Savannah vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Savannah vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Savannah vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Savannah vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Savannah vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Cat Breeds