What should you look for when buying a Savannah kitten? It's a question that we get asked a lot so we decided to put together this guide. Its a combination of general cat buying tips plus some specific to Savannah owners.
The tips below are focused around buying a kitten, however most apply if buying or re-homing an older Savannah too.
1. Find a reputable Savannah breeder
We will always suggest buying your Savannah kitten from a proper, reputable Savannah breeder. There are standards and laws in place to protect both yourself and your new kitten, and it means you can be sure your kitten has had the best start in life.
Of course, there are far too many breeders out there that do not abide by moral standards or even the law, so making sure you find a good breeder is important. The International Cat Association (TICA) has a helpful list of Assured Savannah Breeders which is a good place to start. Remember that just because a breeder is on the list does not mean you should trust them blindly - always go and meet your breeder before buying a kitten.
2. Ask questions
Speak to your breeder and ask lots of questions about the kittens. A good breeder should know all the answers and be enthusiastic when speaking about their kittens.
Be prepared to answer questions in return, as any decent breeder will want to know that their kittens are going to good homes. Always arrange to meet the kittens at their home - you should be suspicious if a seller wants to deliver or meet at a different location.
3. Choose a gender
Many people just prefer a certain gender, but there are some key points you should consider when deciding whether to get a Male (Tom/Tomcat) or Female (Dam/Queen):
- Neutering a female is more expensive then neutering a male
- Un-neutered females come into season normally during warmer weather and longer daylight hours, but as a lot of cats may be kept indoors, they can be in season nearly all year round. During this time, your Female will be in heat every 2-3 weeks. Unless you would like and care capable of looking after a litter of your own, they should be kept separate from entire males
- Males are larger and heavier than females
The above are factual, however from our experience we can add that:
- Intact males are more prone to aggression from other cats, and generally male cats may get into more cat fights
- Male cats however can often be more docile around the house and other humans
- Male Savannahs have a higher urge to scent
There is no right or wrong answer here, a lot of the time it comes down to personal preference and circumstance.
4. Meet your kitten (and their family)
This may seem obvious but you would be surprised the amount of people who are willing to buy a cat without meeting it or their parents first.
It's very important to go and see the litter, the mum and dad (where possible) and the seller. You can get a good idea of how a kitten may turn out by spending some time with their parents - if you can, take someone more experienced in cat ownership with you to help.
Of course, it's not entirely possible to know for sure how an 8 week old Savannah kitten is going to grow up in terms of temperament and health. A lot of the time a cats behaviour can be attributed to nurture and not nature - meaning a good home generally means a good cat.
5. Check the paperwork
Whether buying from a breeder or a private seller, your kitten should come with at least the following items:
- A signed copy of a contract of sale
- Details about your kitten's microchip
- Information about your kitten's vaccination and worming treatments
The above should come in the form of a pet vaccination record book, which you keep and have updated by your vet going forward.
Depending on if you are buying a pedigree Savannah or not, you should also receive:
- Your kitten’s pedigree (family tree)
- Copies of health certificates for the kitten's mother and father
If any of the above is missing, regardless of the seller's excuse, you should really be asking questions as to whether this is a good person to be buying a kitten from.
6. Bring your kitten home
The final step - where you get to bring your gorgeous new Savannah kitten home! Savannahs really just need a safe, comfy home with quality food and loving owners. The reward of this amazing cats companionship for years to come will make it all worth while.
We highly recommend picking up some literature on Savannahs, especially for any first-time cat owners. The tips and tricks you pick up will be extremely valuable particularly when your kitten grows up.
And that's it! You can check out the Savannah Shop for hand-picked Savannah food, toys and other items to keep your Savannah happy and healthy.