Introduction
Savannah cats, with their mesmerizing exotic appearance and wildcat charm, have captivated the hearts of many feline enthusiasts. What Do Savannah Cats Eat? Breed by crossing domestic cats with servals, an African wildcat species, Savannah cats boast a unique blend of beauty and the echoes of their untamed ancestry. This distinctive lineage defines their striking looks and plays a pivotal role in determining their dietary requirements.
What Do Savannah Cats Eat?
A pet that eats well will stay healthy. When fed in the right amounts, it helps them grow. Stay at a healthy weight, and keep their immune systems strong. If you don’t watch what you eat, you could get diabetes, become overweight, or even have kidney or heart failure. It’s true for both people and our animal family members! Better food might cost a little more upfront. But it will save you money in the long run on health bills and help your pet live a longer, happier life.
Cat or kitten food should never have corn on the list of ingredients. It’s just filler that doesn’t give cats any calories. And is the main reason they get food allergies, kidney disease, UTIs, and diabetes. People who feed their cats corn-based food are like people who eat fast food or junk food for every meal, every day, for the rest of their lives.
Savannah Cat Origins
Savannah cats were first bred in the 1980s when breeders began crossing servals with domestic cats to create a breed that combines the exotic appearance of wildcats with the temperament of domestic cats. They are known for their long legs, large ears, and striking spotted or marbled coats.
Feeding Savannah Cats: A Practical Approach
Feeding your Savannah cat appropriately is crucial for their well-being. Here’s a practical approach to providing these unique felines:
Commercial Cat Food: One of the most convenient ways to meet your Savannah cat’s nutritional needs is by feeding them high-quality commercial cat food. Look for products specifically designed for exotic or hybrid cat breeds, as they often provide the necessary protein levels.
Raw Diet: Some Savannah cat owners opt for a raw food diet. This approach closely mimics their wild ancestors’ diet, providing whole foods like raw meat, organs, and bones. However, consulting with a veterinarian is essential to create a balanced raw diet plan.
Home-Cooked Meals: If you have the time and expertise, preparing home-cooked meals for your Savannah cat can be an option. Ensure that the recipes are balanced and meet their nutritional requirements. Onions and garlic, for example, are harmful to cats and should be avoided.
Mixed Diet: Many owners mix commercial cat food with raw or home-cooked meals to offer variety and ensure balanced nutrition. This approach allows you to control the sources of your cat’s protein, which can be particularly beneficial.
The Diet Of The Savannah Cat
Like other types of cats, Savannah cats require a balanced diet consisting of various foods, such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fats, and water. However, compared to other cats, they have a slightly higher calorie consumption requirement. Savannah cats have a higher metabolism rate than different types of cats, and as a result, they require a greater quantity of calories. An average Savannah cat will consume between 2.5 and 3 pounds of food in seven days.
This number shifts about according to the dimensions of the feline in question. It’s possible that younger, smaller Savannah cats need no more than one pound of food every day. A daily diet of up to four pounds of food is recommended for larger Savannah cats.
A Savannah cat in good health should meet at least 10% of his daily caloric requirements through fat consumption. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are found in fat, and some of these EFAs include omega-3 and omega-6. These essential fatty acids (EFAs) are critical to healthy growth and development and the operation of the immune system and the brain. Even while canned diets are appropriate for Savannah cats, most like dry food, and you should feed them at least twice daily. Dehydrated meals typically have a lower calorie count and overall moisture content than wet ones.
Feeding Frequency And Portions
Feeding frequency and portion control are essential for maintaining a healthy Savannah cat. Consider the following guidelines:
Age-Appropriate Meals: Kittens need more frequent meals to support their growth, typically 3-4 meals daily. As cats mature, reduce the frequency to 2-3 meals daily. Adult Savannah cats usually thrive on two meals a day.
Controlled Portions: It’s crucial to control portion sizes to prevent obesity. Consult your veterinarian to determine the appropriate portion sizes for your cat based on age, weight, and activity level.
How To Properly Provide Food For Your Savannah Cat
Because of the distinctive nature of each cat, how they consume food can vary greatly, not just from one breed to another but even among members of the same breed. Particularly in the case of kittens, a consistent feeding pattern has yet to be established. Some kittens may consume significantly more dry food than others.
While the transition from wet to dry food can take several months for some kittens, it can be completed in a few weeks for others. You need to monitor your cat and adjust based on what you learn about their requirements. You can always try to combine the dry food with some wet food, gradually increasing the ratio if your Savannah cat doesn’t appear to enjoy the food you offer. This technique is very gentle to make a cat adjust to a change in their cherished mealtime routines, so don’t worry about upsetting them.
You can continue providing raw food for your hybrid cat, such as a Savannah. Be warned that preparing a raw feast for your cat might require significant time and work. You must maintain a balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio to keep your cat healthy on a raw food diet. In addition, you can provide your cat with natural and dry food. If you decide to feed this mixture, the amount of raw food you provide must be less than the amount of raw food you provide.
Conclusion
Feeding a Savannah cat properly is crucial to their overall well-being. Understanding their genetic heritage, basic nutritional requirements, and common dietary concerns is key to providing the best care for these extraordinary felines. Whether you opt for commercial cat food, a raw diet, or home-cooked meals, always prioritize high-quality ingredients and consult a veterinarian to tailor your cat’s diet to their needs. By giving your Savannah cat the right nutrition, you can help them lead a long, healthy life filled with vitality and adventure.
