Cat rubbing/marking? (problem)

New here, 1st post, and this is probably going to be long.

Buddy (tabby) lives on the back porch (screened in porch).  He gets to run and play outside all day long, almost every weekend. Follows us around like a dog.
Gets to come in every day after work, until bedtime, and out he goes.
Back porch has cabinets, no doors. He will climb up in the cabinets, as close to the inside door as he can get, lean toward the door window and anxiously await his people.
If he thinks his people are coming to see him?  He will stand up, sort of knead with all fours, seems to get super excited and start rubbing his face, cheeks, head all over the edge of that cabinet.
I know this is "marking".  But, he only does it when he thinks his people are getting ready to open that door. It's like he just can't stand the anticipation (excited, happy?  I don't know...sure seems like it though).

Bobcat lives in a 500sq foot outdoor enclosure.  He was almost dead, found us just in time. He was 5 months old, and now he's 8 months old.  Been nursing him back to health and plan on releasing him next spring when he's one year old and able to hunt and take care of himself.  (Bobcat is a wild Bobcat). 
Nobody in their right mind would attempt to touch this little fuzzy ball of terror.
He hides high in the corner, or in his box when I enter the enclosure to feed him.  Every now and then, he may make a few "leans" toward his food, but, comes to his senses and decides "no way am I eating until you leave!"
UNTIL last night.  He climbed out of his box and began kneading and rubbing his face all over the board he was standing on. JUST LIKE Buddy cat!
As if he was just so excited to see me (with food of course).
Which, presents the problem.  He will never be a pet, I know that.  But if he keeps this up, he won't be scared of people either. And that's not good.

Should I just start throwing his food in the enclosure from the outside rather than entering and setting it down?
Or does that little kneading/face rubbing thing mean very little and was probably just a one time thing?

I thought that meant that a cat is marking his territory..

If you do not pet the bobcat it seems it will go back to the wild , hope so..

I would ask someone in forestry about when and where to release the bobcat if I were you

they know a lot about the woods and animals...

You do want it to survive in the wild where it was born and not be killed by

coyotes or other larger cats...

SheriT

SheriT said:

 
I thought that meant that a cat is marking his territory..

If you do not pet the bobcat it seems it will go back to the wild , hope so..

I would ask someone in forestry about when and where to release the bobcat if I were you

they know a lot about the woods and animals...

You do want it to survive in the wild where it was born and not be killed by

coyotes or other larger cats...

SheriT

Click to expand...

From what I gather, cats rub their face on stuff to say "this is mine!".   Our tabby just does it to his cabinets when he thinks we are coming to see him. Like he's super excited or happy?
I just don't want bobcat to like me (or anybody) that much.  And if he's starting to do this face rubbing thing now, does that mean he's starting to like me, or happy I'm there with food?  (for the last three months, he's always had this terrified "wild cat" attitude).  I'd rather he stay that way. 

 

Hi

I would ask someone in forestry or a game warden or someone who knows animals in the woods

or even a vet...if it were me..

The bobcat could be marking his post like he would a tree...cats spray and also rub

their noses on what they think is theirs..domesticated or wild ones..

I would call someone at a zoo or in forestry and animals to ask now...

this week...if it were me..

Take care

Sheri

I agree the best way to go here is to contact the authorities. There are biologists who specialize in local wildlife populations and they should be involved in releasing a bobcat back to the wild. It was very sweet of you to rescue the bobcat!   It's definitely the type of animal for which professional guidance is required for a proper release. Good luck and let us know how it's going!

My worry was that the cat might begin to like me (people) and not fear them. I've talked to a wild cat rehab center and been told I have nothing to worry about.
 And so far, that little bit of excitement must have been a one time thing.  Bobcat is back to his old snarly, growly self.

Things I've learned so far:
Nobody in their right mind would get between a bobcat and it's food.
You think your cat is quick...that's super slow motion compared to a bobcat swat. (his bite/strike with teeth is even quicker)
When playing with your cat (stick with feathers dangling on the end), I think you need to let the cat catch it every now and then.
When playing with bobcat (stick with feathers), bobcats don't miss. 
   (Been told this type of play would help him learn to hunt)
Bobcat's are not very good at hissing. He sure tries, but, very little sound comes out. (Very good at growling though)
And, like every other cat I've seen....No matter how scared, terrified, or trying to get away from you that you might think he is?  It's never bad enough to turn down food.  If he had the choice of escape, or chicken?  Chicken would win every time.  

We don't have bobcats where I am, but I've enjoyed reading your story.  Thank you for sharing, and do let us know how he goes.

Is the wild cat rehab going to assist you in re-locating him? I was going to suggest taking him to a wildlife rehab center. The one in my area takes wounded wildlife, works with them until they're well, then releases them into sanctuaries where they are safe. Maybe there is one in your area that can assist you?

Relocating or Releasing:  The facility that I've talked to (deals with Bobcats and Cougars) tells me this is more of common sense thing, than it is an "internet advice" thing.   One, they tell me that no matter how much human contact the cat sees...that it will never be "not afraid" of people.  IE: For me not to worry about it.
Two, release it in the spring, far away from anything (way way off of the beaten path).  That will give it the best chance for survival.

They said I could bring it to them, but, at the time, they only had one cage available.  It was a small cage and if I had something larger, that would be better.  Basically, they asked me a bunch of questions, and I guess they liked the answers?  I guess they figured it'd be fine if I did this instead of them given the circumstances.  Plus, they are not exactly "local".

I have determined that it's a different cat after dark. 
If I feed during the day, very skittish.  I can walk all the way around the enclosure and Bob stays way up high in the corner, snarling and growling.  Bob just can't decide if he wants to come eat, or stay in the corner. Usually the corner wins until I start to walk away.
If I feed after dark, not skittish at all...mostly just curious.  (and the enclosure has lights).  I can walk around the enclosure at night and Bob follows right along with me and isn't afraid to come test his plate of food, even if I'm still holding it.

Sometimes Bob's a boy. Sometimes Bob's a girl.  (I still have arms and face, thus, I've not tried to look).

He/She will get a trip to the vet and some vaccinations prior to being released.

Just an update (or an observation).
8 month old Bobcats "nibble" boiled eggs. It's the cutest thing!  Chicken necks? Not so cute, rather scary!

I'm glad to know he or she will be able to be released.  Interesting how he/she is braver at night, even with the lights.  It occurred to me that he/she may be feeling braver being in their own element (the dark).

I wonder what they think of boiled eggs.  They probably eat them raw in the wild.

Interesting topic! I'll be following this.

Do you have any photos of the cutie??

Hello,

 Back in the late 70s I was married to a forest ranger. We saved a number of wild animals together.

Please contact a forest ranger or someone in the forestry department. That cat IS marking is spot.

When you return it to the wild it may come back to you if it is not far enough from where you live.

Forestry will know where it can be released that it could pick up scents of other bobs and be far away

enough it will not attempt to go back to you.