Everything your Savannah needs

01

Bringing Your SavCat Home

The first days set the tone for years. Savannahs are intensely curious and bond quickly when introduced calmly. Prepare the space before your kitten arrives, then let them set the pace.

Kitten-proof the space first

• Remove breakables and secure loose wires and cords
• Block off unsafe spots: the washer, dryer, and the gap behind the fridge
• Remove toxic plants & flowers: peace lily, true lilies, aloe, pothos, philodendron, tulips

Set up a quiet room

Start your SavCat in one small room without hard-to-reach hiding spots, stocked with everything they need:

• Their carrier, left open, they came home in it, so it already feels safe and becomes a favorite resting spot
• Food and a water fountain (see Section 2)
• Unscented litter and a box (see Section 3); add a Litter-Robot once they pass 3 lbs
• A scratching post and a cozy bed
• Plenty of safe toys, avoid stuffed or chemically dyed toys (see Section 4)

02

Nutrition & Feeding

Savannahs are obligate carnivores with high energy needs. Feed a high-protein, low-carb diet: premium grain-free wet, a complete raw program, or a thoughtful combination. Fresh water always available.

Fed like family: every SavCats kitten starts life on heirloom, air-chilled chicken, never commodity feed. This section shows you how to keep that standard going at home.

We recommend a raw diet: it mirrors the prey-based diet of their wild serval ancestors and supports lean muscle, healthy digestion, a glossy coat, and steady energy. We make ours by grinding organic whole chickens (bones and organs included) and adding essential feline supplements; a butcher can grind it for you, just be sure the bones and organs go in. Dose each supplement by your kitten's weight and follow the label.

Four ways to feed

• OPTION 1 · HOMEMADE

  Grind organic whole chickens with an industrial grinder, bones and organs included, and add the feline supplements below. A butcher can grind it for you; just be sure bones and organs go in.

• OPTION 2 · RAW DELIVERY

  A service like Viva Raw feeds species-appropriate raw with no meal prep, and already includes supplements.

  20% OFF · CODE SAVCATS
• OPTION 3 · QUAIL

  Our queen Porsche eats only quail (and the rare goose). Have it delivered from El Super or Vallarta Supermarkets.

  $10 OFF INSTACART · CODE MDE3AD91DC
• OPTION 4 · PET-STORE RAW

  Some stores carry brands like Primal (below). If you feed freeze-dried raw, use it as a topper, it can be dehydrating, so keep fresh water available.

Recommended raw food options

Homemade with a grinder is our first choice. Short on time? Any option below works well.

• Meat grinderOur #1 pick, homemade raw
• Viva RawComplete commercial raw
• Primal NuggetsFrozen raw, grab-and-go · $20 off 1st order

Supplements for homemade food

• NuVet Plus Feline¼ serving under 4 lbs · ½ under 5 lbs · 1 over 5 lbs (code 915204)
• Felo Taurine½ tsp per day for cats over 12 weeks; heart & vision
• Clear Soluble Fiber1 scoop up to 5 lbs · 2 scoops 5-10 lbs · 2-3 scoops 10 lbs+
• DNA Pet Happy Organs¼ tsp/day under 5 lbs · ½ tsp/day over 5 lbs; freeze-dried organs
• Alpha Paw L-Lysine¼ tsp per meal; eye health & immune support

Some links above are affiliate links. They open in a new tab and help support this free guide at no cost to you.

What raw actually costs

*Plus the cost of supplements. Viva Raw and pet-store raw already include supplements. Prices are based on Los Angeles, CA and vary by location.

Feeding schedule (minimum)

1. 8-12 weeks: 4 meals a day
2. 3-6 months: 3 meals a day
3. 6 months+ : 2 meals a day

Savannahs aren't prone to overeating, so you can feed more often without concern.

Bowls & water

• Use a wide, elevated stainless-steel or ceramic bowl, narrow bowls cause whisker fatigue, and wash it daily with hot water and mild, fragrance-free soap
• Offer fresh water daily at room temperature (about 65-75°F / 18-24°C); water that's too cold can put cats off drinking
• Most cats prefer a circulating fountain. We use the Petlibro fountain, reliable, easy to clean, with a wireless option that runs during a power outage
• Disinfect bowls and fountains after use and dry before refilling; never leave raw food out longer than 2 hours

03

Litter Training

Most Savannah kittens arrive already litter-trained. Your job is to keep it effortless: big boxes, clean litter, smart placement.

• Start with the litter they already know; if you switch brands, transition slowly. We like World's Best Cat Litter
• One box per cat plus one, and go oversized
• Unscented clumping litter; scoop twice daily and wash the box weekly
• Keep boxes in quiet, easy-to-reach spots
• Once your SavCat passes 3 lbs, an automatic box like the Litter-Robot keeps things spotless. $50 OFF

04

Mental Stimulation & Enrichment

A bored Savannah is a destructive Savannah. These are athletic, problem-solving cats: give their brains and bodies a real job every day.

