Traumatized Savannah f5

[WitchyWoman]

It took me 3 yrs to develop partial trust with one of my F2s. He's 6 yrs old and I get to pet him but I've accepted that we have reached the apex of our relationship. I can't pick him up. If he ever becomes seriously ill, needs to be hand medicated, continues his resistance to being held, he's a goner. That is a difficult prospect for me but it is the nature of the beast. In the meantime, he is content with his life and that makes me happy.

 

[MYNXX]

It took me 3 yrs to develop partial trust with one of my F2s. He's 6 yrs old and I get to pet him but I've accepted that we have reached the apex of our relationship. I can't pick him up. If he ever becomes seriously ill, needs to be hand medicated, continues his resistance to being held, he's a goner. That is a difficult prospect for me but it is the nature of the beast. In the meantime, he is content with his life and that makes me happy.

Thanks for the input. Understanding that line is important.

 

[MYNXX]

Do you think my 1-3 month limit with keeping them separated further is reasonable? or should I push for longer? Them knowing we are keeping them apart like this I think deters from the process.... They spend most their time talking and pawing through the door anyways....

 

[WitchyWoman]

Start with supervised visits. Take him in for a little while a couple times a day, attempt to get them to play with a feather wand and see how they do together. I also think you should start letting her roam the house for awhile each day while the boy is confined to her room and do that for a week before you let both of them have free roam of the house.

 

[MYNXX]

Once I let her out it's over. I have no control over her.

 

[NikkiA]

Not to make light of the situation, which I know is stressful, but "control" and SV's is relative.

If I can break up a squabble and not get scratched, I'm " in control". If none of the kitties steal the food off of the counter, I'm "in control". If we get through a 24 hr. Period with no one door darting, I'm "in control".

From my limited experience, I don't control my SVs. I adapt. I reward. I discourage. We discuss. But control is something, honestly, I don't possess.

 

[Carykd7kau]

I agree with Nikki. I live with my furkids and am happy with that. I just try to keep them safe and healthy.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[MYNXX]

I just meant what the witch was saying is not viable. Once I let her out she is out - I can bring him in for play dates and take him out, but that's the best I could do. Once I let her out - she's out - and only coming back in if she wants to, which is fine, but with her on medication I need them separated for feeding....... The question is simply how long to keep them separated, and how to reintroduce. They don't squabble, they are fine, except him regulating her eating/dominating her in that respect. But I think I will start to let him in for play dates, and give them free roam when her medication is done,.,,,,

 

[MYNXX]

And I have control with my boy, not much but enough that if I make a decision, he trusts me.

 

[Rafiki]

Witchy Woman gave good advice. You do short supervised visits. At first, you bring him into the room and see how they do together. You remove him if there is any aggression. When you want her to check out the house, you lock HIM up in Her room while she investigates. When she comes back to her safe area, he gets kicked out again. This part of the process will probably go quickly if they are already meowing and playing footsies under the door.