Questions for Marilyn, the Cat Coach, on Savannah Cat Behavior

[Karen]

Interesting that you mentioned the plexi glass. We installed it infront of the same upper hallway rail years ago when our kids were small. The vertical rails are widely spaced and we wanted peace of mind when our kids used to crawl in the upstairs hallway. Plexi glass worked well for this- and no one was able to notice that it was there! Perhaps we should remove this plexi glass from this area to give Bella the ability to peek through the vertical rails? (our children are older now and can't fit through the rails). Only problem with this is that Bella may be used to the plexi glass being there, and may use it to hold herself on the horizontal hand rail when she "straddles it". I could remove it in small sections and see what happens. What do you think?

We also thought of installing additional plexi glass pieces up to the ceiling, but feel that this would be very dangerous for us to try. The hallway in this area is very narrow- not much room for a ladder. We have a contemporary styled home- the ceiling is high in this area and slopes down toward the front entry hall.

I can try to place a small cat tree in this area-- (not much room to walk around it). Shelves on the wall may work- but due to the narrow nature of this hallway (it is only 3 feet 4 inches wide), we may end up being banged up and bruised as we walk into them! Will try to ignore her when she is there! Thanks for your input!

 

[schlieperk]

Hi Marilyn,
I need some good advice. We have adopted a 14wk old male F2B savannah. When I met him at the breeder, his personality was very good and outgoing. I brought him home and quarrantined him in his own small room. I know it's a strange place with new smells and everything is overwhelming. It's been a week. I've slept in there and spent most of my free time with him. I monitor him remotely by camera and he plays while I am not in there. When I am in there, he will eat and will play with stick toys, but he is very threatened by me. He will not allow me to pet him or touch him in any way. I avoid eye contact and move very slowly, but he still does not trust me. I know he is in a self preservation mode, but how do I best show him that I am not a threat? I need to instill trust, but the hissing is wearing on my wife and I.

 

[Oncilla]

HI Marilyn,

I have an F3 female that attacks other cats sporadically. She will be sleeping near (never to close) to the a cat one day and then all of a sudden they walk by in a relaxed mode and she attacks them. This is not just a slap thing. She grabbed on by the throat yesterday and I had to grab a spoon to pry her mouth open.

A little history on her:

She was gifted to me because she was always a wild child and was never touchable and we all know how I love those. LOL... She was about 8months when I got her. I spent a ton of time with her and I can now pet her head and rub her back. That's all tho. Side feet and legs will get me sliced open.

She has lived with these same cats for years and the issue of attacking started 10 or 12 months ago. She is indoors and I have a lot of vertical space which she utilizes most if the time. There are plenty of toys, several kind of food out at all times, and lots of windows to see out. She does not bother her daughter nor her granddaughter and she never bothers my old male Buddy.

Yesterday she attack my F2 female Jacklyn and she is no wimp when it comes to a kitty brawl. Jacklyn is a calm cat who never bothers anyone but can defend herself well. This is the first time she has attacked her which concerns me.

She seems a lot worse since she had a litter (no live kittens) 5 weeks ago. I have to keep one F2 female separated from her as she will be after her 24/7. Khyara is afraid of a piss ant so I think that is why she bother her so much.

My home is in chaos because of her and I am out of ideas. The only outdoor enclosure I have that she can go in is with my F1 and I do not want her bred to Athena's domestic husband, so it is indoors until I get new enclosures built this summer.

Is there anything I can do to quell her outburst?

 

[Diana]

Let's start with the litter box situation... first of all you need at least 5 litter boxes, located throughout the house, in different areas. You should have one box per cat and one for the house. Cats need choices, just in case one box doesn't feel safe, also cats sometimes resource guard litter boxes--laying in front of the entrance to where the box is. The other cats won't walk by to use the box. Also, the boxes need to be uncovered and not located in enclosed areas. Big wood boxes are enclosed areas. Also, wooden boxes, like covered litter boxes retain odors. No matter how often you scoop, a cat's sensitive nose still detects the odors. Most bathrooms, all cabinets and closets are not good locations for boxes (unless there are lots of boxes elsewhere) because cats feel they can be trapped or ambushed in those locations.

Also, I highly recommend throwing excrement away immediately after scooping and not keeping it in plastic bags in the litter box areas... this is the same as not scooping...

And... don't use bleach to clean up targeted areas. Bleach can act as an attractant for peeing... instead use the AIP, let it dry naturally and then spray it on again.

Hi Marilyn,

Thanks so much for taking time for my question!

I suspected you might suggest more litter boxes; we were planning to add more boxes, but were pleasantly surprised when things worked well with the two big ones, for a few months. But, the kittens are no longer kittens, and the youngest is in his spastic puberty stage -- they probably really do need more now.

I will try adding more boxes, and carrying the poop out to the trash after each cleaning. I know that Tafi especially is VERY sensitive to smells - he is the "dainty" one, definitely the runt of his litter.

I will also add a scratching tower to the area where Tafi is peeing. They already have two tall climbing towers, and lots of high places/shelves/ledges to hang out in in our house, plus a couple of scratchers -- but it can't hurt.

I also didn't realize bleach could be counter-productive - thank you for the tip!!

