Hello, I'm new to this site! My name is Jazmine and my F1 girl comes home in about a month so once she is here, I will definitely upload pics and introduce her (still not set on a name yet and she is very much in the "fuzzies" stage). She'll be coming home around 9 weeks old. I'm so excited but a little stressed at the same time because I'm still figuring out exactly what things I need to have in the house for her to be happy, and me as well. I just want everything to be as perfect as it can be when she comes home. Let me first say, YES, I know she is an F1 and I know what that means. I also know that no matter how much research I've done and how much I've talked to my breeder, there will be some things that I might not be able to prepare for until I just experience them with her. I hope that makes sense. I just don't want any negativity or anyone to tell me that I don't know what I'm getting myself into because I do. I grew up with all kinds of animals and have experience with sphynxes and other "special" animals. But in no way am I an expert on bengals or F1 bengals and I know they are very different from sbt and I also know each individual cat is different, I've just always loved the breed and fell in love with the F1 personality and have done extensive research on the pros AND the cons. I do have great contact with my breeder but it would be nice to hear from other F1/EG owners.
Things I have questions about/would appreciate advice on:
Feeding:
-How long should I keep her on the wet kitten food the breeder feeds her? I do want to transition her into an all raw diet which I have some experience with. I know I need to let her get use to her new home before I make any drastic changes, but i would like to get her on raw as soon as i can so when do you think it’s appropriate?
-Also, what do you guys think about raw premixes? I won't be able to grind the meat and bone myself so I need to find the best way to get a balanced diet for her. (When I did raw before I just bought pre-made raw once a month from a local company that made it themselves). It was also quite expensive to buy it that way. I am open to doing other forms of raw but the premix powder seems so much easier than mixing each supplement individually and making sure the proportions are right, etc.
-What are the best snacks to feed a kitten once she is on raw? The breeder mentioned frozen feeder mice and chicks and live goldfish in a bowl of water for her to play and eat. i'm not too sure about any of those…I am completely willing to make sacrifices for her but I don’t think I could handle anything thats alive or still in it regular form and if there were any leftover parts or blood…..
-Should I give her space when she's eating or pet her and talk to her during her meal? Does that help with bonding? I suspect this will depend on how she likes to eat.
-What is the best meat to feed her? Especially to help with odor in the litter department? I know raw in general helps with odor but I've also heard chicken specifically can make it more smelly and most people tend to feed raw chicken...so is turkey or something else better? I know it will also depend on what she will eat. She could be picky.
-Best way to give them water? Just a regular bowl or should I get a little fountain? I'm worried she would just play in it and not drink it.
Nails:
-Any luck with those nail caps? I'm nervous about furniture scratching even if I have scratching posts out. I also heard there is something the vets can do now where they put the caps on but they stay for 3 or 4 months instead of just a few weeks when you do them yourself. Has anyone heard about this? I cannot find any info about it on the web. I refuse to declaw but the breeder warned me it may be really difficult to trim her nails because F1s typically do not like it at all and will fight you if you try.
Random:
-What are you EGs fav litters? Has anyone ever tried wood chips in the litter to help with smell? The breeder strictly litter trains her F1s so I shouldn't have to worry about her using the bathroom in the tubs, sinks, water bowls, but I know it is a possibility.
-Fav toys for your EGs? I’m already planning for cat trees and scratching posts/the basics and different shelving combinations for her to climb the walls and I want to get one of those “PetCubes” if anyone is familiar with those. It’s a little camera i can view from my phone when i’m not home so I can see her, talk to her, and play with her via the built in laser!!
Sorry I know this is a lot. Hopefully I get some responses on her and I can ask more questions over the next few weeks and when she comes home.
*Any random tips/tricks/advice would be greatly appreciated! Especially on her first coming home (I was told to keep her in a small "comfort" room if I'm not home and when I am home with her be really affectionate and hold her as i show her and help her get use to the house), any good training techniques, etc. Glad I found this community!
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