Savannah F3, F4 or later

[TaiShu]

Ha, yeah, I made that clear already. The mess is with me. But I can take that. If my clients don't kill me a cat won't do it as well.

 

[SV Dad]

(1) It's difficult to describe their behavior. You do have to experience it personally because it can be a bit difficult to believe that a cat can be so imaginative and energetic........

(2)These are not bad cats by any means. They make life interesting. I have 4 savnnahs -- 2 F2s, 1 F6 and an F1. In just 15 minutes this morning from one cat -- one stolen hard boiled egg peeled and eaten in the 60 seconds I had my back turned; feather duster stolen and hidden in laundry basket; kitchen faucet turned on; laundry room faucet turned on; cup of coffee knocked over; computer desk contents scattered across the office; one roll of toilet paper shredded. And that was just one cat. LOL.

(3)Of course not all SVs are mischievous. I actually prefer the lively spicy ones with a bit of naughty thrown in. As long as I take my vitamins every day, I can almost keep up with them

1. Yep, don't all of us who are dominated / servants to these cats know it. Like most servants, I had a lot of rescue cats over the years. Really great cats for that matter. And then came the savannah. Game changer. For those of you investigating this breed, we servants are NOT kidding these cats are in a league of their own. Keep in mind, this is not bad, as many of us rapidly build up a herd of these beasts. (Three for me!)

2. Ok,Twitchy, let's keep this in perspective. Bratticus (Atticus) is in a league of HIS own. I suspect he needs Ritalin. Statistically, I would suspect he is an outlier based upon your embellished stories. It is obvious Bratticus is thirsty. Give him a large bowl of water. Hmmm, maybe share your wine with him.

3. No, not all are mischievous. But it is common that most have a mischievous side or two, to varying degrees. Based upon the Atticus Diaries thread I dispute the claim "I can almost keep up with them". You're so far behind that Bratticus is on the other side of the planet.

Taishu, simply put, you won't be disappointed. Just be ready.

 

[TaiShu]

Taishu, simply put, you won't be disappointed. Just be ready.

I'll definitely go ahead and search for THE ONE. The stories are not stopping me yet.
However: In case I get THE ONE and it starts scratching our leather furnitures (I know from the past that some cats love to do this), what would be your approach to stop that? Climbing possibilities are available but I know they can be bit**es. Any training advices?

 

[WitchyWoman]

In case I get THE ONE and it starts scratching our leather furnitures (I know from the past that some cats love to do this), what would be your approach to stop that? Climbing possibilities are available but I know they can be bit**es. Any training advices?

Provide a variety of vertical and horizontal surfaces for the cat to scratch using different materials such as sisal and cardboard. My 4 love cardboard cat scratchers. Even though they have a variety of materials to scratch, they still choose certain carpets and furniture from time to time. My custom made $$$$$$$$$$$$$ leather sofa has fang marks in one arm and the rest looks like it was supposed to be highly distressed leather instead of the beautiful unblemished piece it was before I got the 1st SV. They will mark the leather with their claws when they jump onto or off the couch or play on it. Leather is not the best material to have when you have pets. You can cover the couch with something to prevent damage.

That's another point to consider. If you like pretty or valuable things, they don't always exist in harmony with savannahs. All of my valuables and breakables are stored away. The rest of the stuff is held down with quake proof putty and gel as is the art on the walls. When these cats play, nothing is safe. They run at the speed of light, leap tall buildings in a single bound and have no regard for stuff that is in their path.

 

[SV Dad]

I'll definitely go ahead and search for THE ONE. The stories are not stopping me yet.
However: In case I get THE ONE and it starts scratching our leather furnitures (I know from the past that some cats love to do this), what would be your approach to stop that? Climbing possibilities are available but I know they can be bit**es. Any training advices?

Early encouragement of the sisal rope posts and plenty of scratch pads have minimized this issue.
Double sided tape on areas of furniture have also discouraged this behavior. My problem kitty, the F5, has recently been discouraged by duct tape over her favorite spot on a computer chair.

 

[Rafiki]

My sweet Rafiki has never even contemplated scratching the sofa or chairs. Unfortunately, the plentitude of scratch pads have not done much to deter her desire to BITE the furniture. She still does this from time to time as an attention getter.

 

[Kristin]

Zeddie is an angel (with me)...she doesn't bite or scratch the furniture (or people...mostly) she just scratches her big cat tree.

Jimmy loves to scratch carpet, so he scratches our nasty carpet. He isn't allowed on Zeddie's tree because she is a bully so we bought him his own, and he isn't really allowed on that one either -_- but he manages

 

[NikkiA]

TaiShu I hope you find your kitten this weekend

As others have said, do yourself the favor I didn't do and take your time and be careful with your choice. We rushed into our F3 boy Jarvis, and I love him dearly, but is very honest to call him quirky

We also have an F4 ( Mickey ) and an F5 boy (diablo) at home. Just as loaded with personality and trouble as Our f3 boy Jarvis is

Re: furniture, Jarvis is working his way through my furniture, scratching up a storm in spite if 4 scratching posts. He also likes to chew nice shoes. Mickey (f4) has decimated our crystal.

Diablo isn't as destructive, but he did chew woodwork as a kitten and he does tend to climb me and jump on me, which is hard on clothes.

With SVs, you have to decide they are much more fun than the pretty stuff. Even when they climb your Armani (diablo) or bring your louboutins to you, one shoe at a time, with bite makes in them (Jarvis).

 

[TaiShu]

One thing you have to tell me: You're saying that the cats are so much fun but how can you enjoy them so much with so much terror going on? When they destroy the expensive stuff, when you have to glue paintings on the wall etc.

I'm not getting any less interested about the breed at all but how do you live with their destructive ways aka their clumsiness? When our bengal started to climb out leather seats a couple of days ago the words "Look, how cute and funny he is" were not the first words coming into my mind. :D I know with our Bengal he's trying to get more and more attention. I can see it, when he's sitting in front of the seats, smiling at me, preparing his first claw, if nothing happens, second claw etc until he starts stretching at the chair, simulating that he'd start to climb anytime soon. If we don't care he'll slowly starts.
OK, I get it. It's funny. But also sometimes annoying

 

[SV Dad]

It's not so much terror as antics. You have a Bengal. There are many similarities of quirky behavior to savannahs. You seem to understand, it's cute , funny, and annoying. You can handle a savannah. And they seem to mature in about 5 years to a tolerable level.