Health Considerations for Savannah Cats: Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Feline Friend Healthy

Your Savannah cat may live with you longer than your children. With excellent care, your feline friend can easily live two decades—and maybe even longer. Like most cats, your Savannah cat will have a happier, longer life with excellent veterinary care. The right veterinarian can save you money, since preventative care can prevent costly illnesses from hurting your pet and dinging your wallet. Here’s what you need to know to protect your cat for a lifetime.

Choosing a Vet

Your vet is your partner, friend, and consultant. You need a veterinarian you trust, who listens to you, and who cares about your cat.

Some hallmarks of an excellent veterinarian include:

• Experience with, or at least knowledge about, Savannah cats. Consider asking your breeder for a referral.

• Affection for your cat. Your veterinarian should like your cat, and be genuinely interested in his or her well-being. A veterinarian who limits their practice size and who take lots of time with each patient is more likely to remember and care about your cat.

• Respect for your cat care philosophy. Do you prefer to take a “wait and see” approach, or do you want to quickly intervene when anything is wrong? Pick a veterinarian who can respect your cat parenting style.

• Knowledge of cat nutrition. Good Savannah cat health hinges on sound nutrition. Be wary of a veterinarian who pushes a certain food brand rather than talking about key ingredients. The best veterinarians are open to several different dietary options, and can provide advice on optimizing your pet’s diet.

• Excellent communication. Veterinarians that spend a lot of time with their patients sometimes take a little longer to get back to you. But if there’s an emergency, can you get in touch? Can you trust your veterinarian to answer questions? To be honest and direct?

• Fair and transparent pricing. Your cat is a member of your family, and we know you’re willing to pay to keep them healthy. That doesn’t mean you should be charged unfairly. Good veterinarians are honest about pricing, and can work with you on more affordable treatments when price is a concern.

• Access to a pharmacy. If you need a refill, can your veterinarian call in a prescription to the pet pharmacy? Or do you have to go into the office?

Choosing your vet is half the battle. A good vet will work with you to ensure your cat is up to date on vaccines and that they get regular check-ups. Of course, monitoring these important health goals on your own is also important, so here’s what you need to know:

Vaccinations

A cat’s natural antibodies, passed through its mother, disappear around 16 weeks in cats kittens who nurse. Vaccines can begin between 8-16 weeks, so talk to your veterinarian. Your kitten needs the following vaccines:

• Rabies

• Feline distemper

• Feline herpes virus

• Calcivirus

• Feline leukemia virus

• Bordetella

Your kitten will need boosters a year later. It’s important to note that some feline diseases can be transmitted to humans. So vaccinating your kitten protects you and your family, as well as your cat.

Regular Check-Ups and Health Testing

All cats need annual wellness visits. This gives your veterinarian a chance to evaluate your cat, answer health and behavior questions, and make recommendations about diet, exercise, and other key components of good cat health. Most vets order blood work at each annual exam. This test assesses for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus. The veterinarian may also check your cat’s thyroid, perform a complete blood count, and test your cat’s blood serum chemistry. Each of these tests can provide early flags for serious health problems.

Depending on your cat’s health and lifestyle, the doctor may recommend other tests. For instance, a cat that may have been exposed to heartworms may need to be tested for the disease.

Parasite Prevention

Cats can host a number of parasites, such as fleas, roundworms, and hookworms. Not only can these parasites hurt your cat; many are also transmissible to humans. Deworming your kitten is the best way to prevent many common parasites. Your breeder may already have dewormed your kitten, so ask about this before worming your Savannah cat.

Fleas can damage your cat’s skin, cause hair loss, and even spread diseases. Even indoor cats can get fleas. So consider a flea preventative treatment. The safest and most effective flea treatments are oral medications you get from your vet. Over the Counter collars and sprays can irritate your cat’s skin, trigger allergies in humans, and may not be as effective.

Cats are less likely to get heartworms than dogs, especially if they remain indoors. But any cat who lives where mosquitoes reside can get heartworms—even if they are exclusively indoors. So ask your vet about an oral heartworm preventative treatment.

