Serengeti: Description Of The Breed, Character And Habits Of The Cat, Care Features, Photos, Owner Reviews

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Serengeti: a domestic cat in the guise of a predator

A curious look with wide-open round eyes, a graceful and graceful gait, a stunningly beautiful spotted color - this is what the Serengeti looks like, a representative of one of the rarest and most valuable breeds in the world. Felinologists have already christened the exotic domestic cat "African leopard" because of its phenomenal resemblance to a wild serval. However, unlike its predatory relative, the serengeti gets along well with people and can become a full member of any family.

Content

• 1 History of the origin of the breed

• 2 External features of the serengeti

  • 2.1 Table: breed standard

    2.1.1 Video: Serengeti cat breed

  • 2.2 Color

    2.2.1 Video: Serengeti cats at the show in Chelyabinsk

• 3 Character and behavior
• 4 Health

• 5 Choosing a kitten

  5.1 Video: Serengeti kittens

• 6 Features of care and maintenance of serengeti

  • 6.1 Hygiene
  • 6.2 Toilet
  • 6.3 Feeding
• 7 Breeding the breed
• 8 Castration and sterilization
• 9 Owner reviews about pets of the Serengeti breed

History of the origin of the breed

The beauty and grace of wild felines inspire felinologists to create truly outstanding masterpieces: miniature carnivores with the ideal character for living in a human family. This is what happened with the American biologist Karen Sousman. In the 80s of the last century, she went to work on the African continent to head one of the picturesque nature reserves of Tanzania. So Karen ended up in the Serengeti: a national park that covers an area from northern Tanzania to southern Kenya.

The breed got its name from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

It was in the Serengeti that Sauzman first saw the wild representative of the serval feline family, which is not surprising, since this region is its main habitat. The woman drew attention to the fact that, unlike other predators, the serval is not so aggressive. Then the idea dawned on her to create a domestic cat, outwardly identical to a wild relative. Being an expert in genetics, Karen decided not to take risks and not cross the serval with ordinary cats, so that the offspring would not inherit the character of a predator.

In 1994, the woman returned to her homeland in California, acquired the Kingsmark kennel and immediately registered the name of the new breed. It didn't take long to think: the choice immediately fell on the homeland of the serval. To copy the appearance of the wild feline, the breeder first crossed a Bengal and an Oriental. Subsequently, Maine Coons and Abyssinians were involved. The result exceeded all expectations: the world saw a graceful cat with an expressive look and a characteristic spotted color.

The new breed was officially registered by the International Cat Association (TICA) in 1994 as "experimental". During this time, she did not receive recognition from other reputable felinological associations, and therefore representatives are not allowed to take part in competitions and exhibitions. Today, only 20 breeders in the world are engaged in breeding serengeti, and according to the rules, there should be at least 50 of them. That is why the breed is very rare and valuable. There are about 900 individuals around the globe.

External features of the serengeti

Representatives of the breed inherited round expressive eyes and spotted color from Bengals, grace and grace from Abyssinians. But the main distinguishing features of pets are large "alert" ears and incredibly long limbs. Compared to the large and wide auricles, the animal's head seems rather small, but in reality it is quite proportional to the body. Due to the "alertness" of the ears, it seems that a curious pet is always interested in what is happening around.

"Alert ears" - a distinctive feature of the breed

The larger the ears, the better the animal hears. In fact, this is a misconception, as the size of the shells does not affect hearing acuity in any way. For example, in elephants, ears serve to cool the body in hot weather. Cats with large ears need to clean their shells more often (daily or every 2 days), because dirt accumulates in them much faster. That is why I recommend that owners always have a cotton pad and saline on hand. Alternatively, you can use chamomile tea.

As the official owner of the longest legs among all domestic cats, serengeti can jump up to 2 meters in height. At least that's what the owners of exotic pets say.

Table: breed standard

Parameter	Description
Weight	Cat - 8-12 kg, cat - 13-15 kg
Height at withers	About 60 cm
Head	Small in size, wedge-shaped, with taut cheeks, well-defined cheekbones, strong (but not massive) chin. The nose is straight and wide. The forehead is high and sloping. The neck is long and high.
Ears	Large (ear height = skull height), well open. The auricles are shaped like an isosceles triangle. The distance between the ears is small due to their considerable size.
Eyes	Set wide apart, round, large. Corneal color: honey, hazel or light green. The characteristic dark lines run from the outer corner of the eye to the auricle, and also from the inner corner to the bridge of the nose.
Limbs	Strong, well muscled. Serengeti has the longest limbs of all existing domestic cat breeds. Feet are small, oval, with tightly closed toes. The tail is straight, tapering towards the tip. Its length is equal to the length of the body. The tip of the tail is always black.
Body	Medium in size, the body is slightly elongated. The physique is athletic, fit. Croup and shoulders are equal in width.
Wool	Thin, short, pleasant to the touch, fits snugly to the body. There is no undercoat.

