American Keuda vs African Serval - Breed Comparison

It is thought that the cat was brought to America by the Spanish to keep the rat population down.

The name KEUDA stands for Kitten Evaluation Under Direct Assessment which is actually the name of a program that was running in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico and was for investigating the kinds of cats that survived as barn cats.

Today the Keuda isn’t registered and it’s not a well-known cat either, being looked upon as being similar to the Egyptian Mau breed as it shares some physical similarities with the Mau.

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.

You can’t really pin-point what the American Keuda looks like as it looks a lot like the Maus but it can also look like a Siamese cat or even others.

It is a medium-sized cat and can weigh up to 5 or 6kg while being very lithe and athletic. The head of the cat is medium-sized, the ears medium-large, the eyes almond-shaped, and the tail is slightly tapered.

An unusual aspect with this cat is its belly flap – loose skin that flaps at each elbow. The head is wedge-shaped, it has almond-shaped eyes, large ears and the fur is soft and silky and in a variety of patterns as well as solid colors. The coat is short to medium in length and there is no undercoat.

Temperament:

American Keudas are just your regular cat in personality - active, adaptable, inquisitive, and intelligent while being strong and agile.

They are also adaptable and social, getting along well with children as well as other pets in the home. It is also quite unusual in that it likes playing with water. They are also playful and love running, jumping and climbing and indoors it will want a climbing cat tree.

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 beauty of American Keuda cats is that they are no-fuss cats and they are energetic, amicable, social, and playful and they make wonderful companions.

They are also fond of water and can even strike up a friendship with your dog. By bringing a Keuda into your home you can rely on a steady, loving friendship with your feline friend.

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.

Thes cats enjoy good health and live to be 15 years of age or older even. You just have to watch out for him as they have no undercoats and it’s not a cat to do well in the cold.

Whenever you buy a cat for the first time, try and find out about vaccines and previous conditions that might require special treatment.

Healthy kittens and cats are always alert and energetic with shiny coats and clear eyes.

Dental disease is quite common in cats, and it is always a good idea to have your pet’s teeth checked by your vet. Signs of pain with dental problems can include lethargy, pawing at the mouth, facial swelling, and reduced appetite. Get your cat immediately to the vet if you suspect problems with his teeth.

Neutering and spaying are imperative if you don’t want your pet to have kittens. It’s a simple operation for your pet and it comes with many health benefits for your cat. You don’t want your female cat having kittens as there are just already so many stray cats in shelters. Spaying and neutering mellows a cat too, makes them less prone to wandering, spraying, and fighting.

Make sure you have your American Keuda vaccinated against the many cat diseases that there are. Vaccinations are available against feline infectious enteritis or feline parvovirus, cat flu and feline leukemia virus, a disease that damages the cat’s immune system. Kittens require their first vaccine at around 8 weeks of age.

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 needs to be fed a complete, balanced high-in-protein food. There are heaps of different brands of cat food on the market - wet and dry. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommended amounts. If in any doubt about what to feed your cat, speak to your vet. Every cat needs a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Exercise and play:

Both young and older cats love to play so ensure you provide your cat with stimulating toys as well as things such as climbing trees and a scratching post. Cats enjoy a high-up place where they can feel safe and view their surroundings from a height.

Sleeping area:

Cats spend many hours a day sleeping and you need to provide your cat with a warm, dry, comfortable, quiet place to rest. There are many cat beds available, but if you don’t have one, a cardboard box with one side removed and a soft cushion or blanket will do.

Litter box:

Invest in a litter box for your cat to do his business in and keep it in a safe, quiet place where your cat can ‘toilet’ in peace and quiet. These should be placed away from the food and water bowls. Make sure to keep a small plastic rake close by and rake up the cat droppings regularly to ensure the litter tray is nice and clean.

Grooming:

Your American Keuda is a short-haired cat but you want to brush the fur gently at least once a week. Grooming also provides you and your cat with some valuable bonding time.

Microchipping:

Provide your cat with a collar to show everyone that he is yours. Also, have your cat microchipped – a tiny chip that carries your pet’s unique ID number and which is inserted safely and gently under the cat's skin.

Parasites:

Have your cat treated and free from parasites such as ticks, fleas, and worms. Speak to your vet about this.

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.