How to Train a Savannah Cat: 5 Vet-Reviewed Tips & Tricks
As majestic as a wild cat and as friendly as a house cat, the Savannah Cat is unique and intelligent and has been described as having a dog-like personality because of their loyalty and playful energy. They have a wild side, given their serval ancestors, and are more active than other domesticated pets. Owning one of these beauties may lead you to question whether they can be trained and, if so, how toproceedt.
Savannah Cats are trainable, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are easy to train. Motivation and intelligence are key factors when training cats, and savannah cats carry those qualities, along with being focused and energetic. These traits make it easier to train than other cats and will require patience and perseverance.
Let’s look at how this intelligent breed can be trained and the best methods for training them.
Before You Start
It is wise to note that training a kitten is a lot easier than training an adult cat. Adult cats can still be trained, so if you are rehoming or rescuing an adult Savannah, they are still trainable, but if you have a choice, kittens are always easier to train.
Savannah Cats are smart, but like most cats, they are also fickle. You may feel like training them issometimes impossibles, but perseverance is essential. Although they can be trained to play fetch like a dog, they were not taught to obey humans, so remember that you are training a cat, and a lot of patience will go a long way.
Before starting, you can test your Savannah’s intelligence by hiding their favorite toy behind your back and observing their reaction. An intelligent Savannah will look for the toy behind your back, whereas other cats can become confused. This is a great exercise to distinguish how easily you will be able to train your Savannah.
Preparing to Train Your Savannah Cat
How to Train a Savannah Cat
Savannah Cats need lots of play and exercise because of their active and energetic personalities. They also need enough mental stimulation to prevent them from getting bored. When Savannahs become bored, they can become destructive.
1. Clicker Training
Clicker training is a great technique because of the mental stimulation it provides for your intelligent Savannah. They respond well to clickers and can stay motivated. Before you begin clicker training, get your Savannah to learn the sound and how to respond by associating treats with the sound.
Once your pet is familiar with the clicker sound, you can use it for other tricks.
2. Leash & Harness Training
It may be hard to get your Savannah used to a leash and harness, but this is normal as they naturally don’t like to be restrained.
The more you walk your Savannah, the faster they will learn and understand what they can and cannot do.
Taking your cat for a walk may sound challenging, but the right harness and leash can make all the difference! We recommend Hepper's Cat Harness & Leash Set because it combines important safety features with stylish and comfortable design elements.
- Escape Proof - Cat leashes and harnesses for walking aren't all equally secure. Our double aluminium D-rings ensure strength when outside, as does the reinforced stitching on this step in vest.
- Superior Comfort - Our cat harnesses are lightweight, made with premium velvet fabric, breathable mesh, with soft edging and resilient cushioning. Also, it is machine washable. Looks and feels great!
- Free Extra Strength Leash - You don't need to worry about your cat escaping this harness. This cat leash is made of thick nylon climbing rope with rotating clamp to keep the strongest kitties at bay.
From the highly adjustable, machine-washable velvet harness to the sturdy nylon climbing rope leash, this set has everything you'll need to start adventuring.
>At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
3. Toilet Training
Toilet training depends entirely on the personality of your cat. Some like to stick to a litter box, while some can be easily trained to use the toilet. It is best to start training your Savannah when it’s around 6 months old, as you don’t want to risk your kitten drowning in the toilet.
This process requires plenty of patience and can take some time, but it can be done! Cat toilet training kits are also available to help make this process easier.
4. Jumping Through a Hoop
A Savannah Cat naturally loves to jump because of their athletic and wild genes. Their hind legs are longer than their front legs, which makes them amazing jumpers, so training them to jump is one of the easier tricks to accomplish.
5. Behavior Training
As much as we admire our cats, they can become frustrating when they do things that we may disapprove of. Your cat may be guilty of one or more of these actions:
Final Thoughts
Savannahs are intelligent feline companions that are easy to train as long as you have the patience and time. Training can be a positive experience for both of you, and it can strengthen your bond with the animal. In time, you can enjoy an outdoor stroll with your furry friend.
See Also: How High Can a Savannah Cat Jump? The Incredible Answer
Sources
Featured Image: AJR_photo, Shutterstock
Expert cat care, straight to your inbox
News, insights, and useful advice, delivered to you.
No spam — unsubscribe anytime.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
How useful was this post?
Click a star to rate. You can leave written feedback afterwards. (We read all feedback.)
Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
