Safari cat breed: standards, character and care features

Due to its striking appearance and wild heritage, the Safari cat is a rare and distinctive breed. This hybrid, which was created by crossing a domestic cat with a wild Geoffroy’s cat, has the best qualities from both worlds. The Safari cat has the disposition of a devoted house pet, but it looks more like it belongs in the wild thanks to its powerful build, big ears, and unique spotted coat.

The character of the Safari cat is one of its most notable features. These cats are renowned for their playfulness, intelligence, and energy. They love climbing, engage in interactive play, and need lots of mental stimulation to be content. Despite their untamed appearance, they can be extremely affectionate and develop close relationships with their owners.

Understanding a safari cat’s spirited nature is essential to proper care. To support their active lifestyle, they require a balanced diet and room to roam around and exercise. Although not rigorous, routine grooming keeps their short coat lustrous and healthy. The secret to keeping them interested is to create an environment that is stimulating for them both mentally and physically.

Breed Standard	The Safari cat is a medium to large breed with a muscular build, strong legs, and a short, thick coat. Its fur can be spotted or striped, resembling wild cats.
Character	Safari cats are active, curious, and intelligent. They love to explore, play, and engage with their surroundings. They are affectionate and bond closely with their owners.
Care Features	This breed requires regular exercise and mental stimulation. Grooming is minimal due to their short coat, but they benefit from occasional brushing. Routine vet visits and a balanced diet are essential for their well-being.

History of the breed

There is not much history of the safari cat breed. These animals cannot claim to have been selected over many centuries or to have received multiple international recognitions. The breed was created by crossing a wild cat with a domestic cat, and the result was a new species that inherited all the best traits from both of its ancestors.

For several decades in the 20th century, breeders and geneticists fantasized about creating a hybrid of a domestic cat and a wild cat. All of their attempts, though, were unsuccessful because the wild animal almost always injured or killed the domestic animal during mating. And even in the unlikely event that they produced progeny, it lacked reproductive capabilities.

A second attempt at animal crossing was made in the USA (California) in the 1970s. It should be mentioned that in order to create a new breed and find a cure for feline leukemia, mating between a wild and domestic cat was required. Wild cats are immune to this disease, but domestic cats frequently develop leukemia.

The purpose of the breed crosses was to treat common feline leukemia.

As "test samples," short-haired American and European cat progenitors as well as Geoffroy’s wild cat were used. All of the male kittens were sterile, therefore the experiment was a failure.

Subsequently, geneticists in California made the decision to cross female Geoffroy’s cat with male Siamese and Bengal cats. They succeeded in producing healthy kittens with reproductive abilities after multiple attempts at mating. We dubbed the first hybrids "safari."

The animal’s appearance is remarkably similar to that of early wild cats.

A thorough description of the new breed was created in California as early as 1980. Nonetheless, disagreements persist among felinologists even today, as the breed has only been acknowledged as experimental in TICA and The Rare and Exotic Feline Registry (REFR) (p. 41 documents). Some groups contend that there is no distinction between Bengal cats found in the wild and those raised in safaris.

Appearance of cats

Any cat lover is immediately drawn to the Safari due to its unique beauty. It must be acknowledged that although this breed’s appearance is frequently compared to that of wild cats (serval or ocelot), there are important distinctions between the two.

One of the biggest house cats in the world is the safari. The body length is between 90 and 120 centimeters, and the height at the withers can reach up to 60 centimeters. The following indicators can be regarded as the breed’s distinguishing characteristics:

• slender and very muscular body, rounded back, chest slightly expanded;
• long strong legs of equal length;
• thick and very flexible tail of medium length;
• large head with a long nose, pronounced cheekbones;
• almond-shaped eyes, with the outer tips of the eyes slightly raised;
• The average weight of females is from 8 kg, males – from 12 kg, there are cases when the weight of Safari reached 17 kg;
• dense thick wool having a water -repellent effect;
• The color of the breed is silver or gold, less often – reddish or brown, rarest specimens have a black smoky color of wool; However, all representatives of the breed are characterized by the presence of dark spots on the skin (leopard color).

