Serengeti

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: May 18th, 2016

About Serengeti

Weight

8-15 lb

Physique

Medium build, long legs

Lifespan

10 years

Best Suited For

Any cat loving family, including those with kids and other pets

Temperament

Friendly, social, playful, talkative

Comparable Breeds

Bengal, Savannah

Height

8-10 inches

Serengeti Breed History

The first Serengeti cat was bred by Karen Sausman, who owns the Kingsmark Cattery in California. This conservation biologist wanted to create a new domestic cat breed that would appear much like the gorgeous African Serval, which is a wild cat.

Even though this breed is similar to the Savannah breed, it has no wild Serval blood in its lineage. Instead, these cats were developed by crossing Oriental Shorthairs with Bengals, giving them a wild appearance without the wild tendencies.

The Serengeti cat looks much like the gorgeous African Serval.

Breed Traits

These cats make wonderful family pets because they can get along with just about everyone. They are friendly and self-assured and will happily interact with humans of all ages, as well as other cats and pets.

Serengeti cats may be a little shy at first when they are introduced to a new environment and new people, but once they get used to you, they will always want to be around you.

This breed is known for its high level of energy and extreme agility. Don’t be surprised if your Serengeti loves to jump onto the highest places around the house, or go running from one room to the next as fast as possible.

Another cute feature of this breed is the fact that these cats tend be quite vocal, so they will love talking to you whenever they can.

Overall Description

The Serengeti is a medium boned kitty who is also an incredible jumper, able to jump up to 7 feet into the air. This skill is possible thanks to its long legs, which are the longest of any domesticated cat breed.

In addition to this breed’s long legs, these cats also have large ears that make the rest of the head seem quite small. The ears are rounded at the tip and sit upright, so these kitties always look like they are on high alert.

The bold spotted pattern of the coat of the Serengeti is also a distinctive feature that makes it appear quite exotic and wild. And because the shafts of the fur are translucent, these cats almost appear to shimmer from a distance.

The eyes, which are beautiful and round, are typically amber or gold.

Colors

The coat on a Serengeti kitty has a distinct silky texture because it is short and tight. In terms of colors, these cats are typically golden or yellow with a pattern that features widely spaced, distinct black spots like those of a leopard. However, you can also find these cats in solid black, as well as gray with black spots or white silver with black spots.

Grooming Requirements

Grooming is easy with the Serengeti, as it is a short haired breed. In addition to the typical grooming routine of any cat, such as trimming the claws, cleaning the ears, and brushing the teeth, only an occasional brushing is really required. These cats will keep themselves clean to ensure their fur is always lustrous and soft.

Photo credit: geeekachai/Flickr

Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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Can I Get a Dog or Cat if I Have Allergies?

Your Environment and Pet AllergiesIn addition to responding to allergens directly from the pet, you must also consider how your home environment can contribute to your allergies. This will be particularly important when we discuss ways to reduce the problem and live happily with a pet.Take a moment to consider the surfaces in your home that could collect or transfer allergens. For example, carpets and rugs are notorious for collecting pet dander. They are also more challenging to clean than hardwood or tile floors. Beyond the flooring, this can also include bedding you are using for your pet, furniture your pet is allowed on, and even the toys they are given to play with.This isn’t to say that you must eliminate all surfaces that could contribute to your allergies. However, you should be aware of them so you can strategically reduce the risk. More on that to follow…The Best Pets for People with AllergiesYou may have heard the buzz about “hypoallergenic” pets and wondered if that’s the solution you have been looking for. The idea of an allergy-free dog or cat breed is tempting; I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. Unfortunately, contrary to what you’ve been told, truly hypoallergenic pets don’t exist. There are, however, some pets that are far less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.Selecting the best dog or cat is easier when you’ve already gone through the process of being allergy tested. That way, you know precisely what to be on the lookout for. Some breeds are known to produce or release less dander into the environment, while others drool less.Dog breeds recommended for people with allergies include: Poodle Schnauzer Portuguese Water Dog Bichon Frise MalteseThese dog breeds are favorites of those with allergies primarily because they don’t shed as much as others. Several have curled coats, like the Poodle and Portuguese Water Dog, which not only shed less but can also trap dander and hair in the coat, reducing the amount released into your home.Mixed-breed dogs that include one or several of these breeds may also offer the same benefits; however, it’s not guaranteed. A poodle mix, for example, may inherit the poodle coat or the coat associated with another breed in the mix. This isn’t to say that a mixed-breed dog won’t be a good fit for your home; you just need to be aware of this to assess whether a dog you plan to adopt has the characteristics you need.Similarly, experts recommend cat breeds with shorter coats when selecting a cat. Some breeds are nearly hairless, reducing the spread of allergens as much as possible. Recommended cats for people with allergies include: Sphynx Devonshire Rex Cornish Rex Bengal Russian Blue

