Which one of these giant cats is bigger?
And how do they compare in terms of personality and price?
Let's find out!
The controversy
The title of the world's biggest cat has been indisputably held by the Maine Coon until
the arrival of Savannahs.
You see, Maine Coons are an old breed, unlike Savannahs, which recently gained recognition
(2012).
If you didn't know, Savannahs were created by mixing a wild feline, the Serval, with
domestic cats.
The Serval is way bigger than domestic cats; that's why creating the Savannah breed was
a strenuous process.
Also, males are sterile up to the 5th or 6th generation, complicating matters.
Maine Coons, on the other hand, are a naturally occurring breed.
They almost went extinct at one point, which drastically limited their gene pool.
And here's where the controversy lies: F1 Savannahs, meaning Savannahs that directly
descend from Servals, are typically taller and thus bigger than Maine Coons.
They weigh similarly to a big Maine Coon.
F2 Savannahs grow pretty large as well.
But here's the catch: Savannahs must be at least 4 generations apart from Servals or
F4 to be considered purebred.
The early generations' status is unclear, as they have a significant amount of wild
blood.
In some states and countries, owning these individuals is illegal or highly restricted,
as they’re not considered domestic.
Anyway, since early generation Savannahs are hybrids, I think the Maine Coon is the world's
biggest domestic cat breed.
Still, I would love to hear your opinion on this!
But how big do Maine Coons and Savannahs get in the first place?
Maine Coons usually weigh between 12 and 22 pounds, and some males reach higher weights.
Maine Coons consistently held the record for the world's longest cat and longest whiskers.
First-generation Savannahs, or F1, also reach impressive sizes!
They usually weigh between 19 and 22 pounds and can be as tall as 16.4 inches, a bit taller
than Maine Coons..
Later generations are smaller, with F5 and lower individuals being the size of a regular
house cat.
So if you want a big kitty, go for a Maine Coon or an F1 Savannah.
Just know if you choose an F1 to F4 Savannah, you're more likely to get a male, as these
fellows are sterile.
Let's briefly discuss their appearance before moving on to their personalities!
Maine Coons come in most colors and patterns, except for a few.
Savannahs, however, come in four colors (colors will be displayed on the screen):
All of them have spots, a tribute to the Serval's pattern.
A tiny percentage of Savannahs might display rosettes because Bengals were briefly used
when creating the breed.
However, rosettes are considered faults in Savannahs.
Savannahs are shorthaired, while Maine Coons are way fluffier.
Moving on, we can notice tremendous differences between these breeds’ body structures: Savannahs
are tall and slim, with elongated legs, and have a wilder look.
Their head is small for their bodies, a trait inherited from Servals.
Maine Coons, on the other hand, are massive, heavily boned, and more muscular.
So it all depends on what type of cat you prefer.
I think they both look majestic!
By the way, I have dedicated videos on these breeds; make sure to check them out after
this video.
Personality
Maine Coons are active and affectionate fellows and can sometimes be quite mischievous.
Some are lazier, but overall the Maine Coon is a breed with a higher than average energy
level.
That being said, they're laid back, adaptable and intelligent.
Maine Coons aren't aggressive and have a sweet temperament.
Some Savannahs, on the other hand, are a different story.
Early generation Savannahs that haven’t been properly socialized can display aggressive
behavior.
That’s why it’s crucial to get them from a respectable breeder.
It’s even better to get them from a breeder with kids and dogs.
If the cat has been adequately socialized, aggression won’t be an issue.
Still, early generation Savannahs, including the well-socialized ones, are more fearful
than domestic cats and display defensive behavior toward new people.
Additionally, early generation Savannahs are highly active and require tons of stimulation.
Later generations aren’t typically fearful, which is awesome!
However, they, too, have a high level of energy.
Savannahs are very active and require more playtime than a Maine Coon.
All Savannahs, just like Maine Coons, are brilliant!
They quickly learn your habits and can easily manipulate unaware humans :).
On the plus side, they can learn tricks and go on leash walks!
Which one would be better for a family with kids?
Well, I don't recommend F1 and F2 Savannahs if you have very young children.
If you really want one, make sure to not leave these cats alone with kids.
