Smoke 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.

A Smoke cat is a domestic long-haired cat. The beautiful coat coloring usually comes with a silvery undercoat, with the topcoat having color points.

In effect, the Smoke cat isn’t a cat breed as such but is describing the color of the cat. It could be a Persian cat. It seems the Smoke cat has its origins in the 1800s in the UK from where it seems to have originated.

No one really knows the true origin of the Smokes cat but it would seem as though they evolved from breeding silver tabbies to blacks and blues.

While the early Smokes had green eyes, breeding has resulted in there being copper eyes as well.The Asian Smoke is a colour variation of the Asian that was created in the UK in the 1980s.

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.

When Smoke kittens are born they have gray and white markings around each eye and around the muzzle.

Essentially the Smoke cat can be black, cream, blue, red, or even tortie. Smoke actually means that the base of the hair is whitish and the rest of the hair is black, red or blue etc.

These cats can be different sizes but will no doubt be medium-sized and weigh in the region of 3 to 6kg. They are lean and muscular and can have different eye colors too – green or gold.

Temperament:

There are so many cat breeds and they have heaps of colors and patterns. The domestic long-haired cat is capable of a wide range of temperaments.

You can be sure that these cats are playful, fun, curious, and intelligent. Some will be more vocal than others but they will all thrive on the attention they get from their human owners. They are friendly, affectionate cats who will bond closely with their human family.

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.

Because the Smoke isn’t a cat breed as such but rather a color shade found in some long-haired cats you can’t be sure what your cat will really look like and how he will behave.

They could be energetic, playful, or quiet and relaxed. They might be more vocal and want to talk to you or they may be content just to be wherever you are.

When you bring a Smoke cat into your life, one thing is sure, with his friendly and loving nature your world will become meaningful, as any beautiful cat such as the Smoke is guaranteed to bring in lots of smiles, joy, and love.

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.

Just like it is wonderful to stroke and pet your pet for his health’s sake, it is also therapeutic for you to stroke your cat.

Vomiting:

Vomiting is one way that you can tell that your cat is sick. He will vomit if he has eaten something he shouldn't have or if he is feeling sick. You must keep an eye on his vomiting as he can become dehydrated and then he wlll need to get to the vet right away.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease:

FLUTD is often brought on by cats that are overweight or unhappy and stressed. It can cause a cat to be miserable, vomit and have a temperature.

You’ll see your cat battling to urinate, he will cry in pain when urinating and be pacing and unsettled. This is an illness that requires urgent veterinary attention.

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.

Smokes will require more care than other long- haired cats because their coats are fairly fragile and need to be treated gently and with care. Gentle brushing once or twice a week will keep the coat in top condition.

Keep the nails trimmed as required.

The trend today is to brush your pet’s teeth but this can be painful and traumatic for a cat and he can easily lash out in fear, resulting in bites and scratches. The pet groomer and vet can rather look inside your cat’s mouth and tell you if there is any bad tooth that needs attending to.

Provide your cat with good food. Your cat is a carnivore and he must eat meat to ensure his health. The best commercial cat foods are high in protein to ensure your cat gets a balanced meal to promote good health. If in doubt, speak to your vet about the best cat food there is for your furry feline friend.

Provide a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Provide your cat with a comfortable, soft bed.

Provide him with a litter tray and ensure this is cleaned of the feces every single day.

Have him vaccinated against the major feline diseases. Ensure he goes to the vet when he is in pain or shows signs of illness.