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Expert: - 10/24/2008


Question
My mamma cat, who gave birth to my male cat back in April, will no longer have anything to do with him, she hisses at him and swats at him and hides from him all day long.  They were both spayed/neutered back in sept.2008....does this have something to do with it?

Answer
Leah,

I doubt that the spay/neuter surgeries have anything to do with this behavior...Your kitten may still be trying to get the odd nurse from the mother cat which could account for the less than peaceful response. It's also possible that this little guy figures that he is the more dominant member of the household and he is bullying his mom. I do think that it would be smart to have both cats thoroughly examined by your family vet just to be sure that there aren't any medical reasons for this behavior. You may find that a homeopathic remedy called Bach's Rescue Remedy will help mom to settle down some. You can usually find Rescue Remedy in health food/natural health stores for around $15 CAN. Rescue Remedy is a blend of flower essences designed to calm and reassure, it is also used by many pet parents and veterinarians treating a variety of issues from anxiety and trauma to fearful pets. I would suggest that you try out 4-5 drops of Rescue Remedy in a bowl of fresh water every morning...This may help to settle things down a bit between the two cats. This remedy is very safe so you don't have to be worried about the younger cat getting into it, he may even benefit from a couple of doses. You may also want to ask around to see if there is a holistic vet in your area. A holistic vet is trained in conventional medicine as well as one or more alternative therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture or massage. Cats tend to respond quite well to holistic care and a vet with a holistic approach may be able to sort things out between the two cats with a non-pharmaceutical approach which would ultimately be better for their overall health.

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Ali

Expertise

I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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