Savannah Cat Vs Maine Coon - (2024)

If you are thinking about buying or adopting a large cat, you have likely contemplated the Savannah cat Vs Maine Coon cat breeds.

Giant Maine Coons are stockier with short legs, large stature, and fluffy coats, while the Savannah cats have long legs and bodies, making them appear larger than they are. Both breeds are intelligent. Maine Coons are affectionate, sociable, and friendly, with a laid-back temperament, while Savannah cats have a personality hinting at their wild lineage.

While Savannah cats are not as popular as Maine Coons, they are both large pedigree cat breeds with unique personalities suited for different lifestyles.

My hope is that this post will assist first-time owners and animal lovers determine which breed suits them best.

Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about the Savannah cat vs Maine Coon.

Savannah Cat Vs Maine Coon

Maine Coons are the largest domesticated cats and have many winning traits that have been praised by their owners over the years.

This extra-large cat breed is best described as:

• Intelligent
• Affectionate
• Gentle
• Sociable
• Loyal

Many people love the Maine Coon due to their beautiful, luscious coats.

If we look past their long, shaggy coats, Maine Coons can be easily identified thanks to their slightly oblique eyes, which can either be green, copper, or golden in color.

Maine Coon cats also have a ruff around their neck, which makes them look like little lions.

Some owners ask me if they should shave their Maine Coons fur, this is what I tell them.

The most striking thing to mention about the Maine Coon cat breed relates to their size and personality.

Maine Coon cats are well known for being:

• Incredibly Beautiful
• Large Cats
• Have Loving Personalities
• Hardy
• Semi-Water-Resistant Fur
• Shaggy Coats
• Tufted Ears
• Fluffy Ringed Tails

If we compare the Maine Coon cat vs Savannah cat, we can see that the Maine Coon has a far longer history than Savannah cats, which are among the youngest pedigreed cat breeds.

In comparison, the Savannah cat is one of the most exciting new pedigree cat breeds created by cross-breeding serval cats and domestic cats.

If we look at the Savannah cats appearance, we can see that these cats have:

• Long Legs
• Large Ears
• Slim Bodies
• Short, Spotted Coats

Savannah cats are extremely intelligent, loyal, and active but tend to have a wilder personality relative to most domestic cats.

Before you purchase or adopt one, please be aware that they differ from domestic cats in a few very important ways.

Make sure you do your research thoroughly before bringing one into your home.

Savannah cats are lankier with a wilder appearance, and, unlike Maine Coons, they are unpredictable in nature in that they can exhibit traits passed down from their serval parents.

This is probably why members of this breed are not considered true, purebred Savannah cats until the fourth generation.

All in all, many people are showing interest in Savannah cats due to the unique and striking patterns these cats have.

Both cat breeds have, however, increased in popularity over the last few decades.

Origins

Read on to learn more about the origins of these two extra-large cat breeds:

Savannah Cats

In order to differentiate Savannah cats vs Maine Coons, it is important to understand their origins.

To start with, the Savannah cat is a crossbreed of a domestic cat and a serval (a medium-large African wild cat with large ears).

Interestingly, the Savannah cat’s history is not long, and, oddly enough, the exact date when the first Savannah cat was bred is known.

The first kitten of this unusual breed was born on April 7, 1986, and named Savannah, after the habitat of the serval.

Since then, Savannah cat breeding began, and the charming cats caught on like wildfire, thanks to their unusual appearance and resemblance to their wild serval ancestors.

Notably, in 2001, the International Cat Association (TICA) accepted the Savannah cat for registration.

Maine Coon Cats

In comparison, the origin of the Maine Coon is steeped in mystery and intrigue.

Maine Coons are believed to have descended from Viking ship cats, where they were employed to catch mice and generally provide company to those on board.

Their true origins are considered to be a mystery, thus many folklore tales have been used to explain how this large cat breed first appeared in Maine, United States.

Maine Coons were very popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s as they were popular entrants at cat shows and exhibits.

However, as the years progressed, they became less prevalent and were not seen in cat shows.

After this stage, Maine Coons began rising in popularity again in the 1950s.

Read our full guide to the Maine Coons origins, in my article Where Do Maine Coon Cats Originate?.

Currently, Maine Coons and Savannah cats have both risen in popularity, with Maine Coons being big players at cat shows and popular family pets (source 1)

Savannah Cat Vs Maine Coon Size

While both Savannah and Maine Coon cats are generally considered large, Maine Coons have a reputation for being the largest domesticated cat breed in the world.

Let’s take a closer look at the Savannah vs Maine Coon size, to explain why this is the case:

a. Body

If we compare the Maine Coon vs Savannah cat size, we can see that Maine Coons typically have large stature and fluffy coats hiding considerable weight.

By comparison, Savannah cats have long legs and bodies that make them visually larger when in reality, they are slender.

