Routine Care: She needs daily play sessions that stimulate her natural desire to hunt and explore. Keep her mind and body active or she may develop behavior issues. Cats are meticulously clean and demand a clean litter box. Be sure to provide at least one box for each cat and scoop waste daily. It is important that your cat drinks adequate amounts of water. If she won’t drink water from her bowl try adding ice cubes or a flowing fountain.
Grooming: Their short coats require little maintenance. Cloth or hand rubbing as needed with the occasional bath.
Dental: Savannahs have generally good teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week!
Ear Care: Check her ears weekly for wax, debris, or signs of infection and clean when necessary. Don’t worry—your veterinarian can show you how!
She is a rare and exotic ready for your love and dedication.
Positive Traits:
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Energetic, active, and athletic
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Loves jumping and being in high places
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Affectionate; forms strong bonds with family
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Has a short, easy-to-care-for coat
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Large, strong, and athletic
Negative Traits:
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Strong hunting instinct – will chase anything flying or scampering
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Needs early socialization to accept other pets and strangers
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Must be properly socialized with humans and other animals
Whether you are considering adding a new Savannah to your family or you already have one as a companion, it is important for you to know about the genetically linked diseases known to occur more often in this breed. Of course not every Savannah will have these problems, but research shows your pal is more at risk than other breeds. By exploring the health concerns specific to the Savannah you will become a knowledgeable and confident pet parent. Be sure to speak with your veterinarian about breed risks every time you visit and educate yourself on the most important signs to watch for at home. She’s counting on you to be her health expert.
Some health issues a Savannah could encounter:
General Disease Risks
Heart Disease
FLUTD
The Savannah is a cross between a wild African Serval and a domestic cat. Most Savannahs still carry a high percentage of undomesticated blood. It is important to understand the F or Filial rating to know how much undomesticated blood a Savannah might carry. An F1 Savannah has a parent, usually the male, as a Serval. An F2 has a Serval for a grandparent. For the F3 the Serval is the great grandparent and so on. Some states restrict the ownership of the Savannah to the later filial ratings. A great deal of a Savannah’s personality may depend on how close they are to their F1 cross.
A Savannah can be black, brown spotted tabby, black silver spotted tabby or black smoke. Black Savannahs are solid black but may have faint “ghost spots” that can be seen beneath the black color. Some are very social and friendly with new people, while others may run and hide or revert to hissing and growling when seeing a stranger. Savannahs have strong hunting instincts and love to climb and jump. Early socialization is crucial to their development. Well socialized Savannah’s can be affectionate and playful members of the family. They are highly intelligent and can be taught to walk on a leash. The Savannah breed is so new, that there are no known inherited or genetic diseases reported at this time.
Consult with a veterinarian if your Savannah shows signs of the following:
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Weakness or exercise intolerance; rapid, labored, or open-mouth breathing; sudden-onset of weakness
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Increased thirst and urination, poor appetite, weight loss
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Voracious appetite, weight loss, excessive thirst and urination
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Abnormal skin or coat, excessive grooming
