Choosing cats with long life spans is like choosing a life partner. Active and friendly cats like Savannah and Maine Coons play the role of a family member who loves and pleases everyone.
Maine Coons and Savannah cat breed are expensive cats, and it depends on your lifestyle which cat is suitable for you. Savannah is an expensive cat breed and requires more cat trees or high places in the house to keep themselves happy and busy. Both the cats are very affectionate and amiable and want to get attention from the owners and family. Your life routine will also matter if you are going to choose anyone of these cat breeds.
Let’s dive into the article to know more about the characteristics of both cat breeds.
Maine Coons Cat Breed:
Maine Coons are cats with a massive size of more than 40 inches in length. Their length is one of the main characteristics that brought these cats to the limelight within no time. It was ranked as the fifth popular breed in 2019.
These cats are very expensive and range from 400 dollars to 1600 dollars. Their price varies with the age and gender of the cat.
Savannah Cat Breed:
Savannah Breed is a hybrid breed introduced in the 20th century by crossing between Siamese cats with Wild feline. This cat displays wild characteristics and social characteristics at the same time. Its wild physical attributes are long ears, coat with spots, and friendly behavior like innocent Ragdolls.
They can grow up to 16 inches, and their weight can be more than 23 pounds. It’s like keeping a friendly wild animal with you because this breed is friendly with the owners and can be very unfriendly with strangers. This loyal and intelligent breed cannot be the best choice for cat owners who are not familiar with cats to adopt a cat for the first time. Savannahs is still a rare breed, even after years of its first introduction.
The appearance of the Maine Coon Cat Breed:
The Maine Coon cats can grow up to 16 inches in height, and their average length is 40 inches. The weight of this cat breed is between 8 to 18 pounds depending on the age and gender of the cat. Their long fur makes the cat look bigger than its size.
The wide chest and muscular body make it different from other cats. Their fur grows all over the body, but its length decreases near the shoulders of the cat. It is found in cream, red, black, white, bicolor, and blue color shades.
Its long pointed ears, oval eyes, and its tail are distinctive features of this cat.
The appearance of Savannah Cat Breed:
The Savannahs have a tall body with spots on its coat that resemble a cheetah. They can get taller than 15 inches. The average weight of female Savannahs is 12-15 pounds, and that of males is 25 pounds. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Savannahs are the tallest cats. Another distinct trait of the Savannahs is their almond-shaped, hooded eyes.
This cat breed is not right for those cat lovers who do not know about the generations of the Savannah Cat. So, it is essential to know about the generation of the cat before bringing it home.
The Temperament Of the Maine Coon cat Breed:
Although Maine Coons are friendly and affectionate cats that love to chase you around the house throughout the day, these cats cannot be a perfect choice for those who want a lap cat. This cat loves to walk with you when you are out of your house rather than sitting on your shoulders or hands.
But These cats will not behave aggressively if they are cuddled or held for some time. These are very friendly, brilliant, and patient cats. Their playing behavior is similar throughout their life. They are as playful in their old age as in their childhood.
These cats love to spend their time with the family but do not interfere in your personal life.
The temperament of Savannah Cats:
These are among active and athletic cats. It is not a perfect choice for those looking for a lap cat. This cat loves to live in higher places like your kitchen shelves. These cats can jump up to 8 feet tall places.
This is a very adventurous cat breed, always looking for new adventures. They are water lovers and love to spend quality time in water bodies like bathtubs or pools.
Savannahs are very talkative and express their feelings with different vocalizations. They can also be trained to go out because Savannahs are not very social animals. Their behavior can be very odd on seeing any stranger. Their characteristics and love for adventures make them more dog-like.
These are very friendly to familiar people and express their love by following their favorite person throughout the house. They want a lot of attention and care from their owners.
If you are going to adopt the Savannah breed for you, make sure that you know more about the generations of the Savannah rather than their physical attributes. Their generations are numbered as F1, F2, F3, F4, etc. The generations like F1 or F2 have more wild behavior and wild physical attributes like weight and height as compared to F3 and F4.
Living Requirements of Maine Coon:
Maine Coons do not love to live alone in the house because they need company, but as mentioned above, these are very patient cats. They will live alone for some time in the house. But living alone for a long time will make them sad and stressed. So it is better to have any pet at home to give them sweet company.
If you are not a busy person or have a family where some people are at home, then it is the best match for you. These are great water lovers. They will try to wash dishes with you and will join you in any task related to water. This cat breed will love to have a bath and play with you.
They are quiet cats and do not vocalize a lot. Their size must make you think of a horrible meow, but these cats vocalize very softly, to your surprise. This cat is like a patient family kid suitable for all kinds of families.
