Socializing F2 kittens with their humans

[Amanda]

Hello, all!

We are only a few days into our relationship with our two male F2s (ten weeks old). They were roomies at the breeders (not siblings, but born within a few days of each other), and they seem quite bonded to each other. They are our only pets, and my husband and I have no human children.

I'd love tips from all of you about how to socialize them with us. We tried putting them in bed with us last night, and they jumped right down and slept under the bed (this was their first night not being in the bathroom by themselves). One of the kitties sits on our laps to play and accepts petting readily. The other is shyer. He'll come near us to play with a shoelace, but he'll scamper away when we try to pet him.

Thanks in advance! We're so glad these two have come into our lives.

Amanda

 

[Patty]

Welcome to the world of Savannahs. Sounds like you haven't had them for very long and they haven't had a chance to get to know you or the house. You should just let them to come you on their own, don't force them. Alot of Savannahs don't like being picked up/held. They prefer to just sit next to you for their petting. Out of all my cats, I only have a couple that will lay on my lap.

 

[Jeni]

I "documented" the first couple of weeks of having our F2 at home in the thread Baby Steps. We are currently in week four since bringing her home and she will be 17 weeks old this Sunday. It took my baby SEVERAL

 

[Jeni]

woops! i didn't mean to post that yet!

Anyway, it took several days of her hissing and hiding for her to come around. Flash forward to now, she follows me everywhere I go and sleeps with us. I too tried to get her to sleep with us the first night and she wouldn't have any of it! Just give the boys time, do the 2 week quarantine and just let them set the pace. They will be all over you before you know it and you'll be looking back laughing at how peaceful it was before they climbed your leg every time you moved

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

My recommendation is not to try to force the holding and petting thing... just read their little kitten body language... play with them and don't try to pet them every time they come close. You will know when they are coming to you for petting.

Part of the issue is getting two kittens together at the same time. They have each other so have no need of humans for companionship and love... so that may slow the process for you. If this really concerns you, you could choose to separate the babies so that they bond with you humans better. Especially the shyer one might be more willing to come to you if he doesn't have his kitten companion for company...when they get bored and the only interesting thing is the human coming in to visit it can make a big difference...

But you also have two INDIVIDUALS and just like us humans not all of us are the same. Some of us are naturally more gregarious and some of us are shy. Some of us take longer to make friends than others.

 

[Patti]

I agree with Brigitte, the best way to promote the bonding process with you is to separate the boys from each other. That is not to say that they won't eventually develop a strong bond with you as it is now, but the chances are better if you work one-on-one with them.

 

[Amanda]

Jeni -- your Baby Steps post has been incredibly helpful. It's now day four, and we've made some major breakthroughs as of last night. I took everyone's advice (thank you, Patti, Brigitte, and Patty!) about taking it a little slower. We have been studying their body language -- are they near us because we're in their play pattern, or are they near us for comfort/attention? Doug sat in the dry bathtub last night in their quarantine room, and they had a blast jumping onto him and rooting their way around him. He was rewarded with the smaller of the boys plopping down next to him to be petted. I think the bathroom was shaking from all that purring! The other boy is the shyer of the two -- he'll come near to play, but he doesn't relax near us like the other boy. I almost melted with joy last night when he took a play break for a few minutes right next to my leg. I didn't try to pet him -- I just talked to him about how handsome he was, and he started purring.

Wow, these kitties are addicting!

 

[Jeni]

Jeni -- your Baby Steps post has been incredibly helpful. It's now day four, and we've made some major breakthroughs as of last night. I took everyone's advice (thank you, Patti, Brigitte, and Patty!) about taking it a little slower. We have been studying their body language -- are they near us because we're in their play pattern, or are they near us for comfort/attention? Doug sat in the dry bathtub last night in their quarantine room, and they had a blast jumping onto him and rooting their way around him. He was rewarded with the smaller of the boys plopping down next to him to be petted. I think the bathroom was shaking from all that purring! The other boy is the shyer of the two -- he'll come near to play, but he doesn't relax near us like the other boy. I almost melted with joy last night when he took a play break for a few minutes right next to my leg. I didn't try to pet him -- I just talked to him about how handsome he was, and he started purring.

Wow, these kitties are addicting!

Awh! It sounds like they are coming right along just great I STILL continue to see improvement in Aniyah on a daily basis. That's the topic of discussion around our house. Not what the kids did today but the new thing that Aniyah did! Haha!

Just love them from afar right now if you have to. If they are already playing and coming around you guys, ya'll are making big headway!!!

And yes, they are sooooooo addicting! I stayed home for a few days after we brought Aniyah home and man did I hate having to go back to work! I find myself oooohing and awwwhing over all the baby kittie pics already wanting another one but the Mr. said NO......at least not right now it's a "no".....

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Amanda, that sounds really positive...I think with a lot of play you will end up with kittens that bond to you and then come for petting and affection

 

[Samber]

I got 2 litter mates at the same time and i know what your going thru. i didnt separate them but the breeder suggested that i do to help the bonding. one was shyer then the other but as they grew older the shy one turned out to be the outgoing one and the other one ended up being more shy. idk why but they just changed as they grew up.

i had to play a lot with them and give them space when they wanted it for them to trust me and bond with me. now they follow me where ever i go in the house.