Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Cat reintroduced to her mother

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 5/12/2009


Question
Hello there,

My kitten was brought up by her mother for her first 12 weeks, and since then has been with me as a house cat for six weeks.

I'm going away for a week and the mother's owner has offered to take her back for that time.

Will they still know each other and get on, or might my kitten be chased away? Her sister (who she also grew up with her) will also be there.

Many thanks,
Adam

Answer

dog crate
Adam,

Once a kitten is weaned they do not recognize their mother or siblings as being related, and vice-versa. Cats do not have any concept of the term 'family' (which is why there is incest among animals). Cats recognize other cats by smell, and not by sight (with people they recognize by voices).

Your kitten will have different smells on her now from being in your home so they may not recognize each other. You may want to have a dog crate to put her in at the mother's owner's home until they can get to know each other again. Plus it will be a less stressful and safe place for the kitten to be in case there are territorial issues.

I use a large dog crate (48x32x30) that I got at Petco. The cats can smell, growl, hiss, etc. at each other, and get used to each other by being together, but safely. You can let the new one out a little at the time. Plus the new one gets used to the noises and movements of the people in the home and is not secluded alone in a room by itself. I am attaching a picture of the cage that I am using for fostering some kittens. It's also great for catsitting! As you can see there is plenty of room for everything.

I would also put your kitten in a cat carrier and take her over to 'visit' a few times before just leaving her there. That way she and the other cats can 'visit' through the door and get used to each other's smells again before you take her there. You also can let her out for a brief time to get an idea on how it is going to work out. That way when you do leave her it won't be such a traumatic event for the kitten because it will all be semi-familiar to her. Also bring her familiar bedding for comfort.

Growls, slaps, and hisses are normal. They are means of kitty-communication. The cats may surprise you and immediately bond again, but don't be alarmed if they act like your kitten is a complete stranger...because to them, she probably will be.

I hope this helps.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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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.

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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).

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