If we base it solely on physical appearance, there is a big difference between Savannah cats and dogs. The former looks more like the cats in the wild, specifically leopards because of their pattern. Dogs, on the other hand, have more variations brought by a lot of breeds, but almost none look like Savannahs.
Even so, because of the many similar characteristics between Savannah cats and dogs, they are often compared with each other. For instance, they both make good household pets because of their similar level of playfulness. Both animals are also found to be very affectionate and loyal toward their owners.
That said, it got me thinking — do Savannah cats act like dogs? Will you have the same experience in taking care of a Savannah cat just as in owning and living with a dog? This is what we’re going to find out in the following sections.
Do Savannah Cats Really Act Like Dogs?
In a nutshell, yes, Savannah cats really do behave a lot like regular dogs. People often consider these felines to have more dog-like than cat-like characteristics. Unlike most cats, they aren’t aloof or distant even at first meet. Instead, you can expect them to be very sociable.
Of course, there are still cases when you may encounter Savannahs with opposing personalities. This is just a generalized trait, and will still depend on factors like the cats’ nature.
To better understand how similar Savannah cats are to dogs, we have compared the two animals in certain aspects. See the following:
Temperament
For reference, temperament refers to the animal’s overall personality and behavior.
Savannah cats are considered to have a mild temperament. This means that they are in the middle of aggressiveness and calmness. It will depend on what they are dealing with. Commonly, however, they are playful and loving, especially once they get used to the environment.
On the flip side, you can expect dogs, or at least most of its breeds, to have the same temperament as Savannahs. They are also playful and always high in energy, which makes them similar in this aspect.
Another one of the things that Savannahs and dogs will agree on is their mutual love for the water. This is probably what sets the former apart from the other felines who seem to not like interacting with water.
Read also: Why Do Savannah Cats Chirp?
Loyalty
You already know that dogs can get very loyal and protective to their owners. What most don’t know is it’s exactly the same with Savannah cats. Despite their fierce appearance, you can expect to easily build a bond and connection with them.
To add, Savannah cats are also likely to get attached to their owners. They will constantly need to have a companion around in order to avoid separation anxiety and aggression, both of which dogs are also prone to.
All in all, you can expect Savannah cats and dogs to also have the same characteristics in terms of the intensity of their loyalty.
Trainability
All cats are intelligent, but believe it or not, Savannah cats are somewhat on another, higher level of feline intelligence. This, along with their need to learn and move around, makes them trainable.
Note that it will not be as easy as training a dog, though. Still, you can expect that they can easily learn the basics, such as how to sit, shake, spin, and likes. With persistence, they can even learn how to fetch.
What you don’t need to worry about in owning a Savannah versus owning a dog is potty training. Like any other feline, Savannah cats can automatically litter train themselves because of their natural instincts.
Relationships With People
There is very little to absolutely no difference between Savannahs and dogs when it comes to how they interact with people. When it comes to their owners and the other people they have a bond with, they will act sweet and cuddly, protective if needed. They are also usually gentle towards children, which makes them ideal as family pets.
Expect the tables to turn when we talk about these animals’ relationships with strangers. There are three main reactions that you should prepare for: neutral, aggressive, and cautious. For dogs, it will largely depend on the breed. For Savannah cats, however, you should expect a more intense reaction most of the time because of their strong instincts.
Relationship With Other Animals
Dogs are usually friendlier around animals, no matter what they are. This won’t always be the case. Again, you need to take their breed into account.
Socialization for Savannah cats can get a little tricky. They usually find it easy to bond with cats, dogs, and others that are considered “predatory” pets. However, many have issues when they come in contact with prey, like hamsters, birds, and fishes. Their natural survival instinct is the one that takes the most significant blame for this instance.
Why Do Savannah Cats Act Like Dogs?
There is actually no concrete explanation as to why Savannah cats act a lot like dogs other than their nature. It’s just how they are made. Some factors that may also affect this scenario include the environment they grew up in, their temperament, natural experiences, and likes.
Read also: Can Savannah Cats Go Outside?
Do Savannah Cats Get Along With Dogs?
Because of the many similarities between Savannah cats and dogs, you can rest assured that they have high compatibility. However, the question as to whether the two will get along well will largely depend on how they are introduced.
Although it’s common for the two to have a harmonious relationship, you need to pay a lot of attention to this stage since their future bond will be affected by their first impressions of each other. You should also consider factors like both their ages, the dog’s breed, and the environment they will be living in.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, do Savannah cats act like dogs?
The quick answer is yes. Savannah cats and dogs have a lot of similarities when it comes to their nature and characteristics. This is most especially in the aspect of how they act towards their owners and every other people they live with within the household.
This doesn’t mean that you will have the same experience with both animals, though. Although their qualities are the same, expect that they still have different needs and requirements. One can always be harder or easier to take care of depending on your capabilities.
Read this too: The Most Expensive Cat Breeds To Love
