Advice please!

[teedoxo]

I recently rescued an unneutered F4 savannah that's just over a year old. He only stayed under the bed for a couple days. He's out and about now, a little stand-offish but he's coming around. I have a vet appointment on Thursday for a check up and to have him fixed. The "breeder" I got him from fed him iams food (which I don't a prove of). He howls ALL night and I'm hoping it'll stop after he's fixed. Or is it seperation anxiety since he was in a house with about 20 other cats?
What I'm curious to know is:
-tips on developing a strong bond with this intelligent breed
-food suggestions
-will he continue to howl at night (I understand this breed is highly vocal)

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[TripleZ]

For dry food, I've been feeding Orijen. Their freeze dried treats are like crack.
For sleeping at night, does he have access to your bedroom? They don't like being alone. The flip side is, you'll likely get woken up for a few nights as he learns when bedtime is.
Best way to bond is to throw toys or play for short intervals with a feather wand. Picking up and trying to hold him won't end well. Let him come to you with treats. Patience is the key......it won't be days.....it'll be weeks.

Try to avoid negative reinforcement in the short term. No spray bottle, no yelling, no loud noises. Best you can do is put him in a room with toys by himself for a half hour. Again social creatures, he should catch on quick.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I think that with time (and neutering) the howling will stop. Part of it is hormones and then part is he must be quite anxious and uncertain in this new home. If he's gone from living with 20 cats to being an only pet that is a huge change!

I would give him time to just settle in... an as suggested play is a great way to bond with an interactive breed like the Savannah. I don't find my Savannahs vocal at all... so it may depend on the line your cat is from on whether he is a vocal cat or not.

 

[admin]

he is very handsome!

I second what TripleZ has said and will add that once he is neutered, he will likely stop all that howling

Food-wise - dry food is not really the best diet, so a high quality canned food like earthborn holistics, etc. are good foods. Or you could try something like freeze dried raw or raw...not sure what your budget is and how far you want to go as far as raw food.

He should be in a small room by himself with water, food, litterbox...is there a TV or radio on for him? better for him not to have silence...I'm sure he may be a bit confused as to where he is, since he left all he is familiar with.

Thank you for rescuing him...not sure which breeder had 20 cats - do the rest need rescuing too?

 

[teedoxo]

Thanks for the input! Much appreciated. I'm contemplating calling animal services. He wasn't a rescue exactly but after picking him up I consider him a rescue. Dirty house, bad diet etc etc.

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[admin]

Thanks for the input! Much appreciated. I'm contemplating calling animal services. He wasn't a rescue exactly but after picking him up I consider him a rescue. Dirty house, bad diet etc etc.

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I'm sorry to hear that


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[Savannah Mama]

Handsome!


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[Patti]

I agree with the others, the howling should stop, or at least improve after neutering. If you are going to feed dry I try to find high quality, grain free dry foods where the first 4-5 ingredients are a protein source. I personally feed a combination of dry, canned and raw - all are reasonable options, but if he is only going to get dry make sure he is drinking enough water.

 

[csimon]

I recently rescued an unneutered F4 savannah that's just over a year old. He only stayed under the bed for a couple days. He's out and about now, a little stand-offish but he's coming around. I have a vet appointment on Thursday for a check up and to have him fixed. The "breeder" I got him from fed him iams food (which I don't a prove of). He howls ALL night and I'm hoping it'll stop after he's fixed. Or is it seperation anxiety since he was in a house with about 20 other cats?
What I'm curious to know is:
-tips on developing a strong bond with this intelligent breed
-food suggestions
-will he continue to howl at night (I understand this breed is highly vocal)

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Boy does he look like our sweet Dick Tracy the Savannah (see photo). Nutrition made a big deal for us when it came to being loud. I would second that should try to play with him during the day to wear him out. One personal goal is to get some walks in with ours so that he gets more attention during the day.