F2 4mo old kitten socializing

[crodgers]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to ask what the time frame is that you recommend after the initial quarantine period to start socializing the Savannah to other animals?

We have one male cat that is 3yo and 3 Chihuahuas varying ages from 1-6. Also a German Shepherd that is 3yo.

Any tips, tricks, help from anyone would be appreciated. She "Zoe" is great with me as long as she is not eating and I'm close to her, even though I bring her out her food. But she still hisses from time to time, if I even look her direction while she is chowing down.

Other than that, playtime is great, but if she see's one of the other animals, other than "1" of my other Chihuahua's she goes in defense mode.

If I were to describe her personality, she is still scared of just about everything. If I'm sitting at my computer desk, she is a doll and comes up sits behind me or in my lap and cuddles. If I stand up at her cat tree and pet her she is awesome. I take a step back or move back to my desk, it's like I'm a different person and I get hissed at.

Some of these behaviors I've never seen but this is a good start to what she is like off the bat. Attaching a picture for reference.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Welcome to the forum. Zoe is adorable. If she is still hissing at you and a bit jumpy, then she's not quite ready to meet the other animals face to face. There are tips in the attachment of the first post here http://www.savannahcatchat.com/threads/introducing-a-new-cat-into-the-family.4746/. Use the same method to introduce Zoe to the dogs. It's very important to not rush the process even though it means Zoe will remain in isolation a bit longer.

 

[crodgers]

Reading through that now, thank you!

 

[admin]

Many kittens growl and hiss when eating - some stop and some never do...Zoe is so adorable!!! Sounds like she is still a bit scared and unsure of herself, so I would follow Deb's (Witchy) advice and not rush it.

 

[Patti]

I also agree to give her more time to settle in before attempting to introduce her to the other animals. It may be that she attaches to them easily, but it sounds like she's not quite ready to try it quite yet.

 

[crodgers]

I also agree to give her more time to settle in before attempting to introduce her to the other animals. It may be that she attaches to them easily, but it sounds like she's not quite ready to try it quite yet.

Quick update. So I did everything that was suggested and quarantined her again for a couple weeks with no interaction with the other animals. Then at night I would open her bedroom door and let her roam the house, getting used to the other animals smells and such. Then slowly started introducing the male Tabby and now they are the best play buds. The male Tabby (Sampson) doesn't understand the headbutts yet and frequent attacking of his tail by Zoe, but they are getting along. My alpha male Chihuahua and her are doing great. Mutual respect going on. The female chihuahuas are getting there but still getting hissed at to which they walk away.

Now the Shepherd... every time she comes close, Zoe will hiss and WW3 attempts to break out.

What might start out as good intentions by the shepherd to get the sniff, she pushes Zoe over the edge and when she makes her cat noises, Dakota goes into defense mode and starts her strong barking and the escalation ensues.

So now my focus is on the dog but I'm not sure how this is going to work out with it. I might end up making her a permanent outside dog if this keeps up. Any suggestions?

 

[Patti]

I would try confining the shepherd somehow, either by leash or preferably by crate when they are in the same room together. Try this for a few weeks at least. Make sure that she has plenty of vertical space so that she can easily get out of the shepherd's reach. Sometimes it can take a looong time for them to acclimate, especially when it is a larger dog. I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback and some of the cats immediately took to him, others chased (and continue to chase) him, and others took weeks to months to get to a point where they would tolerate his presence without hissing, swatting, or running away (which of course just makes him want to chase them)