The Savannah cat’s size is exaggerated by its long legs and body.

b. Weight

Maine Coon cats weigh between 8 – 25lbs, with male Maine Coon cats weighing between 15 – 25lbs, and female Maine Coons weighing between 8 – 12lbs.

In comparison, purebred Savannah cats weigh in around 11 – 13 lbs.

Notably, the first and second generations of the Savannah cat (not considered pedigree) can weigh up to 30lbs.

c. Length

Length-wise, an adult Savannah cat can grow up to 20 – 22 inches long, while a Maine Coons body length ranges from 19 – 40 inches.

d. Height

In terms of height, Savannah cats are relatively taller with an overall height of 14 to 17 inches, while Maine Coon cats are 8 to 16 tall.

At first glance, both Savannah cats and Maine Coons are visually larger.

Build And Shape

Here is a great comparison of the Savannah Cat Vs Maine Coon Cat build and shape:

Savannah Cats

Savannah cats are characterized by their:

• Elongated yet muscular, athletic body
• Slender Necks
• Triangular Heads
• Hooded Eyes
• Large Wide Ears

Like their parents, Savannah cats have extremely large ears that sit high on their broad, wedge-shaped heads.

If we look at their heads you will see a distinct, symmetric triangular shape.

The Savannah cat might be an unusual breed, but still has a long nose and small chin, which is pretty standard in the cat world.

Their legs are very long, with huge paws.

Another distinct feature of Savannah cats is that their paws are dark brown or charcoal.

Maine Coon Cats

Unlike Savannah cats, Maine Coons have:

Rectangular-shaped, muscled bodies

• Broad chests
• Short and strong necks with ruffs around them
• Wedge-shaped heads
• Pointed ears
• Medium-long noses
• Square-like chin
• Slightly oblique eyes

Their legs are short and stockier relative to those of Savannah cats. They also have large paws.

As for the tails, Maine Coons have a long, bushy raccoon-like tail, while Savannah cats typically have a short tail with black rings and a solid black tip.

Make sure you click here to discover the true reason why Maine Coon cat’s tails are so long.

Savannah Vs Maine Coon Growth Rate

Whilst Savannah and Maine Coon cats are large felines, they tend to grow slowly.

Typically, Savannah cats take between 2-3 years to reach full size.

By comparison, the Maine Coon can take up to 3-4 years to physically mature.

How Does A Savannah’s Fur Differ To A Maine Coons?

Many people love their Maine Coon and Savannah cats because of their beautiful coats.

As for the differences, Maine Coon cats have long, luscious, shaggy fur, while Savannahs have short, luxurious, soft fur.

Purebred Maine Coons have uneven two-layered coats, where the fur is shorter over the shoulder and considerably longer on the stomach and britches.

The Maine Coon’s fur is relatively thick and has semi-water-resistant properties. Make sure you are equipped with these 5 cat grooming tools to keep your Maine Coons fur in great condition.

Unlike a Maine Coon’s fur that needs regular grooming and brushing, the short, coarse coat of Savannah cats is remarkably low on maintenance.

While the Savannah cat’s fur is not known to be water-resistant, these felines love playing with water.

Maine Coon Vs Savannah Coloring

Another notable difference between the Savannah cat and Maine Coon stems from their coloring.

While Savannah cats have been meticulously bred to retain the appearance of their serval parents, the Maine Coons come in a multitude of varied colors and patterns.

With 74 different Maine Coon colorings to choose from, it would be hard not to love one of these colors.

Pedigree Savannah cats usually have crisp and distinctive spots on their coats.

They also have dark lines stretching from the inside corner of their eyes to the corners of their mouth, reminiscent of those of cheetahs.

Savannah cats come in the following colors:

• Golden Brown
• Silver
• Smoke
• Black

In comparison, Maine Coons colors are extremely varied, with tabby Maine Coons being the most popular.

Read more about the Maine Coon tabby here.

Maine Coon cats come in the following color classes/patterns:

• Solid Colors
• Bi-Colors
• Tabbies
• Shaded
• Tortoiseshell

The Maine Coon cat can be:

• Black
• Blue
• Cream
• White

Savannah Vs Maine Coon Personality

Both the Savannah cat and the Maine Coon cat are incredible.

Here are some of these cat breeds shared personality traits:

• Very Intelligent
• Trainable
• Energetic
• Agile
• Excellent Climbers

The Savannah and Maine Coon are also playful and, unlike “normal” cats, they can be leashed and walked like dogs, thanks to their dog-like dispositions.

Not unsurprisingly, many people have likened both the Maine Coon and Savannah cat’s personalities to that of dogs. Maine Coons are also nicknamed ‘the dog of the cat world’.

However, considering their extremely varied personalities, the ideal choice of cat breed will ultimately depend immensely on your lifestyle and what you want from a feline companion.

