Single Kitten Issues?

[shelby]

I wish I had something Savannah to add but I don't >_<.

To keep this post from being completely useless (then again, maybe not) Several years ago, there was no real help in this town if you had a feral problem, no TNR program, the shelter was forever full, and there was a Catch 22: I'd been discouraged from bringing the few ferals I could contain to the vet to be spayed and get shots, because they'd only accept animals who'd received shots and to get them shots I'd have to take them to the vet and... I was a teenager, and didn't have a steady source of income- it was all I could do to feed the ferals and get their kittens into good homes, best I could do at the time.

One of the ferals, Kitty only ever had three kittens per litter or a single one. The single ones always turned out to be insane, demonic, destructive, completely uninterested in playing/being touched with/by while their mother was the friendliest feral you'd ever met. I think some of them just have the souls of wildcats, can't be tamed... then again, I imagine the lack of siblings probably was one of the big issues.

Of course, they were almost definitely inbreds, so that could have played a part, too...

But uhh, so long as Vienna's getting lots of attention from her caretakers, I wouldn't really worry- kittens of any breed learn about.. restraint when playing/scratching/biting from littermates, and a lack of that could possibly lead to a kitten that doesn't know how far is too far. But I'm sure the people at Halestone Savannahs (along with the kitten's mother, who can also play that role) are doing their best with Vienna!

On another note, I was thinking of getting Vakai a companion- he cries so much when I leave the room for even a few minutes! I hope he's open to it! I've read that it tends to be easier when the cat in question is younger...

Being an only kitten does not make them any different that those born in large litters. Sometimes a kitten that is not handled early on and socialized well will be a bit of a challenge. They are all like little sponges..they soak up what they are taught...or not. The most important time to socialize is between 4 and 7 weeks in my HO. If this is not done...THEY DO NOT MISS WHAT THEY HAVE NEVER KNOWN.

 

[Medesha]

>_> It's the only experience I've had with single kittens. I DID say the ferals were inbred...

 

[shelby]

>_> It's the only experience I've had with single kittens. I DID say the ferals were inbred...

I will repeat my point..Singletons would have no reason to act any differently IF SOCIALIZED PROPERLY.

 

[Medesha]

I will repeat my point..Singletons would have no reason to act any differently IF SOCIALIZED PROPERLY.

I'll repeat my point. I did everything I could to socialize the single kittens I've had experience with- the point was to get them into good homes so they didn't have to live in the backyards of my neighborhood for the rest of their lives. And despite everything I did, the singletons were insane.

'Course, the demented-ness probably had more to do with the fact that they were inbred or just plain ornery- the singleton aspect of those kittens in particular was the only similar thing that stood out to me.

But this is veering way off topic. I'm sorry for having ever brought my experience up.

 

[lrmichelle]

Hey, Medesha (and Shelby) - Whatever your experience with the feral kittens, the whole situation with my kitty is so much different that it really doesn't worry me, especially after hearing from the different breeders who responded.

Thank you all for your responses

 

[Medesha]

Hey, Medesha (and Shelby) - Whatever your experience with the feral kittens, the whole situation with my kitty is so much different that it really doesn't worry me, especially after hearing from the different breeders who responded.

Thank you all for your responses

Say it with me, THREE WEEKS!

*squees for you*

 

[lrmichelle]

Say it with me, THREE WEEKS!

*squees for you*

Oh, I am so very excited! I've always loved animals, but I've never been so obsessed with one before! I don't want to become one of those crazy cat ladies, but it's so hard to resist, especially with a Savannah

It's so nice that everyone who already owns a Savannah (or more) gets so excited for people waiting for their new kitten to arrive.

 

[Medesha]

Oh, I think everyone here knows how it is- You kinda get a pang when you realize you've clicked on every link on google remotely Savannah cat related, wonder if that's a problem, then go off on the search for more in an attempt to kill time 'till the kitty comes home!

 

[Kronos]

Just think of it this way, your singleton kitten will get MORE socialization from mommy cat and the breeders because, well, they don't have to worry about a bunch of siblings

 

[waitingforgeorge]

George was a single from 5 weeks on, his mom went back into heat and was done with him and he was an only kitten. I sought the advice of the forum here when I realized what the issues could be and realized they could be as positive as they were negative. Positive, he is a self soother, can sleep on his own from day one with only a warming pad. Maybe he is not sure if he is a kid or kitten, not bad either in our house. Not easily startled or scared, never had anyone to teach him he should be scared so he is pretty brave. We are careful to make sure he has positive experiances since he has been home, and I had to be mommy litter box patrol up until the last few weeks, but maybe that is normal for a multi litter kitten, I don't know. All in all I will say the positives outweigh the negatives for us at least.