Are savannahs better in pairs?

[Nancy&bongo]

One other thing, they don't know or don't care if they are siblings. Its you that cares but it doesn't matter to them don't forget that. Alot of people get hung up on that but who even cares? Just you!

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Nancy, when you say that your second Savannah was a "high % savannah", do you mean high % for an F1? I have definitely found that anything significantly above 50% in an F1 brings much much more of Serval behavior. I had had three "normal" F1s before we got Nina our 62.5% F1 (her mom is F2 and dad Serval)... she is very different and way more difficult. So if your second SV is something like that, it's simply NOT Savannah behavior, you are living more with a Serval... but also two F1s can really pair up and cause a LOT of trouble as you have found out. Have you considered giving them access to an outdoor enclosure? I've found with my lot that this made a lot of difference.

I completely agree that a cat doesn't necessarily need a companion, and there really is not a downside to allowing the first kitten to grow up and just see. If at that point, he shows signs of loneliness and needing a companion a second kitten then is easy enough to add.

 

[Nancy&bongo]

Oh yes they have a huge outdoor enclosure which took me 11 months and I did it by myself. I surprised myself even!! But when you need to do something and have no clue on what your doing, you will find your way I am living proof of that with over 20 injuries I picked up along the way but it was sooo worth the hard work, blood, sweat and tears I'm telling you! And I'm positive that everyone at Home Depot hates me now after seeing me in there every day! Its over 1/2 an acre of pure running and jumping space and places to jump up on over-looking a 5 acre park which is great stimulation for them! Everyone says that my yard looks like the Wild Animal Park now. And my younger F-1 male Savannah, *kitten is 70%, which is high for an F-1 plus he looks just like a serval. And my first one is 50% which is over enough now that I have the other one to compare him to. And I thought he (Bongo) was wild until *kitten moved in! WOW!!!! What do you mean by a normal F-1? Whats so normal about them? *kitten is a higher than your Nina % wise believe me. He was chasing a coyote down the street a few wks ago and that coyote kept going and didn't look back at all!! It was wild animal to wild animal and their no dummies (talkin' bout the coyote) and I was running right behind *kitten while he was right behind that coyote. All of my neighbors hate me I swear!! But they are fully entertained thats for sure.

Nancy, when you say that your second Savannah was a "high % savannah", do you mean high % for an F1? I have definitely found that anything significantly above 50% in an F1 brings much much more of Serval behavior. I had had three "normal" F1s before we got Nina our 62.5% F1 (her mom is F2 and dad Serval)... she is very different and way more difficult. So if your second SV is something like that, it's simply NOT Savannah behavior, you are living more with a Serval... but also two F1s can really pair up and cause a LOT of trouble as you have found out. Have you considered giving them access to an outdoor enclosure? I've found with my lot that this made a lot of difference.

I completely agree that a cat doesn't necessarily need a companion, and there really is not a downside to allowing the first kitten to grow up and just see. If at that point, he shows signs of loneliness and needing a companion a second kitten then is easy enough to add.

 

[Nancy&bongo]

Oh yes they have a huge outdoor enclosure which took me 11 months and I did it by myself. I surprised myself even!! But when you need to do something and have no clue on what your doing, you will find your way I am living proof of that with over 20 injuries I picked up along the way but it was sooo worth the hard work, blood, sweat and tears I'm telling you! And I'm positive that everyone at Home Depot hates me now after seeing me in there every day! Its over 1/2 an acre of pure running and jumping space and places to jump up on over-looking a 5 acre park which is great stimulation for them! Everyone says that my yard looks like the Wild Animal Park now. And my younger F-1 male Savannah, *kitten is 70%, which is high for an F-1 plus he looks just like a serval. And my first one is 50% which is over enough now that I have the other one to compare him to. And I thought he (Bongo) was wild until *kitten moved in! WOW!!!! What do you mean by a normal F-1? Whats so normal about them? *kitten is a higher than your Nina % wise believe me. He was chasing a coyote down the street a few wks ago and that coyote kept going and didn't look back at all!! It was wild animal to wild animal and their no dummies (talkin' bout the coyote) and I was running right behind *kitten while he was right behind that coyote. All of my neighbors hate me I swear!! But they are fully entertained thats for sure.

