Savannah FAQ's
Q. Do Savannahs need special veterinary care?
A. As a domestic breed, Savannahs don't require any special care. Any vet that treats cats can treat a Savannah. They get the same immunizations, flea/tick prevention, medications and surgical procedures as other cats. I personally choose to not use ketamine as a primary anesthetic agent on my cats. Not because they are Savannahs, but because I feel there are much safer choices out there for any type of cat.
Q. Do Savannahs require a special diet?
A. Savannahs don't require a special diet. They are the same as all other cats in that they are obligate carnivores. This means they thrive on a high protein, low carb and grain-free diet. A balanced raw meat diet with the proper ratios of muscle meat, secreting organ and bone content is the optimum choice, and is what makes up the primary diet of our cats and kittens. Owners that aren't comfortable feeding a raw diet should try to feed a high quality canned food as the primary diet. Grain free dry should only be offered as a very small portion of a cats diet, as it can lead to kidney and other health issues.
Q. Are Savannahs hypoallergenic?
A. While some people are less allergic to Savannahs than regular domestic cats, there is no such thing as hypoallergenic cats. It is dependent on the individual person as well as the individual cat. I am allergic to cats and have to take allergy medicine daily even with my Savannahs. I also know someone who isn't allergic to any animals yet is very allergic to one of my Savannahs, and someone else who is allergic to cats but is WAY more allergic to their F1 Savannahs than other cats theyve been around..
Q. Are all Savannahs large cats?
A. One of the biggest myths about this breed is they are all large. While the earlier generations can be large, majority of Savannahs are not physically big cats. And there is really SO much more to the Savannah breed. Also there can be small F1's and large F7's. Males are almost always larger than their female litter-mates. However physical size can't be guaranteed due to the randomness of the Hybrid genes, so we don't focus on size in our breeding program. What is guaranteed however is a large purrsonality!!
Average size range by generation (some will be smaller, some will be larger):
Gen Height Weight
F1 12" to 20" 12-25+ lbs
F2 12" to 18" 11-25+ lbs
F3 11" to 15" 10-20+ lbs
F4 10" to 14" 10-18+ lbs
F5 and later - Slightly longer and taller than a regular domestic cat
Q. Do Savannahs get along with other pets?
A. Savannahs can get along with almost any pets you may have, as long as they are raised around them and/or introduced appropriately. I would be very careful however with any small animals that could be considered prey. Many Savannahs have quite a high play drive, and small pets could be mistaken for a play toy.
Q. Do Savannahs use a litter box?
A. Yes they do. All of our kittens will come home fully litter box trained. We use all natural litters such as Worlds Best or Sweat Scoop.
Q. Can Savannahs be outdoor cats?
A. Savannahs have a large play drive and enormous curiosity. Those traits, coupled with their natural athleticism makes it very dangerous for them to be left unattended outside. A bird, squirrel or similar animal might catch its attention and it could be five miles down the road before you (or they) are aware of what is happening. There are too many risks involved so Savannahs should only be allowed outside in a secure enclosure (including roof) or on a leash and securely fitted walking jacket. People also realize how exotic they look and how valuable they are so they can become a target of theft.