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Trying to solve a possible behavior/urinating problem. Suggestions welcomed
- Thread starter Val
- Start date
Val
Site Supporter
Thank Renee. It's nice to know I'm not alone. Sounds like you have had your challenges for sure. Hope your boy stays issue free with the move. Oh boy, I know the feeling of having to be super tidy. Poop has never been a problem (Thankfully!)She will use the nearest litter box to pooh and could care less if the whole family is watching. She almost seems proud of her creation and is super playful after.
Funny thing is Sierra started using the other litter boxes with the worlds best litter on her own and stopped using the pine. The first week I got her she would look at me an meow real loud infront of the litter box (with pine) and I would say it's ok go pee pee. She would go in the box and look at me/meow while peeing. The first bowel movement was the biggest announcement. It was almost like she didn't enjoy walking on the pine. Once she found the other litter boxes she never went back to the pine. (All litter boxes are open with high walls.
I think when my one tabby scared her to the point of peeing, this created fear in her. I think her confidence will get better with Saban as she gets older with supervised play time. Sierra loves to play and will play fetch till my arms fall off. Sierra has the sweetest personality and avoids confrontation. My theory is once she doesn't act like prey around him, Saban won't approach her as prey. Hoping
Our Savannahs are definitely sensitive souls and don't deal well with change.
She had no accident's last night and today is off to a good start. She peed in her box and the supervised play time was successful
I appreciate everyone's support. Sometimes us humans need some confidence that we are doing the right thing during challenging times
Funny thing is Sierra started using the other litter boxes with the worlds best litter on her own and stopped using the pine. The first week I got her she would look at me an meow real loud infront of the litter box (with pine) and I would say it's ok go pee pee. She would go in the box and look at me/meow while peeing. The first bowel movement was the biggest announcement. It was almost like she didn't enjoy walking on the pine. Once she found the other litter boxes she never went back to the pine. (All litter boxes are open with high walls.
I think when my one tabby scared her to the point of peeing, this created fear in her. I think her confidence will get better with Saban as she gets older with supervised play time. Sierra loves to play and will play fetch till my arms fall off. Sierra has the sweetest personality and avoids confrontation. My theory is once she doesn't act like prey around him, Saban won't approach her as prey. Hoping
Our Savannahs are definitely sensitive souls and don't deal well with change.
She had no accident's last night and today is off to a good start. She peed in her box and the supervised play time was successful
I appreciate everyone's support. Sometimes us humans need some confidence that we are doing the right thing during challenging times
It sounds like she may be fearful of Saban, since he attacks her when she is or tries to use the litterbox.
You have done wonderfully in trying to solve the issue and sometimes we all need further advice or confirmation that what we are/have been doing is right.
The litterboxes with hole in the top may very well work...and yes, it may take until she is older and can defend herself and become more confident for the issue to really resolve. It is one reason, my kittens do not leave until they are 14-16 weeks...they are much more confident at that age...but you have done very well with your little girl and I think her problem will resolve in time.
You have done wonderfully in trying to solve the issue and sometimes we all need further advice or confirmation that what we are/have been doing is right.
The litterboxes with hole in the top may very well work...and yes, it may take until she is older and can defend herself and become more confident for the issue to really resolve. It is one reason, my kittens do not leave until they are 14-16 weeks...they are much more confident at that age...but you have done very well with your little girl and I think her problem will resolve in time.
Val
Site Supporter
Well, I added two litter boxes. Put together an end table with kitty entrance/box inside where the chair was for privacy. The new location: A decorative plant litter box in dinning room and a high top jump in at the entrance of the outdoor sliding glass door. Each box has cat attract litter added.
I am hopeful this will work. Saturday she went to use the litter and Saban walked up an started stalking her. I put Saban outside, shut the curtain and reassured her that is was ok to do pee pee. She went right in the box and peed in the box.
After breakfast I picked her up and put her in the closest box. She did her business, no problem. This morning she has breakfast and ran to the box in the dining room all by herself Go figure, Sierra likes closed boxes. We Have 6 boxes for now.
Last night Sierra hid around the corner and jumped Saban by surprise playfully. All 3 of ran around like crazy for about an hour and slept like angels.
Thank you again for everyone's ideas and support. We are moving in the right direction
I am hopeful this will work. Saturday she went to use the litter and Saban walked up an started stalking her. I put Saban outside, shut the curtain and reassured her that is was ok to do pee pee. She went right in the box and peed in the box.
After breakfast I picked her up and put her in the closest box. She did her business, no problem. This morning she has breakfast and ran to the box in the dining room all by herself
Go figure, Sierra likes closed boxes. We Have 6 boxes for now. Last night Sierra hid around the corner and jumped Saban by surprise playfully. All 3 of ran around like crazy for about an hour and slept like angels.
Thank you again for everyone's ideas and support. We are moving in the right direction
Val
Site Supporter
Thought you all would like an update.
Things have significantly improved. Only one incident since I last posted and it was in a box that was going in the trash that I left on the ground too long. I noticed she did pee in a plant outside. This is a battle that I am having with my hubby when he lets her out and doesn't supervise her or discipline her when it happens. (There is a litter box outside.
When she starts sniffing around after feeding I call her over to a box, and she will go in there. Bathroom door and closets remain closed. Sierra seems to use all 6 boxes. She sniffs around till one passes the sniff test. Never had a cat that sniffed around so much.
Saban only ambushed her 2 x's. Once while they were playing together and she tackled him back. The other ambush she was playing all by herself and Saban jumped her. She looked scared and puffed up, but seemed to get over it quickly and not hide. I think this relationship is getting better. Sierra has slept next to Saban a few times.
Feliway plug and spray still being used.
Now the Thanksgiving Day test. My Aunt and Inlaws are bringing their dogs with them. 1 older lab and the other rat terrier. Will put an extra litter box in the bedroom and lots if feliway spray, just in case they want to hide.
Wish me luck!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Things have significantly improved. Only one incident since I last posted and it was in a box that was going in the trash that I left on the ground too long. I noticed she did pee in a plant outside. This is a battle that I am having with my hubby when he lets her out and doesn't supervise her or discipline her when it happens. (There is a litter box outside.
When she starts sniffing around after feeding I call her over to a box, and she will go in there. Bathroom door and closets remain closed. Sierra seems to use all 6 boxes. She sniffs around till one passes the sniff test. Never had a cat that sniffed around so much.
Saban only ambushed her 2 x's. Once while they were playing together and she tackled him back. The other ambush she was playing all by herself and Saban jumped her. She looked scared and puffed up, but seemed to get over it quickly and not hide. I think this relationship is getting better. Sierra has slept next to Saban a few times.
Feliway plug and spray still being used.
Now the Thanksgiving Day test. My Aunt and Inlaws are bringing their dogs with them. 1 older lab and the other rat terrier. Will put an extra litter box in the bedroom and lots if feliway spray, just in case they want to hide.
Wish me luck!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Thanks for the update. I hope things keep getting better and better. The dogs may set things back a bit. If she hasn't ever met them, it may be easier to keep her locked in a room until they leave. Or, make sure to do supervised introductions and don't let the dogs roam free in the house if you can't constantly supervise. If she hasn't met them before, that's a lot of change happening all at once.