A Blind Senior Doggo Saves a Shelter Volunteer From a Deadly Snake

Not all heroes wear capes, and that is particularly true for this one-of-a-kind hero dog. This senior doggo is more than deserving of that title as he valiantly saved a shelter volunteer from a dangerous encounter with a deadly snake. To make everything all the more amazing is the fact that the savior doggo is blind.Moogan, the hero dog in question, is blind due to a rare medical condition. He was walking one day with his caretaker, a shelter volunteer from Utah’s Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, named Dan Fishbein. Dan was there to make sure Moogan didn’t bump into obstacles. "He's so curious, still smelling the flowers, feeling out his surroundings," he said for Newsweek. "I'm always on the lookout to make sure he doesn't barrel into anything."Being so focused on the obstacles in Moogan’s path, Dan Fishbein failed to notice a major threat – a rattlesnake that lay directly in his path. But Moogan’s sharp senses at once went into action and the dog pivoted sharply and directed Dan’s attention downwards, straight to the snake he was about to step on. "Moogan turned to the right, so I looked down, and there it was," Fishbein said. "A rattlesnake, coiled right next to my foot. I gently pulled him away, thanking him. Who would have thought my blind companion would be the one to save me?"

Purina Donates $25,000 For Pets & Owners Impacted by Hurricane Helene

The devastation of Hurricane Helene greatly affected the six states of the American Southeast. Major floods and extremely powerful winds destroyed homes and wiped out entire towns, and help is greatly needed. As search and rescue operations continue across the region, Purina announced a donation of $25,000, addressed to Greater Good Charities, a global nonprofit organization. This donation is meant to support these rescue efforts and to bring food, medical supplies, and other necessities to those who need it the most. However, it will also help to transport shelter pets to safety and to reconnect all the owners and pets that were separated during the hurricane. "Our hearts go out to the families and pets affected by Hurricane Helene and the devastating flooding across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Virginia," said Kim Beardslee, Director of Community Affairs. "Purina has a long history of supporting communities in the wake of natural disasters, and we're proud to support Greater Good Charities' life-saving work during this time of great need."The nonprofit Greater Good Charities has several teams on the ground tasked with aiding those afflicted by the disaster. They are distributing food, water, and essential supplies to families, as well as veterinary supplies and pet food to pets. What is more, they are now conducting life-saving transports to save shelter pets. Besides their donation of $25,000, Purina is also busy working with several of its own US-based manufacturing plants in order to ship thousands of pounds of Purina pet food and other supplies to shelters and pet owners in the region that was devastated by Hurricane Helene. Of course, this is not the first time Purina stepped up to help those in need. Since 2017, the company has donated more than $400,000 and more than 700,000 pounds of pet food and cat litter. This went out to victims of deadly natural disasters across the United States. And it was their timely support and compassion that helped save thousands of lives.

What to Do When Your Dog is Choking?

Naturally curious and often very voracious, dogs can get into a lot of trouble just by following their gut, so to speak. Not only will they try to munch on anything, but they will also eat at a rapid pace, often gulping down their food in seconds. Naturally, this doesn’t mix well – accidents can happen as a result and your pet could choke. Choking is a big fear for dog owners whose pets are greedy or fast eaters, but all dog owners, in general, should know how to act in case their pet is choking. After all, knowing how to act quickly and effectively can make all the difference for your pooch. What to Do When Your Dog is Choking: Step by Step ExplainedThe foremost thing for any owner to know is how to recognize the first signs of choking. The most common signs include excessive drooling, panic and agitation, difficulty breathing, pawing at the mouth, gagging and retching, and blue or pale gums. If you notice any of these symptoms it is paramount to act immediately and remain calm. Before you do anything, try to assess the situation. Remember that a panicking dog might accidentally bite, even if that is not their intention. So, to ensure you remain safe, approach your pet calmly and try to reassure them. Try to spot the cause of the choking. If you can see the object, and it can be easily removed, then proceed but cautiously. However, if the object can’t be removed easily and is deep in the throat, do not attempt to remove it. The same goes if your dog is panicking and biting aggressively – it’s a situation for the pros. If, however, the situation appears reasonably safe, then you can try to remove the object manually.First gently open your dog’s mouth, by holding their upper jaw with one hand, and the lower with the other. If you spot the object, use your fingers to try and remove it. But be careful – one mistake can push it further into the throat, making the situation worse. So be cautious. If, however, the object is visible but out of reach, you can use special tweezers or pliers. Still, you need to be very careful in order to avoid further injury.If the object cannot be removed manually or with tweezers, then you might want to perform the Heimlich maneuver. Depending on the size of your dog, this technique could vary slightly. For small dogs:Place your pet on their back.Place one hand on their back to support them, and then use the other hand to apply firm pressure just below the rib cage, pushing upwards and towards the chest.After a few of these thrusts, check the mouth to see if the object was dislodged.For large dogs:It is best to stand behind your dog and wrap your arms around their waist. Place your fist just below their rib cage, and grasp it with your other hand.Apply quick upward thrusts to the abdomen.After several thrusts, check the mouth cavity and see if the object is removed.When you remove the object that your pet choked on, it is crucial to check if they show signs of injury or distress. And even if they seem fine, it is advisable to seek out the help of your vet and schedule a thorough examination. This is because choking can cause damage to the throat that might not be apparent at first glance. 

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