Serengeti Cat

The Serengeti cat is a cross between the Bengal and the Oriental Shorthair cat. The large ears and long legs are typical of the still young cat breed. Their spotted fur is reminiscent of the drawing of an exotic big cat. Serengeti cats are very temperamental and should only be placed in experienced hands.

Appearance: Elegant Beauty with Eye-catching Polka Dots

The breed of the Serengeti cats originated from a cross between the Bengal cat and the Oriental Shorthair cat.

Like a cross between a house cat and an Asian leopard cat, the Bengal cat is one of the so-called hybrid cats. Because the Serengeti is descended from the Bengal, there is also a small proportion of wildcats in it – and you can tell by looking at it.

“Wild” Fur Pattern

From its wild ancestors, the Serengeti cat inherited not only its temperament but also its coat of paint with the eye-catching polka dots.

Cat breeding organizations recognize the following coat colors in the Serengeti:

• Yellow to gold in color with black spots
• Solid black
• Cold gray with black spots
• Silver with black spots

The spots in the short, silky fur should always be clearly visible and far apart.

Graceful Appearance

The Serengeti is square in shape. With her upright posture and long legs, she is a graceful figure.

At the same time, she is strong and muscular. Because Serengeti breeders value the excellent physical condition of the animals.

The Serengeti is a medium-sized breed of cats. Females weigh between three and a half and five and a half kilograms. Male cats, on the other hand, are considerably larger than cats and weigh six to seven kilograms.

Noticeably Large Ears

In addition to the dots, the Serengeti is particularly notable for its large ears. This is a legacy of the crossbred Oriental Shorthair cats. The ears are as long as the whole head.

In addition, the animals have round, light eyes and a long neck that merges into the base of the skull without tapering.

Temperament: A Serengeti Cat Wants to Be Everywhere

Cats of this breed are described as confident, open, and friendly. When Serengeti moves into a new home, they may be a little shy for the first day or two.

Once the initial shyness is overcome, there is no stopping it: Then the Serengeti wants to be there everywhere and “help” with all household chores.

Some Serengeti cats follow their owner at every turn so as not to miss anything. So don’t be surprised if your Serengeti wants to follow you to the bathroom.

Like their ancestors, the Oriental Shorthair cats, Serengeti cats are very “talkative” and meow a lot.

Keeping and Caring for the Serengeti Cat

In contrast to first to fourth-generation Bengal cats, there are no official requirements for keeping Serengeti cats. The percentage of wild cat blood is very low.

Nevertheless, due to their temperament, the Serengeti cat is more suitable for experienced cat owners.

Cats of this breed are very active and need a lot of exercises. A garden in which they can let off steam is ideal. As indoor cats, they should have access to a secured balcony so they can get some fresh air every now and then.

Like the Bengal cat, the Serengeti also loves water and is happy to have a garden pond or a sturdy paddling pool that can withstand its sharp claws.

Climbing Opportunities in the Apartment

Your apartment should also offer the house tiger plenty of opportunities to climb and run around. The animals love to climb high and enjoy the view from above. Vary the environment from time to time to create new incentives.

Well Tolerated with Children and Other Animals

Serengeti cats are said to get along well with other animal species. The prerequisite for this is that you make an effort to bring the animals together and get used to each other carefully.

The breed is considered fond of children. But not all children can cope with their boisterous temperament.

Easy-Care Fur

Due to the short hair, the coat of the Serengeti is relatively easy to care for. Regular brushing is not necessary with this breed of cats. However, your velvet paw may enjoy the attention that comes with grooming.

Health: The Serengeti Cat is Considered Robust

Serengeti cats are said to have robust health. There seems to be some risk of bladder stones. Apart from that, no breed-specific diseases are described.

However, even a Serengeti is not immune to “normal” cat diseases and parasites. So make sure you get the necessary vaccinations and take your cat to the vet for a health check-up once a year.

Buy a Serengeti Cat

Do you want to buy a Serengeti cat? That could be difficult in Germany. Because in this country this young breed of cats is still extremely rare to find.

What Does a Serengeti Cat Cost?

In the United States, a Serengeti cat costs between $ 600 and $ 2,000. The price depends, among other things, on the breeder and the age of the animal.

Cats of rare breeds are also offered for sale online on various advertising portals. However, such offers are not always reliable. Animal rights activists criticize the fact that the sellers often “produce” their animals under questionable conditions and that they do not keep them in a species-appropriate manner.

History and Breeding: A “Little Serval”

Contrary to what the name “Serengeti” suggests, this cat breed is not born in East Africa, but in the USA: There it was created in 1994 by a breeder named Karen Sausman in California. The aim of breeding was a cat that looks similar to the serval, an African wild cat.

This is a relatively young breed of cats. The American cat breeder organization “TICA” now lists the Serengeti as a “temporary new breed”, which can, however, be registered and exhibited in the studbook.

Conclusion

The Serengeti cat impresses with its elegant, wildcat-like appearance and its lovable temperament. In Germany, however, this exotic breed of cats is hard to come by.