Diana

 

[The Cat Coach]

One question-
I have my back yard enclosed in cat fencing about 200 feet in length. My F1 Savannah will often amuse herself by picking up a fuzzy toy in her mouth and walk the length of it, back and forth carrying the toy the whole time.
Why does she do this? Thanks

I am assuming she is whole. That could have something to do with the behavior.

also, some animals develop OCD behaviors based on natural behaviors. In other words, cats are territorial and they do walk their territory. OCD version of this is extreme pacing. You see it in zoos. Or... she could be bored and needs more stimulation. Check to see if she does this mainly in the evenings and mornings. These are the times that there is more cortisol released... this is needed for hunting. If you do see a correlation and a pattern to the time the pacing occur, then play with her in the way I described in an earlier post and than feed her something she loves.

 

[The Cat Coach]

Hi Marilyn-
One more question.... We have 4 cats. Our 9 year old DSH female (who is aloof by nature) has recently started to scratch our leather sectional. The poor couch has multiple puncture marks on it. Not sure why she has started to do this. Her claws are trimmed regularly, she has a scratching post that she does use, and there have been no recent issues with the other cats/her. She had a hard time accepting our SV, but got over that a long time ago with a "scent transfer process". Why would she suddenly start to scratch an area that she had no interest in for years? How do I stop this? Suggestions for leather repair would also be appreciated!
Thanks!

Let's save this for later... right now I want to answer one question per person. Ask me later on in the week when there are fewer questions to answer.

 

[The Cat Coach]

HI Marilyn,

I have an F3 female that attacks other cats sporadically. She will be sleeping near (never to close) to the a cat one day and then all of a sudden they walk by in a relaxed mode and she attacks them. This is not just a slap thing. She grabbed on by the throat yesterday and I had to grab a spoon to pry her mouth open.

A little history on her:

She was gifted to me because she was always a wild child and was never touchable and we all know how I love those. LOL... She was about 8months when I got her. I spent a ton of time with her and I can now pet her head and rub her back. That's all tho. Side feet and legs will get me sliced open.

She has lived with these same cats for years and the issue of attacking started 10 or 12 months ago. She is indoors and I have a lot of vertical space which she utilizes most if the time. There are plenty of toys, several kind of food out at all times, and lots of windows to see out. She does not bother her daughter nor her granddaughter and she never bothers my old male Buddy.

Yesterday she attack my F2 female Jacklyn and she is no wimp when it comes to a kitty brawl. Jacklyn is a calm cat who never bothers anyone but can defend herself well. This is the first time she has attacked her which concerns me.

She seems a lot worse since she had a litter (no live kittens) 5 weeks ago. I have to keep one F2 female separated from her as she will be after her 24/7. Khyara is afraid of a piss ant so I think that is why she bother her so much.

My home is in chaos because of her and I am out of ideas. The only outdoor enclosure I have that she can go in is with my F1 and I do not want her bred to Athena's domestic husband, so it is indoors until I get new enclosures built this summer.

Is there anything I can do to quell her outburst?

I'm hearing hormones... is there anyway you keep her separated from the girls she's reacting to for a little while?

 

[Oncilla]

I'm hearing hormones... is there anyway you keep her separated from the girls she's reacting to for a little while?

I do when I am not home. I have to put her in the bathroom. I tried a bedroom and shse started tearing up carpet by door to get out. She is certainly worse when she is in heat as well. I will try and keepher there more.

 

[The Cat Coach]

Hi Marilyn,
I need some good advice. We have adopted a 14wk old male F2B savannah. When I met him at the breeder, his personality was very good and outgoing. I brought him home and quarrantined him in his own small room. I know it's a strange place with new smells and everything is overwhelming. It's been a week. I've slept in there and spent most of my free time with him. I monitor him remotely by camera and he plays while I am not in there. When I am in there, he will eat and will play with stick toys, but he is very threatened by me. He will not allow me to pet him or touch him in any way. I avoid eye contact and move very slowly, but he still does not trust me. I know he is in a self preservation mode, but how do I best show him that I am not a threat? I need to instill trust, but the hissing is wearing on my wife and I.

You need to earn his trust and to help him feel secure. Instead of approaching him, set it up so that he wants to interact with you. Every time he sees you, good things happen. Always have treats with you that he adores. Spend time with him in the room... but sit on the floor so you are lower... being more at his level is not as threatening as a tall being. Anyway. sit on the floor and read a book out loud. Toss treats towards him from time-to-time. If he's hiding, toss the treats towards his hiding place. Be patient, it will take a little time until he starts seeing you as the bearer of everything good. After awhile you can toss the treats a little closer to where you are sitting.

Formally greet him by extending one finger towards him. Hold it at cat nose level. Do not approach him. When he's feeling safe, he will approach you, touch your finger with his nose, turn his head until your finger is on his cheek. That is your invitation to pet his neck and head.

 

[The Cat Coach]

I do when I am not home. I have to put her in the bathroom. I tried a bedroom and shse started tearing up carpet by door to get out. She is certainly worse when she is in heat as well. I will try and keepher there more.

This is a problem... can you play with her in the way I discussed and end it with a yummy meal? May help calm her down a little bit.