Savannah Cat Breed

The Savannah cat is an unusual yet beautifully elegant hybrid breed between serval and domestic cats.

They inherited the good looks of their wild parents and grandparents, and partly their personality.

Purebred Savannah cats, which are from the fourth generation onwards, are known to be:

• Loyal
• Friendly
• Calm

Savannahs can make great family pets but are not considered to be as sociable as other domesticated cats.

Savannah cats also have strong hunting instincts.

Before bringing a Savannah cat home, it is important to keep in mind that they are typically more attention-demanding than the average cat.

Do you have the time and resources to give these unique cats?

Maine Coon Cats

In comparison, Maine Coon cats are family-friendly cats and will live well with adults and kids.

They have a gentle temperament and almost never use their claws, except when climbing. This is important, as it means they are far safer around kids.

Pedigree Maine Coons love spending quality time with their owners but can amuse themselves, meaning they aren’t too pushy.

Please be aware that the Maine Coon does like space, and while Maine Coons are not known for being overly protective, they tend to be prolific hunters.

How Family Friendly Are The Maine Coon And Savannah?

Family friendliness is a major factor to consider when adopting a cat.

In this regard, Maine Coons make great family pets, and with their ever-loving personalities, they will cohabit excellently with family members and other family pets.

Maine Coons exhibit dog-like traits like greeting their owner when they return home.

In comparison, Savannah cats also greet their owners when they return home. However, while they make great pets, Savannah cats are only great family pets for the right families.

Savannah cats are very energetic and attention-demanding cats, meaning they are not suited for families where owners are never at home.

As they are easy to train, Savannah cats will bond with any domestic animal they are raised with as long as the animal is receptive to the Savannah cat’s constant love (source 1).

Intelligence

Maine Coons and Savannah cats are incredibly intelligent, which makes them trainable. They will easily learn and master tricks.

Besides being highly intelligent, both cat breeds have bundles of energy and, therefore, require plenty of cat toys to keep them busy and entertained.

These are my favorite long-lasting Maine Coon cat toys.

Savannah cats tend to be destructive though, meaning they can destroy your furniture if you don’t keep them engaged.

Vocality

Both the Savannah cats and Maine Coons are vocal cats known for their distinctive voices.

Maine Coons are overly talkative and will happily chatter to their owners through chirps and trill sounds.

In comparison, Savannah cats can meow like domestic cats when they want your attention or produce trill sounds when they are happy and content.

Savannah Vs Maine Coon Health

No creature is completely immune to health issues, and Maine Coons and Savannah cats are no exception.

Both breeds have unique health problems that need to be monitored and addressed if they occur.

First off, the Maine Coons lack of genetic diversity makes them susceptible to more health problems, despite being a generally hardy and healthy cat breed.

Three common Maine Coon health problems include:

• Hypertrophic Cardiography: A common feline heart disease, especially in pedigree breeds (click here to learn more).

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): A hereditary disease that can inhibit physical activity like running and jumping in Maine Coons. These are the signs and symptoms to watch out for.

• Hip Dysplasia: A condition that occurs when the hip joining of a Maine Coon is malformed. It can be extremely painful, leading to severe lameness. Here are the treatment options.

In comparison to Maine Coons, purebred Savannah cats are quite healthy.

Most health problems affecting members of the Savannah cat breed are attributed to hybridization and occur in early generations before the cats are technically considered purebred.

These are the likely health problems with a Savannah cat:

• Prone to hybrid male sterility (HMS): A universal health problem among Savannah F1 and F2, and common among males of the third generation. However, this doesn’t affect the cat’s health unless you plan to breed.

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): The only known health problem in Savannah cats that isn’t caused by hybridization (source 1).

Exercise Requirements

Both the Savannah cat and Maine Coon are highly energetic, curious, and intelligent family cats.

They are also active in nature, meaning they need regular exercise to stay happy, and healthy, keep their muscle strength, and maintain a healthy body weight.

On average, both the Maine Coon and Savannah cat require 30 minutes of exercise a day.

Oddly enough, both Maine Coon cats and Savannah cats can also be leashed and walked like dogs.

Both breeds are also excellent climbers and will love it when they can climb. In this regard, you will need to buy a cat tree for your feline or take them outdoors to satisfy their climbing cravings.

Whether you go for a Savannah cat or Maine Coon, cats from both breeds are considered to be excellent jumpers.

Both breeds are a great choice for animal lovers who crave owning a cat that can comfortably live both indoors and outdoors.

Cost Of Buying A Maine Coon Vs Savannah Cat

If you thought the Maine Coon was the most expensive cat breed because of its large size, you’ve clearly never asked for the price of a Savannah cat!

On average, a purebred Maine Coon will cost $1,000.

