Savannahs are generally healthy cats, but they can be prone to certain health conditions. As a Savannah cat owner, these are the health conditions you may come across:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: this is a condition in which the heart muscle thickens

Feline leukaemia virus: this is one of the most common and deadly conditions affecting cats, a virus that affects the immune system and can cause vulnerability to other infections.

Gastroenteritis: this is an irritation of the stomach and the intestines and usually results in vomiting and diarrhoea.

Giardia: this is an intestinal parasite that often causes diarrhoea, vomiting and weight loss. It is highly contagious.

Cystitis: this is a condition which causes inflammation in the urinary bladder.

As Savannah cats are produced from various domestic cat crossbreeds, it’s unclear at this moment in time whether or not they are prone to any inherited diseases and conditions.

Savannah cats tend to groom themselves mostly, but they will need to be trained to get themselves into the habit of self grooming regularly. They tend to shed a lot less than other cats so grooming needs will be less. They are quite active and playful so they’re also more likely to get into a mess and may require a bath more often. Surprisingly though, Savannah cats love water unlike many other cats.

It’s important to keep on top of their grooming regardless of how messy or not they get as it will help to avoid fleas and parasites.

Savannah cats are generally quite active and athletic, so they are pretty good at keeping their energy levels up. However, all pets regardless of their physical activity require regular exercise to ensure they remain healthy and stimulated. As Savannahs are quite playful, they may get bored easily in quiet settings and develop mental or physical issues, so it’s important for owners to ensure they get some exercise in alongside their regular play schedule.

Savannah cats are expensive because they are hard to breed, and they are also very costly to breed. Plus, they require a special diet consisting of both wet and dry food especially meat, which can be pricey.

Savannah cats are very loyal and affectionate so you can expect them to get along well with other pets once they have gotten to know them.

Savannah cats are domestic cats – it’s easy to assume they are wild cats because of how they look, but they actually eat, sleep and use the litterbox like any other domestic cat.

There are a number of common health issues that Savannah Cats are prone to, and as a pet owner it’s worth considering insurance to help protect against unexpected vet bills. Take a look at Asda Money Cat Insurance to see the kind of cover you could get for your cat.