Turkish Van vs Savannah - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

Turkish Van vs Savannah - Breed ComparisonTurkish Van is originated from Turkey but Savannah is originated from United States. Both Turkish Van and Savannah are of same weight. Turkish Van may live 5 years less than Savannah. Both Turkish Van and Savannah has same litter size. Both Turkish Van and Savannah requires Low maintenance.

History

turkish van - historyHailing from Turkey, the Turkish Van was brought to the UK in 1955 by 2 British women, Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday.

These cats were used as the foundation stock of the breed. They were brought to the United States in 1982 and accepted into championship with the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 1994.

They are a very rare breed and no other breed is allowed to be mixed into the cat's breeding schedule. All registered Turkish Van cats can have their ancestry traced back to the imported cats of Laura Lushington.

savannah - historySavannah cats have been bred to look like a Serval but it is essentially a domestic cat. The first Savannah cat was born in the United States in April 1986. The person who was successful in making this happen was Judee Frank.

She bred a Serval wild cat and a Siamese cat and they produced a female kitten with the name of Savannah – named after the African savannas from where the serval cat comes from.

It will take your Savannah kitten about 3 years to reach his adult size. The Savannah will give birth to up to 6 kittens. The cat was recognized by TICA in 2001.

Today when you’re looking to buy a Savannah kitten, you’ll notice the cats are always described with a filial number, for example, F1, F2, F3, F4, and so on. The filial number describes the generation a cat comes from.

Because this cat belongs to a hybrid group, the feline is banned in a number of states and cities in the United States of America.

Description

turkish van kitten - descriptionThis is a medium to large-sized cat weighing roughly 3 to 8kg. It’s a semi-long-haired domestic cat breed that was actually developed in the United Kingdom with a selection of cats from Turkey.

The breed is distinguished by the Van pattern where the color is restricted to the head and tail. So the cat is white with color on the head and the tail. The Turkish Van has no undercoat and the cat has a sleek appearance.

The cat is quite long and its back legs are slightly longer than its front legs. The paws are large and they are strong jumpers.

Temperament:

These cats are playful, active, and independent and they are also excellent hunters. They are affectionate and form strong bonds with their human families.

They get on well with kids as well as with other pets. Energetic and agile, they love to leap up onto high places. For a cat, they also have this fascination with water and may well follow their human into a swimming pool or lake.

savannah kitten - descriptionThe Savannah Cat is a fairly large cat that weighs anything from 3 to 8 kg. It is a cross between a domestic cat and one of Africa’s smaller wild cats, the Serval.

Because of the Serval in the mix, the Savannah cat is able to leap into the air too because of his long legs. The cat has a short tail, and similar to the Cheetah has tear markings running from the corner of the eyes down to the whiskers.

A striking feature of this cat is his hooded eyes and the large ears. The Savannah cat has exotic looks and is regarded as a low maintenance cat with its short fur. The coat is tawny-colored with black spots but it comes in 4 background colors – smoke, silver, brown, and black.

Temperament:

An interesting aspect with the Savannah Cat is that they are sometimes compared to dogs. They become loyal pets and companions and will follow their owners around and can even be trained to walk on a leash.

The Savannah is an intelligent cat and can be taught a trick or two. Because the Savannah cat is a hybrid, they aren’t predictable in nature. Some are friendly and social while others are more wild and hostile. Some of them don’t like meeting strangers and will growl and hiss with uncertainty.

They enjoy playing in water and it will be a good idea to invest in a paddling pool for this cat’s outdoor enclosure. It’s an active cat and will require daily exercise. It is better suited to homes where there are older children.

Characteristics

turkish van cat - characteristicsLively, social, and intelligent, the Turkish Van is going to make you a wonderful pet and companion.

He is an active cat and will require you to play with him and provide some form of exercise for him.

He likes to leap up onto perches so getting him a climbing tree will serve him well as he is a cat that loves perching on high up places.

These cats are also low maintenance which simply adds to them being such perfect pets for single people, couples, families and seniors, just so long as he is provided with lots of love and care.

savannah cat - characteristicsThe Savannah cat's temperament is exceptional, and when you’ve got a Savannah in your home, you’ve got a true companion.

Cat lovers who have owned one of these cats will tell you that this cat is similar to a dog in many ways. The intelligent cat will follow his owners around and be a friendly, loyal, and devoted companion.

With so much intelligence, beauty, and energy, this cat has all the qualities of a splendid feline companion.

The Savannah will form a particularly strong bond with the human family member who grooms and feeds him.

Everybody who has known the social, affectionate, loyal cat has nothing but good words to say and he may just be the cat companion you want.

Health Problems

Always get vet help for your Turkish Van if you notice these signs -

Discharge or redness of the eyes

Scratching or shaking the head

Battling to urinate

Extreme and ongoing lethargy

Heavy breathing

Have your cat vaccinated against the deadly cat diseases there are.

Have your cat spayed or neutered.

turkish van kittens - health problemsYour Turkish Van counts on you to ensure his health and wellbeing. This will ensure he lives a long and healthy life.

