Owyhee Bob 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.

This breed of cat is a cross between two fantastic cat breeds – the Manx and the Siamese. It’s a cat breed that is recognized by the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry.

The Owyhee Bob is also just casually referred to as the Owyhee and it's an experimental feline breed.

It’s from the USA and is polydactyl, which means that the cat carries the genes of the Manx while the other breed used to create them is the Siamese.

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 cat has spotted or marbled markings on his coat which can be long or short. In fact, the coat can be in all colors and patterns.

Its a medium to large-sized cat, muscular with a round head and medium to large-sized ears that have some feathering around the rounded tips.

The tail too can be long or short but the preferred look is the stumpy tail. The cat has large oval eyes that are wide-set and blue, like one of the parent cats - the Siamese.

Temperament:

The Owyhee Bob is a social cat and very playful. He likes nothing more than to be part of his human family. He is intelligent too and becomes a loving and loyal pet.

The personality of the Owyhee Bob is sweet-tempered and social. They are also these kinds of cats that follow you wherever you go and when you sit down, they’re eager to be in your lap.

These cats don’t do well in homes where their humans work all day, every day and they are left in solitude hour after hour.

Remember that the socialization you give your kitten as well as the environment it grows up in can play a role in the temperament of your cat.

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 Owyhee cat in your home becomes a wonderful pet. They’ve got such playful, jaunty personalities and they’re clever too.

Social, sweet-tempered, and active, you won’t be disappointed by having such an awesome feline companion in your home.

After all, he has fantastic parent breeds – the Siamese and the Manx – and the two blended together brings out all the most amazing characteristics in the Owyhee Bob cat.

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.

Every cat, regardless of how healthy can get ill. If you don’t want your cat to become a parent, he or she will need to be spayed or neutered as well which comes with a host of health benefits.

If you worry about the cost of vet bills, you can rather pay a small amount each month for pet insurance.

Certainly, as a cat owner, you need to recognize the signs and symptoms of some of the more common illnesses your cat could get so that you can get your feline pet to the vet before he gets too sick by neglecting it.

Cancer:

Cancer is a killer disease where cells grow uncontrollably so that the disease spreads to every area of the body. Cats can get different types of cancer but you need to know some of the symptoms to watch out for.

Your cat may lose weight, you’ll maybe notice a difficulty with swallowing, he has a sore that won’t heal, he doesn’t want to eat, he is losing weight and he may have a new, unusual lump.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV):

This is a tricky illness and cats infected with this disease may not show symptoms until years after they were infected. With this disease, the cat’s immune system is weakened and the cat is open to all kinds of other secondary infections.

Worms:

Parasites can make a cat seriously ill. It is why vets deworm kittens. Infestations of worms can cause a host of symptoms. Certainly, your cat is listless, dull and the hair may even fall out.

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.

Your Owyhee Bob is a social cat so he will require interest and companionship from his human owners.

Choose the best cat food that there is. Your Owyhee Bob cat is a carnivore and he will require excellent cat food to ensure his health. Make sure he has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Provide a litter tray and clean it out every day.

Provide a warm, dry bed for your cat, stimulating toys, a scratching-post, climbing tree, food and water bowls, a collar and grooming accessories.

Get you Owyhee Bob to the vet when he shows any sign of illness. Make sure that he gets his kitten vaccines.