Serval: a large and expensive domestic cat

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a unique and exotic pet, the serval might be on your radar. This striking cat, with its tall legs and large ears, brings a touch of the wild into the home. Known for its graceful movements and playful nature, the serval is both captivating and a little challenging to care for.

Originating in Africa, servals are distinguished by their remarkable appearance and hunting prowess. Their unique spotted coat enhances their beauty and facilitates their integration into their natural environment. They are fascinating companions, but they also require more commitment than a typical house cat because they have retained a lot of their wild spirit despite being domesticated.

Having a serval requires a substantial time and labor commitment in addition to a large financial outlay. For these cats to flourish, they need a lot of room to roam around and play, in addition to specific care. To guarantee a happy life for you and your new feline companion, it’s critical to comprehend the special requirements and traits of servals if you’re thinking about bringing one into your house.

Feature	Description
Origin	Servals are native to Africa, primarily found in savannas and grasslands.
Size	They are larger than typical domestic cats, weighing between 20 to 40 pounds.
Appearance	Servals have long legs, large ears, and a spotted coat, making them look quite striking.
Temperament	They are playful, active, and curious, often requiring lots of engagement.
Price	Servals can be quite expensive, often costing thousands of dollars.
Legal Issues	Ownership may be restricted in some areas, so check local laws before considering one.
Care Needs	They need ample space and enrichment to thrive, as well as a specialized diet.

History of the breed"s origin

The history of the bush cat’s origins is solely due to evolution. Man went one step further and contributed to the emergence of serval hybrids. Later on, though, more on that.

With the exception of the Sahara Desert, servals are found throughout Africa, particularly in the equatorial forests and the Cape Province in the south. A wild serval is not often seen in the Algerian region of Morocco. In Tanzania, in the Ngorongoro crater, there are a lot of these animals. About 40 members of the breed exist for every 100 square meters.

Animals in the wild congregate close to a water source. Because of this, keeping them inside causes them to look for and play with water. The animal greets the rain with joy and runs around on the floors and beds, happily licking its wet paws. ancestors’ genes!

Description and standards of servals

There’s grace mixed with a predatory look. The head appears small in comparison to the body’s background. The serval resembles a cheetah due to its broad nose. The large ears compared to the head detract from the similarity impression.

The large almond shape of the eyes makes them very beautiful. The eyes have lightness. A few black stripes that extend from the line of the eyes are present on the muzzle. The cat seems to be depressed all the time. This color camouflage is natural.

The gait is impacted by the front limbs being shorter than the back limbs.

They can jump up to three meters and move at up to 80 km/h thanks to their strong paws.

The African cat’s short, thick tail is essential to prevent it from getting in the way of its hunting. The length of the tail is 27-40 cm.

As the standard is still being developed, a strict description is not yet available.

Cat colors

The spots on the fur coat are darker than the background fur itself. While there may be no spots on the chest, muzzle, or stomach, all of the spots on the back start to blend together into stripes. In contrast, the cats in these areas are paler.

There’s no range of hues. Disparities in the tones of the primary fur color become apparent when examining the descriptions of various servals. These are variations between brown and light sand. Seldom can a serval cat be white (albino) or black (melanistic). Melanism is the cause of black color in nature, whereas albinism is the only cause of snowball cats with silvery spots.

The fur is silky to the touch, thick, and short.

Serval size and weight

If you compare it to other domestic cats, it’s not at all small. 60–100 cm is a decent body length. The animal reaches 60 centimeters at the withers. The long limbs are the cause of this.

When they reach adulthood, cats typically weigh 16 kg. However, animals can weigh between 10 and 18 kg, roughly. In this breed, females weigh slightly less than males.

Hybrids

Interesting hybrids are produced because male servals can sire offspring with a regular cat. A servical (caraval) is the offspring of a caracal and serval. The hybrid cat known as "savannah" is born when it mates with a domestic cat and produces kittens. Some reports claimed that Ashera was bred in this manner. Whether this represents a distinct breed or the widely accepted savannah is still up for debate. Although Ashera is now recognized by most experts as a savannah, people are still purchasing it for exorbitant prices.

Although the Savannah was first bred in the 1980s of the previous century, associations didn’t officially recognize it until 2001. Because males obtained through crossing cannot produce offspring and females that will eventually cross with domestic cats will produce offspring without serval features, the breed is not independently bred. For this reason, the initial generations’ price is high and won’t go down.

A male serval and a female caracal are crossed to produce servcal (also known as ser-caracal). The resulting children look like their father, but they have tassels on their ears like their mother.

