Expert: Dear Tabbi - 10/22/2008

Question
I have a female cat approximately 1 1/2 years old (maybe a little older) she was a stray I found when she was about 12-14 weeks old.  She had kittens in July 2008 and was a very good mother.  I kept one of the kittens (a male, he is now 14 weeks old).  I got mama kitty spayed and am currently waiting 2 weeks for for his neuter appt.
My problem is, last night the 14 week old kitty snuck out (probably while I let dog out one last time to pee for the night) and I never realized it till this morning.  Since I let him back in (I felt so bad) his mother has been hissing at him and generally being nasty......he was only out for about 9 hours, why would she suddenly turn on him like that.  Yesterday she was just kissing him and smothering him with love and today she's all hissing and smacking him when he approaches her for lovin'   :(

Answer
Dawn,

That is normal behavior. Cats go by smell and not by sight in recognition of other cats. When 'baby' came back, he had different smells that he picked up on him and he smelled different than when he left. So mamacat probably thinks he is a different cat! Also after cats are weaned there is no recognition of another cat being family. Cats have no concept of what family is, which is why there is incest among cat (and other animals).

Rub mama with a towel then rub the baby with the same towel to transfer her scent...she will recognize THAT. Don't do it vice-versa though. As the kitten cleans himself, his saliva will replace the strange smells and he will smell 'normal' again to mama cat. Things should be ok in a couple of days....UNTIL you bring the 'baby' home from the vet after being neutered! Then he will bring home LOTS more smells, and more than likely mom will act the same way again.

It is good that you kept a baby for mama for company, and it's EXCELLENT that you are getting them fixed! You are a responsible pet owner. Thank you!!

Tabbi