Common Health Concerns

Savannah cat are extraordinarily healthy cats, and the breed has no known genetic anomalies or health problems. That doesn’t mean they're immune to disease. Savannah cats are prone to many of the same health issues as other domesticated cats. Some of the most common issues these cats face include:

• lower urinary tract infections and diseases

• skin and coat problems

• ear infections

• diarrhea and vomiting

• eye health issues

• obesity, especially as they age

• lifestyle-related issues, such as metabolic issues due to an unhealthy diet

When to Call the Vet

Many cat owners struggle with knowing when to call the vet, and when to wait and see if symptoms get better. Fleas, mild stomach issues, and subtle changes in behavior are fine to treat at home. Observe for a few days, and if symptoms don’t improve, see the vet.

Call your vet within 24 hours for:

• vomiting that doesn’t improve

• bloody stool

• unexplained wounds or patches on the skin

• aggressive or unusual behavior

• new spraying

• lost teeth

• a severe flea infestation

Go to an emergency vet for:

• a recent bite by a dog, another cat, or a wild animal

• any suspected bone or head injuries, especially if your cat has fallen or been hit by a car

• vomiting blood

• wheezing or difficulty breathing

• suspected poisoning

• signs that your cat is intense pain, such as hyperventilating or being unable to calm down

• seizures, especially if your cat has never had a seizure before

As your cat’s breeder, we’re always happy to answer questions about their health, behavior, or diet. Give us a call if you need us. We care about your cat and your family!

Click on the pictures or the hyperlink to see some of the products we recommend.

Until our next cat convo

-Martin

Protecting Your Savannah Cat With Pet Insurance

Pet Insurance is really about being prepared for when your Savannah cat needs to see a vet. Pet owners want to make sure they have the best resources and care available and pet insurance can make that reality.

New research from ConsumersAdvocate.org shows exactly what types of pet insurance is the best and provides helpful information on figuring out what pet insurance company is best for you and your Savannah pet. 

Whether it’s a couple of stitches for an injured paw or potentially life-threatening conditions, pet insurance provides cat owners with the peace of mind knowing that they can provide for their cat in a time of need. It’s true that pet insurance may cost you $38-70 per month, but it covers a significant portion of vet bills that can cost up to $5-$10k! Most of us can agree that we can find ways to cut back on monthly expenditures to ensure that we have the means to provide for our sick cats in times of need.

How to Choose your Pet Insurance Plan? 

It's not fun going through insurance plan options trying picking the right plan for you. Understanding what factors to consider when choosing your insurance coverage is an important piece to making sure your Savannah cat has the right resources to live a healthy life (and that you’re getting what you pay for!).

Coverage Amounts

The amount of coverage is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting pet insurance. Savannah owners require a plan that has extensive coverage with few exclusions. As responsible pet owners themselves, the team at ConsumersAdvocate.org did the research to make sure pet owners are as ready as they can be for the unexpected. 

Typically, there are three types of coverage: comprehensive (covers accident/illness), accidents only (covers only accidents), and wellness coverage (covers preventative care). The most common choice amongst pet owners is the comprehensive package for its affordability and extensiveness in terms of coverage. 

Benefit Limits

Beyond the coverage types, the research team at ConsumersAdvocate.org suggests that the second most important factor to consider would be the benefit limits. Some plans will provide unlimited lifetime benefits, others will be capped on an annual/lifetime amount, and several are on a per-condition basis. Veterinary costs are historically trending higher, so a plan without an annual cap is the way to go these days. 

Deductibles and Reimbursements

The last things to consider are deductibles and reimbursements. This plays a key part in your monthly rate. Higher deductibles would translate into lower payments per month. The types of deductibles pet insurance can offer you are the annual, per-condition lifetime, and per-condition annual deductibles. 

There are also three main types of reimbursements a pet insurance company may offer you. Actual Cost means your insurance will pay you back a percentage of your Savannah’s medical bill after you have paid off your deductible. Plans that offer actual cost will give you several different percentage options to choose from. Benefit Schedules states when your pet insurance coverage will be paid back depending on the illness/procedure. Lastly, there is also the Usual and Customary, which has become less popular over the years. This reimbursement is dependant on the procedure but also considers your geographic location. 

