New here, new Savannah mom

[WitchyWoman]

RadCat which is an excellent quality raw (but it's mushy not chunky so if they like chunky they may not like this) is available in San Diego http://www.radfood.com/stores Feline's Pride is mushy too. They're located in Florida and Shelby is really picky about who distributes his food so if you're interested in it, you'd have to email to see if it's available anywhere in California. I used to order it from Dr. Lynne Lankes an exotic animal veterinarian in the Bay Area but I don't know if she's still a distributor http://birddocl2.wix.com/drlynne#!about/c1wk9

 

[KierAndKeegsMom]

Stella's ordered and raw ingredients ordered from iHerb and Hare Today. If Stella's is a bust, I'll head to Del Mar to try out Rad's. Thanks for the ideas! I will definitely take your experience with picky eaters over continuing to contribute to my neighbor's stockpile.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I've had good success with RadCat rabbit at least when I've tried it... it's one of those kept at a store here in SF...generally I get cases shipped from WholeFoods4Pets but when I run low that's what I will get.

When visiting my friend in La Mesa, she gets Halshan from her local store and the RadCat too... must ask her where she sources it...

 

[Patti]

If you're in San Diego then I'll bet there is a Petco or PetsMart nearby that carries Nature's Variety. WalMart also carries frozen raw as well.

 

[KierAndKeegsMom]

PetSmart is my "normal" store and the one I go to stopped carrying raw. I wasn't even aware Whole Foods had a pet site!

 

[Evie]

RadCat which is an excellent quality raw (but it's mushy not chunky so if they like chunky they may not like this) is available in San Diego http://www.radfood.com/stores Feline's Pride is mushy too. They're located in Florida and Shelby is really picky about who distributes his food so if you're interested in it, you'd have to email to see if it's available anywhere in California. I used to order it from Dr. Lynne Lankes an exotic animal veterinarian in the Bay Area but I don't know if she's still a distributor http://birddocl2.wix.com/drlynne#!about/c1wk9

Hi Deborah, I notice that no one has mentioned feeding mice and chicks? My breeder recommended keeping my kitten on cooked chicken, mice, chicks wet food and a good quality dry food. (Not all at the same time!!) Her favourite by a long way are the mice and chicks. Does anyone over there feed a similar mix diet? She certainly looks a picture of health at 16 weeks.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Some people feed mice and chicks...I've not found mine to be at all interested beyond throwing them around...and really, I'm too squeamish to want to force the issue too hard! LOL! I spent many years in a research lab and feel that I've handled enough mice for several lifetimes :-(

 

[SlugMaster]

Welcome, you have two beautiful kittens. I also have two F2 and one sbt and their food situation has evolved over the last couple of years. One lesson I learned is these kittens can eat a lot, especially in the 4-6 month age range. We were up to 5 time a day feeding for awhile. They say you can't over feed a kitten. So now we settled into a verity of foods, from home made ground raw, chicken chunks of raw and commercial wet and dry. This way the cats don't seam to get bored of the food. So, don't be afraid of the grinder investment to make your own. I am now make (with help) cat food for two other owners and it goes quickly.

 

[Evie]

Hi, I am the proud mom to two F2 boys, Kieran and Keegan, 16 weeks. I just found this site and love what I've read so far. I've had cats my entire life and have been looking at various Savannah breeders since 2010. The boys are somewhat cat-like but mostly dog-like and little boy toddler-like. I've never had such mischievous cats before (or dogs, for that matter).

