Owning a Savannah

[il Gatopardo]

I havent spent more than 2 nights away from home since getting our savannahs. If I travel Katie stays home with the cats and if she travels I stay home. You should not be leaving ANY animal, let alone a social social cat for several weeks even if you had someone living there with the animal ESPECIALLY when you say your cat likes you and you only. Thats called neglect!

Just so you know I was in treatment for a medical condition, but thanks for making an assumption about me and how seriously I care for Henry. I did pay a sitter and had my wife coming by as often as possible. I'm getting really tired of everyone here trying to suggest what I say is sensationalistic in some way. You all think you know savannahs, well maybe you don't, at least not as well as you think you do.

 

[Lesley]

Our SVs are never happy when we are gone. However, I have an excellent pet sitter who comes twice a day and plays hard with them for at least one hr each visit. That and having 2 SV litter mates along with 2 DSH rescues keeps them happy ENOUGH when we are gone. We dearly love Spar and Mala. The SV breed is different, but if you understand that going in, you will be fine.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

To me, il Gatopardo, it simply looks like your cat got very very bored on his own. I don't believe that would be limited to a Savannah, but any high energy interactive breed left to itself for long boring periods of time will seek out their own amusement. And then there are the dog breeds that if left alone completely trash a home...

 

[Lesley]

I agree with Brigitte. Its not just SVs that can be a problem. Its all relative. Any pet is capable of wigging out. Sorry to hear you had a medical issue. I hope you are ok?

 

[il Gatopardo]

I had, as I mentioned, my wife coming by to try and entertain Henry, but after a short while he would look at her with an expression as if to say "you're not Phil' and leave the room. Her words. I adopted a domestic - Inara, as a playmate and companion for Henry during the day. This has worked to some degree.
That someone would accuse me of neglect boils my blood. I care for Henry more than anything. He's my best friend and I will do anything for him. I have paced and fretted at night when I thought something was wrong with him wondering if I should take him to the all night vet hospital. Money, cost, I could care less where he is concerned. I miss him and think about him when I go away for just 1 night. He has medical insurance and is registered with trucompanion. I take him for walks in the rain getting soaked because he needs it. He's my responsibility, I bought him and I worry what would befall him should happen to me. Nothing takes priority over him in my life - nothing. Don't accuse me of neglect. You have no idea.

 

[John Popp]

I beg to differ, this was my place after being away for several weeks.

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Nothing I see in the Photos was anything other than I would come home expecting from our former DSH Jester. In fact damage to possessions have been far less with two Savannahs than they were with Jester. Many of the barricades that were present to stop Jester from gaining entry to the tops of items have been removed since Jester's passing and the SVs haven't made any attempts. Not saying that the SVs aren't capable as they certainly have a lot of other tricks up their sleeves, just no where near as destructive as what our boy Jester was.

 

[Trish Allearz]

My 14 year old domestic one-eyed cat does more damage then my SVs tend to. On occasion, yes, they have knocked things over while playing and broken a thing or two, but Teddy consistently shreds doorways and anything wooden he can sink his claws into, regardless of cat trees.

Someone suggested neglect because they did not know the back story and probably also because you are painting Savannahs into being wild beasts-- which they clearly are not. Cats? Yes, they are cats. Silly, energetic cats. Not wild, ravenous, raging beasts.

 

[WitchyWoman]

I've read the OP's post a few times and don't see any flagrant inaccuracies in it. It is his experience with his cat and mirrors some of my own experiences with my cats. We all have different experiences with our cats. To those who take exception to the OP's statement that some people are afraid of his cat, good for you for not having the same experience. I've had people cross the street when I'm walking mine because they think he is a wild animal. He is the one who most closely resembles the serval. When visitors to my home see my other F2 for the first time, they always balk, even though I've assured them that he is just a cat who happens to be very large. Some people are afraid of big animals no matter if they are cats, dogs, lizards, birds.

The handwringing we habitually engage in every time we think we detect the slightest reference to SVs being wild is futile. When every breeder removes all words referring to "SVs as exotic, related to servals, wild looking, cubs" and numerous other descriptors used for the purpose of marketing an animal as unique to justify high prices for those that most resemble their serval ancestor, then maybe we can make progress clearing up the confusion about savannah cats. We can't have it both ways.

 

[John Popp]

Just had an opportunity to read all of this as opposed to the snippet I had read earlier when I responded.

I agree with Brigitte on the bored kitty statement. Not casting stones but certainly evidence. This is not an issue we currently have very often because not only do our two SVs work each other pretty good, they always get a healthy bout of playtime before we retire.

Although earlier I had pointed out much of the chaos our DSH boy Jester would greet us with, it was much of my own doing as he was incredibly bright and I continually goaded him into poor behavior. We played too rough, there were no bounds and there were rarely toys involved in our play.

It didn't take long with our first SV Chongo to recognize this same path was going to lead to big issues. Lots of advice, lots of coaching and as reckless and troublesome as he was he is an awesome and well behaved cat today. Not because we trained him, but we truly came to understand him and what makes him tick. He also understands us quite well and by the time he got his little brother, Chongo was laying out the guidelines for the household.

 

[Patti]

Just like any other living creature, Savannahs are individuals. Yesterday I posted a pic of three Savannahs sleeping on my lap (F2, F4, F5). But I also have a young girl here who is a terror around the house. She constantly splashes water out of the water bowl. As soon as I turn my back she is chewing on something or other. I adore her of course, but she requires extra time an attention to keep her out of trouble... (as I hear dishes clattering in the kitchen --- gotta go!)