Completely OT-Savannah cats - Page 1

I've recently become fascinated with these cats and would be interested in having one in the future.  I was wondering if anyone on the board owned one or knows a Savannah.  They're described as very doglike but will they try to eat the dogs?  Will they try to eat smaller cats?  Will they eat me out of house and home? 

Here's a link to their club:  http://www.savannahcatclub.com/

very expensive - they are not usually as big as they advertise them to be - I have Bengals - with bengals you get better spots, more beautiful cats (IMO) - they are normal-cat size but very active, very vocal, very hard on the furniture if not declawed (like to scratch/climb) - but very dog-like in their affectionate behavior.  I like my Bengals, would not be interested in anything "more wild-like" though.

molly

MI GSD,

while the thought might seem tantalizing ponder this....

Many "wild cat" types end up in sanctuary's because people are not able to "Properly" care for them,  NOW before you think I am being mean,  Let me say I am not with any intent !!  

I would suggest and you can take it or leave it,  You visit a few rescue/sanctuary's for these types of cats and speak with the people who care for and work with these "unwanted" cats on a daily basis.  Many of the cats they receive in poor condition because the "people" who had them did not know how to properly feed and supplement them.

Anyway there is an idea,  Hope you'll at least call a couple of "wild cat sanctuary's" and talk with some staff members before you make any decisions.  It might help you,  It might make you want one even more,  Just simply trying to offer an idea for you to gather more information on the issue of "wild cats as pets"   Good Luck. 

Bengals are what I was actually researching Molly, when I spotted the Savannah's.  I really love the Bengal markings too and they do look easier to care for.   I don't need or want a huge cat, just love the exotic looks and a cat that is very "doggy" like my Maine Coon was.

 I did notice on most Bengal sites that one of the requirements is no declawing of their kittens.  Are yours declawed?  Both my house cats have their weapons:)

I do not recommend declawing cats - however with Bengals and other "wilder" type cats - if you want to keep your house intact, then declaw may be necessary.  I had two "regular cats" who lived here 17 and 22 years, had all their claws and never a problem.  The first Bengal I rescued/adopted, he had already been declawed - all 4 feet.  I would NEVER declaw all 4 feet and don't know why they did that to him.  The second Bengal - very very destructive, mainly from climbing and "rip roaring" around the house.  I had him declawed in the front when I had him neutered.  Very happy with that decision though I didn't make it lightly.  I do have my furniture covered with throws, but there's only so much a throw can protect upholstery, and wooden antique furniture, wood floors.  It wasn't so much scratching, but climbing and running pell-mell around, turning and digging claws in for traction.  My third cat is not a Bengal, but she is about to be declawed too as she will not stop hanging off the bird cages - the day she removed one of my canary's legs from through the cage is the day I made an appointment to have her declawed as well.  The cats are fine, and of course they are 100% indoor cats.

The Bengals do have the most beautiful spots/markings of all of the "wild-type" cats - they are not wild though - they are several generations away from the Asian Leopard Cat.  They are very smart, very personable, and very dog-like in their affection and human interaction.  Neat cats and great to look at too.  They can be a little bit heavier than normal cats - just a little more "dense in body", not really bigger but a little heavier.  My males are about 12 lbs.

molly

I've had two Bengals...the female was a one person only cat, she adored my son, had her kittens on his bed, and she was happy to have him touch them.  She followed him around like a dog, and climbed into the bathtub with him.  She treated me with barely veiled contempt, and it she acted like she'd have my head if I went into the room with the kittens.  She was okay with the entire family until she went into puberty.  Then she became my son's cat only.   I had a male bengal, nice red with brown spots, very pretty, friendly with everyone.  Wanted to spray in the house everywhere.  He became a barn cat.  That was many long years ago...the kid who belonged to the cat is now stationed in Kuwait and carrying out missions into Iraq.

I inquired on Savanahs pretty extensively.  They are large, gorgeous cats, and I really like the larger sized cats.  It will cost about $5000 to get the kind I would like to have.  I thought about it...and decided I would rather put that money towards a really good bitch. 

I would not mind going into partnership with someone to buy a superior Savanah.  You keep the cat, show the cat, I'll take a kitten or two. 

I read somewhere that you are not supposed to even have a Bengal here in Anchorage without the proper permit, but when searching for it recently, I could not find that page again.   I wonder if the rules have changed?

I'd take you up on that if I knew how to show a darn cat.   I've read that you can only show F3's or up but can't remember if that was just the males or females too.  What percentage were you looking at?   I know the males are sterile until they reach an F4 or F5 which is why they are so pricey.  I just emailed a woman near me that breeds Savannahs and has her own Serval.  I wanted to check on the laws in MI and to see if I could meet her cats.

Showing cats is no big deal, the judge does all the work.  You just put the cat on a table in front of the judge, and she or he just plays with the cat.  EASY!  No breeder will sell you a breeding Savanah if you are not going to show it. 

I sent you email.

Veronica