Picking a pet insurance coverage for your Savannah is a very important decision that can save you thousands of dollars and protect your pet. Make sure you do the proper research to find what is best for you.

This site did your job and listed the best cat insurance companies right here

Click on the pictures or the hyperlink to learn more.

Until our next cat convo

-Martin

8 Ways to Stop Your Dog from Eating Cat Poop Once and for All

Have you tried everything already, but still could not keep your dogs away from your cat’s litter box? You are in the right place.

When you own dogs and cats at the same time, for some reason your dogs keep playing with cat poop. It is disgusting and bad for your doggo’s health.

Science says dogs eat cat poop because they are drawn to the protein content in the poop. It also suggests that a lack of proper nutrients in the dog’s body may be the reason behind this irksome behavior. (Join Luxury Casino)

Whatever the reason may be, we must put a stop to this behavior, so that your dogs can stay healthy, and your cats can have some privacy. Keep on reading to know all the tricks and tips to get your dog to stay away from cat poop.

1. Teach Your Dog the ‘Leave It’ Command

If your dog keeps invading your cat’s privacy, it is time to teach them the ‘Leave it’ command. Here’s how you will teach them this command -

Be very diligent in this. Whenever you see your dog wandering around the cat’s potty, you know what they are up to. In a firm tone address your dog, and say “Leave it!”

If they listen to you, give them a treat. If they disobey, say it again, but louder. Dogs don’t need to understand your vocabulary; they can sense your command.

It may not work out for the first few times, because your dog is new to the command. But it will catch up with you soon enough. Just keep repeating it.

2. Keep Your Dog Busy

Your dogs may be drawn to your cat’s private business out of sheer curiosity. When they have nothing to do, they would rather eat and play with cat poop.

To avoid this situation, you must keep your dogs busy with other healthier options. Keep them busy with toys and games. Give them things to do, so that they won’t get bored and start looking for weird stuff to do.

3. Use Fences to Keep Them Away

Indoor fences outside the room cats poop can prevent the dogs from having access to that space. There are a number of indoor fences available online. Find the one right for your dog’s size, height, and temperament.

When you purchase them though, make sure the space between the bars are wide enough for cats to get through, but narrow enough to prevent dogs from getting through.

Contrarily, you can install a small door in the bathroom door, so that your kitties can access the bathroom, but not your dogs.

4. Clean the Litter Box ASAP

One fine way of preventing dogs from eating cat poop is by cleaning the litter box as soon as possible after the cat’s done with its deed.

If the litter box is clean, dogs won’t have a reason to go near it and eat the excrements. By doing so, you also prevent the nasty poopy smell from spreading all over the house.

If cleaning every time is impossible, you can invest in self-cleaning cat litter boxes that will clean and refresh the potty by itself.

5. Get Dog Proof Litter Boxes

These days you will be able to find cat litter boxes that come with lids. The enclosing property of the litter boxes blocks the poopy smell from taking over the house.

More importantly, these dog-proof litter boxes prevent dogs from accessing the litter box and gives your cat the privacy it needs. They may have self-cleaning properties and odor-preventing features built in. Some of them have see-through layers so that your cat doesn’t feel claustrophobic or trapped inside the box.

6. Buy Stool Deterrents

Another way to prevent your dogs from eating cat poop is by getting them stool deterrents by the Dog Doctors. They are specially manufactured for dogs that cannot stop eating cat poop or other dog’s poop or their own.

You don’t want to kiss your dog once it has had its mouth in poop. Hence, investing in stool deterrents will be beneficial for you and for your dog, as some of the products have ‘fresh breath’ features to freshen up their mouths.

On the other hand, stool deterrents designed for cats can make their stools unattractive for dogs, so that they would stay away.

7. Add Black Pepper or Hot Sauce in the Litter Box

In order to keep your dogs away from cat litter, you can add some black pepper or hot sauce in the litter mix. Dogs would hate it!

Whenever your dogs get near the cat poop, the smell of hot sauce and pepper will repel them. This is a surefire way to make cat poop unattractive for dogs.

8. Give Your Dogs Proper Nutrition

Your dogs are most likely expressing interest in cat poop because of the nutritional value it provides. This is happening because your dogs are not getting enough nutrition from their current diet.

