Hybrid Cat Behavior Problems
Hybrid cat behavior problems are a common concern among hybrid cat owners, but it would seem fr...
Hybrid cat behavior problems are a common concern among hybrid cat owners, but it would seem from recent reports that not all hybrid cats suffer from behavioral problems. If you’re unlucky enough to buy a hybrid that still retains a good proportion of its feral instincts though, you’ll certainly find out soon enough.
How do hybrid cat behavior problems come about?
Hybrid cats are ‘genetically manufactured’ with the end result being a unique, oversized, well-marked cat that certainly turns heads. Most hybrids are created when a domestic cat is mated with one of the larger, wild breeds, and it is the wildness of the parent that contributes to the hybrid offspring’s behavior.
By the 5th or 6th generation the feral, hunting instinct has been sufficiently diluted so that most hybrid cat behavior problems can be controlled. If however a breeder decides to back-breed a hybrid with another wild cat then the behavior problems will return in any offspring.
What are some common hybrid cat behavior problems?
The behavior problems exhibited by hybrid cats are born out of their strong instinct to hunt and fight. This means that a hybrid cat will bite if it feels threatened and kittens will nip even during play. Hybrid cats will also attack other pets if they are made to feel uneasy…and they don’t discriminate between cats, dogs or any other type of pet.
Of all hybrid cat behavior problems, one of the most annoying negative behaviors exhibited by hybrid cats is their insistence on spraying urine wherever they go. As in normal domestic cats, this behavior is a way of marking territory but in the case of domestic cats the behavior is often limited to the males. All hybrid cats tend to spray though and it is a behavior that is difficult to break.
Limiting hybrid cat behavior problems
Hybrid cats are generally very intelligent and as such they tend to get bored very easily. Boredom ultimately leads to typical hybrid cat behavior problems, namely destructive and aggressive behavior, and so the answer is to keep them stimulated as much as possible.
Image used under Creative Commons from AussieGold.
All hybrid cats benefit from human company and they love activities that allow them to climb, hide, fight and generally let their ‘wild’ side out. To limit hybrid cat behavior problems, some form of climbing frame is a must in a home with a hybrid cat, as are a number of mental activities for when they are left alone. Providing a hybrid cat isn’t neglected, either mentally or physically, they can learn to behave as domestic cats… and if they are trained well from kittenhood they can also be taught to walk on a lead and urinate only at appropriate times. In most cases, hybrid cat behavior problems can be greatly reduced or even eliminated.
Hi, we got our F3 bengal at 7 weeks, She was not socialized and was angry and hungry all the time. She actually reminded me of a tazmanian devil when at about 12 weeks of age she pulled a rack of ribs off my counter. I thought it was cute until I went to retrieve my expensive meal. She was extreme in her annoyence, Life moved on and we were convinced by the breeder to breed her. We refused, by that time she had become a faimily member. My point is, we have done everything right, and yet my girl is distressed! She is now 7 years old, has had two litters, that she raised to health, she was a fantastic mom.
The issues seemed to have started gradually. Our other cat, Sophie and my hybrid were buds. Everytime Sophie had a haircut (himmalayan) my hybrid would act aggressive and as if she did not know her. This last time has lasted for 4 weeks. My hybrid is so afraid if her tiny buddy that she will avoid food and water.
What worries me most is last night when my hybrid was growling non-typical at the tiny one, I was trying to soothe her by voice. My hybrid looked at me. laid back her ears, pupils dialted, charged me. It was if my girl had lost recognition of myself and her longtime friend. Is there early dementia in these cata?
sounds like you need to get rid of that cat.
I breed Savannah Cats kittens F2, F3 and F4 B generations. My kittens are handled from the minute they are born to the minute they go to their forever homes. They don’t have any of the problems mentioned above. I also screen the new home carefully doing my best to make sure it’s a good match. In ten years of living with the Magnificant Savannah Cat I will attest that most hybrid behavior problems occurr because of humans and a poor environment. Along with the Beautiful animal the human must understand both the domestic and wild specie traits. Competency, time and training knowledge are a must with any animal including humans.
I have a 7 month old male Bengal we rescued at 3 months. This is before I knew anything about bengals or even heard of them. Our vet had mentioned how feral Sammie looked. I got on the internet and as far as I could tell, we recsued a bengal. I contacted several bengal breeders via the internet and they all agreed with 2 of them saying he looked to be purebred. THe way we manage Sammie with discipline that really works is, we put a few coins in a bottle and then give it a little shake. He hates that and now all we have to do is show him the bottle and he backs right off. We tried spraying him with water but I then learned they love water and I didn’t want him to be afraid of something he loves by nature so I ceased in doing this. Sammie has gotten on tables and counters but has learned not to do this now. Our biggest “behavioral” issue we have with him now is if he thinks he’s not getting enough attention, he will get our attention by climbing us. He has loads of toys and a climbing tree so this is strictly from an attention stand point. He’s learning this is not acceptable as well. I have 2 older cats. Sammie does not bother Rex who is 17. Sammie knows Rex may be old but he can still put the hurt on him. Our 13 year old female is the one Sammie has chosen to torture playfully of course but even she will set him in his place when she gets tired of it. Sammie now sits pattiently in his chair at my side when I’m in the kitchen cooking. He will put his front paws on the counter but he knows that’s as far as he can go. He loves being involved with everything we do and meets us at the door every evening when we come home from work. I am so thankful for all the informative information I’ve gotten from the internet and breeders. THey can be a handful but if you’re committed to having an above intelligent, very active and interactive family member and don’t mind educating yourself, you will have a wonderful bengal experience.
In addition, I’ve learned Bengals form very close bonds with their humans and can show negative behavior if not paid enough attention to. Our morning starts with Sammie getting in bed with me when it’s time for me to get up. He licks my nose, which can really be painful. His tongue is so rough. Then we bump heads, then he lays on my stomach. I go in and feed him, then we play with Da Bird or another of his favorite swing toys for about an hour. This wears him out enough for me to be able to get ready for work. I come home with Sammie at the door waiting. WE, meaning Sammie and I, then go in and fix supper, play for an hour or more after eating and by that time we all settle in for a quiet evening of TV. Then we do it all over again the next day and the day after that. Allowing your bengal to be an actual part of your family I believe is essential.
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This is a picture of Sammie