Obesity is a major disease that contributes to many illnesses in cats. Excess weight is one of the factors for the development of arthritis and diabetes as well as some life-threatening diseases.

All kinds of parasites can invade your Turkish Van’s body. . Many types of parasites can be detected with a fecal exam, so a trip to your vet may be necessary.

savannah kittens - health problemsThe Savannah is generally a healthy cat. The cat can also fall prey to some of the typical cat illnesses there are -

Allergies:

Allergies happen with cats when their immune systems become sensitive to certain things. Cat allergies can be environmental, from fleas or from food allergies.

While some allergies may come and go, others will require an examination by the vet as they can include itchy skin problems. Typical allergy symptoms include sneezing and coughing, runny eyes, diarrhea and vomiting.

Irritable bowel disease:

This is a gastrointestinal disorder. Cats of any age are affected but it is found more in older cats. Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract can come about because of a food allergy for instance or parasitic or bacterial infection. Your Savannah cat will be vomiting and lethargic and have diarrhea and weight loss.

Hookworms:

These are parasites that invade the small intestines of a cat. It can cause anemia and inflammation of the small intestine. Hookworms can produce symptoms such as weight loss, coughing, and diarrhea as well as skin irritations.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy:

This condition causes thickening of the muscular walls of a cat’s heart. The heart’s left ventricle is thickened. The heart can beat rapidly and this results in more oxygen usage. It can also lead to oxygen starvation which causes heart cells to die off. A condition known as arrhythmia develops where the heart beats irregularly.

Caring The Pet

turkish van cats - caringOne of the most important things with a cat is diet. The cat is a carnivore. Watch his diet, and make sure he gets plenty of meaty food.

Check with your vet if you aren’t sure how to feed your cat. There must always be a constant supply of fresh, cool water available and both food and water bowls must be washed regularly.

Regularly brush your cat’s coat gently and at the same time check the body over for any unusual lumps. If you discover a new lump, get your cat to the vet.

Be sure to schedule in your cat’s vaccinations as without these your cat can die from some of the more dangerous ones.

Another wise move, if at all possible, is to sign up for pet health insurance as then you won’t dread it financially when your vet requests medical tests be done on your cat.

There are simple things you can do to ensure the longevity of your beloved cat. Good food, exercise, fresh water, and plenty of love and attention.

Turkish Vans can have problems with their teeth. Teeth brushing can be massively traumatic and uncomfortable for your pet, but the best diet and vet care will ensure healthy teeth.

Have the nails trimmed.

Cats are meticulous about hygiene so ensure the litter box is kept clean. Remove the cat’s feces every single day.

savannah cats - caringThe Savannah cat's diet needs to be a high-quality type of food with efficient levels of protein and taurine. The reason for this is that all cats are carnivores. A properly balanced raw diet will be the best nutritionally balanced food you can provide.

The Savannah has a short coat, which makes him low maintenance. He will still need to be brushed once a week. This will ensure a healthy sheen, and it will remove loose hairs and dust.

Provide for this intelligent cat’s physical and mental stimulation. He will need a variety of interactive toys. You yourself, need to become involved with your feline friend and give him a game too.

Make sure your Savannah is up-to-date with all his vaccinations. If you’re in any doubt about your pet’s health and wellbeing, get him to the vet who can provide you with valuable information on his health and his diet to ensure optimal health for your feline friend.

Basic Information

Origin:
Turkey
United States
Weight Male:
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
3 - 8 kg
6 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
14 - 20 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
The Swimming Cat
None
Colors Available:
brown, White with other colors - red, black
grey with black spots, cream, Tawny
Coat:
Semi long haired
Short
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Turkish Van vs Tabby - Breed Comparison
  2. Turkish Van vs Thai - Breed Comparison
  3. Turkish Van vs Tiger Cat - Breed Comparison
  4. Turkish Van vs Tonkinese - Breed Comparison
  5. Turkish Van vs Torby - Breed Comparison
  6. Turkish Van vs Tortoiseshell - Breed Comparison
  7. Turkish Van vs Toyger - Breed Comparison
  8. Turkish Van vs Traditional Siamese - Breed Comparison
  9. Turkish Van vs Turkish Angora - Breed Comparison
  10. Turkish Van vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  11. Turkish Van vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  12. Turkish Van vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  13. Turkish Van vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  14. Turkish Van vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  15. Turkish Van vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  16. Turkish Van vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  17. Turkish Van vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  18. Turkish Van vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  19. Turkish Van vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  20. Turkish Van vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  21. Turkish Van vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  22. Turkish Van vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  23. Turkish Van vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  24. Turkish Van vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  25. Turkish Van vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  26. Savannah vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Savannah vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Savannah vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Savannah vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Savannah vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Savannah vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Savannah vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Savannah vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Savannah vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Savannah vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Savannah vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Savannah vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Savannah vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Savannah vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Savannah vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Savannah vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Savannah vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Savannah vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Savannah vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Savannah vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Savannah vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Savannah vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Savannah vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Savannah vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Savannah vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Cat Breeds