About Dear Tabbi Expertise My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too.
Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again.
Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials ***********
Awards and Honors * One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
Question dear dear Tabbi i have two cats a 1 year old named duski and her mother a 2-3 year old named star.duski had six kittens a few months ago star did not take to the kittens very well she kept hissing growling and paws them roughly. i have given away 3 of the kittens but still 3 remain. before duski had the kittens ever since she was a kitten has been very unfriendly when she had the kittens she was very friendly star has ran away but has done this a number of times before and did not fail in coming home i have always tried to give duski as much attention as possible when i pick her up she growls and claws frantically to get away do you know why she is like this and how i can fix it??
yours sincerely kate
Answer Kate,
The behavior by Star with the kittens is a common one. Some cats do not like kittens and will not accept them until they are grown up. It could be the size that scares them, the smell, or their energy. Her hissing, growling, and slaps are normal kitty communication, and a warning to the kittens not to get to close to her.
Duski sounds like she had one or both feral parents. Most ferals do NOT like to be held. They can be friendly, but they do not like to be restrained.
For more information on typical feral behavior here is a link that has a GOOD 4-part article on ferals that should be of help to you.
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)