If this is so, it’s time to change the dog food. Check the ingredients labeled at the back of packages, and determine which ingredients your dogs mostly need. Remember that dogs have completely different nutrient standards, so you’d better get veterinary financing with no credit check to cover the cost of a vet consultation rather than trying to adjust the dog’s diet on your own.

Upon switching their dog food, make sure you portion their meals properly every day. You can give them human food as well, but with your veterinarian’s permission.

Final Thoughts

Having dogs are so much fun. They have their own personalities and temperament, and they keep your life exciting all the time.

Come to think of it, have you ever thought you will be researching about preventing your dogs from eating cat poop? No, right! But here you are, learning as much as you can about your lovely canine family.  In fact, an important aspect to consider in pet care is their safety. A good solution to ensure this is the Best GPS Tracker. With this device, you can prevent them from straying into unwanted areas.

Furthermore, the tips up here are not even as challenging. In fact, they are quite fun! So, all the best wishes.

If you have a lot of pet items in your house, you can use Custom Woven Labels to keep your pet items organized and easily identifiable. Whether you have multiple pets or just want to personalize your pet items, this is the perfect solution. They can be personalized with your pet's name, breed, and cute designs to create labels that are as unique as your pet's.

Click on the links in the article to see where it takes you.

Until our next cat convo

-MARTIN

10 Health Benefits of Owning a Savannah Cat

A Savannah cat is more than just a fun-loving fluff ball who makes coming home from a hard day at work a little easier. Owning a Savannah cat can make your life better and your body healthier. Cat ownership could even protect against a variety of diseases. Here are 10 reasons your Savannah cat might be the best thing you do for your health.

Savannah Cats Help You Make Friends

Having a cat gives you an instant connection to other cat lovers. You have an easy source of small talk and amusing stories, which can be a great ice breaker at parties or even in job interviews. Lovers of Savannah cats are especially devoted. You can join message boards and play groups, using your cat as a way to connect with others.

Because Savannah cats are rare, your cat also gives you an interesting anecdote to share at parties. People who have never heard of Savannah cats may be curious. This presents the chance to talk about cat breeds, wild animal preservation, and the unique joys of owning such a special cat.

Cats Can Relieve Pain

Stroking a cat for a few minutes can loosen tense muscles, offering some relief for both short-term and chronic pain. Chronic pain has a strong mental health component. Depression and anxiety can make the pain worse. Stress can make it hard to make good health decisions such as exercising and stretching. But cats can make it easier to lead a healthy lifestyle. Living with a cat is a powerful motivator that can relieve psychological pain and get you moving, thereby offering relief from physical pain, too.

Your Mental Health May Improve

Though mental health and physical health are often talked about in separate arenas, the two are inextricably linked. Depression increases the risk of a host of illnesses, including heart disease and premature death. Poor mental health can also make it more difficult to make good health choices, such as quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet.

Enter your cat. Like a savior for all aspects of your health, your Savannah cat improves your physical health by boosting mental wellness. Cats can help with anxiety and depression, improving mental health and helping you lead a happier life.

Your Heart Disease Risk May Be Lower

Heart disease is the leading killer, and a major contributed to disability worldwide. Simply owning or petting a cat can reduce your risk of developing heart disease. And if you already have a cat, your pet could save your life by reducing your risk of dying of a cardiovascular episode.

The heart-healthy benefits of Savannah cat ownership include:

• Lower blood pressure

• Lower cholesterol

• Decreased triglycerides

• A lower risk of diabetes

• More opportunities for exercise

• Lower stress

• Better circulation

Kids May Be Less Likely to Develop Allergies

Cats bring in dust, dirt, and dander. Even indoor cats get dusty and dirty. That might seem like a bad thing, but it’s actually great for your health. Low-level exposure to allergens can help boost the immune system, reducing the risk of developing allergies, asthma, and similar health problems. The benefits are especially strong in kids. So if you want your child to grow up allergy-free, let them get down on the floor and play with your cat (with adult supervision, of course).

Your Children May Learn Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s feelings. It’s a hard thing to learn. It’s also a skill that will benefit your child for their entire life. In fact, research shows that kids with empathy and social intelligence are more likely to succeed. Social skills, not intelligence, are ultimately what make or break a career.

