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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/hi dear tabbi
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hi dear tabbi i have 2 cats there are mother (star) and daughter (duski) duski has 5 kittens they are 10 weeks old star is very aggressive toward the kittens and its almost like she is afraid of them star has ran away but she comes back every evening for her dinner she will not eat with the kittens and we have to feed her separately she isn't as aggressive toward duski and will go hunting with her but she sometimes paws her. before duski had the kittens star was not aggressive why is she being this way and how can i fix it?? your truly
kate
Kate,
Once a kitten is weaned the mother has no recogition or concept that it is 'family', it is just a familiar cat by smell. If Duski (cute name!) smells different after having kittens then Star may be suspicious of her.
A cat can come back into heat and get pregnant as soon as 48 hours to two weeks after giving birth, which would make Duski smell 'different' too. I would suggest getting her spayed as soon as possible. That cures a lot of behavior problems.
And there are a LOT of cats who do NOT like kittens and are afraid of them. Maybe because of their smell and energy....or maybe they think they are 'rats gone bad'! *smile*. Don't upset Star if the the kittens really bother her by making her eat with them or be with them. She will get used to them as they get older.
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Answers by Expert:
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
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Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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