You are here:
- Home
- Animals/Pets
- Cats
- Cats
- mother cat attacking her kitten
Cats/mother cat attacking her kitten
Advertisement
Question
My cat gave birth to 3 healthy kittens 7 weeks ago, and all have been given away except for 1 male. I would like to keep him but the mom is so aggressive towards him that I'm worried she's going to really hurt him. She is constantly chasing him around and jumping on him, stalking him, strangling him while biting his head & neck, biting his body & paws, and she barely lets him play by himself or explore on his own without attacking him. I know when she hurts him because the kitten will whine and it makes me feel so bad, I don't know what to do besides take the kitten away from her grasp. I'm afraid the mother will damage an eye or puncture something more. Please help me help my kitten because I'd love to keep him.
Hi Angel,
It sounds like she is disciplining him in a major way. If you feel she is overdoing it you might want to do two things. Get a spray bottle and spray her when she is overdoing the discipling. And get some treats and give her those when she is being nice to him. One is to stop her negative behavior and the other enforces positive behavior. It shouldn't take too long to have a good relationship with him. Good luck.
Ciao, Karen
Related Articles
- Tracking Kittens Development- Newborns to one week
- Cats FAQ - When does queen's milk supply dry up?
- Cat Video - cerebellar hypoplasia kitten attacking older cats tail
- Cat Reproduction 101 - All About Cats Heat Cycles - Cats Mating - Cat Pregnancy and Birth
- Post-Natal Care for a Mother Cat and her Kittens - Cat Reproduction 101 Lesson 8
Answers by Expert:
Karen Craft
Expertise
I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!
Experience
I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care.
Some thoughts to carry with you.
A Cat's 10 Commandments
My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
Give me time to understand what you want of me.
Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you.
Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you.
If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong.
Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old.
On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so.
Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.
Education/Credentials
I have an A.A.S.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.