So what does this have to do with cats? Cats help gets learn empathy. If your child wants a good relationship with your cat, they have to learn to be gentle and read the cat’s cues. This is a lesson that will extend into your child’s relationship with others, propelling your child into a happy, healthy, successful life.

A Reason to Get Moving

Exercise may be the best thing you can do for your health. It lowers the risk of virtually every disease, from cancer to dementia, improves heart health, helps you be happier, and improves your body image. Yet many people struggle to get moving, especially after a long day at a demanding job.

Savannah cats don’t get their owners any slack when it comes to the need to exercise. These intelligent, high-energy felines need lots of high-energy play. So rather than hitting the treadmill, spend some time chasing your Savannah cat. You’ll burn calories, improve your health, and have lots of fun.

Better Sleep

Everyone loves laying down and settling into blissful repose at the end of the day. Sleep is more than just a luxury. It’s vital to your health. It helps your brain process the events of the day, promoting good mental health. It can also boost your immune system and strengthen your overall well-being. Yet many of us struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Stress, busy schedules, and the constant distraction of phones keep many people tossing and turning all night.

People who own cats sleep better, even if they don’t sleep with their cats. For people with insomnia or anxiety, though, a Savannah cat offers an additional benefit: stroking your cat as you fall asleep can help you fall asleep more quickly and sleep more soundly.

A Stronger Immune System

Just as exposure to dust and dander can prevent allergies, it can also strengthen your immune system. It works like this: exposure to tiny quantities of dander and dirt activate the immune system. This helps the immune system learn to fight off infections and other invaders. Particularly in children, the tiny microbes in cat fur activate the immune system for a lifetime of good health. No antibacterial soap required.

Help in an Emergency

If you have a chronic medical condition such as epilepsy or COPD, your cat can be trained to get you emergency help. Savannah cats are highly intelligent and mobile. They also bond strongly to their families. This makes them the perfect choice to train as an assistance animal. Cats have saved lives by calling 911, waking someone from a seizure, and intervening as a person chokes. Your cat is more than just a friend. He or she could save your life.

Ready to learn more about Savannah cats?Want to bring home a new member of your family? Contact us today for more information and a list of available cats!

Click on the pictures or the hyperlink to read more about each topic or kitty.

Until our next cat convo

-Amanda

How to Prepare Your House for Your New Savannah Cat

Bringing home a new Savannah cat is a little like bringing home a baby. You can’t be fully prepared until it happens, and the early days will be a flurry of activity—getting to know one another, snuggling, and adapting your lives to your new family member. A little preparation can make for a smooth transition, helping everyone bond more quickly. Here’s how to get your house ready for your new Savannah cat.

Know How Savannah Cats Are Different

Savannah cats are more similar to wild cats than a cat you might adopt at a local shelter is. So it’s important to have realistic expectations about how your cat will behave in the first weeks. This is a highly intelligent, very athletic animal who needs time to warm up to its new family.

Knowing the filial generation of the cat you’re bringing home can help you plan. The lower the filial generation number, the more similar your new family member will be to its wild ancestors. That means these cats will require more exercise, more cat-proofing, and more time to warm up. Plan accordingly.

Set Aside Some Extra Time

If you’re planning a vacation or a work project, time them so that they don’t coincide with your new family member's arrival. Spending some extra time with your cat can help you bond. And spending long hours away can give rise to a destructive, anxious cat. It’s often helpful to bring your kitten home over a long weekend, then gradually transition back to work. A cat sitter or family member can help you ensure your kitten feels safe and loved when you’re not there. Lots of attention and exercise in these first weeks is critical, and this small investment will pay off for  ears to come.

Create a Small, Cozy Space

Cats feel safest in small, confined spaces that give them the freedom to choose where to sleep. Your home, however loving, is a new and unfamiliar place. So don’t be surprised if your cat wants some time alone in the first few days. Create a small, safe, cat-proof space where your cat can easily hide and find some darkness. A small bathroom works well. Even a closet can work. To be an effective hiding cave, the space must:

• Be completely safe—no dangerous plants or running water.