Cats are true hunters because of their strong, large bodies, strong jaws, and powerful long paws!

In other words, the cat Although safari shares similarities with wild cats such as servals and estate cats, its unique external characteristics set it apart from these animals. The disqualifying signs of a safari have not yet developed; remember, the breed is still not recognized as a fellym. Safari has thus far not participated in any official exhibitions, not even those hosted by TICA.

Video: Safari of different colors

The nature and features of the behavior of cats Safari

Safaris make cute pets even though they are big and have simple colors. Cats have an incredibly gentle and loving nature, and they enjoy spending time with people.

Behavior with the owner

Safari rapidly develop a bond with their owner. These large cats will happily curl up on his lap. At the same time, safari don’t show signs of obsession; if their owner is preoccupied, they won’t bother him or demand affection.

When they have free time, the safaris amuse themselves to the fullest, turning anything into a plaything, from candy to the TV remote control. To prevent the pet from playing with expensive or significant items, it is therefore preferable to hide them from him.

You must prepare toys for the safari, or else he will use some interior details as "play equipment."

Behavior with other animals

Remember, this amiable and adorable cat has all the makings of a cunning predator—the blood of safari comes from the blood of wild ancestors. It is strongly advised against keeping a safari with tiny animals that are unable to defend themselves:

• parrots;
• guinea pigs;
• decorative rabbits;
• chinchillas.

Even so, the predator will manage to break through the cage. On the other hand, safari cats get along remarkably well with dogs and other cats. Being gregarious facilitates the development of "relationships" even with the most reclusive household pets.

The easiest people to get along with are dogs, other cats, and people.

Positive and negative qualities of the breed

Without a doubt, among the world’s friendliest animals are safari cats. They treat their owner and his guests with the same friendliness. Cats with wild ancestry get along well even with small children because they enjoy playing and running.

For instance, American breeders observe that safari cats enjoy playing games and have a amiable attitude toward humans. The primary drawback of the breed is its predatory nature, which explains why the cat can devour all of the apartment’s small animals, including mice and birds. Nonetheless, practically all cat breeds exhibit some degree of predatory behavior, so this characteristic shouldn’t be singled out as a major flaw in the breed.

Table: pros and cons of safari

• friendliness;
• playfulness;
• tolerates loneliness well;
• sociability;
• getting along with people and large animals

• predatory instincts;
• need walks in the fresh air;
• specifics of predator nutrition;
• love of water procedures

The love of walks in the fresh air and on the water may be regarded as a distinctive feature of the safari cat. To ensure that the pet depletes all of its energy, it must be walked each day. Consequently, a private home with a fenced yard is the ideal location for a safari to reside so that the cat can go for walks whenever it pleases.

Swimming is a passion of safari cats. Not only do cats attentively watch the water stream from the faucet, but they also play with drips and feel no shame about joining their owner in the shower.

Similar to other cat breeds, Safaris are naturally highly inquisitive creatures.

Safari"s health and life expectancy

The wellbeing of their animals is something that breeders take great pride in. There are no hereditary illnesses in safari, in contrast to other hybrid rocks. Furthermore, their robust immunity shields them from a variety of colds. Rarely, a safari will become ill, but with the right care, they recover quickly.

Well-being and a balanced diet enable cats to live a long life—up to 15–18 years.

Every breed has unique content characteristics of its own. Despite their exclusivity, safari animals are still regarded as relatively simple breeds for private breeding, I must admit.

Nutrition

A healthy, balanced diet is the most important thing to feed a leopard cat. The breeder must understand that even high-end cat food is inappropriate for a safari. A predator ought to be fed natural goods on a daily basis:

• sea ​​fish;
• lean meat.

Even at a young age, you should not give your pet milk; instead, you can occasionally give it cottage cheese. Safaris can therefore be regarded as highly nutritionally demanding because you will need to purchase high-quality products ahead of time. A cat’s diet should consist of roughly 70% meat and fish.

