Scaredy-cat

[admin]

hahaha...I have one and intend to use it one of these days..it made a good bed for the kittens when they were babies

 

[WitchyWoman]

Besides that, I live in a very small flat, where opportunities for her to play and really stretch her legs are limited (she does bounce off the walls from time to time though), and I really think that getting her outside where we could play in a yard or park would be good for her. I just bought a DaBird, and it's too big to use indoors! Other opinions besides "that's just how she is, accept it"?

The pet stroller is a great idea for getting her acclimated to outside sights, smells, & sounds. But at the end of the day, it's not about you and what you think would be good for her as far as outside playtime goes. It's about what she thinks is good for her and where she establishes her comfort zone. If you continue to push her beyond her comfort level, you may traumatize her which could affect her behavior on many levels. And whether you want to or not, you just may have to accept that you've got a scaredy cat and either live it or rehome her with someone who can appreciate her as she is.

 

[John Popp]

Uh oh, somebody pee'd in Deborah's Cheerios.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Uh oh, somebody pee'd in Deborah's Cheerios.

Just adding my 1 cent worth. And you should know me well enough by now to have figured out that I put beer on my Cheerios so wouldn't notice if there were another yellow fluid added to the mix

 

[Tort518]

Every time I hear of a pet stroller I think about the RascalDad story and have to laugh.

Do tell . . . I haven't heard that story.

 

[Patti]

Hi Patti, Pam.

While I can see your logic, i.e. if she doesn't like being outside, don't go outside, it seems to me to go against "normal" cat behavior.

Besides that, I live in a very small flat, where opportunities for her to play and really stretch her legs are limited (she does bounce off the walls from time to time though), and I really think that getting her outside where we could play in a yard or park would be good for her. I just bought a DaBird, and it's too big to use indoors!

Other opinions besides "that's just how she is, accept it"?

Thanks for your feedback!

Not to be contrary, but I'm not sure why you think not wanting to go outdoors goes against 'normal' cat behaviors. Savannahs are raised as indoor cats only and have been for generations, most have never been outdoors except in a carrier on their way to the vet or a new home, both of which can be traumatizing events. I'm afraid if you continue to force the issue with her you may damage the trust she has placed in you...

 

[Stavanger Savannah]

Our own DaBird arrived in the post today.

We introduced her to it indoors briefly, and she went wild. Waited until later (darker outside, less activity, quieter) and took her and the toy outside.

She's now (after our 15 minute play session outside) standing at the door whining to go out ;-)

We heard not a single meow out of her while outside, when people walked by she noted them, but kept her eyes on the toy, and ventured all the way out to the sidewalk after the feathers. Wow.

When we came in after her last successful 'kill', she had her head up high and was trotting like the princess at the ball and has been cuddling with us since.

So maybe we just needed a stronger distraction.

As for Patti's and Deborah's replies, maybe you misunderstood me. We haven't been forcing her to do anything, or pushing her. She doesn't run and hide when the harness comes out, she stands patiently while it's fitted, and gets her treat when we come in. She comes in when she wants to. I just wanted to know what we could do to help her feel more at ease, and it appears so far that the answer is just to be patient. She does seem insecure outside, and skittish. Not this evening, which was nice to see.

I don't want to argue biology here, but imho a cat's natural environment is outdoors. Sure, many are acclimated to an exclusively indoor existence, but that's only in the last century if that. Maybe we should give them more credit and work with their biology and natural instincts rather than against? That said, I have no intention of letting her come and go as she pleases, but do look forward to playing more outdoors. Especially now that it's summer and nice outside (which only lasts for a few weeks before winter - and indoor weather - return).

Thanks again for all of the constructive comments.

 

[Wyldthingz]

This is true. Every cat is different. My daughter's Siberian doesn't like the leash. If you take him too far from the house, he is very unhappy and worried. Don't walk your cat if it freaks them out. Is the walk for you or for her? Why make her do something that she doesn't enjoy? As for breeding skiddish cats, yes, you can breed for temperament as well as anything else. There are those that don't think temperament is important and will breed cats with issues. Nevertheless, she is yours now so you have to play on her own terms.

 

[Patti]

Wonderful to hear, I'm so glad you found the right distraction to help her forget her fears!

 

[admin]

Our own DaBird arrived in the post today.

We introduced her to it indoors briefly, and she went wild. Waited until later (darker outside, less activity, quieter) and took her and the toy outside.

She's now (after our 15 minute play session outside) standing at the door whining to go out ;-)

We heard not a single meow out of her while outside, when people walked by she noted them, but kept her eyes on the toy, and ventured all the way out to the sidewalk after the feathers. Wow.

When we came in after her last successful 'kill', she had her head up high and was trotting like the princess at the ball and has been cuddling with us since.

So maybe we just needed a stronger distraction.

As for Patti's and Deborah's replies, maybe you misunderstood me. We haven't been forcing her to do anything, or pushing her. She doesn't run and hide when the harness comes out, she stands patiently while it's fitted, and gets her treat when we come in. She comes in when she wants to. I just wanted to know what we could do to help her feel more at ease, and it appears so far that the answer is just to be patient. She does seem insecure outside, and skittish. Not this evening, which was nice to see.

I don't want to argue biology here, but imho a cat's natural environment is outdoors. Sure, many are acclimated to an exclusively indoor existence, but that's only in the last century if that. Maybe we should give them more credit and work with their biology and natural instincts rather than against? That said, I have no intention of letting her come and go as she pleases, but do look forward to playing more outdoors. Especially now that it's summer and nice outside (which only lasts for a few weeks before winter - and indoor weather - return).

Thanks again for all of the constructive comments.

That is awesome! So now just take your time and she will probably be ok