• Allow your cat some privacy. If small children or dogs can get to your cat, this space won’t work.

• Be accessible at all times. Your cat must be able to escape to this space whenever it wants.

• Give your cat freedom of movement. Don’t lock your cat in a crate and assume this is an adequate space. Your cat must have the choice to go to the safe space, and must be able to move around when it wants.

Quarantine Your Cat

If you have other pets, quarantine your cat for at least five days. This gives everyone time to adjust to one another’s smells without fighting or territorial issues. It can also prevent the transmission of potentially dangerous infections. Once the quarantine period is up, gradually introduce your cat to your other animals. Ensure everyone can easily escape, and reward good behavior. Don’t leave your cat alone with other pets until you have observed them spending many, many hours together.

Plan for Plenty of Exercise

A well-exercised cat is a well-behaved cat. All cats become anxious and potentially poorly behaved when they don’t get enough exercise. Because Savannah cats are descended from wild cats, this is doubly true for them.

In the early days, your cat might be a little suspicious of you. So don’t count on being its sole source of exercise. Find a safe area for your cat to climb and jump as you get to know one another. Then work together to bond through play. Even shy cats can’t resist chasing a feather and jumping. So encourage your cat to play with you. Wear your cat out with play and you’ll quickly be best friends.

Hang On to the Familiar

Cats feel most comfortable around familiar smells. So help your cat feel safe by bringing something from its old home to your house. Rather than using new litter or a litter box, try using the litter and litter box your cat had before it came to live with you. A blanket, favorite toy, or other item from its previous home can also help ease the transition.

Cat-Proof Your House

Even if you plan to keep your cat in just one area of your home, cats are escape artists. Sooner or later, your cat will get into the rest of the house. And if you’re like most cat owners, you hope to eventually give your kitten the run of the house. A few simple cat-proofing tips

Protect Other Family Members (and Your Cat)

No matter how well you bond with your cat, it’s still an animal. Particularly in the early months, you should be cautious when your cat is around anyone it can hurt—especially small children. Do not allow a Savannah cat to sleep in a baby’s room, or to have unfettered access to rodents or other pets. Everyone in your family should have an area where they are safe from the cat. Perhaps most importantly of all, never allow small children to be alone with your cat.

Until our next cat convo

-Amanda

Trimming Your Cats Nails

Nail Trimming Tips

Let’s talk about those claws. Cats are well equipped beings with very sharp claws. The use them for a number of things like climbing, marking their territory, and self-defense. Because their claws become dull after several times of use, it is necessary for them to get regularly sharpened. Since this is a natural instinct, cats will find what they can to polish up their lethal weapons, whether it’s on their designated scratch post or your lovely leather sofa. 

In order to save yourself from those dreadful cat scratches and your favorite drapes from the nauseating rips and snags, it is important to know how to properly trim your cat’s nails. 

Anatomy of the Claw

Cat’s nails naturally retract when they are resting, making it a bit difficult to see their nail. You can gently apply pressure at the bottom of the toe to expose the nail. 

At the base of the nail is a more pink or light red area. This is the quick, make sure you can identify the quick before cutting as this area contains blood vessels as well as nerves. If you happen to cut into the quick on accident it will bleed and be painful for the cat. Make sure you have a clotting agent such as styptic powder to clot the nail, then take a break.

Most domestic cats have five claws on both front paws and 4 on each back paw adding up to 18. However, there are exceptions such as a polydactyl cat. Examine your cat’s paws thoroughly before sitting down for a nail trim. 

Use Proper Tools and Techniques

There are designated trimmers for cats and some people prefer a Dremel drill. However, we like to use human nail trimmers as it is something that is already familiar with, and the cats don’t seem to be as startled when using them versus a drill. Hold the trimmers horizontal when cutting each nail. Cutting vertically seems to be an easier position to cut, however it can splinter the nail and cause what is almost like a hangnail to us. 

Getting a Feel for It

 The best time to start trimming nails in when your cat is a kitten. Kittens are more acceptable to new things and will allow you to mess with their feet more. Touch their feet several times during the day and practice retracting their claws so you and your kitten get more comfortable with it. 