Safaris do not use dry cat food. Leading cat food manufacturers offer a variety of stews and pates that are recommended by breeders:

• Purina ProPlan;
• Brit Premium;
• Royal Canin;
• Hills;
• Belcando.

Purina ProPlan is a popular premium cat food brand.

Safaris need a lot of food because they are big animals. The standard for wet food is determined by the animal’s weight and is typically 5% of the cat’s total weight. In other words, a cat weighing roughly 5 kg will require 175 g of food daily.

The age and condition of the animal determines how frequently it should be fed (young, pregnant cats, for instance, need to be fed three to five times a day). Two feedings a day, in the morning and the evening, are customary.

Necessary living conditions

Safari cats are highly active and full of energy. They will therefore find it challenging to live in an apartment in a small city. A private home is the ideal setting for raising a safari cat, as was previously mentioned. The cat needs to be walked on a leash, just like a dog, if it lives in an apartment.

Hygiene and care

Safari cats are good at taking care of themselves on their own. As a result, the owner’s primary responsibility during molting is to comb out extra hair. If giving the cat a wash is in the cards, then human and animal fur care products shouldn’t be used for different purposes because of pH differences. As a result, breeders advise utilizing the following companies’ fur care products for safari cats:

• Vo-Toys;
• "Bioprogress";
• Bio-Groom;
• OOO "Biosfera";
• 8 in 1.

The instructions that come with each tool include all suggested usage and maintenance schedules. Safaris also adore the water and will gladly take baths. Nevertheless, giving pets a bath with specialty cat shampoos more frequently than once every two or three months is not necessary.

Every week, ears are cleaned. To remove dirt that the cat was unable to remove on its own, all that is needed is to use a damp cotton swab with a limiter to wipe the inside of the ear. You can use cat-specific ear care products; for instance, dab a cotton tip with Hartz or ABZ "Barsik" lotion. These products clean the inner surface of the ears and are composed of natural ingredients.

Cleaning the eyes with natural products or folk remedies is advised. Using a strong tea leaf or chamomile infusion is the most straightforward method for cleaning the cat’s eyes. Lotions like Sani Pet or Cliny C are suitable. As soon as the eyes get dirty, or at least once a week, wipe them with a cotton pad soaked in the product.

Safari cats must also take care of their claws because they walk the streets. In the house, a claw cutter and a scratching post are essential. The only caveat is that it’s best to see a veterinarian if the owner lacks experience with claw trimming. Anti-scratch caps are used by some breeders for safari cats, but it’s not clear how widely accepted this kind of care is for big cats. Ultimately, debris will gather beneath the covers, potentially leading to irritation.

There is no need for the litter tray filler from safari cats.

The exotic and eye-catching Safari cat breed is renowned for its graceful features and untamed appearance. This breed embodies the beauty of its wild ancestors with its muscular body, large ears, and unique spotted coat. Strict breed standards control its appearance, guaranteeing its distinct and majestic appearance.

Safari cats have a wild heritage, but they are gregarious and loving. They are playful, like interacting with people, and get along well with other animals. They may need more mental stimulation than the typical domestic cat, but their curiosity and intelligence make them entertaining companions.

Regular brushing is necessary to maintain the finest possible coat condition for a Safari cat, and their diet should be well-balanced and high in protein. They benefit from interactive toys and space to explore because of their gregarious nature. These gorgeous cats can flourish in a domestic setting and provide both beauty and company with the correct care.

A unique and beautiful breed, the safari cat is renowned for both its untamed look and its amiable, lively disposition. This breed, which combines the appearance of a jungle cat with the disposition of a domestic cat, is distinguished by its size, distinct coat pattern, and active nature. The Safari cat is surprisingly loving and makes good family bonds, even with its exotic origins. In order to keep this breed healthy and attractive, care must be given to its active lifestyle, regular grooming, and a balanced diet.

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