Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/My cats and kittens

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 7/20/2009


Question
QUESTION: Ok... so i have 2 cats and one of my cats just had 6 kittens( her name is cutie),on  7/18/09, and the other (named tigger)and every time cutie goes by tigger, tigger hisses, and runs away. IS THIS NORMAL...OR IS SOMETHING WRONG??? e-mail me back please.

ANSWER: Kalley,

Tigger is hissing because Cutie smells different since she had kittens. Cat have recognition by smell and not by sight. Tigger probably thinks Cutie is another cat! Tigger will settle down when either Cutie smells like herself again or Tigger finally realizes that it is the same cat.

Don't worry, that is a normal reaction.

Tabbi

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok...so i told you the whole story.. but this morning tigger hissed at my father when he picked her up...is that normal... will tigger bite us

Answer
Kalley,

Tigger is upset and nervous so it's normal for her to hiss at people too. Give her lots of love and attention and try to keep her away from seeing the mamacat for awhile. Some cats are scared of kittens. She will settle down as she gets used to mom and the kittens.

I would give the mom a few days to bond with the babies then you can pick them up for a short time if mom doesn't get too upset.

Remember that mom can get pregnant again in as little as 48 hours to 2 weeks after giving birth!

Mom also needs to eat about four times as much as she normally does because the babies take a lot out of her. It is good to feed her kitten chow while she is nursing, then feed the babies kitten chow for their first year. It has protein and nutrients that they all need. Lots of fresh water too.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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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).

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