Adopted an Adult - hissing, swatting, digging HELP

[Kat Edge]

I'm sorry for getting upset. But here I am feeling terrorized by this cat tonight, telling you I'm scared, and you tell me that I can't afford him and to rehome him... when I have said that I'm willing to try with him. However, maybe you are right. I can't afford a behavioral evaluation session right now. It's just not going to happen. I really do appreciate the advice given before, but there are so some contradicting pieces making it hard to have any idea what to actually do. Ie "Don't say NO, Do say NO", Ignore him when he does it, don't ignore him when he does it..

His aggression is extremely escalated right now. I came out of the bathroom and he gashed up my leg pretty good. I got onto the bed and he repeatedly attacked my arm, which is also really gashed up, and by gashed up I mean that my arm and legs are bleeding in multiple places. Literally, the only way for him not to attack me, is for me to sit perfectly still. The video I posted was a very tame example of his attacks. That was after he had already been coming at me a few times and was slowing down in intensity. The attacks on the bed are terrifying. I have no idea how to make him stop, and he doesn't stop until he decides he's done attacking me. He also bit my arm and hand. I tried to cover myself with a pillow, and he came around it. Or as soon as I move it, he's scratching at me and hissing again.

If you really do think rehoming him is the only solution, then I understand, but please do not underestimate my willingness to try with him. Yes, I am terrified right now, but I never said I'm giving up on him, was just wondering if it might be more beneficial to send him to the previous owners - yes I do have a contract with them that I will return him if it does not work out here.

 

[Tort518]

Kat,
I noticed several things during this long discussion that stand out to me.

Ziggy has had your fingers/hand in his mouth, but did no harm. To me that means he is signalling that he is trustworthy, but requires a boundry. If he truely intended harm you would have suffered serious injury. Oops just saw the note about biting. Was it more of a nip or did you suffer a deep wound?

The walking trigger is very odd since it didn't happen with your friends. I suspect he is anxious from having been tread upon and stumbled on repeatdly by those he resided with, but not by visitors. Does he attack you as soon as you arrive home?

He genuinely likes you or he would not have slept next to you.

Food aggression can come from a number of sources. I am too short on info to even guess the root cause, however you may want to try the following idea: get a cardboard box, prepare the food inside the box with the box on its side. You can the sit the box down facing away from him and move away letting him go to it/find it. You may even consider making a game of it by placing the open side against a wall so he has to think and work out how to get to it. You can softly praise him from across the room when he does get to the food. That may help him change his association with food from protection to reward.

My feeling is that Ziggy will come around with time and patience.

Also, if you and your friends want to meet another Savannah servant, I live in MD and would be willing to meet up at a cafe of your choosing some Saturday in April.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I have to think that the escalation of Ziggy's behavior you are reporting is in reaction to your emotions. You admit being upset and I know how our feelings transmit to our pets. When I am upset, my pets wish to comfort me, they FEEL my pain. But if it was a cat that doesn't know or trust you then you being upset puts them on edge and increases their anxiety... so I think that is what is going on here. He is feeling your fear and he is reacting to it.

I don't know what to do about your feelings that our advice is conflicting. You will get many opinions on this forum when you ask for help. And mostly in life, everyone does not agree all the time, hence not all the advice is going to be the same. You need to decide what advice makes the most sense to you in your situation...or you need to decide whose opinion you want to trust most and go with that.

The words on rehoming were mostly meant (I think) to give you alternative plans if you truly feel overwhelmed, as some of your words today really did sound like you were heading in that direction. The problem with the written word is that we don't see your facial expression and we don't hear your tone of voice. So maybe we misinterpret what you are asking for.

My advice right now is to think calm and positive thoughts...try to exude calm assurance.

 

[Patti]

Well this is a little insane if you can't even move on the bed without him attacking you. It sounds like you need to separate him for a time, although I have no idea how you can do that in the apartment you described. Have you tried using the wand toy to distract him when he tries to attack you?

I am starting to wonder if there is something physical going on. Cats can have erratic behavior that is caused by many things including a chemical imbalance, brain tumor, toxoplasmosis, hyperthyroidism, epilepsy, abscess, arthritis, dental disease, rabies, trauma, etc. Cats can also have psychiatric issues and it is not unknown to treat them with anxiolytics/antidepressants such as Prozac or Paxil. Sometimes pheromone infusers or collars (e.g., Comfort Zone) can help as well.

