Posted 24 January 2012 at 17:55 | Last updated 24 January 2012 at 18:01
Mother cat always attacks her kitten?
Asked by TheFamily T | 1 Answer
My cat had 7 kittens back in April, we sold them all and 1 got returned as they already had a cat and their cat didnt like our kitten. So we decided to keep her. I got the mother cat spayed. Now the mother cat always hisses and growls whenever she see's her kitten. She will try and attack her whenever shes in sight. The kitten has got hurt sometimes but she runs away from her mum but she tries to say hello sometimes but her mum just wont let her near her. Is it because she went to a different home and came back with a different smell? What can i do to help them get along again? i dont know why the mother cat is acting like this towards her kitten. She also gets very stressed out if we go and stroke her. she growls and lashes out her claws. She doesnt do this all the time to us, when her kitten isnt near she will be really nice but as soon as her kitten is close she gets very angry. Why does she act like this towards her kitten?
It will have been a shock to your resident cat having finally got the house back to herself to find she has to share it again. This is not an uncommon problem when related cats are reintroduced after a period of separation. You need to start the reintroduction process again, keep the cats separate for a period of time - each should have all their necessary resources (food, water, litter tray) and use plug in diffusers (Feliway). Obtain scent deposits off each cat by wiping a cloth from the face to the flank. Then when you are interacting with the other cat you can offer the scented cloth, so they can investigate the scent of each other without being threatened. Assuming this goes well and there are no adverse reactions, face-to-face interactions can occur through a mesh screen or glass door, allow some interaction and then distract the cats by offer food (to each cat on its different side of the door) or play - initially quite far from the screen or door and gradually bring them closer together. This process will take time and patience.
If you are struggling then get your vet to refer you to a qualified behaviourist who can help you with a very detailed programme to follow.
Expert answer
Hi the Taylors
It will have been a shock to your resident cat having finally got the house back to herself to find she has to share it again. This is not an uncommon problem when related cats are reintroduced after a period of separation. You need to start the reintroduction process again, keep the cats separate for a period of time - each should have all their necessary resources (food, water, litter tray) and use plug in diffusers (Feliway). Obtain scent deposits off each cat by wiping a cloth from the face to the flank. Then when you are interacting with the other cat you can offer the scented cloth, so they can investigate the scent of each other without being threatened. Assuming this goes well and there are no adverse reactions, face-to-face interactions can occur through a mesh screen or glass door, allow some interaction and then distract the cats by offer food (to each cat on its different side of the door) or play - initially quite far from the screen or door and gradually bring them closer together. This process will take time and patience.
If you are struggling then get your vet to refer you to a qualified behaviourist who can help you with a very detailed programme to follow.
Good luck
Pippa