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- Jun 5, 2007
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Bastian is Trouble with a capital T, always has been, and it's just a part of his charm. I have accepted that if we want to protect something that he is interested in, we just have to keep it locked away.
However, my current conundrum is a bit odd. This weekend my DH brought home two argentine tegus, which are large lizards (think iguana-sized). These lizards are very tame and need time out of their cage each evening to roam. In their previous home, they lived peacefully with a small dog and had no problems. I have allowed the cats to meet them (closely supervised, of course). Sprout and Griffin pretty much just sniff the lizards and keep a watchful distance. Bastian, on the other hand, thinks they are large toys!
He seems to think that those large dragging tails and flicking tongues are the world's greatest teaser toys. Of course I do not want my cat to claw or chew on the lizards' tails, but my bigger fear is if the lizards get fed up with him - the lizards are bigger than he is, and a bite or strong tail whip could send us to the vet.
Is there an effective way to teach Bastian that he is simply NOT allowed to touch or play with the lizards? Or should I just resign myself to locking him in a bedroom for awhile each evening while the lizards are out of their cage? I hate locking him up, but I can't let him harrass the poor reptiles, or end up getting himself hurt.
However, my current conundrum is a bit odd. This weekend my DH brought home two argentine tegus, which are large lizards (think iguana-sized). These lizards are very tame and need time out of their cage each evening to roam. In their previous home, they lived peacefully with a small dog and had no problems. I have allowed the cats to meet them (closely supervised, of course). Sprout and Griffin pretty much just sniff the lizards and keep a watchful distance. Bastian, on the other hand, thinks they are large toys!
He seems to think that those large dragging tails and flicking tongues are the world's greatest teaser toys. Of course I do not want my cat to claw or chew on the lizards' tails, but my bigger fear is if the lizards get fed up with him - the lizards are bigger than he is, and a bite or strong tail whip could send us to the vet.
Is there an effective way to teach Bastian that he is simply NOT allowed to touch or play with the lizards? Or should I just resign myself to locking him in a bedroom for awhile each evening while the lizards are out of their cage? I hate locking him up, but I can't let him harrass the poor reptiles, or end up getting himself hurt.