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Question
I took in a Mother Cat and her 4 kittens for a friend to help them out. The kittens were approx. 3 weeks old at the time. It took a while but the Mother cat eventually became accustomed to the other cats we have. After the kittens got older and were exploring, the mother was still protective. Now unfortunately, after wiening them, she has changed. The mother cat has now become aggressive to not only our cats and her kittens, but us as well. She doesn't want to be touched, petted or even picked up. If you are another person or cat gets closer to her, she cowers in the corner and begins to growl viciously. The kittens are approx. 4 months old now and are eating on their own.
I don't understand why now, in the past week the Mother cat has become so aggressive to us, her kittens and the other cats. I was holding and she bit me, she did not bite hard, more of a nip and a growl to let me know not to be near her? Could this be a medical problem or is it because she hasn't been fixed yet and she is going back into heat? I don't understand her sudden surge of aggression all around. Please any advice in this would be greatly appreciated.
Joseph,
I think you are right on the money. In all probability she is in season, and some cats are sweet as sugar in season whereas some are mean as can be. She could have a medical problem, but it probably would have shown up before now. Also, there are some whole cats who are only happy and friendly when pregnant and nursing, otherwise they are as mean as can be.
There is no guarantee that fixing her will improve her personality, but the odds are that if she is less hormonal, her mood swings will also lessen. There could be a medical problem which is fairly subtle as cats in discomfort act more aggressively. I have seen females be mean as can be and, when fixed, there friendly twin emerges.
Best regards... Norm.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you, we are now beginning to believe that it is due to her being in season and I guess her "motherly" instinct's to have the "kittens" leave the "nest" (so to speak). We've notice that when we remove her from the room or any area with the kittens and have her in a room with us and even our older cats, she is fine and isn't mean towards us or the other cats. Her aggression seems to be towards her kittens (and only us if we interfere or if the kittens are around). Getting her fixed I believe will greatly reduce this problem as she will lose the desire to breed. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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