Say hello to Boris Part 2

Hmmm, if Utah was only closer. You could visit I understand about the pet sitting. I would worry as well. However, I do have some exotic cat owning friends that I can count on if I did need to go out of town for more than a day.

Originally Posted by Arlyn

I don't vacation now! lol
I'm paranoid about petsitters. I have parrots, and not many people completely understand birds, or their needs, therefore, I just don't go anywhere

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We don't vacation out for the same reasons. We vacation at home - it is less stress that way anyway - no "recover from vacation" time.

I can't wait to meet Boris!

Originally Posted by Talon

We don't vacation out for the same reasons. We vacation at home - it is less stress that way anyway - no "recover from vacation" time.

I can't wait to meet Boris!

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I agree. I like to just do things close by and maybe take an occasional 1 day type of trip. Taking these long vacations away from home stress me out more than work
Boris says....wroow wroow, that's bobcat talk for hello hello

Hi
He is (well, they all are.. ) beautiful!!!!!!!!!

Curious as to what you do when a big boy like this for example, does happen to fight with the other two? I would imagine they are so much stronger than a regular cat so you can't just throw a blanket over them??

WHat do you do???I would be soooo nervous...you must have nerves of steel

Also, can you let a regular sized housecat around a bobcat it doesn't know if they get to know each other through intros??

Cheers!

Constantine - and I wasn't inspired by the american Idol contestant!

Though the comment he was almost as big as a cougar reminded me of Charlie the Cougar from the automobile ads years (years and years) ago. Anyway, Roberto is a very handsome boy.

Aw, Tommyboy, he's just providing a lot of kitty tummy to skritch!

Originally Posted by Loveysmummy

Hi
He is (well, they all are..

) beautiful!!!!!!!!!

Curious as to what you do when a big boy like this for example, does happen to fight with the other two? I would imagine they are so much stronger than a regular cat so you can't just throw a blanket over them??

WHat do you do???I would be soooo nervous...you must have nerves of steel

Also, can you let a regular sized housecat around a bobcat it doesn't know if they get to know each other through intros??

Cheers!

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Yes, they are quite strong. Boris is not quite a year old yet and he is 24 pounds and another 2 years to go before he is mature. I am looking at possibly a 50-60 pound boy. As it is now, if I pick him up and he wants down, there is no way to stop him. I can really give him a super hard bear hug, but then that would make him mad, if he didn't want to be held and we don't do that. I am not sure how much Bob weighs, but I am guessing at least 55 to 60. Bob will not be in the house with the others, he will be outside in an enclosure. Water works quite well, so if and when I do introduce them together (only after I hear friendly bobcat chatter between them) I will have the hose ready just in case. They love water, so they will stop what they are doing. (Word of note here. Bob was abused by a former owner , not by the lady who has him now. He is declawed on all 4 feet and they even DEFANGED him That's not all, they even SHOT at him with a paint ball gun to get him to do what they wanted him to do. THIS IS NOT WHAT A RESPONSIBLE EXOTIC CAT OWNER DOES. I hope everyone here knows that. Responsible owners love their exotics so much, it is hard to describe it. The people who had Bob were only interested in breeding him to make money. They in no way were interested in the care and well being of an exotic cat. By the way, I am not even going to tell you how they defanged him, it makes me sick. All I know is, I would like to legally be able to do the same to them, to see how they like it. Bob will be spoiled and loved for the rest of his life with us. ) I have 5 domestic cats along withthe bobcats. They get along very well, the bobs love the domestics because they grew up with them. Bob however, did not grow up in a house with domestics, so he more than likely will not get along with them. So, they will never be put together. I can let them visit each other through the perimeter fence if I want, but our domestics are indoor cats only and never go out.

Aw, Tommyboy, he's just providing a lot of kitty tummy to skritch!

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Yes and boy does he enjoy those. He will just flop in front of you and roll on his back with his feet in the air, ready for his tummy rubs

Not that I understand declawing in the first place, but why on earth even consider it if he's not to be indoors.
And defanging, how horrible for him, poor guy, he is very lucky to have been removed from that situation.

I remember seeing pictures of how circus animals used to be treated, defanged and declawed, tiny cages et al.
I always cried.
The one that always stuck with me was a photo of a beautiful siberian tiger, walking on his elbows due to a badly done declaw.

I have had some people ask, are your bobcats defanged?? What if they bite?? My answer is this. If you have even the smallest concern that you may be bitten by one of these cats, you do not even think of owning one...period. Actually, this is true for ANY animal, whether domestic or exotic. Also, cats DO NOT need their fangs to bite you, this goes for domestics as well. The fangs are used to catch and hold on to their prey. I have not been bitten by a bobcat being angry or agressive. Any bite that I have gotten, was during play time. You learn to know when play time has to stop for awhile. Bobcats can get overly excited and stimulated with their toys. So, when you see them getting really excited, like with the feather on the string toys, you just stop and put the toy away, just to let them settle down. They do rather quickly. So you see, they do make wonderful loving companions. They have a strong bond with their humans, but you must learn to read them, watch their body language and listen to them. You learn their language. You will get to know the friendly wroow wroow greeting. The friendly chuffs in the face or the cute friendly bobcat barks. There is even the friendly growl. But, you will get to know the growl that says ok, I want to be alone now, do not bother me. Or the screaming growl that says, what I have is MINE, you try or even think of trying to take it and you will pay. There is also the not so happy bark that is another way of saying, get away from me now please. Bobcats do like their time alone as well and you must let them have this time. All this does take a while to learn, but once you do, you live in peace and harmony with one of God's wonderful wild creatures. This is a bond like no other and one I am thankful to be able to enjoy every day.

