C
Coolcat
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So has anything changed for you and the cats yet.
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Savannah Kitten terrorizing my DSH
- Thread starter katnoir
- Start date
NikkiA
Site Supporter
To be honest, it might be a question of figuring out why he is attacking her, and removing the stimuli, not of disciplining him. Cat's don't respond very well to human versions of discipline.
For example, my F5 boy Diablo has some aggression issues toward our F3 boy, Jarvis. They happen when a stray cat in the neighborhood is near our house. They also happen when the weather is good and he is desperate to get outside for a walk.
Diablo has redirected aggression, and goes for Jarvis out of frustration. Feliway diffusers help, as does giving the boys a time out from each other. Diablo never goes for our F4 boy, Mickey, the way he will go for Jarvis, and Mickey never gets upset, so I don't have to worry about the two of them. I do one of two things. I either remove Jarvis from the situation, and distract him with play/treats for 20-30 minutes, or I remove Diablo from the situation, and distract him with play/treats for 20-30 minutes. That way, both cats get to cool off without either being "punished".
We are actually at the point where if Jarvis knows Diablo is getting aggressive, he will seek out Mike or me and plant himself on our laps, or at our feet. This means that sometimes we can remove the kitties from each other before Diablo goes for Jarvis.
We have also tried some calming treats, these work like a charm on Jarvis, but Diablo won't eat them unfortunately.
Our other plan of attack is "reward" for the unhappy kitty. This may mean a walk outside on the leash and harness, play time in the garage or basement, or 1:1 time with their favorite human and playtime with a favorite toy.
For example, my F5 boy Diablo has some aggression issues toward our F3 boy, Jarvis. They happen when a stray cat in the neighborhood is near our house. They also happen when the weather is good and he is desperate to get outside for a walk.
Diablo has redirected aggression, and goes for Jarvis out of frustration. Feliway diffusers help, as does giving the boys a time out from each other. Diablo never goes for our F4 boy, Mickey, the way he will go for Jarvis, and Mickey never gets upset, so I don't have to worry about the two of them. I do one of two things. I either remove Jarvis from the situation, and distract him with play/treats for 20-30 minutes, or I remove Diablo from the situation, and distract him with play/treats for 20-30 minutes. That way, both cats get to cool off without either being "punished".
We are actually at the point where if Jarvis knows Diablo is getting aggressive, he will seek out Mike or me and plant himself on our laps, or at our feet. This means that sometimes we can remove the kitties from each other before Diablo goes for Jarvis.
We have also tried some calming treats, these work like a charm on Jarvis, but Diablo won't eat them unfortunately.
Our other plan of attack is "reward" for the unhappy kitty. This may mean a walk outside on the leash and harness, play time in the garage or basement, or 1:1 time with their favorite human and playtime with a favorite toy.
I completely agree with what Nikki has said. It's difficult to understand why a cat will take a disliking to another cat but it happens. You can try the calming treats or Feliway, or you can just keep them separated when you are not able to supervise them. Also, make sure there is plenty of vertical space for all of the cats.
I agree with Patti an NikkiA... discipline is not going to work as well as distraction and making sure there are plenty of escape routes for your domestic kitty. Look around your house from the perspective of your cat, where are the bottlenecks and dead ends... could some shelving or cat trees make alternative routes that would alleviate the situation. When your domestic kitty can perch out of the way, they can relax more. When relaxed they don't give off the "victim" vibes that exacerbate the situation. Your SV boy is finding sport and "fun" in poking the kitty and making her run and squeal. Not nice behavior but pretty similar to a lot of children in a playground too... you can't give the cats a lecture and explain it all, but you can make it easier for your domestic female to avoid being vulnerable to attack. Cave-like cat beds might be a welcome addition for her also?