Video: Serengeti cat breed

Color

Representatives of the breed have characteristic elongated spots that contrast with the main color of the coat. An open “necklace” of dark stripes can be seen around the neck, and rings on the tail and limbs. The following types of colors are distinguished:

• smoky - gray coat with black or dark gray markings;

  

  Smoky serengeti looks even more graceful and graceful

• black - black, but not very noticeable spots on a dark background (the so-called "ghostly spotting", in which the pattern is hardly noticeable);

  

  Ghost Spotting is not a defect

• black tabby - dark markings contrast sharply with the base coat color. This color is the most common.

  

  Black tabby - classic serengeti color

Defects are considered:

• spots extended not horizontally, but vertically;
• white, red color.

Video: Serengeti cats at an exhibition in Chelyabinsk

Character and behavior

Serengeti are incredibly charismatic, intelligent and sociable cats. Owners of exotic pets note that you can talk with a pet in the literal sense of the word. In contrast to the banal "meow", the animal emits a wide range of different sounds: grunting, croaking, chirping, giggling, currying, etc. The pet is very attached to the owner and literally does not step back on him. If the cat does not have enough attention, she will definitely do everything possible to distract her owner from business: rub her feet, look into her eyes, sit on her knees.

Serengeti are active, energetic, always in motion and do not like passive pastime. They will always and everywhere find entertainment for themselves. If the owner did not leave the toys and went to work, the pet will play with everything that falls under the paw. Considering that the animal is rather curious, it can be assumed in what condition the owner will find the apartment upon arrival. And we should not forget that the serengeti jumps high, so it is useless to hide anything from him on the closet or mezzanine.

The breed shows a genuine interest in strangers. They immediately make contact, do not show aggression. Basically, a person himself tries to quickly retreat by looking at the dimensions of the animal. The cat is quite supportive of children, since it has a stress resistance and good intellect. She cannot stand loneliness, so even from a walk she can bring a couple of yard cats with her.

Sociability can be considered both an advantage and a disadvantage at the same time. If guests often come to the house, the owners can be sure that the cat will make friends with everyone. On the other hand, there is a great danger that she will trust a stranger, and she can easily be kidnapped. Therefore, while walking on the street, do not lose sight of your pet.

Relationships with other animals are not easy. When meeting a dog, the serengeti always attacks first - this is his defensive tactic. Any birds and rodents in the house will not stay long either: the cat will find a way to satisfy its natural instinct. In rare cases, a pet can get along with another representative of the feline family, but only if he recognizes his authority and does not claim leadership.

Summarizing the above, we can conclude that serengeti is suitable for people leading an active lifestyle. He will become a devoted and sympathetic friend, a companion who will always be there and will be able to console in difficult times. If a person constantly disappears at work, values his property too much, does not like intrusive pets and has other pets, then such an exotic cat is not his option.

I heard that some serengeti owners are faced with the problem of waywardness and disobedience of the cat, writing off these shortcomings for character traits. In fact, this is a big gap in upbringing, of which people themselves are the culprits. Any pet (be it a cat, dog, mini-pig, etc.) must recognize the authority of the owner. Otherwise, the pet will become the main one in the house, and the household will have to put up with its unbearable behavior. Raise your cat from an early age, show your superiority, do not ignore her antics. Scold in words, threaten with your finger or click on the nose if the pet went to the toilet in the wrong place, stole food from the table, ripped off the wallpaper, etc. Then the animal will understand that in this house you need to live according to the rules established by man.

Health

Despite the impressive size, the representatives of the breed live only 10-12 years. It is not known what caused such a low life expectancy, especially since their health is truly heroic. The only thing that is observed is a predisposition to urolithiasis (most often found in cats). The disease occurs due to a deficiency of vitamin A in the body, digestive pathology, unbalanced nutrition, hormonal disorders, complications after colds.

Typical symptoms:

• the belly increases in volume;
• the animal becomes restless, constantly meows, tries to attract attention to itself;
• often licks the reproductive organs;
• goes to the toilet in the wrong places, often right in front of the owner;
• there is a frequent urge to urinate, but the pet cannot relieve its natural need;
• blood clots appear in the urine.

If such symptoms occur, you urgently need to go to the veterinary clinic, since it is impossible to cure the animal on your own. Treatment includes a whole range of procedures, sometimes you cannot do without surgery. If medical care is not provided on time, a lethal outcome is possible (especially in pets aged 1–5 years).