Some people...

Defanging...that is just wrong [and more dangerous in the long run]

Declawing has it's merits with exotics but isn't absolutely necessary[we've been back and forth over this in other threads, so lets not go there here please]

John/Terri...you have definately done a great thing. Keep up the good work

Spotz

ok this is the first name that popped in my head when i saw "Bob" i know its famous for a lion but. Simba i dont know "Bob" just has i guess a commanding pressence to him one look at him and it felt like he was in charge or something.

Originally Posted by Spotz

Some people...

Defanging...that is just wrong [and more dangerous in the long run]

Declawing has it's merits with exotics but isn't absolutely necessary[we've been back and forth over this in other threads, so lets not go there here please]

John/Terri...you have definately done a great thing. Keep up the good work

Spotz

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It does make me feel bad to see this guy open his mouth and not see his large fangs. I just wanted to bring him home so bad that day. The part that does have me a little worried IS bringing him home. I am hoping he will do well in a carrier in the car. If not, we will have to sedate him a little for the ride home, which is a 3 hour drive. Not to bad. Amber and Boris do very well in the car, because we took them in the car, when they were very young kittens. I just need to get building his enclosure. Anyone care to help?

Originally Posted by AmberThe Bobcat

It does make me feel bad to see this guy open his mouth and not see his large fangs. I just wanted to bring him home so bad that day. The part that does have me a little worried IS bringing him home. I am hoping he will do well in a carrier in the car. If not, we will have to sedate him a little for the ride home, which is a 3 hour drive. Not to bad. Amber and Boris do very well in the car, because we took them in the car, when they were very young kittens. I just need to get building his enclosure. Anyone care to help?

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I'd be there to help you...no problem...but the commute is horrendus .

I'd rather not know how they defanged him, but would caution that this is a serious handicap to him. The canines are generally some of the most sensitive teeth in a cats mouth, one of their functions is giving the cat feedback on how hard they are biting. As he appears quite healthy, and happy, I doubt that there is any serious lingering physical trauma, however the psychological effect is harder to judge without getting to know the animal.

I have worked with defanged cougars [done professionally and with a fairly understandable medical reason] and all in all they were just fine. Besides the cosmetic difference, the only other significant difference that I experienced was with the bite pressure. While it is quite a discouragable behavior, these animals do sometimes get a bit mouthy sometimes. I have been grabbed by both defanged and intact cougars, and while blood was never drawn, I did end up with bruising from the defanged animals. I have never had such an "injury" from an intact animal.

A little thought on getting him home[as suggested to me by my vet]]...Benedryl usually takes the edge off without totally sedating the animal, quite safe and generally quite effective on helping the animal relax some [Ever get drowsy from benedryl ]. As always, do run the idea past your/the animals vet first.

Good Luck with everything. Please keep us updated on him, and his progress, I know he's in good hands now. His life will only get better from here on out.

Spotz

A little thought on getting him home[as suggested to me by my vet]]...Benedryl usually takes the edge off without totally sedating the animal, quite safe and generally quite effective on helping the animal relax some [Ever get drowsy from benedryl ]. As always, do run the idea past your/the animals vet first.

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Thanks for the info on the Benedryl. That may be all I will need, is just something to calm him a little. I also have some homeopathic remedies that are used for calming animals as well. I would rather try these (the Benedryl or homeopathic) instead of a drug to sedate him. My wife and I were out in the back yard making plans for his enclosure. I can make one that is at least 450 square feet, or larger if I want, but 450 is good. We have a shed that sits off the ground ( I do not use this shed ) that will be used as his den that will have lounging platforms inside. (This shed will be inside the enclsoure) During the winter months, I can also put in some hay for him to snuggle in and keep warm. I wll put some lounging platforms on the outside as well. There will be ramps for him to walk on and the ground will be covered in pea gravel for proper drainage. Of course, during the summer months he will have his pool filled with water and some good toys for enrichment. This whole enclosure will be surrounded by a perimeter fence as well. Of course, he will have lots of love from us

I just caught up on the thread. Glad to see that you two are helping another bobcat Will be watching to see your updates

Originally Posted by captiva

I just caught up on the thread. Glad to see that you two are helping another bobcat

Will be watching to see your updates

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Thank you I just wish we could bring him home now. After meeting him for the first time I have become excited about his arrival.

Just a couple more pictures that I thought I would post
Boris with his Pixie-bob pal Lil Roar. Gives you an idea just how big this boy is getting. By the way, Lil Roar is 14 pounds.

Nice picture of Amber, except the tips of her ears got cut off

Amber not looking too happy that I took this picture of her

Another of Boris and his pal

Great pics, John! Your babes are so lovely!

Thank you very much

The new addition is as beautiful as the present 3 congrats! For now my 3 send your 3 belly rubs

Aw John I love that last one!