A Guide To The Fascinating Savannah Bengal Mix Cat

Anyone looking for a cat with exotic looks is likely to consider either a Bengal or Savannah cat.

Yes, both of these cats are large, have spotted coats, and share wild ancestors. 

They’re also similar in temperament, sharing traits like high activity, curiosity, and intelligence. If you have a hard time choosing between a Bengal and a Savannah cat, we have some good news for you: There’s their hybrid that inherited some of the best traits from both of its parents!

Let’s take a look at the Savannah Bengal mix cat and see what to expect from its appearance, temperament, and health.

Savannah Bengal Mix Overview

Size

Both Savannah and Bengal are large cats. There are multiple generations of Savannah cats, with the first generation being the largest and possessing the highest percentage of Serval blood.

In general, as suggested by the Savannah cat growth chart, these felines are 14 to 17 inches tall and weigh 9 to 24 pounds.

Bengals are slightly smaller than Savannah cats, but still larger than most domestic cats. They weigh 8 to 15 pounds, while their average height goes from 13 to 16 inches.

Considering the size of both of these breeds, their offspring is also likely to be a large cat. It’s expected to weigh anywhere between 10 to 20 pounds and to be tall 13 to 17 inches.

Body And Head Features

Another common trait of Savannah and Bengal cats is a long, lean, and muscular body. They both have long legs.

Therefore, their hybrid also features an athletic and graceful body. 

As the head shape goes, this mix can have a triangular-shaped head like their Savannah parent, or resemble more to a Bengal with a round face.

Its eyes can come in various colors, such as green, hazel, orange, and copper.

Coat Type And Colors

Just like both of its parent breeds, the Savannah Bengal mix will have a distinctive spotted coat.

Their coats are short and dense.

The Savannah Bengal mix can inherit a black, black smoke, silver spotted, or brown spotted tabby pattern from its Savannah parent. Also, it can have a marble coat like the Bengal cat.

Temperament

Hearing that a cat has a wild origin may sound too overwhelming for some prospective cat parents.

How exactly does this ancestry affect a Savannah Bengal mix temperament and behavior?

Of course, the only way to learn this is to thoroughly observe the temperament traits of both of its parents.

WebMD describes the Savannah cat as highly active, curious, and social. This breed prefers to explore and play rather than just to longue with its owners on the sofa. Therefore, the Savannah cat needs a home with a variety of enrichment activities.

At the same time, the Savannah is affectionate and forms deep bonds with their families. 

Bengal is a curious, intelligent, and also active cat. Similar to their ancestors, Bengals are always alert and confident. 

This cat is extremely loyal and devoted to its owners, but doesn’t appreciate being held.

Both Savannah and Bengal are intelligent breeds, capable of learning tricks, playing fetch, and walking on a leash. They’re also vocal and chatty.

Hence, the Savannah Bengal cat is also an energetic cat that isn’t likely to stay still and passive. It’s also an affectionate cat that enjoys interacting with its humans, but isn’t a fan of cuddling. These cats will let you know they’re annoyed with loud meowing!

Due to these characteristics, this hybrid cat will thrive with an owner who has plenty of time and willingness to shower it with attention and enrichment.

Check the video below to get the right idea of just how energetic and active the Savannah Bengal cat is.

Care

Every cat has different care requirements. When it comes to hybrid felines, it’s necessary to look at this segment for both of their parent breeds to make general assumptions.

Let’s see what the Savannah Bengal mix is like in this aspect.

Grooming

The short-haired Savannah is a low-shedding breed. Bengals also don’t shed excessively.

Therefore, owning a Savannah Bengal mix won’t require frequent brushing. Once a week should be enough to keep this short-haired cat’s coat clean, shiny, and neat.

Of course, it’s possible for this cat to shed a bit more, for instance, during seasonal changes or due to allergies. These situations could require more frequent brushing.

In general, this hybrid is a good choice for all of you looking for a low-shedding cat.

Nutrition

The dietary needs of a Savannah Bengal cat are similar to any other domestic cat. 

This means that it should be based on high-protein foods from an animal source. Keep in mind that this is a large and athletic cat that will need more food than an average house cat.

I recommend you consult a veterinarian on the best type of food for this cat, as well as ideal daily portions.

Exercise

Due to its powerful and muscular physique, the Savannah Bengal mix is always on the move. This cat enjoys and needs a lot of jumping, investigation, climbing, and playing.

Since this hybrid is active, it requires a lot of physical exercise. The Bengal Savannah mix keeps its humans on their feet and thrives with an owner who can keep up with its activity level.

If you hope to have a moderately active cat that will be fine just chilling with you, this isn’t a cat for you.

This is a type of cat that needs a fellow adventure lover and someone who will provide it with diverse activities.

Regular exercise keeps the Bengal Savannah hybrid happy and satisfied. Also, it helps in maintaining the optimal body weight.

Training

Together with physical exercise, the Savannah Bengal also requires a lot of mental stimulation.

Their high intelligence makes them trainable, which is great news for those of you who aspire to teach your cat tricks.

Not only are these cats trainable, but mental challenges are also an important part of their care. If this mixed cat gets bored, it’s likely to show destructive behaviors.

Of course, to train it in the right way, you need to motivate it somehow. The Cat School suggests the following essential tricks for cat training:

• Start with some simple tricks to ensure the cat sees training as something easy and fun

• Since cats have a short attention span, keep the training sessions short to keep them focused (3-5 minutes once or twice a day is enough in the beginning)

• Train your cat in a quiet area in your home, where there are no distractions

• Always reward your cat with its favorite treat after performing the trick successfully

• Don’t ever punish your cat, since this can cause stress and anxiety in it

• Train your cat at the right time – first thing in the morning or after a nap when it’s rested and ready for activity

Health Issues

The Savannah Bengal cat is likely to inherit health problems typical of its parent breeds. Some of the most common ones are dental issues, diabetes, and hip dysplasia.

Although dental problems are most commonly seen in older felines, they can also occur in young ones. This is why it’s essential to brush your cat’s teeth regularly and take it to annual professional teeth cleaning.

Excess drooling, bad breath, redness and swelling on gums, and reluctance to eat are some typical signs of dental issues.

According to VCA Animal Hospitals, clinical signs of feline diabetes are related to elevated concentrations of blood glucose. These are increased thirst and urination, weight loss, and increased appetite. Treatment here includes insulin therapy and a change in diet.

Finally, hip dysplasia in cats is a condition where there is an abnormal development of the cat’s hip joint.

There are several treatments for this condition, such as physical therapy, weight loss, drug therapy, and surgery.

Lifespan

Both Savannah and Bengal cats are likely to live a long life.

Their hybrid inherited this trait, meaning that its average lifespan is estimated to be from 12 to 20 years. 

Of course, there are some factors that can influence this cat’s life expectancy. These are potential health problems, living conditions, exercise, and nutrition. 

To have this mixed cat by your side for a long time, you need to provide it with a lot of attention and quality care.

Conclusion

Is Savannah Bengal cat the right choice for you?

This cat’s appearance will make you fall in love with it. It’s graceful and athletic, and the spotted coat makes it look like a wild cat.

Despite its looks, this hybrid is loving with its humans. It’s also intelligent, trainable, and energetic. Having this cat at home means you’ll never be bored!

However, it isn’t a cat for everyone for sure. The Savannah Bengal hybrid has high energy levels and needs constant attention.

Without the right care, it can become destructive and will show its dissatisfaction clearly.

Can you imagine this active hybrid cat as your future pet? Looking forward to reading your answers!

Read Next: Savannah Cat Vs Serval: How Similar Are These Two Breeds?