Choosing a kitten

There are only 2 kennels in Russia that breed this breed, and both are located in the capital: “Russicurl” and “Russicats”. Serengeti can only be purchased overseas in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Officially registered breeders are TICA certified. The absence of such a document indicates that under the guise of an exotic and rare pet, unscrupulous breeders can sell a cat of a different breed. That is why it is highly recommended to purchase kittens from proven and reliable breeders. The average cost is 40-80 thousand rubles. The price cannot be lower, because the breed is very valuable and rare.

When choosing a kitten, you need to pay attention to its appearance. Discharge near the corners of the eyes, plaque on the ears, excessive thinness, a swollen tummy, inertia and lethargy - all this indicates that the baby has health problems. The most active, playful, agile and friendly pet should be purchased.

Serengeti kittens have the following distinctive external features:

• large erect ears;
• characteristic "leopard" color with dark rings on the tail and limbs;
• wedge-shaped head;
• a long tail.

However, even if the pet visually matches the breed standard, you still need to check the documents to buy a purebred representative, and not a half-breed. By the way, the fourth generation baby from the outcross is considered a thoroughbred (and therefore the most expensive).

Kittens are usually purchased at the age of 2.5 months. By this time, they had already grown strong enough physically and mentally, so they were ready to move to a new family.

Before purchasing a serengeti, adequately assess your capabilities. Representatives of the breed are quite large, so they will be cramped in a small apartment. The best option is a private house with a garden plot. There, the animal will have the opportunity to frolic in the fresh air and throw out all the energy. In the conditions of the apartment, the pet will have to be regularly walked on the street. When purchasing, be sure to ask the breeders about the diet, purchase the same food. Buy toys, a bed and a tray in advance. Sometimes some of the items listed give breeders to new owners to make it easier for the baby to adapt to new conditions.

Video: serengeti kittens

Features of care and maintenance of serengeti

The Serengeti differs from most other breeds in its large size and incredible energy, therefore it needs frequent walks in the fresh air. That is why it is advisable to teach a pet from childhood to a harness or leash. At first, you can put on the accessory for 5-10 minutes at home, then gradually increase the time so that the cat eventually stops paying attention to it and does not feel discomfort.

It is also necessary to equip a comfortable bed, preferably higher from the floor (large representatives of the feline family especially like to relax on a hill). For this purpose, a large playground is ideal, which also serves as an entertainment function. So the cat will not get bored in the absence of the owner and will be able to rest after active pastime on a high pedestal.

Game complex - ideal for serengeti

Hygiene

Caring for a serengeti is practically the same as caring for a cat of any other breed. You can bathe your pet no more than twice a year with special shampoos for cats (you can buy it at any pet store). Cosmetic care products intended for humans are not suitable, as they cause allergic reactions in pets, and the coat becomes dull and brittle after washing. If the cat is afraid of water, you can use dry shampoo: it is no less effective than regular liquid. The products of domestic manufacturers "AVZ" and Royal Groom have proven themselves well.

Royal Groom - quality shampoo for cats from a domestic manufacturer

The cat practically does not shed, its coat is short, does not form tangles, so it is enough to comb it out every 10-14 days with a rubber or silicone brush. Other hygiene procedures include:

• cleaning the auricles (as it gets dirty);
• brushing teeth (especially if the cat eats soft food);
• rubbing the hair around the eyes (if necessary, if discharge appears).

It is not necessary to trim the claws, especially if the pet is accustomed to a scratching post. If you still want to protect yourself from scratches, and property from damage, you should purchase a special nail clipper and carry out a hygienic procedure 1 in 2-3 weeks. In the absence of the necessary skills for clipping the nails, you can seek help from the veterinary clinic. The cost of such a service varies between 100-300 rubles.

To trim the nails, you need a special tool - a nail clipper

Restroom

Usually breeders sell kittens that are already accustomed to the litter box, so new owners should not have any toilet problems. Like all representatives of the feline family, serengeti are very clean, therefore they will not relieve their natural needs near the place for eating. That is why the tray should be placed away from the bowl of food: in the bathroom, corridor, on the balcony, or in one of the rooms. It is necessary to constantly monitor that the pet has free access to the tray. Otherwise, he will be forced to go to the toilet in the wrong place.

At first, it is recommended to use the tray to which the baby is accustomed (breeders usually give it to new owners). As the cat grows older, it will grow in size, so you will need to purchase a large tray with high sides so that the filler does not spill out after your pet visits the toilet. When choosing a model, one should give preference to one in which the animal will not be cramped and uncomfortable.

Any filler can be used: both large and small fractions. There are no definite recommendations because cats have different preferences. Someone likes wood filler, some silica gel, etc. By trial and error, you can find the best option. Scented litter is the only thing to avoid, as the harsh odor will scare cats away.

