For New Savannah Cat Owners

Congratulations on bringing home your new SavCats kitten! These stunning hybrids of domestic cats and African servals are intelligent, active, and affectionate—but they require specialized care. This guide will give you a quick rundown of what to expect when you bring your SavCat home and how to take care of them.

🏠Section 1 Bringing Your SavCat Home

 1.1 Safe Introduction

• Kitten-Proofing: Remove breakables, secure wires, and block off unsafe areas (washer/dryer, behind fridge).

• Quiet Room Setup: Start your SavCat in a small single room without hard-to-reach hiding spots. They require the following:

• Food & water fountain (see Section 2)

• Litter box (unscented litter) (see Section 3)

• Scratching post

• Bed

• Lots of toys (caution with stuffed and chemically dyed toys, see Section 4)

1.2 Let Them Acclimate

• Let your kitten explore at their own pace.

• Avoid loud noises and over-handling the first few days.

• Spend time quietly sitting nearby to build trust.

• Do NOT introduce your SavCat to other pets right away. It is advised that you quarantine them for a minimum of 10 days. Before introducing your new kitten to other pets, it's important to first build a strong bond. Spend time at their level—sit or lie on the floor—to help them feel safe and encourage playful interaction. This simple act helps your kitten connect with you more quickly, and it won’t take long before your new baby feels right at home.

🐾 Section 2 Nutrition & Feeding

2.1 Diet Basics - Pet Food & Treats

A raw diet is highly recommended for Savannah cats because it closely mimics the natural prey-based diet of their wild ancestors, 

providing optimal nutrition, supporting lean muscle development, and promoting better digestion, coat health, and energy levels. Here are some options and recommendations:

Option 1 Homemade Food: 

We prepare our own homemade chicken recipe using an Industrial Meat Grinder which grinds organic whole chickens that we first break down with a meat cleaver. Essential feline supplements are then added to meets a cat’s nutritional needs.

Supplements can be found in Pet Food & Treats on my Amazon Storefront:

Purchased directly from Nuvet Labs Plus Feline Powder (affiliate link in progress):

Option 2 Raw Food Delivery Service: 

For busy families who prefer convenience, consider using a high-quality raw food delivery service like Viva Raw. This is a great option if you want to feed your Savannah kitten a species-appropriate diet without the time commitment of monthly meal prep or making your own cat food from scratch. You would not need to supplement as their food already includes them. Use code SAVCATS for 20% off your order!

Option 3 Quail: 

Our SavCats Queen, Porsche, prefers only eating quail and refuses to eat anything else. We get our quail sourced from Spain. You can have quail delivered to you from El Super or Vallarta Supermarkets. Get $10 off Instacart. Use my code MDE3AD91DC at checkout.

Food Options

Cost Per Pound of Meat

Spanish Quail with organs

($4/quail)

Canadian Quail - Halal, no organs

($2.49/quail)

Mexican Quail - Guilotas Supremas - some organs

$7.99/lb ($1.99/quail)*

Viva Raw

$7.99/lb

Homemade Food Grade Organic Chicken

$2.99/lb*

*Plus the cost of supplements

Feeding Schedule at a minimum: 

• 8–12 weeks: 4 meals per day

• 3–6 months: 3 meals per day

• 6+ months: 2 meals per day

2.2 Clean Food Bowl

• Use an elevated and wide stainless steel or ceramic bowl and wash it daily with hot water and mild, fragrance-free soap. Narrow bowls cause whisker fatigue. We recommend: Elevated Cat Bowls

• Disinfect weekly to prevent bacteria buildup and always dry thoroughly before refilling. Do not leave raw food out for more than 2 hours at room temperature; discard any uneaten portion to prevent bacterial growth.

🚽 Section 3 Litter Training

Your Savannah is already litter trained! To support this:

• Use the same litter they’re used to initially. We recommend World’s Best Cat Litter

• Keep the box clean—scoop twice daily, wash weekly. We recommend The Litter Robot after your SavCat weighs 3 pounds. Get $50 off with our link!

• Place the litter box in a quiet, accessible spot.

🧠 Section 4 Mental Stimulation & Enrichment

Savannahs are highly intelligent and high-energy. Boredom can lead to behavior problems. If you’re a busy person and don’t intend to bring your SavCat with you everywhere like we do, we recommend getting a playmate. 

Why Two Savannahs Are Better Than One

Savannah cats are incredibly intelligent, active, and social—they thrive on stimulation and companionship. A single Savannah left alone for long periods can become bored, which may lead to unwanted behaviors. If you have a busy lifestyle or can’t bring your SavCat everywhere (like we do), a second Savannah is the perfect solution. They’ll keep each other entertained, mentally sharp, and emotionally fulfilled. Plus, we’re confident you’ll fall in love with their charm, personality, and energy—so much so, you’ll wish you had gotten two from the start!

