Positives
of Geoffroys as pets?
The Geoffroys are a small cat ranging from 4 to 12 pounds. They are easy
to keep and can be very loving if handled regularly and bottle fed.
Negatives
of Geoffroys as pets?
The males can become very aggressive if not neutered. They can also be
very hyper and bite when excited.
Do they
have scent glands or an offensive smell?
Yes, There urine is very acidic and has a very strong odor.
What
is their average life span?
I have seen then live to 20, but 14 to 17 is more normal.
What
is their general personality, disposition, and attitude?
Goeffroys are fearless and will attack if not tame. They are not afraid
to bite if intimidated. But as bottle fed and regularly handled cats they
can be very loving. I have a female that insists on sitting on my head
and licking my hair.
Are they
sweet and petable, or mischievous and playful?
They are both. Geoffroys love to play and are very fast. They need to
be taught not to bite while they are playing. They can get carried away
during play time.
How destructive
are they for an average household?
Geoffroys do not normally make good indoor pets. I do know of a couple
that live in the house but the smell of the urine is hard to control.
They are difficult to litter box train if they have the run of the house.
Do they
climb or tear up furniture?
Yes they do. They love to claw things and will climb on everything. They
are very active.
Are there
any problems associated with their claws?
They use their claws a lot. I do not declaw mine and I'm always getting
scratches and bleeding.
How messy
are their droppings?
Dropping are normal
Can they
be litter box trained?
Yes, but it is quite difficult.
Can they
be trained?
Yes, My male lays down and stays on command.
How are
they with other pets, larger and smaller?
They are fine as long as they are raised together. Males will try to kill
other male cats if they are not neutered
What
size cage do they need?
A Geoffroy cage should be at least 8 x 10 and 7 feet high. The bigger
the better though as Geoffroys are very active.
What
do you feed them?
Mine get Nebraska premium canine diet ( horse meat diet ) with various
other meats like chicken, beef, turkey, fish on the side with calcium,
Taurine and vitamins added.
What
vaccinations/vet care do they require?
The normal 4 way vaccine. Make sure all vaccines are a killed virus. DO
NOT use modified live as they can contract what you are vaccinating them
for.
At what
age would it be best to get one?
8 to 10 weeks is best. Adults do not transfer well to new homes.
Other
Consideration for owners of Geoffroys?
Just make sure you can deal with the urine odor. it is very strong and
requires allot of cleaning to keep the smell down. Even outside the odor
is strong. Geoffroys are for the experienced exotic cat owners. They are
not a good first time cat.
