Ways Savannahs are different than regular cats?

[John Popp]

The DSH we had right before our Savannahs was insane about water. Part of how we ended up with Savannahs was wanting her brand of insanity...but with a randombred cat it's a gamble.

That was exactly how we ended up with with our first Savannah. Jester was an unhinged, loveable, recalcitrant and athletic cat. I still miss him a ton.

 

[John Popp]

Thanks Witchy!

Intellectual curiosity seems like it carries some weight and in particular, I believe because of their social skills they certainly seem brighter. At the same time when they finally break through the child proof barrier it wasn't because of mechanical reasoning, but rather a long series of trial and error.

 

[Moggieslegacy]

One thing I have noticed about Moggie is he strongly reacts to stuff in the yard getting moved from it's regular place. When the bicycle comes out of the shed, or the compost bucket gets left in the grass, it's like an alien space ship has landed. Which I find interesting as it suggests he has a very clear mental image of the yard as it normally exists, and can compare this to it's current condition. I have read Savannahs are sensitive to change, and maybe this is connected to that. I do not recall any other cat reacting like this to an object in a unusal location. And then once he gets used to the idea the object moves around (the bike) he no longer reacts.

 

[John Popp]

Witchy's Atticus does this same thing as well as my boy Dooley, often spending several cautious minutes before approaching a new item in a room or when an object has been moved. Dino on the other hand hardly notices and seeks out other challenges.

 

[Remi's Mommy]

I think that most of the behaviors can be seen in other cat breeds. Compare an Abyssinian to a Savannah and you will find great similarities in energy, intelligence, mischief and generally BIG personalities. There is a range of kitty personalities and Savannahs are on the high energy intelligent end but many other cats of different breeds are there too (Abys for example). Nothing a Savannah does is exclusive to the breed.

So saying that, F1s and some other early generations are definitely MORE, they are more active, more intense in reaction, more persistent and determined.

I have had two Abyssinians over the years, and yes they are wonderful, smart, energetic, but Remi is my first savannah, ether she is an exception, but she is definitely a lot different. The first thing almost everybody notice when they first see her is the way she walks, they all say she walks like a panther. In the ways she calculates everything, there is no waisted movement. The way she will defend her Pomeranian sister against other dogs. The ferociousness of her attack’s on live pray is something I have never seen in any cat. The way she will lay in the yard with her eyes closed and ears moving sometimes up to a half an hour, and all of a sudden she tears off into the bushes and usually comes back with the mouse. Abyssinians are very smart, but I could always fool them when playing, but not this girl. She is just passed a year and a half now, and I can’t wait till she gets some time under her belt. So at least from this Savannah owner, yes I would definitely say they are different but in a fantastic majestic way, I love her so much..


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[Brigitte Cowell]

Maybe your Aby's were more docile? I've sat chatting to many Oriental and Abyssinian breeders and exhibitors at cat shows and compared stories. Nothing a Savannah does was not matched by them... but then people do report extra-lazy Savannahs too. Individual differences occur across the kitty breeds too.

 

[Shaun Roach]

I have had two Abyssinians over the years, and yes they are wonderful, smart, energetic, but Remi is my first savannah, ether she is an exception, but she is definitely a lot different. The first thing almost everybody notice when they first see her is the way she walks, they all say she walks like a panther. In the ways she calculates everything, there is no waisted movement. The way she will defend her Pomeranian sister against other dogs. The ferociousness of her attack’s on live pray is something I have never seen in any cat. The way she will lay in the yard with her eyes closed and ears moving sometimes up to a half an hour, and all of a sudden she tears off into the bushes and usually comes back with the mouse. Abyssinians are very smart, but I could always fool them when playing, but not this girl. She is just passed a year and a half now, and I can’t wait till she gets some time under her belt. So at least from this Savannah owner, yes I would definitely say they are different but in a fantastic majestic way, I love her so much..


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My 2 F3's that I got people make similar comments Magnus the bigger one almost looks bow legged he is all muscle and when he walks/stalks his toys it definitely seems more wild/Serval than domestic the constant focus and approach is calculated with what seems some thought behind it like the most advantageous way to get it. When they pounce they jump high in they air and land with their front paws I never saw that in a domestic but the Serval videos I saw it many times! Savannahs are unique and very special


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[Moggieslegacy]

Like differences of people living in different regions, maybe Savannah’s have a constellation of tendencies that work together to make them distinct, even if some individuals do not exhibit all the tendencies, and even if it is easy to find a few of all those characteristics in other breeds?

 

[John Popp]

Just a note that the appearance of "the panther walk" stems from an ability to keep their head perfectly on plane and still as they walk/run. Their shoulders articulate a great deal as compared to a domestic cat, part of their high speed hunting capability. Servals are the second fastest of the cat family and this certainly aids in catching prey while additionally having the highest success percentage while hunting amongst wild cats.

 

[Renee]

Why are Savvanahs so different? Here's my personal experience. Please know that my boy is incredibly crazy.

• They want to harass you, they find it fun.
• They hate paper products and will eat them - if they do not eat them, they are strewn everywhere
• They hate boxes even more, they are not for hiding, they are for destroying
• After destroying boxes, they will still try to hide in the mess
• They are obsessed with fetch like a retriever would be
• They eat the balls thrown for fetch and then throw them up
• They play too hard with other cat family members and need to be monitored
• They try to eat all other cat members food and need to be monitored
• Their tail gets all weirdly puffed like a raccoon when they are excited
• The hair on their back raises like a Rhodesian Ridgeback when they are excited
• They wash their fetch balls in water and leave a mess all over the house, especially on the leather couch
• Their "meow" sounds nothing like a cat, more like a something under water
• They love like no other
• They need you every second of every day
• They never want you to leave them and will block the door to prevent it
• They get really excited after they go number 2 and run laps around the house for about a half an hour
• Then they pant like a dog
• They are obsessed with fetch (I know this was already mentioned, but it's a true obsession)the
• They like to knock things off anywhere they are not supposed to be
• They understand what you are saying, but don't care if it doesn't align with their own ideas
• More than anything, they want your love and attention.

Moral of the story - they are an amazing breed that requires a mass amount of patience. If you want a cuddly cat, this is not the one for you. If you want everyday aggravation and love, you have seletced the correct breed