Nancy, when you say that your second Savannah was a "high % savannah", do you mean high % for an F1? I have definitely found that anything significantly above 50% in an F1 brings much much more of Serval behavior. I had had three "normal" F1s before we got Nina our 62.5% F1 (her mom is F2 and dad Serval)... she is very different and way more difficult. So if your second SV is something like that, it's simply NOT Savannah behavior, you are living more with a Serval... but also two F1s can really pair up and cause a LOT of trouble as you have found out. Have you considered giving them access to an outdoor enclosure? I've found with my lot that this made a lot of difference.

I completely agree that a cat doesn't necessarily need a companion, and there really is not a downside to allowing the first kitten to grow up and just see. If at that point, he shows signs of loneliness and needing a companion a second kitten then is easy enough to add.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

From 16 years with Savannahs now, it is my opinion that at 70% you really have a Serval rather than a Savannah.

Over the years, I think I do understand what is the norm for an F1. I've rescued many of them as well as lived with them and heard stories from other pet owners. There ARE behaviors that are more typical of an F1. They don't like and dislike, they love and hate. They are intense and very determined to have their own way. They are very different from any other generation of Savannah. Note that I have NOT said that an F1 is a normal cat, but there IS a normal for an F1 Savannah.

 

[SV Dad]

So Carrie, bear in mind a F5 is not a F1. I believe Bridgett knows the F1 behaviors traits quite well as well as the other generations, seeing she is a breeder.
Nancy, I'm sorry you're having a tough time with your F1's. I applaud you for the outdoor enclosure.
I have F3 full brothers different litters. They do not tear the house apart, nor have they ever. They annoy each other just like human brothers do. I am glad I have them. I have enjoyed seeing the difference of siblings, and it is considerably different.
In contrast, my son has a F3. I would not recommend any additional cats for him based his cat's personality.
If you've had cats, you can probably tell if another one will be a serious issue.
Like I said before, there are a lot of multiple savannah homes. There is a reason for it.

 

[Nancy&bongo]

So Carrie, bear in mind a F5 is not a F1. I believe Bridgett knows the F1 behaviors traits quite well as well as the other generations, seeing she is a breeder.
Nancy, I'm sorry you're having a tough time with your F1's. I applaud you for the outdoor enclosure.
I have F3 full brothers different litters. They do not tear the house apart, nor have they ever. They annoy each other just like human brothers do. I am glad I have them. I have enjoyed seeing the difference of siblings, and it is considerably different.
In contrast, my son has a F3. I would not recommend any additional cats for him based his cat's personality.
If you've had cats, you can probably tell if another one will be a serious issue.
Like I said before, there are a lot of multiple savannah homes. There is a reason for it.

Yes and I'm sure there are alot of regrets but most people don't want to admit it especially on this site!

 

[Nancy&bongo]

I have two domestic cats that I have to protect from my savannahs 24/7. If left alone they would kill them just from not knowing their own strength. To them, my domestic cats are prey! They love them to death literally!

 

[Nancy&bongo]

Go for it if they aren't both F-1's I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem. But I've had to get to find a safer place for my 200 gal aquarium and my cockatoo for obvious reasons. My mini horse and dogs stay. Bongo jumped in my aquarium out of nowhere over my head as I was lifting up the top to get ready to drain and clean it and he finally got to meet all of the fish face to face! I looked down at the glass and he was sitting on the bottom of the tank with his eyes open looking at me through the glass and within seconds I whipped him out but it was unreal and I couldn't believe it! He has had his eyes on this tank from day 1 and he finally got to see what it was all about! And there were large fishes in this tank too!! OMG the thought of that day makes me cringe! He's used up 8 of his 9 lives so he's got 1 more left and I think he knows it!! This is my boy Bongo!!

 

[Rafiki]

As much as I have always loved the F1s, my breeder was brutally honest in regards to what it is like to live with them so I decided on an F3 instead. I would have happily added another Savannah but my hubby really wanted a Pixie Bob. As it turns out, the ridiculously easy-going nature of a Pixie is perfect around the crazy Savannah. While he does not have her stamina, he initiates play more than she does. I am so very happy that he is around to help dissipate her energy.