Advice on purchasing a Savannah!

[SV Dad]

Lesley, I once walked in your shoes. I was very hesitant about adding a savannah to my rescue cat household. I didn't want all hell to break loose. I didn't want a wild savage beast upsetting the status quo.
I started with a F5. A real pussy cat with a lot of energy. All kittens have energy. Read my signature at the bottom. It says it all. Next thing I know, I added a F3 boy. And then his full brother. For contrast, these two boys are brothers to John Popp's notorious Chongo. They have not created a disaster area. I don't have a problem with toilet paper or paper towels. Many items have been returned to the fireplace mantle and still remain without being moved. They stay out of the cabinets. They do run around like lunatics at times. They are in your face frequently and want attention a large portion of the time. They do seem to have unique shenanigans. All cats do. I have had pound cats that caused bigger problems than the SV's. If anything, the SV's have a tendency to use their intelligence to cause challenges for their servants. So I say, game on!

 

[Lesley]

Rascaldad,
Thanks so much! I really needed to hear that. Between feeling guilty about not getting another rescue kitten and concern about what I would be getting into with an SV, I've really been agonizing over what to do. We visit the breeder Sun to look at an F5. Your input allowed me to relax quite a bit. Thx!

 

[John Popp]

Lesley, I once walked in your shoes. I was very hesitant about adding a savannah to my rescue cat household. I didn't want all hell to break loose. I didn't want a wild savage beast upsetting the status quo.
I started with a F5. A real pussy cat with a lot of energy. All kittens have energy. Read my signature at the bottom. It says it all. Next thing I know, I added a F3 boy. And then his full brother. For contrast, these two boys are brothers to John Popp's notorious Chongo. They have not created a disaster area. I don't have a problem with toilet paper or paper towels. Many items have been returned to the fireplace mantle and still remain without being moved. They stay out of the cabinets. They do run around like lunatics at times. They are in your face frequently and want attention a large portion of the time. They do seem to have unique shenanigans. All cats do. I have had pound cats that caused bigger problems than the SV's. If anything, the SV's have a tendency to use their intelligence to cause challenges for their servants. So I say, game on!

Chongo has certainly gained some notoriety, but he is an incredibly sweet boy who we just don't always scrape enough energy off of. By a long shot, he is not the most destructive kitten we have had, just raised the bar on things that are within reach. In some sense, we have encouraged some of his silliness and shenanigans, while in his heart and mind there was already a pretty big canvas. My only real fear is he will injure himself as his athleticism far exceeds his common sense.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

John may have hit on something here, the difference with Savannah ownership is that we EMBRACE their shenanigans. We have chosen the Savannah for their energy, intelligence and general athleticism...so we ENJOY their antics and appreciate their problem-solving skills and ability to seek out entertainment, even if it is not something you'd want them to do.

So maybe this gives a false impression as we focus on the Savandalism and not so much on the kitty affection, cuddles and the rest of it?

 

[Kristin]

John may have hit on something here, the difference with Savannah ownership is that we EMBRACE their shenanigans. We have chosen the Savannah for their energy, intelligence and general athleticism...so we ENJOY their antics and appreciate their problem-solving skills and ability to seek out entertainment, even if it is not something you'd want them to do.

So maybe this gives a false impression as we focus on the Savandalism and not so much on the kitty affection, cuddles and the rest of it?

I agree 100%. When we laugh or shrug it off, they keep doing it. I personally enjoy being outsmarted by my animals. Zeddie is so similar to Tia (my African Grey parrot), just free roaming around. They are just too much fun, and when I live on my own I will definitely be getting another Savannah (F2)

 

[Jacq]

Leslie, I have 2 very large F2s and an F3, and my house is very nearly always the way I left it when I get home. Razi does love chewing on wood furniture and cardboard, but if I leave a box out for him he does leave the furniture alone.

 

[Dantes]

I can ditto some of what rascaldad said. My Duma is an F3, and he is the most polite little boy ever! I call him my Little Gentleman. Ragdolls are more difficult than he is. They are currently busy tearing up a piece of carpet (uggh!) and love shredding cardboard. Duma, on the other hand, seems to prefer his scratching poles and cat trees. The big difference, though, is determination and energy. Getting a ragdoll worn out is easy, Duma can jump for hours and not get tired. If I pull out Da Bird, he is first on da scene. If he wants something, he will not stop until he gets it. He jumps on door frames, to the top of the highest bookshelf, if I want to hide something from him it has to be behind a secured door or he will figure out a way to get it. On the other hand, it still takes me several days to cut his nails while a ragdolls' can be cut in under 2 minutes. A ragdoll can be picked up and held like a baby, whereas Duma lets me know when he is ready for me to pick him up, sitting next to me (and occasionally on my lap) is on his terms only. HTH.

 

[Lesley]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the advice and info.

 

[Lesley]

Hey guys!

We went to visit the breeder and see the kittens on Sun. We are officially about to be Savannah parents! Comes home July 12th. Thanks for all your advice and encouragement.

 

[admin]

Hey guys!

We went to visit the breeder and see the kittens on Sun. We are officially about to be Savannah parents! Comes home July 12th. Thanks for all your advice and encouragement.

Lesley, is the breeder in KY?