Savannah bullying older Maine Coon

[Catherine]

Hello,

My F6 Savannah kitten (now one year old) constantly bullies my older maine coon (8 years). I know she is only wanting to play, but it is constant she will never leave him alone (in particular she loves to jump on top of him when he is sleeping, walking, eating, etc) and he has become quite depressed because of it (he is a quiet cat who likes his own space). The only successful tactics we employ are distraction of the Savannah using her toys, but it is more than a full time job. If anyone has any tips we would be most grateful as we love them both and would not be able to let one of them go.

More pressingly, our Savannah is attacking our Maine Coon whenever he uses the cat litter tray, which I presume is very distressing for him as cats obviously need privacy. Any tips on what I can do about this would be appreciated in particular. Telling her off when she does this is unexpectedly having no effect.

Please help I feel really sorry for our Maine Coon who has put up with a great deal since she arrived (9 months now).

Catherine

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

First issue is the litterbox, the general rule is one litterbox per cat plus one for the household. So three litterboxes, but it is also important that there is more than one LOCATION for the boxes when you have more than one cat. That way, they always have an alternative.
You could also look at the litterbox you use, if it is shallow, consider a tall sided clear plastic tote box that would give your Maine Coon a sense of protection but also be able to see out. People sometimes cut a small section out to make it easier to go in and out... especially with an older cat.

I think you are reading this right, your SV wants play and your MC is the only kitty for her to bug for play? It's so important to consider the cat you have before adding another, generally MCs tolerate the wrestling well, but if your cat's personality is not dealing well then maybe you could consider a third higher energy kitty? Is that a possibility at all?

You could also look to give your MC more options for safe places to nap in peace. Cat caves can be great for this, or higher shelves and cat trees that offer both high perches and a cave or box structure. If your older cat then has some safe refuges to nap, he probably will be able to tolerate more of your SV's rambunctiousness at other times... hoping so!

 

[admin]

Unfortunately, kittens will be kittens and it is why I usually advise people not to get a kitten with an older cat. She likely needs a buddy to play with that is more her age.

Have you ever tried clicker training? Clicker training is great for Savannahs as they are very intelligent and learn quickly. It will keep her stimulated and give you a way to possibly control her behavior. Also...have you ever tried leash training her with a harness and walking her outside? That would tire her out and keep her distracted as well.

She likely needs to be played with more with a wand toy and tired out.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Is it possible for you to make a bedroom or other room with a door a sanctuary for your MC? Deck it out with water, litter box, toys and let him have a few hours throughout the day to himself? Or even keep him isolated when you're not home and allow only supervised visits/play when you are home? The last thing you need is for the MC to go outside the box because he's irritated/afraid of being jumped by the SV and I understand your concern.

You might want to purchase Naughty No More by Marilyn Krieger. It will have more suggestions for helping with behaviorial issues. Clicker training is a good way to expend the energy of an SV but you have to be consistent with it to see lasting results.

 

[Patti]

I agree with the others - your most immediate solution would be to separate the MC and give him a room of his own where your Savannah cannot get to him. The second solution would be to get another kitten for your girl to play with, so that she is not so tempted to try to engage your MC boy into play.

Other options - clicker training, taking walks, interactive toys such as treat balls, are also viable options. You might also consider a cat wheel as these tend to help cats expend energy in a positive, rather than a destructive manner.

 

[Catherine]

Thanks so much for all your helpful responses, we have gone back to three litter trays. Clicker training sounds like a great idea I wasn't aware of this. Would I treat/click her during the very rare time when they are both in the same room and she is not attacking him?

We constantly try to wear her out / give our Maine Coon a safe space but as I'm sure you can imagine nothing comes between her and what she wants to do. We are days away from adding a human baby into the mix so unfortunately getting another kitten is out for now, as I'm sure that would make her very happy to have a proper play mate.

Thanks again for all your advice.

Catherine

 

[Patti]

There are several resources available for clicker training, including a Facebook group if you are interested: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cat.Clickers/

 

[Catherine]

Thanks v much!

 

[kimm]

Maybe you can buy a catsdoor (don't know the proper english name). That works on your maine coons chip.

You can put the cat door in a room only for her, or you can make a big wooden box were here litterbox is in and she can only go true because of the chip registered door in the box

Maybe not the fastest and easyest solution, but maybe everything will go better because she can get her rest when she needs. But also can play if she wants.

I also think a third kitten will help best. So they can play and your Maine Coon gets her rest.

I understand that maybe isn't a option for you, then maybe you can look for things she really likes to do with playing and do that even more.. But Savannahs have so much energy, that it indeed takes up the whole day..

Good luck with everything, and I also agree with what the rest said.


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[Catherine]

Thank you! All great suggestions - I hadn't thought of putting a cat flap on the door for our Maine Coon, although we would miss his company he would be pleased of the respite.

Best
C