PetzloverAfrican Serval is originated from South Africa but Asian is originated from United Kingdom. African Serval may weigh 11 kg / 25 pounds more than Asian. Both African Serval and Asian has almost same life span. Both African Serval and Asian has same litter size. Both African Serval and Asian requires Low Maintenance.
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.
Known also as the Malayan, the Asian cat is likened to the Burmese but just with different coat patterns and colors.
This particular cat breed was developed in 1981 in the UK. Apparently there was a mistake mating between a Lilac Burmese and a Chinchilla Persian and kittens from these were born in 1981.
So beautiful were they that a breeding program started with new coat colors and patterns. The breed got the name ‘Asian’ with all the varieties reaching GCCF Championship status.
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.
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 Asian cat is medium-sized and muscular. The male cat is somewhat bigger than the female and weighs roughly 5 – 7kg while the female will weigh roughly 3 – 5kg although most times, there is not much difference in size between the males and females.
The attractive cat has a round head and wide-spaced ears with large green eyes. It’s a slender cat, but athletic with slender legs and medium thickness tail. Asian cats come in a wide range of colors such as fawn, chocolate, black, blue, cinnamon. The coat is short, fine, and silky and the Asian doesn’t require too much grooming.
These are friendly, playful cats and they get on well with children if the children are kind, gentle and respectful with him. This is a fairly dependant cat and he will actually follow his favorite human being, crying out for attention.
The Asian is a social cat and can fit well into different homes. However, because it is a social cat, they require an owner that is willing to spend time with them. They’re cats that are sensitive to the moods of their owners and make excellent companions.
They’re adventurous cats and enjoy exploring and traveling, voicing their opinion on different things as well. The Asian thrives on the attention it gets from their human owners. It’s a sociable cat and is quite talkative too.
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.
The Asian cat is such a sweet animal – gentle and affectionate and also very sociable. They are also curious and intelligent and vocal enough to let you know their needs. They're strong-willed if they want something.
The Asian makes an excellent companion for singles, couples, families or the elderly. They also get on well with children and with other pets in the home.
There are quite a few Asian cat varieties and each one promises to make you an excellent companion.
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.
Although there are no specific health issues with this cat, because of it being associated with the Burmese, it may be more susceptible to diabetes mellitus than other breeds.
There are many cats in modern times developing diabetes mellitus – where they are unable to produce enough insulin to balance blood sugar. If the disease goes untreated it can lead to dehydration, vomiting, depression, weight loss, and even death. Your cat will be thirsty and urinating more frequently. There are various treatments and the diet for the cat will need to change too.
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.
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 take care of the cat’s shiny coat, you can gently brush your Asian every week, not more, as they are short-haired cats, they’re not heavy shedders and they are low maintenance.
Age and general health will influence the way you feed your Asian cat. You’ll want to be feeding your feline friend the very best food there is as this will contribute towards his good health.
If you opt to feed your cat a commercially manufactured cat food, higher protein levels in wet foods might be better for your carnivorous pet. You don’t want to provide your cat with a high protein diet that is deficient in amino acids.
That is why it is important to research cat foods and their ingredients and get to know what are the most important ingredients for your cat to be getting. At all costs, avoid your cat becoming obese.
Make sure your cat has access to fresh cool water to maintain his body temperature.
Check your cat’s teeth, as he can’t convey to you that he is in pain – you need to check inside his mouth. Redness inside his ears might be indicative of an ear infection.
Whenever your cat seems to be ill, get him to the vet.
Provide your cat with a litter box that is kept hygienically clean.
Provide your cat with food- and water bowl, a brush for grooming and warm, dry sleeping basket.
Have your Asian neutered or spayed to prevent unwanted kittens.
Make sure your cat’s vaccines are up to date.