Pet Wiki

Serengeti

Also called Serengeti cat

Self-assured and friendly once settled, though it may be a little shy at first in a new place.

SizeMedium
Weight3.6 to 7 kg (8 to 15 lb)males 4.5 to 7 kg, females 3.6 to 5.4 kg12
Lifespan10 to 15 years3
CoatShort, close-lying, silky spotted coat
OriginUnited States (California), created by Karen Sausman of Kingsmark Cattery in the mid-1990s from Bengal and Oriental Shorthair crosses.12
Last checked2026-09-30
Provisionally recognisedShort profile
serval look without wild ancestry
confident, friendly and devoted
chatty and fun to live with
13

Personality what they are like

Self-assured and friendly once settled, though it may be a little shy at first in a new place. Serengetis attach strongly to their people, often trailing them from room to room, and like to talk with chirps and meows inherited from their Oriental side.13

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Serengeti. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

  • Brushingevery week
  • Nail trimevery 3 weeks
  • Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
  • Litter scoopevery day
  • Litter changeevery week
  • PlayDaily playevery day
  • Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
  • Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, close-lying, silky spotted coat

A tall, athletic cat built to look like a small serval, but with no wild blood. It stands upright on long legs, has a long neck flowing into the head, and carries huge round-tipped ears about as long as the head itself. The short, tight coat feels silky and is usually boldly spotted.12

Colourstan, beige or gold with black or dark brown spotssilver with black spotssmokesolid black (may show faint ghost spots)gold to amber eyes123

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High. Very athletic and loves heights, so it needs daily play and tall climbing spots.13

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Low. A weekly brush keeps the short coat neat and cuts down on hairballs.3

Home where they are happiest

Tall cat trees and shelves to satisfy its love of high places.13

Company who they like around

Wants plenty of time with its family. Usually fine with other pets and with children when introduced properly and socialised early.13

The story where it all began

Conservation biologist Karen Sausman began the Serengeti in the mid-1990s at Kingsmark Cattery in California. She crossed Bengals with Oriental Shorthairs to get a domestic cat with a serval-like outline, and the breed is now found in the US, UK, Europe, Australia and Russia.123

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    Despite looking like a serval, the Serengeti has no serval in its ancestry.1

  2. 2

    Its ears can be as long as its whole head.1

  3. 3

    The breed's creator is a conservation biologist, and the cat was partly meant to raise awareness of wild cats.3

  4. 4

    Solid black Serengetis can show faint 'ghost' spots in certain light.3

Where the name comes from the story behind it

The breed is named after the Serengeti region in Africa, reflecting its goal of resembling the African serval, a wild cat native to that area.1

Name ideas for your new friend

SavannahZuriJamboKibibiSimbaAshaTazamaRafikiSpotDashPippinTiki

A day in the life told by a Serengeti

I wake up early and stretch on my tall cat tree, watching the sun pour through the window. I chirp a good morning to my human and follow them to the kitchen, weaving between their legs. After a quick snack, I race up to my top perch and pounce on a toy mouse. I love heights, so I spend the morning leaping from shelf to shelf. When my human sits down, I curl up in their lap and purr loudly. I chat with chirps and meows all afternoon, then watch birds from the window. At night, I snuggle close, ready for tomorrow's adventures.

A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.

Recognised by the official bits

TICA
Registered; can be shown as a Preliminary New Breed1

Treats they will love homemade and simple

Tuna Catnip Biscuits

A vet-approved recipe from PDSA that uses simple ingredients to create a tasty, crunchy treat your cat will love.

You need

  • 145g tuna chunks in spring water
  • 120g plain flour
  • 1 tablespoon dried catnip
  • 1 egg

How

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
  2. Drain the tuna and mix it with the flour, catnip and egg in a bowl until a dough forms.
  3. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
  4. Use a small cookie cutter to cut out biscuit shapes.
  5. Place the biscuits on a greased baking tray and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.
  6. Allow to cool completely before serving.

How much: One biscuit equals 10% of your cat's recommended daily calories. Reduce their main meal by 10% on treat days.

Recipe from PDSA

Salmon Cat Biscuits

A simple, vet-approved recipe from PDSA that uses salmon to create a high-protein treat your cat will find irresistible.

You need

  • 170g skinless and boneless salmon (one tin)
  • 1 egg
  • 120g plain flour

How

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
  2. Drain the salmon and mix it with the egg and flour in a bowl until a dough forms.
  3. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
  4. Use a small cookie cutter to cut out biscuit shapes.
  5. Place the biscuits on a greased baking tray and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.
  6. Allow to cool completely before serving.

How much: One biscuit equals 10% of your cat's recommended daily calories. Reduce their main meal by 10% on treat days.

Recipe from PDSA

Tasty Tuna Crackers

Cats love tuna, and these simple crackers are a crunchy, protein-packed reward.

You need

  • 6 oz. undrained tuna
  • 1 c. cornmeal
  • 1 c. flour
  • 1/3 c. water

How

  1. Mix all ingredients together.
  2. Roll the mixture into 1/4-inch thick pieces.
  3. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
  4. Allow to cool completely before serving.

How much: Treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat's daily caloric intake. Offer one or two small crackers per day.

Recipe from ASPCA Pet Insurance

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Serengeti, and at what times?

Feeding frequency depends on your cat's age, activity, and health. Most adult cats do well with two meals a day, but your vet can give you a schedule tailored to your Serengeti. Always provide fresh water.

What should a Serengeti eat, and which foods are dangerous?

Feed a high-quality cat food appropriate for your Serengeti's life stage. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and xylitol. For portion sizes, check the food label and ask your vet.4

Does a Serengeti need baths?

Serengetis rarely need baths because their short, silky coat stays clean with weekly brushing. Bathe only if they get very dirty or sticky, using a cat-safe shampoo.53

How often does a Serengeti need brushing?

A weekly brush keeps the short coat neat and reduces hairballs. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests brushing every 7 days, which fits well with general guidance for short-haired cats.35 Pet Wiki plan

How do I trim a Serengeti's claws, and how often?

Trim claws every 2 to 3 weeks using proper cat nail clippers, cutting only the tip. Go slowly and reward your cat. Pet Wiki's plan suggests every 21 days, and general guidance recommends starting with no more than two claws per session.5 Pet Wiki plan

How much play does a Serengeti need?

Serengetis have high energy and love heights, so they need daily play sessions. Provide tall cat trees, shelves, and interactive toys to keep them happy and exercised.13 Pet Wiki plan

How do I look after a Serengeti's teeth and ears?

Brush your Serengeti's teeth regularly, ideally daily, to prevent dental issues. For ears, check weekly and clean gently with a vet-recommended solution if needed. Your vet can show you the proper technique. Pet Wiki plan

How long does a Serengeti live?

Serengetis typically live between 10 and 15 years, bringing you many years of loving companionship.3

Is a Serengeti good with children and other pets?

Yes, with proper introductions and early socialisation, Serengetis are usually good with children and other pets. They are self-assured and friendly once settled, and they form strong bonds with their family.13

Can a Serengeti be left alone?

Serengetis want plenty of time with their family and may not enjoy being left alone for long periods. If you must be away, provide tall climbing spots and interactive toys to keep them entertained.13

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? support@petwiki.app.

  1. TICA: Serengeti tica.orgused for recognition, history, body, colours, weight, temperament
  2. Wikipedia: Serengeti cat en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, weight, coat, colours
  3. CatTime: Serengeti cattime.comused for lifespan, activity, grooming, social needs, fun facts
  4. ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
  5. ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.