Savannah Cats are a tall lean exotic looking spotted domestic cat breed that was first started in the 1980's. They are so tall that they hold the Guinness Book World Record for the "Tallest Domestic Cat". They hold the Guinness World Record to this day. Savannah Cats have a striking cheetah type appearance with expressive eyes highlighted by dark tear stains, vibrant coat colors, solid contrasting black spots, huge sonar-like ears and long legs. It may interest you to know Serval Cats, ancestor of the Savannah Cat, have the largest ears in relationship to their body of any cat in the entire world.
Savannah Cats are being selectively developed for an exotic appearance but require no specialty care. Sought around the world for their large size, spotted coats and friendly dog-like temperaments. Often a Savannah Cat will learn to play fetch and walk on leashes due it's high intelligence. Savannah Cats are known for making a large range of exotic cat sounds including chirping,and a deep snake hiss.
When it comes to raising Savannah Kittens into adulthood the philosophy is to "Expect only what you put into your Savannah Cat". If you provide proper daily care of exercise, mental stimulation and positive reinforcement training while young, it will result into healthy well-adjusted adults. If you're considering adopting a Savannah Kitten you will need to preform kitten-proofing, obtain necessary care items and pick a quarantine room. As a cat owner you also need crucial details on how to provide proper exercise that is both physically adequate and mentally enriching.
Kitten-Proofing
Kitten-proofing your home helps ensure your kitten's safety as well as your own. Kittens are lively and curious, which can lead them into serious trouble unless you take preventative measures. A kitten has a lower vantage point than yours, like a crawling baby, and may be attracted to things you do not see when you are standing.
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Cover Electrical Cords
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Add Cabinet Latches
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Remove Pull Down Door Knobs
Quarantine
Quarantine is a time frame of 2-3 weeks of personal one-on-one time with new owner(s). Rushing the introduction process can result in a scared, skittish and unsure feline that can result in unruly behavior at your fault not the cat. Quarantine should be in a medium-sized room. This room should be ideal for the kitten to not be too confined, so the kitten does not feel threatened. You will then need to provide proper enrichment items to redirect the cat attention, provide exercise and to provide an activity to bond with your new kitten.
The most important aspect of quarantine is keeping all animals separate during introduction and eliminates typical routes of bacterial and viral infections. Remember your kitten requires visits to the veterinarian’s office for crucial vaccinations and exams, while a kitten it's immune system is less than adult making it easy to catch something. Most animals only visit a vet when sick, take care to disinfect any surface the kitten will touch at the vet.
Sales contracts between you and your breeder often mandate a veterinary visit within a specified brief time after arrival, this allows the vet to discover any issues that may have incurred due to stress of being re-homed or otherwise obtained. The quarantine is also the ideal time to reinforce litter box habits. In the eyes of your kitten you must realize that your home is much larger to them than it is to you. Therefore, being in a smaller area where they can easily locate the litter box is ideal.
Health/Vaccinations
Currently we are using Dr. W. Jean Dodd's vaccination protocol. This protocol is now being adopted by ALL 27 North American veterinary schools. Important to note that mom's antibodies are not completely gone till 16 weeks thus shots given earlier may have no effect. Shots are given 3-4 weeks apart, never give a booster shot when a cat shows signs of being sick.
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3-Way Vaccine (Purevax®)
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First Shot
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Second Booster Shot
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Third Booster Shot
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Bodettela Nasal Vaccine (Nobivac®)
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Rabies Shot
FIV/FELV Blood Test
Test all your current felines prior to getting your new kitten. Upon receiving your kitten, you will need to test with the FIV/FELV Blood Test or if it is one of my kitten the parents are already tested negative, so negative by parents.
Parasite Prevention
Parasites are a common occurrence in cats as they are easily contracted through drinking water or simple touch of infected surfaces, some parasites can live weeks without a host with prevalence rates as high as 45 percent. The parasites can be worm-like (e.g., stomach worms, roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms) or one-celled (e.g., Isospora, Giardia, Toxoplasma) organisms. We recommend giving "revolution" which is a topical application given once a month to prevent, control, and treat parasite infections. The active ingredient is selamectin, which interferes with the parasite's nervous system. It is an effective heartworm preventive, killing the immature form of the heartworm. It kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for one month. It is also used for the treatment and control of ear mites and sarcoptic mange. Revolution also treats and controls roundworm and hookworm infections.