Savannah Kitten Is Exhausting. Any Suggestions For Active Toys?

[I_Wuv_Kitties]

I got an F5 Savannah kitten named Red. He's 12 weeks old. I love him to pieces but I physically cannot keep up with him, which is saying a lot considering I am a runner. I put a fitness tracker on him and Thursday alone he managed to rack up 5.8 miles just running around my condo. Not a big deal, but I want to keep him happy. So I'm looking for suggestions for active toys he can wear himself out playing with while I'm at work. I have one of these motion toys and another butterfly toy. Any other suggestions? I need multiple active toys because he gets bored.

 

[Hellenww]

I know they make exercise wheels for Savannahs. Other than seeing them on Cat from Hell I know nothing about them. Hopefully someone who knows more can give you advise on training to use one and at what age to start.

 

[kittens mom]

The best cat toys I have are called birdfeeders. Window perches and extra high cat trees. I leave water dripping in the winter and probably summer now too. My kits love playing in it. Make sure they can't plug the drain my Toad figured out how to do that. Or you might leave a small tub of water.

 

[duckpond]

some my cat seem to always like. sprinkle cat nip on the center area occasionally.
Bergan Turbo Scratcher Cat Toy
Catit Design Senses Circuit Cat Toy
i pick up all their balls, small mice, that kind of thing and put in here every day, they always pull them all back out and carry around the house
SmartCat Peek-a-Prize Toy Box

the mice i put a bit of food in them and hide them around the house... lol cats always Hunt and find them

 

[Hellenww]

I found this site: One Fast Cat vs Go Cat Wheel

 

[kittens mom]

I know they make exercise wheels for Savannahs. Other than seeing them on Cat from Hell I know nothing about them. Hopefully someone who knows more can give you advise on training to use one and at what age to start.

As soon as I can find one in good condition used or someone who can build one we're getting one. I've also seen old tires recommended as cat scratchers but I don't understand the logistics or if it would be safe for them. We rotate toys too.

 

[abyeb]

I think a cat wheel is a good idea, if you have the space for one. I don’t think there’s much in the way of training needed; active cats tend to gravitate toward them. You might also enjoy taking Red for walks on a leash and harness. There’s a TCS article about that here: Harness And Leash Training For Cats

Here’s some more articles about playtime and entertaining kitties:

Playing With Your Cat: 10 Things You Need To Know

Beating Boredom - What Indoor Cat Owners Need To Know

 

[Hellenww]

Our Yoshi learned to fetch and inbetween wild play sessions we did that almost continuosly. If the humans were awake he expected play. Is 12 weeks too young for harness walks? I've only had alley cats so not familiar with the bigger breeds.

 

[kittens mom]

BTW where are the pictures. We will demand kitten pictures.

 

[I_Wuv_Kitties]

I bought a one fast wheel! Great idea. I think what I'll do is rig a toy on a pole slightly above it so he has to run fast to get the toy.

 

[duckpond]

may cats seem to be a bit tired of their da bird, and their neko wand. so i got a new one from chewy yesterday. They have played and played with this one for a change

Pet Fit For Life 5 Piece Squiggly Worm Wand Cat Toy

 

[kittens mom]

may cats seem to be a bit tired of their da bird, and their neko wand. so i got a new one from chewy yesterday. They have played and played with this one for a change

Pet Fit For Life 5 Piece Squiggly Worm Wand Cat Toy

I have the lizard thing and when you run that around on carpet it looks real. They go NUTS

 

[susanm9006]

Hyperactive cats don’t like to quit when they get to a wall. Make sure he has at least one tall cat tree so he can go up. Two would be better would be better or shelving on the wall that he can jump to and across.

 

[danteshuman]

I would suggest a toy rotation at least every week (putting his toys where he can't get them and adding new toys), taking him for daily outside time an hour every day, a bird watching window and as many cat shelves/cat trees as you can install/buy. You need to exhaust him mentally & physically. Have you tried puzzle feeders? Cat tunnels? Don't forget chew toys.

My hyper punk needs to 'hunt' birds from the backyard every day if we want peace in the house. 20-40 sparrows & finches hopping/flying around in our backyard plus 10-20 of those fat slow moving pigeons keeps him happy.... plus hummingbirds.

He is at his hyperest phase right now. Hopefully when he reaches 1 year he will slow down a bit. I wouldn't expect his hyperness to slow down until he is ?10? I'm guessing. Savannah cats are very active breeds.

 

[Meera Cat]

We have an F5 girl and she is extremely active, gets bored easily, and destroys toys.
She loves playing fetch with a small foam ball (we have like 10 of them rolling around the house). We also got a cat tree which she likes and an outdoor cat tent and tunnel.
We got her a cat wheel as well but so far only our Snowshoe likes it but we’re hoping she’ll take to it so she can burn off some energy.
She’s also particularly fond of a long cat wand that comes with interchangeable toys for the end of the string, adds a bit of variety

 

[nikitac18]

Is he a Savannah was told his dad is.

 

[susanm9006]

Is he a Savannah was told his dad is.

Doesn’t look like a Savannah to me, but he could have inherited his appearance from mom.

 

[danteshuman]

Awwwww what a cute belly!!!

Have you tried puzzle feeders, making him work for his food or treats?

I'm back to harness training your cat and taking him outside. My hyper punk drove me so crazy I let him in the backyard. The backyard saved me from killing him. It defiantly saved his brother from being constantly jumped on. It took years to train my cat to stay in the yard and constant supervision. That is why I recommend the harness training. (I'm going to be training my punk to wear a harness vest, to make vet visits easier.)

Cats need to be tired out mentally & physically. They are hunting machines (high prey drive.) Savannah cats are even wilder & need to hunt more!

 

[danteshuman]

(OK I would not have killed him but I did consider shaving him!)