I talk more about this topic in my Savannah one-oh-one video.
Later-generation Savannahs and Maine Coons are fantastic choices for families with older
children, as they're playful and active.
However, I think Maine Coons do a bit better since they're more laid back than Savannahs.
Maine Coons are great if you have small kids, but you should never let your toddler annoy
your cat.
Which breed would do better if you're not working from home?
Sadly, both breeds can become mischievous if bored.
That being said, Savannahs are more active and require more attention.
That's why I don't recommend them at all if you're away for most of the day.
On the other hand, Maine Coons can do better, but not great.
I highly suggest getting two Maine Coons instead of one in this case.
Still, the best idea is to look for other less active and more independent cats.
Which breed is more suited for active people?
Savannahs, especially early generations, are best for extremely active people.
Later generations are also brilliant options.
Maine Coons are less active, but they still make great choices.
Sadly, neither is suited for people looking for couch potatoes.
These are cats you definitely need to play with!
Which one is suited for a smaller space?
The short answer is neither.
Savannahs and Maine Coons alike need big homes, as they're active.
The bigger the cat, the larger the home!
That being said, female Maine Coons might do ok in smaller spaces, as they don't grow
as large as males.
Still, it's not advisable.
By the way, you can learn the differences between a male and a female Maine Coon here:
Also, I highly suggest getting a Maine Coon or an early generation Savannah only if you
have the space for a catio.
Which one gets along better with other cats and dogs?
Maine Coons can get along with other cats just fine, but you'll have to be careful if
you want a male.
I explain why in my Male vs. Female Maine Coon video.
If you have dogs, males will probably do better.
I only recommend early generation Savannahs if you take a young kitten that has been socialized
and introduced to other cats and dogs, in case you have a dog.
Additionally, your current pet should have a high energy level, just like the Savannah.
Later generations are great options for both dogs and cats, as long as their energy level
matches.
If you're still in love with huge Savannahs, hold your horses, as their price will most
likely put you off!
I’ll talk about that in just a bit!
What food type do they need?
A good quality cat food is excellent for Maine Coons and suits their needs perfectly.
Just consider that bigger cats need higher amounts of food, which you'll need to pay
for.
On the other hand, some breeders recommend Savannahs, especially earlier generations,
to be on a partially raw diet.
Make sure to consult the breeder regarding your Savannah's diet!
Health issues and medical bills
Maine Coons are, unfortunately, prone to developing the infamous HCM.
They can also develop other health conditions.
A great way to make sure you'll have the money for the potential vet bills is to get a great
pet insurance plan, such as the one offered by Petplan (link in the description).
On the other hand, Savannahs aren’t known for being prone to any health issues.
They seem to be sturdy, healthy cats.
By the way, I have a video all about HMC if you're interested in learning more about it.
At the end of the day, no one can guarantee your kitten won't have health issues; it's
a risk you'll have to take.
Price
Here's where things get crazy!
Maine Coons cost about the same as any other pedigreed cat.
On the other hand, F1 Savannahs cost about 20000$!
Yep, you heard that right!
F2 Savannahs are cheaper but still very expensive.
In Europe, Savannahs are less pricy, which is excellent!
Things settle down if you choose a purebred one, as they cost between 1000 and 4000$.
Be very careful where you get your kitten from, as there are a lot of scammers that
don't care about the well-being of the cats.
These people hold cats in deplorable conditions and allow sick individuals to mate.
I always recommend adopting a cat if you want a furry feline friend, but if you're determined
to buy one, make sure to look for a respectable breeder.
And never get a cat without visiting the cattery!
Conclusion
Neither breed is a good option if you want a couch potato.
However, if you're looking for an active and affectionate companion, go for a Maine Coon.
If you want a more energetic fellow, choose a later generation Savannah; go for the early
generations only if you’re sure you can take care of these cats.
Of course, you should also keep in mind the other topics we discussed.
If you want to treat your cat, there’s some super cool stuff for your cat in the description.
Many thanks to Lovely Savannah Cats for letting us use their videos and helping us with the
information provided; be sure to check out their cattery and youtube channel!
And now, I think you'll love this video about Savannahs or this one in which I compare males
and females Maine Coons.
See you there!