Savannah Cat Territory Agression

[TaraJoAnn]

Hello,
I am struggling with a few behavior problems with my Savannah cat, Loki, who is seven years old. We have had him since kittenhood. He is spayed but NOT de-clawed (we are opposed to it). He was raised with another female cat and they got on well. When she passed 3 years ago we introduced a bengal kitten, and they have bonded well. We also introduced a puppy to the house (a dachshund, smaller than Loki and female). Loki and the dog have never been able to get along. They mostly avoid each other and there are occasional physical tussles that are ended by me or my husband. Loki will historically spray in various places around the house to let us know he is unhappy (when we travel, when we move, if he and the dog fight). The spraying behavior happened before the dog was around. We have used Feliway to curb the spraying behavior somewhat successfully. If he is mad, he will still spray.

The behavior that has me most freaked out is that Loki will sometimes bite me (very hard, breaking the skin) when taking a treat if the dog is around. I try hard to make sure Loki always receives treats first and gets more than the other two pets (the kitten and dog). I know this sounds crazy, but Loki is sensitive to even the tiniest slights. He doesn't always bite me when taking a treat. He is able to take treats and food from my hand very delicately when he wants. It is obvious this is out of anger and frustration. Last night I came away with a bleeding gash on my finger.

Any suggestions for how to help my sweet Loki (he can be so sweet when he wants to) mellow out would be very appreciated.

Thank you, in advance!

 

[admin]

If Loki bites you when the dog is around, then it may be best to put the dog away and just spend some one on one time with Loki - play with him and give him treats...how did you introduce the dog to Loki? Did you quarantine the dog and intro slowly?

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

It might be worth trying what Paige suggests, putting the dog away before giving treats.

How are you offering the treat? Is it held between your fingers or offered on the palm of your hand?

 

[TaraJoAnn]

If Loki bites you when the dog is around, then it may be best to put the dog away and just spend some one on one time with Loki - play with him and give him treats...how did you introduce the dog to Loki? Did you quarantine the dog and intro slowly?

Yes.The puppy was quarantined for a week then slowly introduced and crated for a year if we were not there to supervise. They have lived together for 2 years now. I will try some
More one on one play with Loki.

 

[TaraJoAnn]

It might be worth trying what Paige suggests, putting the dog away before giving treats.

How are you offering the treat? Is it held between your fingers or offered on the palm of your hand?

Well, now I'm palming it, but my concern is the aggression. He knows how to delicately take a treat from my fingers. He's done that his whole life.

 

[Patti]

I think you need to think more like a cat and less like a human. Loki is not being aggressive toward you, he is exhibiting food aggression, which is a behavior that is more pronounced in some cats than in others. He fears that the dog may get the treat so he becomes overly aggressive in order to protect 'his' food. The best way to curb this behavior is to make sure he is alone when giving him treats so that there is no perceived threat from the other pets that might take away his treats from him. To be honest, most kittens grow out of this behavior, but Loki is obviously one of those few who as you say is overly sensitive and continues to exhibit inappropriate behavior (biting, spraying) in order to make his point.

You might want to consider consulting with a cat behaviorist such as Marilyn Krieger www.thecatcoach.com or talking to your vet about putting Loki on an anti-anxiety medication such as Prozac. It may sound extreme to you, but it may very well 'cure' all of his behavioral issues, or at least some of them.

 

[TaraJoAnn]

I think you need to think more like a cat and less like a human. Loki is not being aggressive toward you, he is exhibiting food aggression, which is a behavior that is more pronounced in some cats than in others. He fears that the dog may get the treat so he becomes overly aggressive in order to protect 'his' food. The best way to curb this behavior is to make sure he is alone when giving him treats so that there is no perceived threat from the other pets that might take away his treats from him. To be honest, most kittens grow out of this behavior, but Loki is obviously one of those few who as you say is overly sensitive and continues to exhibit inappropriate behavior (biting, spraying) in order to make his point.

You might want to consider consulting with a cat behaviorist such as Marilyn Krieger www.thecatcoach.com or talking to your vet about putting Loki on an anti-anxiety medication such as Prozac. It may sound extreme to you, but it may very well 'cure' all of his behavioral issues, or at least some of them.

Thank you for this suggestion.