Raising a pair. Siblings. Male female. pros cons.

[sarahb]

Thanks! Same goes for your kitties as well! (-:


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[John Campbell]

Super excited! We get to vist anytime we want over the next month!

But on to serious business. Isolation, socializing, crate training, leash training. The sooner we can take them to work the better but until then we are both very very busy. The breeder said seperating them isn't necessary I'm not so sure. I agree that keeping them together will reduce stress during the isolation period. Just not sure. I'm more concerned with how much time we will have with the babies till we can take them to work.

Thanks for the nice words! I'll get some more pics up!

That would probably be good, and if you help socialize them, that may quicken your bond with them... Taking them to work.. Nice option... I wish I could do that as well, but my industry, that would not be a good thing... I can just see it now, in the middle of a broke plane in "Ten Buck Two" somewhere, trying to work up a game plan and Elsa comes to steal my papers that I am working with to get the plane fixed... I certainly hope your industry is better tolerable of pets in the work place.

 

[Carykd7kau]

Sarahb. Beautiful babies. They are so innocent looking at that age.

Steve. You will do just fine. Just be patient. Remember, if you ask you will receieve.
"God give me patience...and give it to me NOW!!!" is NOT the way to ask, though. That way will allow you to receive MANY opportunities to learn.

 

[Steve]

Thanks Cary, I certainly have the patience, what I don't have is the knowledge which is why I'm on this board I train hawks and falcons for hunting and there is a very set routine from egg to field and I know how to do that very well. It's the routine, the plan, to take the kittens from 10 week olds to the ultimately socialized 2 year olds that can be taken in any public environment. I know I'm over thinking it and the most important thing is to ENJOY the moment! But it's my nature. Comes from training birds. Week 1 do this, week 2 do that. Routine.

I plan on putting the harnesses on a week after they arrive. After 2 weeks of isolation let them start getting familiar with the pixie bob indoor kittie. Would love to get more opinions on what age the kittens can start going out in public and how to acclimate them to the noises and chaos of the outside world. (I would actually take my goshawk chick to small concerts )

A couple more pics

 

[WitchyWoman]

Steve…You can try keeping them together in isolation and see if they are interested in you, interact with you, let you pet & hold them. If they are interacting with you rather than ignoring you, I don't see any reason to separate them. If, after a few days getting used to their surroundings, they want only each other, then you'll have to separate them for the remainder of quarantine. If you decide to keep them together, be sure to spend lots and lots and lots of time with them so they have someone other than each other for comfort and play. If you have any doubt about them bonding with you, separate them.

They should be ok for outdoor training when they are sufficiently vaccinated and they have comfortably acclimated to the house, your family, and the pixie bob. Your vet should be able to advise you about the vaccinations and sufficiency of their immunity.

As far as training them to get used to outside -- baby steps. I started by taking mine into the backyard to let them explore, then to the end of the driveway, then 1/2 block from home and progressively increased the distance they walked as their confidence and stamina increased.

One of mine isn't fazed by anything. One goes a bit bonkers at everything -- cars, other animals, strangers. One is so scared of everything that we take him out in a pet stroller. One or both or neither of yours may become comfortable anywhere but home so it's always helpful to have a Plan B.

 

[Steve]

Excellent, thanks. We will have a lot of time mornings to interact with them and then I think we are going to take turns going home during the day, we live pretty close to work. What would be your opinion on feeding and if it's important to be there for every feeding session and to free feed or not. Specifically during the isolation period. I know the breeder is doing chicken treats. Opinion on that?

 

[WitchyWoman]

You should feed them at least 3 meals a day. I kept kibble down between meals until I transitioned mine to raw which was during the 2nd week of their quarantine. They wouldn't eat the kibble after they started raw. If they are eating well 3 times a day and not playing the picky eater game, gaining weight and looking good, you don't have to leave down food between the main meals. I worked too far away from home to feed an afternoon meal and worried when they stopped eating the kibble. However, they chowed down breakfast, dinner, and again right before bed and grew like weeds. You can always give them a snack or a 4th meal before bed.

Two of my kittens came to me superbly socialized and they immediately bonded to me and while I made sure they knew I was the source of the food, I didn't stay in the room during feeding. My third wasn't so socialized and not only did I have to stay in the room during meals, I had to gradually work him up to eating out of my hand. So, you just need to observe them and if they're lovey dovey with you, you can sit in for the first few days just to hedge your bets and then don't worry about it. A good session of play right before you feed and some nice cuddle time after is important.

Just remember that what you do or don't do during that very important quarantine period can set the tone of your relationship with them for the rest of your lives. So the more effort you make and the more time you spend during those 2 weeks will better ensure loyal loving fur kids.

 

[Steve]

Just remember that what you do or don't do during that very important quarantine period can set the tone of your relationship with them for the rest of your lives. So the more effort you make and the more time you spend during those 2 weeks will better ensure loyal loving fur kids.

That is EXACTLY my assumption and is why we are going to make plans for these 2 weeks to the point of adding staff so Rochelle and I can get away.

I'm also thinking is have the breeder establish a similar routine as one that we will have when the kittens arrive. Just a thought.

Thanks!!!

 

[Becki]

One reason you may wish to stay while they eat is to ensure each one is getting their portion and someone isn't being a piggy and eating theirs PLUS their sibling's! My boy eats far more than my girlie ever did as a kitten. He is still a kitten and growing, so he is still eating more than she does, in fact, I think he eats more than most lions, but that is another story for another day. If they were the same age and I had raised them together, I think he would have taken his, hers and anyone else's he could get his paws on! Also, because I feed raw, I would ensure you see how much they will eat in one setting as you don't want that sitting out for hours on end.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Super excited! We get to vist anytime we want over the next month!

But on to serious business. Isolation, socializing, crate training, leash training. The sooner we can take them to work the better but until then we are both very very busy. The breeder said seperating them isn't necessary I'm not so sure. I agree that keeping them together will reduce stress during the isolation period. Just not sure. I'm more concerned with how much time we will have with the babies till we can take them to work.

Thanks for the nice words! I'll get some more pics up!

I think the reason people suggest separating them for the initial 2 weeks is to establish a strong bond with the humans. The risk when they have each other, whom they have known for birth and are obviously likely to be tightly bonded...is that they may not bond as well to you. They might like you well enough, but they have their sibling.

So some people find it upsetting that the cats are more into each other than the human... it really is up to you and what you want from these kittens! And the extent of how much difference this might make likely depends on the individual personalities of those kittens.

I don't think it wrong to not separate them, and certainly it will be easier on you... just know what the downside might be. I do think that separating them will maximize the bonding with the humans... just then you have the issue of the kittens being lonely without their sibling and you feeling like you are torn between the two rooms!