They play and tumble and "fight" and then seem to crash for a few hours. They wake up, eat, do their business and start all over again! Amazing. I didn't really isolate them when they arrived and while they are clearly bonded to each other, I haven't had any issues bonding with either of them. During the day, they play together but each of them "checks in" periodically. They both stand up in the universal "pick me up" cat/dog language, head butt my chin and I give them a kiss and off they go. They only like to cuddle or be held longer when they are ready to sleep.
ater than I've ever seen a cat drink. They are each finishing 16oz a day, easily. And it has to be fresh, or I hear about it. Food wise, I'm having issues. Neither will touch kibble. I've tried the brand the breeder was feeding and just about every other available grain-free option. Kieran will only eat boiled chicken or solid tuna. Keegan will eat many canned options, but I can never tell which will be acceptable. He also eats the boiled chicken and solid tuna but it isn't his first choice. I would love to switch to the raw diet, but I'm apprehensive about the investment when they've been hard to please.
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Hi, I am the proud mom to two F2 boys, Kieran and Keegan, 16 weeks. I just found this site and love what I've read so far. I've had cats my entire life and have been looking at various Savannah breeders since 2010. The boys are somewhat cat-like but mostly dog-like and little boy toddler-like. I've never had such mischievous cats before (or dogs, for that matter).

They play and tumble and "fight" and then seem to crash for a few hours. They wake up, eat, do their business and start all over again! Amazing. I didn't really isolate them when they arrived and while they are clearly bonded to each other, I haven't had any issues bonding with either of them. During the day, they play together but each of them "checks in" periodically. They both stand up in the universal "pick me up" cat/dog language, head butt my chin and I give them a kiss and off they go. They only like to cuddle or be held longer when they are ready to sleep.

They both drink more water than I've ever seen a cat drink. They are each finishing 16oz a day, easily. And it has to be fresh, or I hear about it. Food wise, I'm having issues. Neither will touch kibble. I've tried the brand the breeder was feeding and just about every other available grain-free option. Kieran will only eat boiled chicken or solid tuna. Keegan will eat many canned options, but I can never tell which will be acceptable. He also eats the boiled chicken and solid tuna but it isn't his first choice. I would love to switch to the raw diet, but I'm apprehensive about the investment when they've been hard to please.
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Hi, your boys are gorgeous! I have a little girl of the same age and have also just found this forum. I'm sure you will find it a great help - I have also had cats my whole life and even worked with some of the big ones! I have still been taken by surprise by their very 'puppy' like behaviour and boundless energy! It sounds as though you have made a wise decision having two babies as they can match each others playfulness - I am finding one of my cats is not coping with her very well! He is such a sweetie and hasn't put her in her place yet! Whereas my older boy has her in her place already. I haven't been as lucky as you with handling her but she makes progress every day. Welcome and I am sure you will get as much help and support from the forum as I so

 

[KierAndKeegsMom]

Welcome, you have two beautiful kittens. I also have two F2 and one sbt and their food situation has evolved over the last couple of years. One lesson I learned is these kittens can eat a lot, especially in the 4-6 month age range. We were up to 5 time a day feeding for awhile. They say you can't over feed a kitten. So now we settled into a verity of foods, from home made ground raw, chicken chunks of raw and commercial wet and dry. This way the cats don't seam to get bored of the food. So, don't be afraid of the grinder investment to make your own. I am now make (with help) cat food for two other owners and it goes quickly.

The boys eat a LOT. I give them food first thing in the morning, pick up what they don't eat and put out fresh before I go to work a few hours later. That's usually gone when I come home to feed them lunch. I feed them again when I get home in the afternoon and again before bed time. Keegan can put away 6 oz. in about 5 minutes, if he likes it. Sometimes I don't think he chews!

Part of my angst with the food is that I know they need the calories so I don't have the willpower to put something down that they reject and leave it there. To date I've tried six different brands of wet food and ten different dry options. Keegan will eat three of brands, but only one flavor of each. Even at small quantities, that's an investment! Both of the boys are practically climbing my legs when I'm washing the chicken and sit watching the stove expectantly while it is boiling. I'm hoping this means that they'll be amenable to raw. Kieran will eat freeze dried chicken/salmon treats. Keegan ate one each of three different Blue brand treats and now just gives me the "look" when I put out treats.