Looking for advice

[Alex and Katie]

Lol, naming a kitten is hard work and you certainly will not get flamed for choosing something cute or out there. Spook and Milo came with their names and as they were already responding to them it seemed right to keep them. Kirby is our newest, an F3 snow and while his name is Kirby, he only responds to "lil mans" because that's all we've called him since hes been home haha. I think if you get the right female youll be fine. In my brief experience, when visiting a breeder the easiest way to sex a kitten has been that the males will all come running to greet you and brush into your legs while the females ive met have been a bit more standoffish with me but again that's just in my experience and certainly not representative of female cats in general

As for the aircraft maintenance thing, id rather fly late on a plane that flies than take off early on something less safe.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Welcome, John! I think an F3 is a great choice as first Savannah

1) I don't think your kitten will love your exuberant doggy on first sight. Chances are the kitten will be a little intimidated and require a bit of time to work out what this big bouncy creature is... a baby gate across a doorway will help kitten have a "safe room" to escape to. If the kitten has been raised with high energy dogs then maybe it won't take as long, but the kitten will eventually work out the dog is a potential friend and most definitely how to dominate it ;-)

2) The reason you see a lot of videos showing Savannahs panting is because they play HARD, they don't stop until they are panting... I think many other cats would quit chasing the toy before then but Savannahs don't like to let a toy move without being captured.

3) Personally, I find 10 weeks very early to be flying. I actually won't ship my kittens as over the years I've received traumatized kittens from negative experiences and so prefer to fly and pick up. But, if you were to have it shipped I'd want the kitten to be at least 12 weeks old...this allows the immune system to be a little more developed...and thus be able to resist stress a little better and not get sick. I also find those weeks crucial to their mental development, they are more confident and outgoing when older, hence do better with being taken away from home and family.

4) Does your bedroom not have a door then? If that is all you have, then the bathroom it is. Especially after being shipped, the kitten is going to need some quiet time. Although the bathroom is small, there is less stimulation so kitten can acclimate, listen and smell but also process all that has happened.

 

[admin]

NO one will get slammed here...female kittens are the BEST! Spunky, sassy and so much fun! I do not agree that male kittens are the best...also, each kitten is an individual, so personalities differ from kitten to kitten.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I think we all have our personal preferences, I simply think they are all individuals hence my bond with each is different....

I usually say the girl kittens are the most adventurous and the first out of the birthing crate etc, but my current litter proved me wrong as it is the boy that is wobbling out of there barely with an eye open and he's on the move! LOL! The minute you make a generalization there is a Savannah there ready to disprove it ;-)

 

[Patti]

I agree with all of the above. 10 weeks is young to ship. In addition to the other reasons given, I would personally want her to have at least two vaccines before leaving home, which would be 12 weeks or older. She needs a small 'safe' room for at least the first few days where she has a place to hide (e.g., the carrier she came in) and easy access to food, water, and the litterbox. You can look to her for clues of when she is ready to venture out and explore the rest of the household - she will start greeting you at the door, try to slip past you, etc. Just remember, 10 weeks is very young and your house will be huge and strange - don't be surprised if left to explore on her own she forgets where the litterbox etc. is if not given appropriate time to acclimate to your home.

As for the dog, he will also be a huge, scary creature to her and it would be best to start the introductions by sniffing each other on you and from under a closed door. If the kitten tries to play footsie with him under the door then you can consider letting them meet face to face, but start with her being in an advantageous position, e.g. somewhere high - on a counter, a bookshelf, or in your arms (but be prepared that you might get scratched if she gets spooked). It is most important that their introduction is a positive one - a bad first experience could color her opinion of your pup for the rest of their lives...

 

[John Campbell]

Thanks for all the great answers.... Going to make sure the kitten does not leave too early, and going to do my best to acclimate him the easiest way (for her) to get into the house... I definitely have to look in to cat proofing the house however.

 

[Mrs.CC]

Welcome, John! Looking forward to some photos of your new baby when she arrives! Congratulations!

 

[Becki]

Welcome! I love my girlie Savannah and my devil spawn boy, both f2s. The boy has been testing my patience today (curtains torn down twice, new moccasin slippers shredded) so at this very moment, I am giving the girls a slight edge. .

 

[Pam Flachs]

Thanks for all the great answers.... Going to make sure the kitten does not leave too early, and going to do my best to acclimate him the easiest way (for her) to get into the house... I definitely have to look in to cat proofing the house however.

Have you seen this, John? Lots of things on the list that one wouldn't know can be unsafe for a kitten or cat......

http://www.savannahcatchat.com/threads/my-kitten-dangers-checklist.95/#post-419

 

[John Campbell]

Welcome, John! Looking forward to some photos of your new baby when she arrives! Congratulations!

Great info... Most of those items are not in my house to begin with... but I love T-Bone Steaks, and my Dog loves chewing on a good bone... That is going to be the hard one... The rest are fairly easy.