Feeding

Serengeti are very unpretentious in food and do not tend to overeat, so owners usually do not have problems with feeding. Immediately after the appearance of the kitten in the house, you should decide on the diet: whether it will be natural food or ready-made food. The second option is easier, since store products contain all the necessary nutrients, there is an ideal ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Also, the manufacturer indicates on the packaging the required daily food intake, depending on the age and weight of the pet. A representative of an exotic breed must be fed exclusively with premium or super-premium products (both wet and dry food are suitable).

If you want to go straight to natural food, you need to carefully think over the menu so that the food is balanced. 60% of the diet should be protein-rich foods. It can be boiled beef, turkey, rabbit, chicken. You can not give only pork, as it is fatty and poorly digested. In addition to meat, it is allowed to feed the pet:

• fermented milk products;
• fillet of sea fish (no more than once a week);
• rice or buckwheat porridge with the addition of a small amount of vegetable oil;
• raw, baked, stewed, boiled vegetables;
• quail or chicken eggs (2-3 times a week).

In order to compensate for the deficiency of essential nutrients, a special vitamin and mineral complex should be included in the diet. These supplements are available at pet stores. Your veterinarian will help you choose the best products.

The vitamin and mineral complex must be included in the diet of cats that eat natural food

Prohibited products:

• sweets;
• raisins;
• grapes;
• mushrooms;
• spicy, salty, fried foods;
• boiled potatoes.

Small kittens need to be fed 4 times a day, adults - 2, pregnant cats - 3-4 times a day. There should always be clean drinking water in the public domain. To avoid plaque, you can feed your pet solid dry food from time to time. A special cat herb (available at pet stores) will help to normalize digestion, which also helps to remove hair from the stomach.

Breeding the breed

Breeding serengeti is not an easy task that only experienced breeders can handle. The main challenge is finding the right mating partner. It is forbidden to cross a representative of the breed with a serval, since sterile males are born in the litter. Also, the offspring have the following pathologies: malocclusion, deformation of the tail, problems with the bone, etc.

The best age for first mating in cats and cats is 12 months. During this time, the body has matured enough and is ready to reproduce offspring. In general, it can be noted that the serengeti tolerate pregnancy quite easily. It lasts, like in ordinary cats, 63–67 days. Childbirth goes without complications. 5-7 kittens are born. At first, the cat performs all the necessary functions independently: it is engaged in the socialization of babies, teaches the necessary skills (how to wash, play, go to the tray, etc.). Full recovery after childbirth occurs after 10 months, so you can knit a cat no more than 2 times in 3 years. Otherwise, the body's resources are depleted, the animal starts to get sick and dies early.

Castration and sterilization

Serengeti owners who do not plan to breed should make a decision about castration or sterilization as early as possible. Some consider surgery to be inhumane, but this is a misconception. Veterinarians confirm that without a partner, the animal feels discomfort, needs to satisfy its natural needs. Due to hormonal changes, the pet becomes restless, nervous, leaves "odorous" marks.

Castration or sterilization will help avoid these negative consequences. The first operation involves the complete removal of the genitals, and the second only makes it impossible to reproduce offspring. Veterinarians recommend stopping the choice on castration, since in this case the animal completely loses interest in the opposite sex. In addition, castrated cats are less sick and live longer.

You can operate on your pet at the age of 7-9 months. Later, it is undesirable, since after a year the animal begins an active phase of puberty. The operation can be done in a veterinary clinic or call a specialist at home. Since surgical intervention is impossible without anesthesia, it will take a pet on average a week to fully recover (for cats, 3-4 days may be enough). In the postoperative period, you need to carefully monitor the serengeti: make sure that he did not lick the wound and did not damage the stitches. In this case, veterinarians advise wearing a blanket or protective Elizabethan collar.

I strongly advise against operating the animal at home. At one time, I made a similar mistake, deciding not to injure the cat once again by a trip to the veterinary clinic (he could hardly endure any moving). After the operation, the pet began to associate the apartment with the transferred stress, was afraid to go out into the corridor and the living room (where he, in fact, was castrated), often hid under the bed. It so happened that the once beloved home became a dangerous place for him. It took almost six months for the cat to get rid of the oppressive memories and could easily move around the apartment.

Reviews of the owners about pets of the Serengeti breed

The Serengeti is a beautiful and graceful feline, quite suitable for home keeping. He has a friendly and loving character, unpretentious in care, so he can become the real pride of any family. However, before purchasing, you should adequately measure your strengths and capabilities, since the pet needs special conditions of detention. Due to its large dimensions, it will be cramped for him in a small city apartment, so he will either have to move to a private house, or often walk with the animal on the street. However, in general, serengeti is an ideal option for those who have long dreamed of acquiring a domestic cat with the appearance of a predator.