Interactive play

• Two daily wand-play sessions (15+ minutes) that simulate hunting; we recommend undyed feather toys, chemically treated toys can be harmful
• End laser-pointer sessions on a physical “kill” toy so play finishes with a real reward
• Never play with your hands or feet, it teaches biting and scratching. Always redirect that energy to a toy

Toys & puzzles

• Rotate toys weekly and offer puzzle and treat-dispensing toys to beat boredom
• Never leave a Savannah alone with stuffed toys, torn stuffing is a choking and internal-blockage hazard

Climbing & scratching

• Provide tall cat trees, wall shelves, and both vertical and horizontal scratchers
• Add window perches for a sunny lookout; a large exercise wheel suits Savannahs that love to run

Nighttime habits

• If they bring toys to bed, don't engage, it teaches them to wake you at night
• Play hard a couple of hours before bed, then feed, to mimic the natural hunt-and-eat cycle
• Put toys away once playtime is over to reinforce calm during rest hours

05

Socialization & Bonding

Savannahs are famously dog-like and loyal, but bonds are built on the cat's terms. Handle your kitten gently every day, introduce new people and experiences gradually, and let them approach first so they grow up confident rather than reactive.

Handling

• Gently handle your kitten daily so grooming, nail trims, and petting feel normal
• Reward calm behavior with treats and affection

Meeting new people

• Introduce new people gradually, one at a time
• Always let your kitten make the first approach

Training with finger snaps

No clicker needed, your fingers are always with you. Snap the instant your cat does the right thing (sit, hand-touch), then reward with a small, high-value treat. Stay consistent, and add verbal cues like “sit” once it's reliable.

06

Health & Veterinary Care

Find an exotic-experienced vet before you bring your kitten home. Savannahs are generally robust, but they have a few breed-specific considerations.

• Book a first vet check within 5-7 days of arrival; waiting a few days lets your kitten settle and arrive less stressed. Bring breeder records, vaccination info, and a diet list
• Your SavCat already has 2 FVRCP vaccinations and 3 rounds of deworming. Two more FVRCP rounds are optional and at your discretion; otherwise follow your vet's schedule
• Schedule spay/neuter and microchipping together, recommended before 6 months and required by 7 months, the chip is placed painlessly while under anesthesia
• We recommend pet insurance such as Healthy Paws (around $20/month per cat); enroll early, before any pre-existing conditions

07

Grooming & Hygiene

Savannahs are low-maintenance groomers. Their short, spotted coat needs little more than a weekly once-over, but start handling routines early so nail trims and dental care stay stress-free for life.

Coat care

• Short, low-shedding coat, Savannahs shed far less than most cats. No routine brushing needed, just a once-over with the SleekEZ brush when they're shedding their winter coat, it's the one we use on all our cats

Nail trimming

• Trim every 1-2 weeks with Japanese nail clippers; start young and handle the paws often so it feels normal
• Gently press the paw to extend the claws, trim just the sharp tip, and avoid the pink quick
• Go slow, offer treats, and take a break if they get stressed

Dental health

• A raw diet naturally scrapes plaque as they chew; introduce feline toothpaste early
• Dental treats or water additives help too

Cleaning eyes & nose

• Loosen crust with a warm (not hot) compress, then wipe gently outward with a fresh cloth for each eye
• If the nose looks dry, a tiny bit of unscented, food-grade organic grass-fed beef tallow is a safe natural moisturizer

08

Travel & Harness Training

Your SavCat comes to you already car- and harness-trained. Keep building on it, and a GPS tracker is cheap insurance for such a fast, curious cat.

• Big Savannahs can reach 18-20 lbs full grown, a cat stroller and a BPA-free travel water bottle make outings easy
• Your kitten will outgrow their first harness. Our pick for the next is a handmade Emma Céline harness, mention 5% OFF · CODE SAVCATS. Contact Emma before ordering, Savannahs need custom measurements
• Add a Fi GPS collar for real-time tracking, $20 OFF. Bring the Fi base when you travel so the battery stays charged
• We send every kitten home with a luxury airline-approved carrier and a blanket carrying mom's scent to ease travel stress, always secure and zip it before opening car doors

09

Important Notes

Ownership rules differ by location and generation. Confirm the law where you live before committing to a kitten.

• Legality varies by state, county, and city, and often by F-generation (check the rules for your state)
• Microchip and register; keep TICA papers and records together
• Consider pet insurance early, before any pre-existing conditions

10

Escape-Proofing

Savannahs are escape artists: they jump high, open doors, and slip through gaps you'd swear were too small. Treat your home like a habitat.

• Run a double-door system, always close the first door before opening the second so a fast cat can't slip out
• Install pet-proof lever locks on doors and cabinets, and reinforce window screens so they can't be pushed out
• Use a Fi GPS tracker $20 OFF. The Series 3 lasts about 3 months on home WiFi; we keep ours above 80% so there's always battery if a cat gets out
• Supervise balconies and open windows, ideally with a harness, and never rely on a standard screen

Daily Care Checklist

A quick daily rhythm keeps a Savannah happy and healthy.

Temperament & Training

Savannahs are extraordinary, intelligent, playful, endlessly curious, and deeply bonded to their people. With the right foundation, a Savannah can be the right cat for almost any home. Every SavCats kitten is raised with extensive early socialization and confidence-building, so they arrive ready to thrive with you.

They're active and love engagement, that's the joy of the breed, and training is what turns all that energy into the perfect companion. We set you up to succeed from day one, and we're always just a message away.

Want extra help? We offer extended training beyond 12 weeks of age for an additional fee, personalized coaching to shape exactly the companion you're dreaming of. A Savannah is a 15-20 year friendship, and we'd love to be part of the journey. Ask us about extended training →