Of course, not everyone will adopt their cats as kittens. In this case, the best time try for a nail trim is when they are worn out and sleepy. Possibly after a meal or a long play session. Find a dim, quiet room with no distractions. Lay them on your lap and gently massage their paws. This will relax them as well as allowing them to become more familiar with you handling their feet.  

Reward Them for Good Behavior

Cats respond very well to positive reinforcement. When attempting to trim their nails it’s always a good idea to have treats on hand. When they allow you to retract their paws, give them a treat. Try one nail at a time, rewarding them after each complete paw. If they start to get squirmy take a break and try again later or another day.  

Work as a Team

 Sometimes it’s not always easy to get the nails trimmed by yourself so you might have a friend accompany you. When doing this you are more apt to make the cat nervous since there are more of you than him. Make small movements and use a soft voice which will help calm him down. Take breaks if necessary as you want to keep this a pleasant experience for you cat.  

Practice Makes Perfect

Remember, you and your cat are not going to be perfect the first time. Allow you both some time and practice, be patient and reward good behavior. Take breaks when necessary and never be aggressive or angry with your cat if they do not stay still. Let them have some space and try again another day. You will be pro’s before you know it!

Until Our Next  Cat Convo

- Amanda

How to Choose the Right Cat for You

5 Questions to Ask

Savannah cats are a cross between domestic cats and wild serval cats. These medium-sized, large-eared African cats are beautiful and intelligent. When bred with domestic cats, they produce animals that boast the best features of both types of cat. They’re highly adept jumpers, displaying incredible athletic ability. They’re also deeply loyal. Some owners even compare them to dogs.

So how can you decide whether a Savannah cat is right for you? And which Savannah cat will fit in best with your family? These five questions can help you make the right choice.

 

What’s your ideal cat personality?

Cats of all breeds are known for their independence, their intelligence, their ability to bond with human caregivers, and their occasional tendency toward mischief. Every Savannah cat is an individual—a unique product of their genes and environment.

You can learn a lot about a cat’s personality by looking at its generation number. Savannah cats are assigned filial generation numbers (F1, F2, F3, etc.) to denote how much wild ancestry the cat has. F1 cats have one fully wild parent. Later generations have less wild blood, and instead have wild grandparents or great-grandparents.

F1-F3 Savannahs behave similarly to their wild ancestors. They tend to be larger, look more distinct from typical domestic cats, and make more demands on their owner’s time. They’re also likely to be a lap cat, and require more time and exercise.

F4 and later generation Savannahs are more similar to domestic cats. They may still have some wild tendencies, but can be significantly more affectionate are easier to socialize and train.
 

 Why do you want a cat?

What do you want to do with your cat? Do you hope to cuddle up on the couch and watch television? If so, then a lower generation Savannah cat might be the best choice. Are you hoping to lead an active lifestyle, and plan to train your cat to participate? Savannahs often enjoy family activities and outings.

Some other questions to consider include:

• Do you have other pets? Small animals may be intimidated by higher generation Savannahs. Higher generation Savannahs may treat birds, rodents, and other caged pets as prey. They may, however, get along well with medium to large-sized dogs.

• Can you keep your cat safe? Savannah cats are acrobats who love to jump. If you live in a high-rise, you’ll need to secure the doors to your porch. People who live on busy streets must be proactive about keeping high-energy cats from roaming.

• Are you more interested in a companion, or in seeing how a cat behaves in the wild? Earlier filial generation Savannahs behave like their wild ancestors. They display dominance hierarchies, hiss or chirp, and hunt for prey. Later generations show more muted instincts, and tend to be more trainable and social  

• Do you have children? How old are they? Young children may play too roughly with Savannah cats, and end up with scratches or even bites. Older children often fare better with cats. No matter how old your children are, you must be prepared to supervise them with your cat, and to teach both the cat and the child how to safely interact with one another.

• Do you have time to socialize your cat? The single most important predictor of any cat’s temperament is early socialization. You’ll need to expose your cat to dogs, children, other animals, and everything else it might encounter in its life during the first few weeks it spends in your home. The earlier the cat’s filial generation, the more socialization it will need.

How much time do you have to spend with your cat?