4.1 Interactive Play

• Daily wand toy play (simulate hunting). We recommend No Chemical Dying Cat Feather Toys. Chemically treated toys can be harmful to your kitten's health—opt for natural, non-toxic materials to keep playtime safe.

• Laser pointer sessions (end with a “kill” toy for reward)

4.2 Toys & Puzzles

• Rotate toys weekly to prevent boredom

• Food puzzles or treat-dispensing toys are great enrichment

• NEVER leave Savannah unsupervised with stuffed animal toys. If chewed or torn apart, the stuffing can become a choking hazard or cause serious internal issues if swallowed.

4.3 Climbing & Scratching

• Provide tall cat trees, wall shelves, and horizontal/vertical scratchers. We recommend Cat Trees or Cat Shelves (contact us if interested - link on our website in progress)

• Savannahs love height—cat-proofed shelves or perches are ideal. We recommend Window Perches.

❤️ Section 5 - Socialization & Bonding

5.1 Handling

• Gently handle your kitten daily to get them used to grooming, nail trims, and petting.

• Reward calm behavior with treats and affection.

5.2 Meeting New People

• Introduce new people gradually.

• Always allow your kitten to approach first.

🩺 Section 6 Health & Veterinary Care

6.1 Vet Check

• Schedule a veterinary check-up within 5–7 days of your kitten’s arrival. Allowing a few days for your kitten to settle in helps reduce stress, so we recommend booking the appointment after the first 5 days.

• Bring breeder records, vaccination info, and diet list (see Health Record).

6.2 Vaccinations & Deworming

• Savcats have already received their 2 vaccinations for FVRCP and 3 rounds of deworming.

• Follow your vet’s schedule for completing core vaccines (FVRCP) and deworming. DO NOT ever do FIV/FELV Vaccine!!!

6.3 Spay/Neuter & Microchipping

• Schedule your kitten’s spay/neuter surgery and microchipping together, ideally between 4–6 months of age. Microchipping is best done while your kitten is already under anesthesia for the surgery, making the process painless and less stressful.

✂️ Section 7 Grooming & Hygiene

7.1 Coat Care

• Savannahs have short, low-shedding coats.

• Weekly brushing keeps their coat sleek and reduces shedding.

7.2 Nail Trimming

• Trim nails every 1–2 weeks.

• Start young to get them used to the process.

7.3 Dental Health

• Raw diet can help reduce tooth decay and gum disease in cats. Chewing raw meaty bones and unprocessed meat naturally scrapes plaque off teeth, promoting healthier gums and reducing tartar buildup.

• Introduce tooth brushing early (use feline toothpaste).

• Dental treats or water additives can also help.

🧳 Section 8 Travel & Harness Training

8.1 Car Travel - Essentials

• Your SavCat has already been trained for car rides!

• We provide you a luxury Cats N Cars airline approved carrier and a blanket with the mother cat’s scent to help elevate stress during travel. We also recommend a Cat Stroller because F2 Savannahs can weigh 18-20 pounds full grown!

8.2 Harness Training

• Your SavCat has already been harness trained! They will quickly grow out of their harness and will need a new one. We recommend: Emma Céline, use code SAVCATS for 5% off!

• Use treats and praise to build positive associations.

• Practice in a secure area such as inside the home or backyard before trying open spaces.

❗️Section 9 Important Notes About Savannahs

• Generational Traits: F1–F3 Savannahs have more wild behavior (higher energy, less tolerance for strangers); F4–F5 are more domestic.

• Legal Restrictions: Some states or counties restrict early-generation Savannahs. Always check your local laws.

• Do Not Declaw: Declawing is painful and inhumane. Provide appropriate scratchers instead and trim nails every 1-2 weeks.

🚪Section 10 Escape-Proofing Your Home:

Savannah cats are clever and curious, often figuring out how to open doors and windows. To keep your kitten safe, it’s important to secure your home and prevent any chance of escape.

• Use a Double-Door System:
  The most effective method is to have two doors between your cat and the outdoors. Always close the first door fully before opening the second to ensure your kitten can’t slip past you.

• Other Tips:

• Secure all windows and make sure screens can’t be pushed out.

• Install child-proof or pet-proof locks on doors and cabinets. We recommend Lever Locks.

• Always check your cat’s location before opening an exterior door.

• Start training early to discourage door-dashing behavior.

• Savannahs are fast, agile, and always looking for adventure — proper precautions go a long way in keeping them safe.

🐾 Daily Care Checklist

Task

Frequency

Feed kitten

2–4 times/day

Fresh water

Daily

Clean litter box

1–2 times/day

Playtime

30–60 min/day

Grooming

1x/week

Nail trimming

Every 1–2 weeks

Tooth brushing

1x/week

Vet check

As advised

🎉 Enjoying Life with a Savannah

Owning a Savannah kitten is a rewarding experience. With proper care, training, and stimulation, your kitten will grow into a confident, loyal, and affectionate companion. Don’t be surprised if they learn to open doors, play fetch, or follow you from room to room—they’re more like a dog than a cat in many ways!