For me and lots of other people, the Savannah is the perfect pet. But does this apply to everone? Below you will find important information to know about Savannah cats. After you have read this information, you may be able to decide if the Savannah and you are destined for each other or not!
Attention
Savannahs need a lot of attention of their owner. My Savannahs react like dogs when I come home after an absence: they are happily waiting for me by the door and don’t appreciate being alone for lengthy times. This still applies when Savannahs are in the company of other cats; they do not like being left alone by their human friend.
Patience
Every Savannah has a different character. I have cats that have no problem being petted by strangers, but also cats who are not fond of new people. Trust is build up slowly with Savannahs; it is more easily done with a young cat.
It takes time and patience to build up trust with the cat. About a shy cat, I always tell my children: let the cat pet you first, instead of you petting the shy cat.
In case of a prolonged absence, such as a holiday, it is necessary to know someone who can look after your Savannah. If possible, your cat should be used to this person from early age on. The idea being, that apart from the stress caused by your absence, further stress is not added by an unknown care taker.
Commitment
When you have built up a trusting relationship with your Savannah over a period of years – 
especially a higher generation Savannah cat – it is obviously a disaster for the cat to move to a new owner. The cat may remain permanently upset.
Before buying a Savannah, you must realize it is a ‘life-time commitment’; the entire life of the cat. Buying a Savannah on impulse is not a good idea.
Naughty
In my experience: there is never a dull moment with Savannah cats in your house. They make me laugh, but early in the morning I may grumble whilst clearing up the mess they have made. Did I leave a roll of kitchen towels on the table? The next morning the entire groundfloor is covered in ripped up paper. A knocked over watertray, because they love water… The opportunities for mischief are extensive! Their happiness to see me again or a cuddling Savannah on my lap make up for everything. But does that apply to you?
My Savannahs play with EVERYTHING if they get the chance, quite a difference with regular cats I used to have. Before keeping Savannahs cats, I had a lot of glass decorations. These have now been replaced with 
unbreakable items in wood or metal, because they can knock things over in their enthusias or play. Savannahs are a bit naughty as well as intelligent: they open drawers or cupboards if they have not been closed properly, or knock over your drink at a moment of inattention. Before buying a Savannah, you have to ask yourself if you are not bothered with this kind of behaviour. And for the years to come. And if the rest of the family members won’t be bothered with it either.
Space
Savannahs need space to run around and expend their infinite energy. High generation Savannahs, from F1-F4, also need an outside enclosure. With some creativity you may be able to convert your balcony into a safe, well enclosed and happy outside area for your Savannah. The indoor space of the Savannah must be heated.
Money
Savannahs are expensive to buy, because they are very hard to breed. As they eat mainly fresh meat, the food for Savannahs costs more than ordinary catfood. The cost of an outside enclosure from which your Savannah despite its intelligence cannot escape, have to be considered too. Toys are wrecked sooner than with ordinary cats. In addition to the before mentioned, there are the ordinary costs of a cat: yearly vaccinations, regular anti-flea and de-worming treatments, toys, scratch poles, litter trays, cat litter, food and water bowls, etcetera.
Children and Savannahs
I have two small children. Be aware of the fact that must never leave very young children alone with a pet, whether it is a Savannah, a dog, a parrot or something else. Children do not have the adult intelligence to treat pets correctly as we alduts do. So, always keep an eye on children and Savannahs when they are together. Of course in general, the older the child or cat, the better the behavior will be. My children have built up a great relationship with the Savannah cats. I think it is a great thing to have young children grow up with pets from an early age on. They learn a lot about animals and are taught responsibility by carrying out small tasks in the care of Savannahs!
If you have the opportunity, it might be a good option to create a room especially for the Savannah, where it can retreat to rest without human comany, giving a break of supervision for the adult or parent as well. The cat room could be used as night quarters too. Obviously, this room has to be spacious and warm enough for your cat. If a cat room is not an option for you, the cat will love it if you hang up some cat shelves on the walls, so he can retreat to a safe and quiet place if he wants to.
Would you like to have this beautiful, unique and intelligent animal as your pet? Please contact me. You can check on our Kitten Page if there are any kittens available! Or perhaps there is a sweet adult Savannah cat looking for a new home!