How to take care of Maine Coon cat breed:
These cats have heavy fur. So, its maintenance is a bit tricky than other cat breeds. They should be brushed regularly; otherwise, their hairs will get tangles.
You can bathe it weekly or monthly for cleanliness and hygiene purposes. Its maintenance should be done regularly with dedication and love. These cats are heavy shedders, so they need to be brushed regularly as it will help to get rid of extra loose hairs and dead skin under the coat.
Little attention can make your cat look happy, so their grooming is a source of joy for them.
These cats are very smart; hence their training is not a difficult task. You can teach them to learn some tricks or fetching games. They will easily learn anything that you will teach them.
They will require large litter boxes according to their size. You should regularly change their litter in the box if you do not want to keep yourself busy cleaning up your cat’s bushy tail.
Socialization is very important for every cat. If you are bringing a Maine Coon, it would be helpful to tell all the family members to treat the new member politely. It should be introduced to new people or other pets if you do not want a shy cat companion.
How to take care of Savannah Cat Breed:
Savannah needs a lot of interactive activities to keep themselves busy. You do not need a big house to Keep Savannah cats. All you need is to provide them with higher places and different corners to hide. You can also give them different simple toys to play with.
These cats become hyperactive when not provided with the required activities. They might start scratching your furniture or behave oddly to entertain themselves. It is better to give them different scratching posts to protect your furniture from getting scratched.
These are not like any other cat who will get happy with toys or scratching posts. They need a cinematic room where they would love to watch cat-based videos.
As mentioned earlier, these cats can jump up to 9 feet high, so nothing is safe at your home. Before bringing it home, you must keep all the plants and decoration pieces away from high places. You may need to remove all your plants from shelves if you do not want these all to be broken.
They can be trained to guard your pets if you do not have time to protect them when they are out. These cats can get bored easily and needs different kinds of entertaining activities. Moreover, these cats can never leave them alone at home and if you do so, get ready to see a messy house.
Health Issues of Maine Coon cat breed:
These cats will be with you for ten to thirteen years. These are healthy pets but can have some health issues. These issues are discussed below:
Joint diseases: Due to their long skeleton, these cats can develop arthritis. Hip dysplasia is another disease related to joints. With proper diet and care, these conditions can be prevented in your cat.
Its symptoms include difficulty in jumping and running. The cats suffering from this disorder become less active due to painful movement. Their weight starts decreasing, especially from thigh muscles.
Polycystic Kidney Disease: It is a genetic disease. In this disease, many cysts are formed on the cat’s kidneys.
Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: This disease is common in almost all cat breeds. This disease is associated with the heart. The heart muscles may become thick in this disease that can affect the normal functioning of the brain.
HCM Disease: This disease cannot be diagnosed easily because, generally, cats do not develop symptoms of this disease. Its slight symptoms can cause the sudden death of the cat.
In this disease, the cat can develop blood clots in the heart, Increased heartbeat rate, Weak pulse, or Thromboembolism.
Health Issues of Savannah Cat Breed:
Like any other pet, Savannahs are vulnerable to some diseases. The first 3 generations of the Savannah cat breed are sterile. But if you are bringing any of the generations of the Savannah breed. In that case, it is necessary to neuter them as soon as possible to avoid any unwanted behavior of the cat.
Savannahs are the hybrids of two different cats. They have a long life span. If you want your Savannah pet to live for a long time, you will need to take of their health.
Dental Infections:
Savannahs are susceptible to dental problems like all other cats. As mentioned above, these infections can be prevented by brushing your pet’s teeth regularly. Their swollen gums can create different problems.
Eye diseases: Savannah cats can be vulnerable to common diseases. They can go through eye infections as follows:
Glaucoma: This is a disease that is caused due to an increase in the pressure on the eyeball.
Cataracts: It affects the opacity of the eye lens.
Conjunctivitis: Savannahs are more susceptible to this disorder. It is an inflammatory disease in which the inner side of the eyelids is infected.
Fortunately, all these diseases can be treated through eye drops.
Infections: Many Savannahs can get infections due to weak immunity. These infections include;
Toxoplasmosis and Chlamydia: This infection affects the eyes and brain. However, these infections are very rare.
Cystitis: This disease affects the urethra and bladder of the Savannah cat breed. This disease is also known as FLUTD or feline lower urinary tract disease.
In Savannahs, the causes of this disease include stress and urination problems. Its symptoms include painful urination and blood in the urine. It can also be treated by pain relief medicines and using special diets. Steps should be taken as soon as the symptoms are seen in the cat.