A serval mother and a caracal father are the sources of caraval. The result is that the progeny have a darker coat color and resemble their mother without ear tassels.

Characteristics of servals

A funny character is left behind by a domesticated wild cat. These will be years of unforgettable cohabitation between a spotted bush cat and a person, and the cat will show it in all its glory.

The animals happily dangle from any cords, drapes, or ropes because they haven’t given up their genes. Securing the home is the owner’s responsibility.

A kitten serval will gladly chew through anything that catches its attention. Provide an adequate amount of toys for the baby to prevent issues with items being chewed on.

It’s funny how this pet reacts badly to apple spray from the pet store. The serval will no longer be interested in items that are not intended for it after using the spray.

One could describe the pet’s personality as cunning. This needs to end if it goes too far. If it is biting your hand painfully at this point, stop playing. Since the cat is intelligent, the conclusions will remain true.

The kitten plays with any childhood cat toys; as it gets older, dog toys take their place because they are bigger and won’t irritate the respiratory system.

The serval is a crafty, elusive animal. Playing with it is interesting, but you have to exercise patience if the cat starts acting anxiously out of the blue. With the owner, the pet will come to feel secure. You can play fetch and tug of war.

Cats have negative reactions to the suffering that young children can inflict upon them. It is crucial in this case that the owner forbids such circumstances. Nobody will scratch the kids out of fear, and the pet will stay calm. The children will have a friendly relationship with the cat as long as they don’t offend it.

This docile predator will probably run away from visitors out of caution. Well, don’t push it; the cat’s sound mental state is far more crucial. Upon acclimating to the sounds and odors of strangers, the pet will exhibit curiosity and emerge to investigate them.

Since cats naturally prey on small rodents, birds, and reptiles, and since these animals are already house pets, the introduction should be cautious and gradual. It’s best to give careful consideration to who you want to live with you. A shrewd serval will release the latch on a bird’s cage, but not to inquire about the bird’s well-being. A loving dog that stays away from cats can make for a wonderful relationship.

It is preferable to adopt a small kitten from a household with existing pets. Choosing this option will let you to wish for the development of friendship amongst every resident of the home or apartment.

Education and training of a pet

A kitten is acquired no earlier than 1.5 months and no later than 5 months to guarantee a smooth educational process. Hand feeding the infant is the best method as it fosters trust.

A cute wild cat needs to be weaned from its childhood collar and leash. Offer a loose collar at first, then tighten it bit by bit.

A serval is an active pet that should never be left alone, not even for a short while, while wearing a collar and leash! Asphyxia could result from this.

Teach your kitties how to use the tray’s wood filler. You will need to keep an eye on the tray’s cleanliness because they won’t bury their toilet. You don’t need to chastise the cat if she used the restroom instead of the tray. Tell them right away where to go. The animal has perfect understanding of an unhappy tone.

You can use a water pistol to squirt your pet if it gets on the table or engages in mischief. This is going to be a severe warning!

Care and what to feed a cat at home

An African cat does not require a separate room or enclosure. It needs the same conditions as any other cat. The only difference is in space: the serval is large, so it is not particularly comfortable in a small room.

Safeguarding your pet for it. The cat can hurt itself because it is playful and inquisitive. You should generally hang out with this spotted friend more. The breed adores strolls. The cat is released leash-free under supervision after being gradually trained to stay close if there is a private yard nearby. However, in order to do this, you must first acquaint yourself with the animal and establish a rapport of trust.

The upkeep of a serval breed cat is similar to that of a regular cat. Bathing the kitten once a week will be enjoyable if it has had access to water since it was a young kitten. In the wild, cats catch their own fish, and they have an innate love of the water. If the territory has a pool, it is not unusual for the cat to express interest in swimming in it. Working with the owner on this is the ideal approach.

Like fur, ears should be cleaned roughly once every seven days. If these procedures are repeated on a regular basis, the purr will become accustomed to them. Additionally, you can clean your eyes once a week. Such an animal requires no additional care; its claws do not need to be clipped, but you can purchase a scratching post.

The diet that an African cat would require if it were to live in the wild must be followed. The study on the habits and feces of cats was made possible by the Kamberg Nature Reserve. It was discovered that rodents make up 80% of the food, shrews account for 13%, and insects, birds, and reptiles make up the remaining 20%. On occasion, the predator will catch small antelopes.

It turns out that a cat’s diet from its natural habitat shouldn’t be disturbed by conditions at home. There is raw meat, bones, and poultry on the menu. We appreciate the addition of offal, raw quail eggs, and vitamin and mineral supplements. It is worthwhile to feed frogs and rodents if at all possible.