If you are looking for Maine Coon kittens for sale though, you should expect to pay anywhere from $600 to upwards of $1,500.

Maine Coons from a reputable breeder can cost over $2,000 though, especially if you are searching for a show-quality Maine Coon cat.

If we compare these costs to the Savannah cat breed though, the price difference is remarkably different.

A Savannah cat will usually cost anywhere between $1,000 and $20,000, with the F1 Savannah being the most expensive!

The cost of F1 through F3 generations will differ between males and females, where prices tend to even out in purebred Savannah cats.

Typically, the price of a purebred Savannah cat is between $1,000 and $2,500.

Successfully breeding a domesticated cat with a serval is quite hard, so it should be no surprise that Savannah cats come with massive price tags (source 1).

Lifespan

Both the Savannah cat and Maine Coon are considered to be hardy and healthy cat breeds.

All in all though, Savannah cats tend to be heartier and, of course, outlive Maine Coons.

On average, Maine Coons have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, while Savannah cats can live between 18 – 20 years.

Caring For A Maine Coon Vs Savannah Cat

Caring for Savannah cats and Maine Coons is not the hardest thing you can do. Both breeds will require moderate maintenance.

Basically, they need:

• High-quality cat food

• Regular Grooming

• Plenty Of Cat Toys

• Bathing

• Fur Trimming

Savannah cats prefer a wet diet with a large meat component but can also feed on other dry nutritious foods. Check with the breeder about what they recommend to feed your feline.

In comparison, Maine Coons should be fed high-quality dry food mixed with regular wet food.

They should get four meals until 12 weeks, three meals until 16 weeks, and two meals afterward.

The grooming needs of the Maine Coon cat breed also differ because they have varied coats.

By comparison, the Savannah cat has a short coat, and weekly brushing will remove debris and air shedding.

On the other hand, Maine Coons have long fur, which needs to be groomed or brushed 2-3 times per week to prevent matting and tangling.

Providing your feline companion with many toys and keeping an eye on their claws and fur will be of great importance too.

Both Maine Coons and Savannah cats love water. They can be bathed as necessary, though this isn’t essential.

Costs Of Owning A Savannah Cat Vs Maine Coon

The average cost of owning a Maine Coon or Savannah cat is more or less the same in terms of maintenance cost. This is because the two cats tend to have the same requirements for living.

Basically, your feline needs:

• Quality Food
• Food and Water Bowls
• Cat Bed
• Toys
• Treats
• Large Cat Tree
• Scratching Post
• Grooming/Brushing Equipment
• Litter Box
• Cat Litter
• Insurance
• Vaccination
• Vet Checks

The cost of one-time purchases can go up to $520, while maintenance costs are approximately $95 per month.

Overall, both the Savannah cat and Maine Coon are considered moderate in maintenance.

The average lifetime expense of owning either of these breeds is between $12,234 and $39,500 (source 1).

Maine Coon Savannah Cat Mix

Most catteries only breed purebred cats because they have value.

However, as many breeders seek to diversify the existing purebred, it is not hard to find a Maine Coon Savannah cat mix for sale.

Maine Coon Savannah Cat Mix cats have inherited physical traits from both pedigree breeds and come with long, shaggy, multilayered hair and big paws.

Their fur has a premium look and feels heavenly to cuddle.

It should be no surprise that Maine Coon Savannah Mix cats are very expensive relative to other cat breeds prices.

Typically, a Maine Coon Savannah Cat Mix will cost between $1,000 and $1,500.

Are Maine Coon Cats Bigger Than Savannah Cats?

Is a Savannah cat bigger than a Maine Coon is a common question among animal lovers.

Well, while these two breeds are known to be large, Maine Coons are the largest domesticated cats, meaning they are bigger than purebred Savannah cats.

All in all, it is worth noting that the first two generations of Savannah can grow bigger than purebred Maine Coons.

Conclusion

Whilst comparing the Savannah Cat vs Maine Coon, it became immediately clear that Maine Coon cats are the largest domesticated cat breed.

By comparison, the Savannah Cat is slender with tall legs and a long body, which makes it visually large.

Hopefully, after reading this post, you have understood everything you need to know about Savannah Cat vs.

Maine Coon, so that you can make an informed decision about which suits your family and lifestyle.

Related Question

Savannah Cat For Sale

Breeding a domestic cat with a serval is not easy. However, if you are looking for a Savannah cat for sale, you could get one by checking on breeder’s websites.

What Is The Difference Between F1 And F4 Savannah Cats?

An F1 Savannah cat is a first-generation offspring with a serval parent, while an F4 Savannah Cat is a fourth-generation offspring, technically considered a purebred Savannah cat.

What Is The Temperament Of A Maine Coon?

Maine Coon cats are very laid-back, super-friendly, and sociable felines. Learn everything related to the Maine Coon cat temperament, in this guide.