Serengeti: description of the breed of cats, features of the content
The Serengeti is one of the many domestic cat breeds. This variety, despite the fact that it is one of the newest, has already earned the love of many. It is important to note that the Serengeti is a rare and expensive breed. So, the cost of one individual on the zoological market can reach 2 thousand dollars. The greatest prevalence of cats reached in the United States of America, however, in the CIS countries you can also find individual breeders who are engaged in breeding this breed.
What is the reason for this price and what features does this cat breed have? How to properly care for a cat? What are the behavioral patterns of the animal? You will find answers to these and some other questions in our material.
Origin story
Serengeti cats have a rather unusual and interesting history of their origin. The animal was bred in the United States of America, and the American Karen Souzman is considered its creator.
Initially, Karen's idea was to create such a cat that would combine several previously incompatible characteristics, namely: the animal should look like a serval (predatory mammal) in appearance, but its behavior should completely repeat pets: be calm, docile and varnish ... Thanks to the delights carried out in 1994, the first individual of the serengeti cat was born.
The name of the breed came into use from the wild. The savannah of Tanzania is inhabited by wild serval cats, which are called serengeti. And since the servals became the basis of Karen's idea, then she took the name just that.
The ancestors of the now famous domestic cat serengeti were the oriental cat with short hair and a spotted color, as well as the Bengal cat.
However, it is important to note that Despite the fact that Serengeti is an officially recognized breed of cats, these animals are not allowed to participate in exhibitions. This is due to the fact that in order for a cat to be shown, there must be at least 50 official breeders of the breed in the world. But this is not the case with the serengeti. To date, only 20 official nurseries have been recorded.... Due to this the breed is considered quite rare and valuable, is of interest to livestock breeders, breeders and simply lovers of unusual pets.
Due to the fact that cats are quite rare, you should be especially careful in the process of choosing and purchasing an animal. Otherwise, you can purchase a non-pedigree animal or fall for scammers. In order to avoid unpleasant situations, make sure in advance that the seller has all the necessary documents (licenses, certificates, and so on). And also carefully examine the appearance and study the behavioral habits of the cat - these signs must comply with the standards adopted for the Serengeti breed.
Description
If you are thinking about getting a cat of a similar breed at home, then first of all you need to familiarize yourself with all the distinctive characteristics of animals. And in order for a cat to be classified as a Serengeti, it must meet certain standards. Let's consider these indicators in more detail.
The body of animals of the Serengeti breed is rather large, but at the same time it is quite slender and graceful. The musculature is well developed, and therefore animals can weigh up to 15 kilograms in weight. The body is rather elongated and elongated. The paws of this breed of cats are also long and slender, they are endowed with great strength.
Due to such anatomical features, cats are quite jumpy - it is believed that they have the ability to jump quite high (up to two meters). The cat's paws are also quite large and have the shape of an oval. A cat's tail is not always uniform: it can be either short or long. One way or another, but it is always quite thick and gradually tapers towards the end.
Moreover, the tip of the tail must be painted in dark shades (even in kittens).
If we talk about the structure of the head, then in its shape it is rather flat and wedge-shaped. As a general rule, the head tapers towards the end of the nose and is endowed with rather pronounced features of a rounded shape. The profile of the cat is straight, and the cheeks are not prominent. Ears differ in size - they are rather large and stick out, set wide.
The cat's eyes are also quite large. They have a convex shape and protrude slightly forward. Round eyes are spaced quite far apart and are set at an angle. The color can vary: honey, nut, green, yellow and others.
Another important standard is a fairly wide nose. An important detail is that its lobe should be dark. The cat's neck is quite long, and it expands in the direction from the head to the shoulders. In turn, the coat is rather short, but pleasant to the touch. The Serengeti breed does not have an undercoat.
If an animal deviates from any of these traits, then there is a possibility that the individual is not a purebred representative of the breed. It is especially important to keep this in mind when buying. If the signs do not meet the declared standards, then the price for an animal should be significantly lower.
Character traits
The character and typical behavioral patterns of the Serengeti breed deserve special attention. So, the owners of such pets note that cats are quite sociable, active and playful.Cats make good contact with humans, they are friendly and welcoming.
It is important to note that serengeti are animals that are loyal to one master. They can constantly follow him, meow and purr, attracting attention to themselves. However, this behavior can be quite tedious. So, if you have other responsibilities (for example, work or household chores), then such exactingness of serengeti cats may seem more negative than positive.