All Savannah cats need time with their owners, but the amount of time and how you spend that time varies from cat to cat. Some factors to consider include:

• Being physically present: All cats are social animals. They don’t like spending long days alone. So if you work very long days or travel frequently, your cat might be happier with a companion cat. Make sure the two cats get along well, and have been heavily socialized to one another. Leaving two unfamiliar cats unattended is a recipe for fighting. If you’re not interested in another cat, you may need to hire a cat sitter.

• Training time: Earlier generation Savannahs need more extensive training. They respond well to consistency and a dominance hierarchy. This requires you to continually enforce the same rules, and to spend more time on training efforts.

• Playtime: Earlier generation Savannahs need extensive exercise. They like going on walks, roughhousing, high-energy games of fetch, climbing, and chasing. A few minutes of play won’t be enough. More domesticated Savannahs are lower energy, but crave time with their owners. Your cat may follow you around the house, or even try to shower with you. Consider how you spend your time, how much of that time you want to spend with your cat, and whether you can manage a life with an intelligent and needy pet.

How do you want the cat to look?

Higher generation Savannah cats closely resemble wild cats. F3 and later Savannah cats show significant variability in their appearance. You can’t predict how a cat will look—or how large it will be—based solely on its filial generation number. Please take look at our “past kittens” to see some examples of cats that we have previously bred.

If your living situation requires a smaller cat, consider a lower generation cat. Although all cats vary in size, higher generation cats tend to be consistently larger.

Loki (front) is an African Serval Male Kitten

Alex (back) is an F4 Savannah Female

Can you fit a pet in your budget?

Pets are a huge responsibility. From the initial cost of the pet to high-quality food, toys, scratchers, and most importantly great vet care. Making sure you can fit all of these things in your budget long term is something you need to consider before adopting any pet. 

A1 Savannahs is proud of our cats. As the founder of this breed, we know how special each and every one of our cats are. We carefully select the lineage of each cat and love them from the very beginning. They’re family.  We’re committed to finding them loving and supportive forever homes whom we love to keep in touch with. We’re happy to discuss with you whether a Savannah cat is the right choice for your family.

Until our next cat convo

-Amanda

We've Been Busy

Hey all!

Sorry it's been a few weeks since I posted last. I have been working on adding our new products to our webpage! They are pretty cool, and we are super excited about them. I didn't really quite realize all the work and effort that goes into adding all of this but its finally done!!! I am not really a computer whiz, so I am pretty proud that I did most of this on my own! Ha Ha. We have a lot of things up our sleeves that we plan for the future so there is more to come! 

See Our Products

You can click the button to the right to check out all the new stuff. I will explain a little about them, so you can get a good idea of what we have to offer. 

First Off, We Have The Cat Collars

The cat collars are extremely neat as they come with a matching bracelet for you. They feature the breakaway collar and are made with animal friendly vegan leather with gold clasps. They come in a variety of colors and patterns which we will be adding more as soon as we get them in stock. We also have a variety of dog collars if you all are interested just let us know by sending me an email at products@a1savannahs.com. I would be happy to show you what we can get. Also, if and when you buy the collars please send us photos of you and your matching kitty! We would like to have a client photo gallery of our products in use.

Second, We Have The Super-Duper Sturdy Cat Furniture 

Okay, so not to brag or anything but this stuff is really cool. Since our Savannah's are pretty large compared to most cats, it's hard to find shelves that accommodate their size and weight. When I found out about these shelves and hammocks I was instantly in love. Most of them can hold up to 65 pounds or more. They have a multitude of variations and you can choose your own stain and fabric color to match your house. Pretty Snazzy! There are products of all price ranges and the good thing about this furniture is that you can always add-on and make your own design. It is elevated off of the ground, so it can also be a safe space for cats that have dog or kid friends. You can add feeders as well as planter boxes which I think is the coolest thing ever, especially for indoor cats. In a later blog post I will let you all know what plants are safe for your cats to nibble on. 

Third And Final Note

We are planning on adding to this collection of products in the near future. We already have some ideas and things in progress that we can't wait to share with all our cat families!

Let us know how you like our stuff so far or have any questions. We would be more than happy to help!

Until our next cat convo

-Amanda