Bringing Home Your Savannah

Whether you decide to drive home with your new kitten, or fly, either way is stressful for a kitten.

Separation from the only home they’ve known, and from their brothers and sisters, will certainly cause some stress. Once they have time to settle in and get to know you and your family, they will become more comfortable and very attached to you.

Before bringing your new kitten home, there are a few things to prepare. It may take a little time for your new baby to become acclimated to his/her new surroundings. At first, it’s best to quarantine him/her in a small room without other pets around.

You may want to pick a room that doesn’t have places to hide, if possible. Open the door to the carrier and let your kitten come out on its own. Have their food, water, and litter box close by. This makes it easy for your new kitty to get to know you, and the new surroundings, on its own terms.

Occassionally, a new kitten will jump right out of the carrier. If your kitten is shy, he/she may be coaxed out with a toy, such as a feather wand. Allow your new kitty to explore the room at their own pace. Place them gently in their litter box, and let them know where their food and water bowls are located.

Premier Savannas will provide you with our recommended food/diet, and a sample pack will be provided upon pick-up/delivery of your kitten. If you decide to change food brands, we recommend a gradual transition over a few days.

When you first bring your kitten home, offer them a small amount of wet kitten food. Dry food is a staple for all cats, and we recommend always allowing access to dry food. Dry kitten/cat food should be grain-free and gluten-free, since cats are obligate carnivores, and they are unable to digest these. A high quality, high protein dry food will help your cat maintain a healthy digestive system.

Some breeders support using a faw diet for Savannah cats. If you plan to incorporate a raw diet, please educate yourself first, and consult with your veterinarian. It’s a serious commitment to insure your feline friend is getting all the proper nutrition in your ingredients. You’ll also need equipment to grind the food, and supplements to fulfill dietary needs.

Once your kitten is familiar with this first room, you can allow him/her to gradually explore the rest of your home. But before you begin this transition, it’s best to spend one on one time to solidify and bond with your new pet. This will be an important step before introducing them to your other pets, if any.

The most welcoming position is to start at their level—down on the floor. Their natural curiosity will bring them to your space, and you can then introduce play with toys.

If there are other pets in your home, it’s important to quarantine your Savannah for at least two, if not three weeks. You’ll want them to become comfortable with and bond to you first. Quarantining your new kitten will also protect them from contracting an illness, especially during the stressful transition period. When stressed, the kitten’s immune system may be weakened, making them more susceptible to illness, especially if another animal in the house is carrying a virus (unbeknownst to you).