Like salt and pepper, cats shouldn’t eat raw pork.

A daily feed of 0.6–1.3 kg of meat is recommended. Energy-intensive, the active growth phase is when the amount of meat in the diet increases.

An adult pet is fed once a day, and kittens up to six months eat twice a day. A grown cat fasts on this day, consuming only water, rather than being fed once every 14 days. The animal won’t suffer any horrible consequences; this is a common occurrence in nature.

An African cat may become reticent in the heat, so fresh water should always be available.

Animal health

Vaccinations are recommended for the serval in the same manner as for other domestic cats, despite his good health. The cat won’t receive an active virus vaccination from the vet since it could make it sick or even kill it.

Since the cat won’t talk about her problems, you must pay attention to her unusual movements and behavior inside the house. Seek the advice of a physician if you are uncertain.

Diarrhea is the most serious condition. This is a quick and easy way to become dehydrated. An intravenous course of treatment may be necessary if a serval cat has diarrhea. You should visit the veterinarian if loose stools appear two times. They identify the illness’s underlying cause and recommend the best course of action.

Because the serval’s paws grow quickly, you must watch it closely when it is playing games or running around during its active growth period. A small cat’s developing paws may sustain damage if it falls.

If home breeding is not planned, the sterilization and castration issues are resolved. Castration is frequently a forced procedure because cats like to mark their territory. When the child is 7-8 months old, this is done.

How long do domestic servals live

In their natural habitat, serval cats live 10–12 years. Feeding needs come before self-destruction. The living situation is far less cozy than having a kind and considerate owner. And attention works wonders: a pet’s lifespan increases if it receives proper care, a healthy diet, and an annual vaccination. A domestic cat serval makes its owner extremely happy because it lives for 15 to 20 years.

Price and where to buy a serval kitten

Purchasing a serval kitten requires purchasing a young animal between 1.5 and 3 months of age. The infant will benefit from this time to adjust to a new family, surroundings, and living arrangements. At this age, adaptation is simple.

Kittens in nurseries are already trained to eat on their own and use the litter box by this point. Every supporting document will be in its proper place. But even if a real serval is sold there, there’s no assurance that it wasn’t just smuggled or caught in the wild, so services like "Yula" or "Avito" won’t help in this situation. The cat will experience severe behavioral and mental health issues in this scenario. Therefore, only official, reputable nurseries should be used for serval purchases; no bird markets or offers from hands please!

Due to its rarity, the animal needs serious labor and the attention of breeders. As a result, serval prices continue to be high—between 450,000 and 600,000 rubles for a spotted baby.

How to name kittens

It takes careful consideration before you can give a handsome man like a serval a lovely and fitting name. It’s not enough to have the animal merely react inanely to its moniker; it’s much more intriguing when the name accurately describes the pet’s appearance and personality.

Well, the appearance of the African cat will defy names like Murka if you do not initially recognize the character. As a result, the cat’s wild beauty should be highlighted by the nickname.

A melodious name is selected based on whether a boy or a girl entered the house. These are some instances where the sound and appearance of the serval will not conflict.

Table of nicknames

Girl		Boy
Diva Yanessa Sony Granta Tusya Koko Aurora Ponochka Sandra Gretta	Eva Fixi Chara Lada Kameya Alice [/NOEDIT ]Agatha Angara Bonya Marta	Skippy Archie Nord Theo Grimm Nice Kron Rem Simba Alto	Kaiser Uranus Oliver Yukon Orion Lotus Khan Maxwell Chick Mikey

The serval is an intriguing example of a domestic animal with wild grace. It’s hardly surprising that this unusual cat has won over so many people’s hearts given its striking appearance and lively personality. But having a serval as a pet is not the only thing; there are a lot of duties and difficulties involved.

To thrive, these cats need a lot of space, specific attention, and stimulation. They require regular playtime and mental stimulation due to their active nature. To guarantee that the serval and its family have a happy and healthy life, prospective owners must be aware of their needs.

Even though owning a serval can be a costly endeavor in terms of money and time, the relationship you can form with such an amazing animal can be immensely fulfilling. If you’re thinking about getting a serval for your house, make sure you’re ready for the commitment that comes with it. This amazing cat can provide you with exceptional companionship if you give it the proper environment and care.

The serval, a captivating and exotic cat with a playful disposition and striking appearance, is becoming more and more popular as a unique pet. This wild cat, with its long legs, large ears, and gorgeous spotted coat, can be a great companion but also a significant financial investment because they need special care and a large space. Prior to contemplating a serval as a pet, it’s critical to comprehend the obligations and difficulties that come with caring for such an extraordinary animal.

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