Savannah or Bengal?

[admin]

Brigitte, if I'm not mistaken, you are listed as the coordinator or administrator (?).

Savannah Cats Available: By Owner

Is there a specific trait that people see that is Bengal? Eye color? Head shape?

To me, not being an expert, I can't tell him from a low filial percentage Savannah.

Here is the text from the ad I responded to:

It is with a very heavy heart that we need to re home our F5 Savannah, Indy. I believe Indy should be an only cat and not with young children. He is about 9 years old, and we've had him since October. He just does not do well with my other two cats. He is fully vetted, front declaw and neutered. We are asking $250 for expenses. We will include a crate for him, as well as litter box. We are...

Indy is such an affectionate and good natured cat, that after only three days I have become very fond of him. I'd hate to lose him after only a couple years, as he will be ten years old this December (according to the vet's paperwork)

All of the people who work with Savannah rescue are admins on the group. Just because he is a Bengal, does not mean he will have a short life span. Many Bengals live very long lives.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rafiki]

From the round shape of the head and the large round eyes, I see a very good looking Bengal. As others have stated, he may be a Savannah with Bengal in his heritage.

In regards to life expectancy, hybrids often live longer than other pedigree cats simply because pedigree cats can be more inbred and thus carry a particular problematic gene on both sides. What you see as far as life expectancy are general guidelines. My last 2 Himalayan cats lived to be 20 and their average life expectancy was 10-15. I see no reason why you cannot expect this boy to live to be at least 15 years or older.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Brigitte, if I'm not mistaken, you are listed as the coordinator or administrator (?).

Savannah Cats Available: By Owner

Is there a specific trait that people see that is Bengal? Eye color? Head shape?

To me, not being an expert, I can't tell him from a low filial percentage Savannah.

Here is the text from the ad I responded to:

It is with a very heavy heart that we need to re home our F5 Savannah, Indy. I believe Indy should be an only cat and not with young children. He is about 9 years old, and we've had him since October. He just does not do well with my other two cats. He is fully vetted, front declaw and neutered. We are asking $250 for expenses. We will include a crate for him, as well as litter box. We are...

Indy is such an affectionate and good natured cat, that after only three days I have become very fond of him. I'd hate to lose him after only a couple years, as he will be ten years old this December (according to the vet's paperwork)

Yes, I am one of a number of admins for that group. Since having a preemie baby and before then being in hospital on bedrest, I have had to rely on my team to moderate and approve posts. I do check in and help out but I cannot say that I am as on top of all tasks right now as "usual".

My advice if you are worried about losing him is to invest in testing now to make sure he is healthy and then work to maintain that. Do the basic bloodwork but also liver and kidney values and urine testing. Given he does show Bengal heritage (whether an F5 or not) I would also suggest taking to a cardiologist for an ultrasound to check on heart health. Early detection of HCM means you can control the progression with appropriate medications.

What traits do you see in Indy that resemble a Serval? That is the better question to ask. I see a dipped nose in profile, a shorter rounded head, roundish medium large eyes, small rounded ears set not on top not on side of head (that's the Bengal standard earset), a short muscular neck. All I can see of the body looks pretty substantial not long and lean and slender in build. The one leg doesn't look particularly long. So I am not seeing traits I associate with the Serval nor the Savannah breed standard. That there are later generation Savannahs that don't fit the breed standard more reflects the quality of those Savannahs not that a similar looking cat must then be a Savannah... many people seem to make that mistake imho.

 

[Snakebike]

I just lost my Bengal to old age. He was pushing 20 years old and happy, healthy and naughtily right up to the very end!