Gastrointestinal tract disease: The Savannahs can also undergo Gastrointestinal tract disorders. This is common causes vomiting or diarrhea. Gastrointestinal tract disease is caused by poisoning or blockage in the gastrointestinal tube that starts from the mouth and ends in the anus.
Kidney Diseases:
Savannahs may also suffer from kidney diseases that can be due to tumors or toxic substances, or infections. It can also be caused due to the increasing age of Savannahs. The bad news is that kidney diseases cannot be treated, but the cat will enjoy a normal life like healthy cats if proper care is provided.
History of Maine Coon Cat Breed:
This cat breed was introduced in the 1800s. Its coat kept it alive in the harsh cold weather of England. There are many theories about how this cat got its name. According to some theories, this cat got its name from a sailor named Charles Coon. Another theory about its name states that it got its name from a bushy tail that resembles a raccoon. But there is no solid evidence of its name.
History of Savannah Cat Breed:
The first Savannah Cat was introduced in 1986 for the first time. This cat breed is achieved by crossing a masculine wild African cat with a Siamese cat.
The resultant breed possesses the characters of both parents. Wild characteristics outside and Soft nature inside. The early generations can be more African cat-like than the Siamese cat. In 2001, The International Cat Association recognized Savannah as an official breed.
Diet and Nutrition for Maine Coon:
Maine Coons are very energetic cats, so their diet should be more proteinaceous with a limited amount of healthy fats and Carbohydrates. Proteins are very important for the Maine Coon cats because proteins are the packets of energy and Maine Coon cat breeds require more energy due to their active day hours.
To fulfill the protein requirements of the Maine Coon cats, they should be provided with meat-based foods or fish. The Maine Coon kittens should be provided with a 30-50 percent proteinaceous diet, and the adult cats should get 25 to 40 percent of proteins.
The cats should be given food with low carbohydrates because excessive intake of carbohydrates is not better for their health. Healthy fats are also important for cats, but they should be given low quantities.
Vitamins and Minerals are other important constituents of the diet. Maine Coons require all kinds of Vitamins, taurine, and niacin. You can also approach a veterinarian to suggest you a suitable diet comprising all the important constituents of food.
Fishes are better for the health of cats, but large fishes should be avoided as they have a high concentration of mercury that could be harmful to your cat. However, it is better to give them small fish.
There are some foods that should be avoided for the Maine Coons. Foods that are based on grains should not be given without consulting a veterinarian because grain-based food can cause obesity. Gluten should also be avoided because it can cause digestive problems and may also lead to deposition of tartar of the teeth.
Diet and Nutrition for Savannah Cats:
Savannah cats do not have different requirements than other domestic cats. They can eat dry or wet food. Some veterinarian suggests feeding Savannahs with a combination of dry or wet food, while some of them suggest feeding them with raw food.
According to the Veterinarians, Savannah cats require more taurine, and to fulfill this requirement, and your veterinarian may also suggest you some Taurine supplements.
If you give your cat dry food, it should not be based on corn or grains. Along with the food, you should provide your Savannah with a bowl of pure water.
If you are bringing a Savannah kitten, it would be better to discuss its diet with specialists. A complete diet with all the necessary nutrients and minerals is required to maintain the healthy life of the cat. The diet should be given in a balanced quantity because overeating can lead to diarrhea and obesity.
Exercises for Savannah and Maine Coon cats:
Savannah and Maine Coon cat breeds are very active cat breeds. So, they do not need a lot of time to exercise because they are on the move all the time. However, if you are more concerned about the exercise of the cats, you can take them for a walk but training them to walk with you is necessary because these are very adventurous cats.
You can also bring exercising wheels for your cats to keep their minds engaging and entertain them. You can also bring a moving mouse toy, or there is another choice of playing retrieval or fetching games. You can also make a timetable for their playing activities with you.
Summary:
This article describes all the characteristics of the Savannah and Maine Coon cat breeds. Now, the choice is yours that which one is suitable for you and your family. The average lifespan of the Savannahs and Maine Coon cats is ten years, so you are bringing a family member to your home, not a kitten.
If you want a big, active, and quiet cat for you, then Savannah is the best option to go with because it has all the characteristics. Most importantly, it is quiet and polite.
Some cat owners are very concerned about coat shedding, and they do not want to bring a heavy shedder, so if you are one of them, you can go with Savannah. It is not a heavy shedder and can be a perfect active and pleasant partner.
The presence of an active and loving cat in your house will also help you to fight depression and other mental disorders, as their presence and mischievous doings will make you happy and will relieve your mind from stress and mood disorders.