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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Mom Cat doesn't remember her 5month old kittens
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Question
A while back I rescued a pregnant feral. I am the only human she is friendly with. I housed her & her 2 kittens in my very tiny apartment for about 3 months until I found the kittens a new home, where i THOUGHT they'd get proper care. Shockingly, about 5 weeks later, the kittens appeared ALONE back at my doorstep, and looking very dirty and unkept.
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Now momma cat doesn't remember her kittens, although the kittens (both females)seem to recognize her and want to be friendly! This makes things worse, b/c they have no qualms about approaching her, but momma lets them know she'll bite their head off if they get too close. It's been two days after the "reunion" and momma refuses to come down from her safety spot up high where the kittens cant go. I have to kennel the kittens just so she can come down and eat, drink, & use the litter box... She hasn't eaten/drank anything all day today b/c i haven't yet kenneled them, which i WILL do soon... But my goodness, is this going to be the routine now until HOPEFULLY the kittens find a TRUSTWORTHY owner?
Is there anything I can do to help this uncomfortable situation? Putting them in separate rooms isn't an option.
Also, one has diarrhea and the other hasn't gone at all! The one with diarrhea vomited the first night. I assume they're having these issues b/c of their diet change.
Any advice? Should i bring them to the vet as an "emergency" visit?
Thanks so much for your time! I look forward to your response!
Carrie,
Poor kitties! It sounds like someone dropped them back off at your house.
Cats go by smell as recognition, not by sight. Mama cat smells the same, but the kittens do not, so Mama cat does not recognize them and she is treating them as strange cats. Also cats do not have any concept of family. Once kittens are weaned then they are just resident cats that are familiar.
It is going to take time and patience. You may need to start the 'introduction process' all over again. I am attaching a couple of links as a guide on how to go about the introduction process again: (copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)
http://www.messybeast.com/first-impressions.htm
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattocatintro...
Once they can be together without fighting feed all cats yummy cat treats (like tuna or tinned sardines in oil) TOGETHER. That is so the cats will associate each other with something pleasant. Also getting a pet laser light (at PetSmart, etc.) is great for interaction between the cats. They can chase the 'little red bug' on the floor, ceilings, and walls, and they tend to forget about the other cats as they focus on the 'bug' which helps them get used to each other again.
For the diarrhea, add plain, canned pumpkin (not the pie mix) into some canned food to add roughage to the diet and firm up the stools. Adding in about 15% plain cooked pumpkin will help firm up the stool without further inflaming the intestinal walls.
However ongoing diarrhea can not only be a sign of a more serious condition, but can cause dehydration, which is dangerous for your kitten.
To prevent constipation, I put small stripes of mayonnaise or butter down my cats front legs periodically. It helps keep them 'greased'.
If you can afford it though, I WOULD take them to the vet for checkups on their condition. It may be something minor, like stress related, or it could be a feline disease they have, or worms.
This would be a good time to get the mom cat spayed. Spaying cures a lot of behavioral problems and MAY help with the interaction of the kittens. The kittens are old enough to get fixed also. If the kittens are coming into heat, which is possible, that would explain some of her behavior towards them.
It just takes time and lots of patience. It SHOULD work out if you take it slow and don't force them together until they are ready. Some cats do not like kittens until they are grown, so you may want close up the kittens when you feed mom and then let her go where she wants to be (which sounds like it is high up). Hissing, growling, and slaps are normal kitty communication and warnings. When to be concerned is when there is major fur flying or blood being shed!
Tabbi
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Awesome Advice & Responded so quickly!! I'm happy that there are people out there that actually care, and don't pass it off as being "not their problem". People who think like that are the reason animal overpopulation has gotten to be what it is in the first place! And YES, she did just drop them off in my yard, even though I made a point with her upon taking them that she should feel comfortable about contacting me for any problems or advice or anything! She had my email and number!! And I have her # as well, but wouldn't get any satisfaction from talking to her ...how irresponsible and cowardly of this adult woman! | ||
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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
***********
Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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