Savvy Cats T-SHIRT
Bringing your fur baby home for the first time!
The day you choose your new Savannah kitten to the day your new family member comes home can feel like forever! But fill the days by preparing for your kitten’s all-important arrival and time whizzes by. So now is the perfect time to mentally prepare yourself and physically prepare your home to make your kitten’s transition as smooth as possible.
It is important to understand that placing a Savannah cat in a new home is stressfull. Whats even more stressful is the confusion of being taken from his or her former surroundings and separated from his or her siblings, the constant companions your baby has been used to playing with, eating with and sleeping on 24/7 since birth.
When your Savannah kitten first arrives, we recommend you have a small room ready for him/her, such as a bathroom where your kitten can’t hide under anything, where food, water and litter box are all readily accessible, and allow your kitten to come out of the carrier on his/her own. Some Savannah kittens will barrel out as soon as the carrier door is opened. Others are less confident and may require coaxing. You’ll find a feather teaser toy has been attached to the carrier to help entice your kitten if he or she needs a little cajoling.
BONDING WITH YOUR BABY
The best way to win a Savannah kitten over is with a toy! They can hardly resist feather toys. Take the time to sit on the floor with your kitten, at his or her level, and play with your Savannah kitten. This will quickly help form a bond between you. However, once finished playing, place feather toy, and toys with cords, out of reach. Feathers and cords are too tempting to chew on and swallow.
Savannah kittens usually choose to crawl up onto your bed to sleep with you. If allowed, your kitten will feel very comfortable and will bond more quickly with you. However, Savannah kittens will sometimes wake up groggy, sense the soft, squishy feeling of the comforter/mattress, and, without thinking, relieve themselves. So be aware of the “waking kitten” and place him or her in the litter box as soon as baby starts to stir.
If you have other pets in your home, we recommend waiting until your kitten is completely comfortable and bonded with you and your family before introducing them. If introduced too quickly, your Savannah kitten could bond more closely with your other pets than with your family.
HAVING RUN OF THE HOUSE
Once your Savannah kitten is comfortable in the small room, he/she can be allowed access to more of the house. Starting with the master bedroom that connects to your kitten’s bathroom, is ideal. When your Savannah kitten readily comes to you to play and socialize, you can permit him or her more run of the home. And once your kitten has run of the house, we recommend keeping several litter boxes throughout the house for the first couple of months. As your Savannah kitten starts to explore, be sure to set him/her into the new litter boxes several times during the first few days. Even with multiple boxes available, we recommend you give your kitten time-out sessions in his or her original bathroom/bedroom to encourage your Savannah kitten to take time to eat and drink and use the litter box.
DANGEROUS CORDS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
As they begin to explore the house, Savannah kittens will usually be attracted to cords for a while. The phase usually lasts for only a few weeks, but those weeks can be challenging. Spraying or wiping “Bitter Apple” or vinegar on the cords will quickly discourage cord chewing. Reapplying may be necessary once or more weekly (you can also get cord protectors for exposed cords). It is also a good idea to know where your circuit breaker box is located, just in case you need to quickly cut the power. If your Savannah kitten does bite through a wire NEVER touch the kitten or try to unplug the wire! IMMEDIATELY cut all electrical power and RUSH your Savannah kitten to the nearest veterinarian or emergency clinic.
"NO", TIME-OUT AND THE SQUIRT BOTTLE
Some Savannah kittens will try to play rough, biting or growling at toys. This is not a behavior to encourage. Firmly tell your kitten “No!” A firm tap on the nose may be necessary. A time-out session can also be very helpful. This is done by placing your Savannah kitten into their small room or into a crate/carrier for fifteen minutes or so. After a few time-outs, most kittens will understand that what they are doing will warrant punishment. Since they don’t like confinement, behavior will be curbed.
We recommend the use of a squirt bottle to deter the Savannah kitten from things not allowed. Because many hybrids like water, a drop of vinegar added to the water will make it effective. Hybrid cats are very intelligent animals. Most will learn the difference between acceptable and non-acceptable behavior very quickly. So if you are consistent with your training, you will be pleased with the response.
ENJOY YOUR SAVANNAH KITTEN
Hybrid Savannah kittens can offer challenges. But the enjoyment and entertainment they provide is endless. Being prepared for the possible challenges will only make your relationship with your new companion more rewarding. Seeing your kitten’s eager face when you return home, so happy to see you and wanting to play, makes you look forward to the end of the day and getting home to your cat. We hope this helps give you some tips on taking care of a Savannah cat and that you enjoy every moment of preparing/kitten-proofing your home as well as training your new Savannah kitten!