Positives
of Savannah Cats as pets?
Savannah cats are loving, intelligent, beautiful, exotic house pets.
Negatives
of Savannah Cats as pets?
If not socialized they can become shy around strangers
Anecdotes/stories
about your Savannah Cat pet?
My Savannah cat Leo loves to go with me when I drive my car, go to construction
job-sites and outdoor restaurants that allow "dogs." He literally stops
traffic.
What
is a Savannah cat?
The result of mating an African serval with a domestic cat.
Do they
have scent glands or an offensive smell?
No
What
is their average life span?
15 to 20 years
Do they
enjoy interaction?
They love attention and are very "doglike."
What
is their general personality, disposition, and attitude?
They are very intelligent. This comes from the serval blood. They can
be taught to walk on a leash, and fetch a ball. They are very trainable.
The attitude is that of "I am so cool, look at me."
Are they
sweet and petable, or mischievous and playful?
They can be both, depending on what they think they can get away with
it. They tend to be very curious.
How destructive
are they for an average household?
As with most pets when they are young they go through the teething and
teenage years. Just like puppies they may chew up a shoe or two. They
outgrow this and also can be trained to know what is acceptable and what
is not.
Do they
climb or tear up furniture?
They definitely climb on furniture. I give all my cats lots of toys for
"tearing up" and train them not to tear up furniture.
Are their
any problems associated with their claws?
Most people (although I choose not to) declaw f-1 hybrids such as the
Savannah's.
How messy
are their droppings?
Savannah cats do their business in a litter box, so it is just a matter
of keeping their box clean.
Can they
be litter box trained?
Absolutely, this is done by keeping the cat in a small area at first with
its litter box. Because they are 50% domestic, most of them already naturally
know how to use a box.
Can they
be trained?
Yes.
How are
they with other pets, larger and smaller?
As long as they are socialized with other "family pet members." Mine lives
in harmony with two big dogs and lots of smaller cats.
What
size cage do they need?
Caging cats is usually just used when breeding Savannah's. Savannah are
usually "house pets." Savannah breeding pens should be no smaller than
12'x12'x 8' high
What
do you feed them?
Eukanuba dry kitten food. I know of zoos and private exotic cat owners
who feed Eukanuba to full blooded exotics with great success. It is more
expensive but worth it.
What
vaccinations/vet care do they require?
I give mine the usual feline vaccinations, but I use ONLY killed virus
vaccines.
At what
age would it be best to get one?
The younger the better. I bottle feed all my Savannah's and sell them
while still on the bottle. This is usually at 8 to 10 weeks old. I have
one male Savannah that is 6 months old that still gets a bottle as a treat
every night. This could go on indefinitely if I choose. We both enjoy
it.
Other
Consideration for owners of Savannah Cats?
Long term commitment. Time to give love, attention and training. Space
available in ones home. Cost of purchase of cat, and life long expense
of food, veterinary care, etc.
What
kind of person should own these animals?
Someone who loves animals. Someone looking for an exotic looking pet with
a domestic temperament. Someone who has had experience with other animals.