I also want to make sure this is not redirected aggression - there is no possibility that there is a cat or dog outside that may be triggering his behavior. Also, I'm not sure that you ever mentioned - he is neutered, correct?

I understand the money is tight, there are many articles online that might help, here is just one that is pretty general but thorough: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/health_resources/brochure_aggression.cfm

 

[John Campbell]

I agree with Tort, Pets can pick up on your feelings.. They are little mind readers, and do it well... When you approach them scared, they sense that, when you feel good and happy, they can sense that as well... Don't let him know you are scared or frightened of him... I know when I am down and out, feeling bad, Jake (my Dog), and Elsa (My Savannah) both know when I am down and come to me to make me feel better... Likewise, when they know that I am PO'd, they tend to shy back.

I know this is not much, hope it helps.

 

[SV Dad]

Kat,
Parts of the behavior you are discussing, is occurring currently with my son's savannah.
Just now his cat was aggressive toward my wife. Just a few minutes ago, he drew blood after swiping at my wife as he charged her.
We do not let this cat mingle with our pride of 4 cats, as his cat has been quite aggressive towards them when he gets out of my son's room (which is a fairly large room, so don't worry about the cat being cooped up.) We do let the cat have a couple of hours roaming most of the house for exercise and boredom relief. We put the host cats in the master suite during this time.
This cat is 3 years old. My son has had him since 12 weeks. This cat has always had peculiar behaviors. He has (more so in the past) swiped at anybody walking by. He has attempted to nip at body parts. This cat has not been mistreated at all. His demeanor is described as "cranky."
The situation with my wife a moment ago was my son's cat was sticking his paws under the door of the master suite towards the other cats. As this is dangerous to all of the cats, my wife shooed him away from the door. This apparently angered my son's cat and he charged my wife and swatted her. He got scruffed and put back into his room immediately.
The point I am trying to raise, some of these cats, (in my opinion I believe they think they are in charge of the humans) act aggressively as a show of dominance. I feel this may have been the situation at my house. The cat was mad at my wife.
In your situation, I am starting to wonder if the cat is trying to establish dominance. At his previous home, he may have found that behavior allowed him to basically do as he pleased, however inappropriate it may have been. Or, it was a means to get everybody away from him and leave him alone.
In my first post to you, I encouraged patience. We have had this challenge cat in my house for 7 months. We have made great progress in the behavior, as the random swatting has stopped, and the cat now approaches for a pat on the head and gives head bumps. Today was the first time in a long time he has been overtly aggressive toward a human.
This cat is on Prozac. Many discussions with the vet about his behaviors brought on the medication. We feel it does help. There are many moments when this cat is like any other cat.
I suggest wearing some heavy long legged material (blue jeans) to protect yourself.
I do wonder if the previous owners would play rough with the cat, in that they would let him bite and swat in rough play. On occasion my cats will start the rough play and grab with claws and kick with the back feet. I always stop as soon as I detect this is evolving, and quit the activity.
But, I seriously wonder if the cat is trying to train you.
I can assure you the members on this forum are seriously trying to help you. You do have a challenge on your hands. The cat sleeping near you and laying near you is a good sign. My son's cat does the same things.
Be patient and try to think the actions through. Bridgett has done quite a few rehomings with problem savannahs. Lean on her advice. I think it has been hard won advice.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Rascal dad, the swatting at your wife sounds like classic cat redirected aggression. Be very careful going to scruff a cat that is reacting that way...it could easily turn worse :-(

In terms of the paws under the doors...I've installed door sweeps so that the cats cannot see through to the other side.... http://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Ha...Hardware-Door-Repair-Door-Sweeps/N-5yc1vZc7kg

 

[SV Dad]

Thanks Brigitte. Yeah, she got some cuts. (But my wife doesn't take any crap from anything. Me included.)

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

BTW all, not sure if Kat Edge will update... Ziggy was returned to his previous owner today and that owner has contacted Savannah Rescue and the breeder and we will try to work it out from there!

 

[John Campbell]

BTW all, not sure if Kat Edge will update... Ziggy was returned to his previous owner today and that owner has contacted Savannah Rescue and the breeder and we will try to work it out from there!

Sorry to hear that... I wish the best for them both...