Savannah Cat Chat - THE Place for Savannah Cat Talk
Welcome to the Savannah Cat Chat Forum! Our forum has been in existence since 2012 and is the only one of its kind. We were here, serving the savannah cat community before Facebook and Instagram! Register for a free account today to become a member! Please use an email program other than Hotmail, since Hotmail accounts are blacklisted by many servers and ISP's. Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site in some of the forums by adding your own topics and posts. But in order to take advantage of the full features, such as a private inbox as well as connect with other members ad access some of the larger topics, a donation of $2.99/mo or $25/yr is requested. This will allow us to continue running this forum!
Need advice on adopting a 6 year old male f1 !!
- Thread starter Rhodescat
- Start date
Poor boy. He must be totally confused by the change in his world. Cats generally don't like change; SVs dislike it in a big way; F1s will make you suffer just for trying to do something good for them if it involves change. One of my F2s goes into a tailspin if I rearrange the furniture. My F1 gets very twitchy and takes out his fear on us and the other cats. It's not always easy living with HP cats.
You are right. He seems sad & misses his old house & previous owner. I was thinking of giving him 1 more week alone in his room. The house is almost child proof-ish. Any advice for setting him free in the house? I have a safe room for my 16 year old tabby cat almost ready. Should his food & litter be on the same floor? A litter box on both floors? Thank you in advance.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
He sounds like he is acting just like an adult F1 in a strange new home... it's just going to take time to win him over.
How long has he been in that room? Do have a safe room for your elderly cat ready, as she doesn't need to deal with an angry big kitty. In terms of litterboxes I would err on the side of generosity...more litterboxes than less. Definitely one on each floor.
How long has he been in that room? Do have a safe room for your elderly cat ready, as she doesn't need to deal with an angry big kitty. In terms of litterboxes I would err on the side of generosity...more litterboxes than less. Definitely one on each floor.
SavannahLuv
Site Supporter
I personally wouldn't set him free in the house until he seems more settled or it could delay progress and scare him more/cause him to hide. Once he starts feeling more comfortable and confident in his room, then I'd slowly start introducing him to the rest of the house. Litter boxes on each floor is definitely a good idea. You can always get rid of some later, but to start with I'd make sure to have plenty around.
Does he have a favorite treat? Bribery with treats and toys is how I get my friends/family to interact with Shango. He's pretty much bonded to me and me alone and everyone else gets hissed at... unless they have a tasty treat or a wand toy. Shango is super picky, but he loves any treat by Fresh is Best. The duck & chicken hearts are his favorite though.
Were you able to get that bulky invisible fence collar off of him? I know I'd hate having that thing around my neck all of the time.
Does he have a favorite treat? Bribery with treats and toys is how I get my friends/family to interact with Shango. He's pretty much bonded to me and me alone and everyone else gets hissed at... unless they have a tasty treat or a wand toy. Shango is super picky, but he loves any treat by Fresh is Best. The duck & chicken hearts are his favorite though.
Were you able to get that bulky invisible fence collar off of him? I know I'd hate having that thing around my neck all of the time.
Litter boxes on both floors. Keep food and water in his room until he is comfortable having use of the whole house. Are you able to block the door to his room with baby-gates? It might be better for him to hear the sounds of the household routine before setting him completely free. If there's a way to block off the upstairs so he can get used to that floor first, I would do that.
How he adapts depends on his fear level. If you can't block off the 2nd floor, maybe consider putting him in a large crate for a few hours a day -- in the living room for den or where ever the family spends some hours in the evening. Cover half the crate with a blanket so he can retreat if he gets upset. Doing that for awhile gives him more time to adapt. The risk with setting him completely free if he doesn't trust anyone enough to handle him is that he can get into trouble that you can't get him out of or he could stuff himself somewhere inconvenient and stay there for days.
How he adapts depends on his fear level. If you can't block off the 2nd floor, maybe consider putting him in a large crate for a few hours a day -- in the living room for den or where ever the family spends some hours in the evening. Cover half the crate with a blanket so he can retreat if he gets upset. Doing that for awhile gives him more time to adapt. The risk with setting him completely free if he doesn't trust anyone enough to handle him is that he can get into trouble that you can't get him out of or he could stuff himself somewhere inconvenient and stay there for days.
I agree with Deborah - unless you are willing to let him 'disappear' in the house, possibly for days, I would wait until he is more comfortable and responsive to you. If he takes treats from your hand and/or will follow a wand toy to play with it, those are potential tools you can use to coax him back into his room.
Once you do let him out he will probably find a 'safe place' that he will like to retreat to (whether you think it's a good place or not) but whatever your timing is for introducing him to the rest of the house, try to take it slowly and one room at a time if possible.
Once you do let him out he will probably find a 'safe place' that he will like to retreat to (whether you think it's a good place or not) but whatever your timing is for introducing him to the rest of the house, try to take it slowly and one room at a time if possible.
Rhodescat...I forgot something very important -- you should not release the F1 under any circumstances until you have introduced him to your elder cat. Even if they end up not getting along in the long run, it's important that both have time to get used to each other.
Rob1984
Savannah Super Cat
why did he bite you ? i think u said u have kids if he is biting you i wouldnt let him out yet