And it should also be borne in mind that by their nature, serengeti are fighting animals. Moreover, they are able to participate in duels not only with their fellow cats, but even with dogs. The attack of the animal is accompanied by a characteristic battle cry. Therefore, it is immediately worth considering that if other animals live in your house, then the serengeti cat will become their leader. However, before she establishes her authority, fights and conflicts between animals are possible.
Despite this disposition, the animal behaves in a completely different way with its owners. It is kind and gentle, requires constant affection and care.
In addition, due to the high activity and energy, animals require walks in the fresh air.... That is why a private house will become an ideal habitat for a cat. If you live in an apartment, then take into account the fact that the cat needs to be regularly walked. However, this should be done on a leash to avoid fights and clashes with other animals.
A serengeti cat will become a good friend even for a traveler, because animals can easily endure both the road itself and a change of scenery. Therefore, if you are going to go on vacation, then feel free to take your pet with you, otherwise he will be homesick alone.
Thus, serengeti is an almost universal animal that can be got in any household.
Color options
Serengeti animals can be painted in several shades. So, there is a list of primary and secondary colors. The main colors include colors such as:
- black with contrasting spots (or tabby);
- black with so-called ghost spots;
- smoky and gray with the same "ghostly" spotting.
The background shade of wool can be the following colors: brown, smoky or gray with brown or black spots. Moreover, it is important to take into account that the spots themselves must have a round and oblong shape, and by themselves they must be located horizontally. The presence of dark spots at the inner corners of the animal's eyes is considered valuable.
Conditions of detention
Serengeti cats do not need any special or specific care measures. That is why they can be maintained even by those who are just starting their career as a breeder or by those people who have never had a pet before. But some rules still exist, and it is not recommended to deviate from them.
The cat should have its own bed, toilet, and bowls of food and water. Moreover, access to water should not be limited. Wash and clean your bowls, toilet and bed regularly to avoid the growth of germs and harmful organisms that can cause a number of diseases.
So, cats need constant hygiene procedures. These include combing the wool, which must be carried out at least once a week. Moreover, the combing procedure must be carried out using special rubber brushes, which are designed for cats with short hair. A similar device can be purchased at almost any zoological store.
In addition to brushing, it is necessary to bathe the cats. This should be done no more often than once every 2 months. It is important to note that cats do not have a phobia of water, so bathing is fairly easy. For cleansing, use only those products that are made specifically for cats.But also cleaning the ears and trimming the nails can be attributed to hygiene procedures. It is recommended to perform these manipulations once every 7 days.
In addition to hygiene, special attention should be paid to the diet of the feline. It is important that the serengeti are completely picky about food. However, despite this, the animal's diet should be rich and complete, include all necessary vitamins and mineral complexes and exclude unhealthy foods.
Obviously, serengeti cats, like any other cats, can be fed with two types of food: dry food or natural products. If you decide to feed the animal with dry ready-made formulations, then choose only those foods that are premium brands.
On the other hand, if you prefer natural products, there are a few simple rules to keep in mind. It is important that the diet of the animal is dominated by meat, but it should not be too fatty. Also include foods that are high in fiber (such as fruits and vegetables, legumes) in your meals. Banned foods include pork, milk and river fish.
In the off-season, animals can be given vitamin complexes (however, you should consult a veterinarian in advance). And also from time to time for serengeti cats you can buy special treats and treats that you will find in zoological stores.
Health
Generally speaking, cats of the Serengeti breed have a fairly good health, they are not prone to diseases. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to visit a veterinary clinic once every 6 months. During a visit to the doctor, it is necessary to perform a routine preventive examination for the manifestation of signs of any diseases, and also you need to do routine vaccinations and regular treatments for parasites.
In order to preserve the health of your pet, follow all the rules and recommendations for its care described above. A serengeti cat, loved and cared for, can live up to 20 years.
Important: do not self-medicate and do not use folk recipes. If you notice that the animal is sick, then urgently go to the veterinarian. Do not delay treatment - it is fraught with various complications and even death.
Thus, we have got acquainted with the main features of an unusual breed of cats called serengeti. By themselves, animals are quite rare, and therefore expensive. In this regard, not every person can afford to have such an animal as a pet.
On the other hand, cats are unpretentious in grooming. They do not require any specialized food, and can live for quite a long time. In this regard, by purchasing such a cat, you are guaranteed to get a friend for many years.
Features of the Serengeti breed are shown in the following video.