Pantherette vs African Serval - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The African Serval is a wild cat that hails from Africa. You’ll see them on Africa’s savannas where there is tall grass and reeds, preferably near water.

If you want to own a serval cat, you have to check whether you require licenses and permits as they are particularly difficult to rehome once you have owned one. Humans have kept them since ancient times, but they are not domesticated cats as such.

Breeding servals arrived in the United States many decades ago. Breeders have also crossed serval cats with domestic cats to produce hybrids, one of which is the Savannah cat.

There isn’t too much history to the beautiful black Panetherette cat as it is still in development. It is in other words a hybrid cat and the name ‘Pantherette’ was give to the cat to describe its magnificent looks.

It looks just like the wild Black Panther or Black Leopard. There is, however, certainly no wild black panther or leopard that has been used

The Pantherette is a hybrid breed of cat that is still under development. It is intended to look similar to a Black Panther. It is a new breed based on a Melanistic (Black) Bengals as one of the foundation breeds.

The Pantherette is registered with the International Progressive Cat Breeders Alliance (IPCBA).

The Serval is a medium to large-sized cat that stands at between 54–62 cm in height and weighs in the region of 9–18 kg.

Some people think its a cat that looks similar to a Cheetah and this is because it also has a small head. It is known for its large ears which are black at the back with a large white dot. The attractively patterned coat is both spotted and striped with black against a golden/tawny shade.

These wild cats make a number of different noises - high pitched cries to growls, spitting sounds and purring. Another well-known feature with the cat is its particularly long legs. The tail has some black rings and it is black-tipped. The eyes of the Serval are a brown/greeny color.

The Serval cats will only come together for mating and then they resume their solitary lives. Gestation lasts for roughly 73 days after which up to 6 kittens can be born. In captivity, a Serval can live to be about 20 years of age.

Temperament:

The Serval is an active cat night and day. They are solitary animals not known for strong social interactions with humans but they can be playful with the few humans he gets to know.

People need to always know that owning a wild pet like this comes with risks. Not only that, a Serval wants to mark its territory and while you may provide a litter box, it's not to say he will use it.

They are able to bond with humans to some extent, more so if they were hand-fed from early on. They bond with one person and can form an affectionate relationship with that one person.

The Panehterette is a medium to large black cat still being developed, It weights in the area of 4 – 9kg. It is muscular and strong with a long body and a broadish head.

The legs at the back are slightly longer than the front. The legs are strong and muscular and medium in length with large, round paws. The tail of the Panethereet is medium to long in length, thick and slightly tapered.

The beautiful coat is short to medium in length and luxurious and silky. The ears are small to medium with rounded tips. The eyes are oval and set wide apart. They can be gold-colored or green.

Temperament:

The Pantherette breed is still in the beginning stages of its development, so there isn’t too much information on its temperament. Those who work with these cats say that they have the typical temperament of a domesticated cat and that they are alert, friendly, curious and that they enjoy being in the company of their human companions.

The African Serval is a wild animal and should be left in the wild.

However, if you do decide to bring one into your home as a pet, they aren’t recommended for homes with young children or for a first-time pet owner.

Their play is rough and they like to use their teeth and claws during play. If the child gets hurt, then in typical unfair human fashion, the Serval is the one who suffers. They are capable of making good pets though but it is not recommended.

Domestic hybrid cats such as the Pantherette make great pets. However, you need to bear in mind that these cats have that wild side to them and they often try to escape.

They are larger than the regular cat and its always advisable to have an outdoor shelter for them as well. The Pantherette is a truly beautiful cat but read up all you can on hybrid cats before you bring one into your home.

Make sure that before you take in a Serval as a pet you have access to a good veterinarian who is experienced in helping exotic pets.

Also, the African Serval, when domesticated, will need the same cat vaccines that you would give your regular kitten.

Hybrids suffer from genetic defects. These defects can often require surgery. A cat such as the Pantherette also requires a top-notch diet. You may even have to speak to your vet because these cats often battle to digest their food.

People who work with these hybrid cats say that a problem they often see is inflammatory bowel disease and diarrhea. Remember that cats like these are carnivores and their diets have to be made up essentially of meat if they are to remain healthy.

Diet:

The Serval is a wild cat so in the wilds it eats prey such as frogs, birds and reptiles. They are known for leaping high into the air to catch prey but they will also burrow into holes to get prey out.

You should try to provide your Serval pet with some whole prey. Do research on the food of Servals because you will need to offer your wild pet a feline supplement. There are also formulated pelleted food, but this shouldn’t form the bulk of his food but rather be a supplement to his meats. Choose a variety of meats such as chicken, mice, turkey, beef, duck as well as rabbits and birds.

Space:

If you keep a serval, it is imperative that it has large outdoor areas to roam in. They’re nocturnal animals, so they become more active at night. They’re used to living near streams in the wild so some kind of pool will be required for him, possibly even a fish pond where he can catch his own fish.

To ensure a quality lifestyle for your Panetherett, you want to care for him properly. A well cared for cat is one that becomes the best pet.

He will have to go to the vet at some stage for sickness and for his vaccines.

Make sure you invest in a cat carrier or sturdy leash as your cat won’t like going to the vet. These cats can struggle, wriggle and writhe and he will make every effort to get away.

Speak to your vet about ticks, fleas, and worms in your pet as these parasites can cause havoc with your cat’s health.

Domestic hybrids such as the Pantherette will need to have a litter box that is cleaned every day. These cats like a clean litter box. Make sure that you scoop the litter box at least one time each day. If you don't clean his litter box regularly, you’ll find that he tends to use other areas of your home as a toilet. Being a hybrid, it is quite likely that he will in any case as these cat's wild side see to this.

Ensure he gets the best cat food there is. A cat is a carnivore which means he is a meat eater. If you buy commercially manufactured pet food, make sure that the top ingredients on the label have meat and protein listed at the top.

Speak to your vet about the absolute importance of quality cat food for your feline pet, as poor quality food can make your cat sick and you’ll be spending more time at the vet.

Cats can easily become dehydrated, so ensure that he has a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him around the clock. You can have one or two water bowls available to him and the water bowls must be cleaned regularly.