Help with pregnant Savannah

[ehous]

Hello!
I posted on the Savannah breeding forum but I thought I’d also post on here.
I acquired a pregnant f4 who is due in approximately 5 weeks. The guy who we got her from told me some things I’ve never heard before, and I wanted to know if they are true and common instances.
First, he said that we cannot have our cats anywhere near her for about 10 weeks because the queen will eat her babies. Is that true? I cannot find any info on that. I understand keeping them away when she is getting close to and has the babies but she’s still 5 weeks out.
Also, will she really eat the babies if we go near her? He said to lock her in the closet and only go in to change litter and feed. I feel so bad keeping her in the closet. She wants out so bad. Please let me know
Thank you so much
Erika


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[Brigitte Cowell]

Oh wow! I can't imagine how worrying it is to have adopted a pregnant cat when you have no experience in this and no breeding mentor it seems!

Are you intending to start breeding? I would advise finding a mentor, or joining Savannah Breeding Beginners group on Facebook to get advice.

Yes and no. A cat that is stressed and threatened may instinctually feel that her babies are so vulnerable to attack that they eat them to spare them the torture of being prey to another animal. So yes, it is important to make your new cat feel safe. You should give her her own room and within that room provide a cave-like space to nest in. A dog crate with a blanket over the top can work but some even just get a large cardboard box on it's side and adapt that for use.

I would not advise just throwing any adult cat into an existing pet household immediately... with ANY new addition you would keep in their own room for two weeks before starting any introductions. Given she will be hormonal and likely more defensive due to more advanced pregnancy at that time, you may need to keep her in that room longer.

No, she should NOT wish to eat her babies if YOU go near her. You have five weeks to spend time with her, reassuring her that you are a good human and someone she likes and trusts. Some female cats can be protective of their young, especially if they are insecure and unsettled. So if you aren't properly bonded by the time the kittens arrive (which I don't think likely, 5 weeks should be good), she might be defensive and not want you near her babies. A protective mama cat might hiss, slap and lunge at you coming near the babies...

I strongly suggest doing research into birthing and raising kittens in the next few weeks!

 

[ehous]

Oh wow! I can't imagine how worrying it is to have adopted a pregnant cat when you have no experience in this and no breeding mentor it seems!

Are you intending to start breeding? I would advise finding a mentor, or joining Savannah Breeding Beginners group on Facebook to get advice.

Yes and no. A cat that is stressed and threatened may instinctually feel that her babies are so vulnerable to attack that they eat them to spare them the torture of being prey to another animal. So yes, it is important to make your new cat feel safe. You should give her her own room and within that room provide a cave-like space to nest in. A dog crate with a blanket over the top can work but some even just get a large cardboard box on it's side and adapt that for use.

I would not advise just throwing any adult cat into an existing pet household immediately... with ANY new addition you would keep in their own room for two weeks before starting any introductions. Given she will be hormonal and likely more defensive due to more advanced pregnancy at that time, you may need to keep her in that room longer.

No, she should NOT wish to eat her babies if YOU go near her. You have five weeks to spend time with her, reassuring her that you are a good human and someone she likes and trusts. Some female cats can be protective of their young, especially if they are insecure and unsettled. So if you aren't properly bonded by the time the kittens arrive (which I don't think likely, 5 weeks should be good), she might be defensive and not want you near her babies. A protective mama cat might hiss, slap and lunge at you coming near the babies...

I strongly suggest doing research into birthing and raising kittens in the next few weeks!

Thank you so much! I have experience with neonatal kittens but not Savannah’s specifically. I do not plan on breeding further, I was just helping a friend out, hoping to give the kittens and Mom a good life.


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