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Cats/my cat looks like she is attacing kittens
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Question
I have a 1 year old cat I rescued she had 4 kittens, now 11 days old. she has started to moan a lot but I can't work out what for and today kept grabbing one of the kittens round the neck till it was screaming then took it out the cat box twice, but then did bring it back. She is being quite rough with all of them and keeps getting up when they are feeding. I am just worried as I have not had kittens before and they do not seem happy with this.
Many Thanks
Abigail
Abigail,
I am assuming you have the cat box with the new kittens away from any other pets and small children!!!!!
Cats usually move kittens if they feel the current lair is not safe. I am wondering if she has come into season. Usually, the "lactation" heat occurs whent he kittens are about 4-5 weeks of age, but she may have come back in sooner. This would explain some iof the behaviors.
You can weigh the kittens every day and keep track of whther they are gaining weight. If so, I would not worry about her leaving them now and again. We like a digital postal scale for weighing kittens. By now, each kitten should gain approximately 2 oz (50 g) per week, each and every week.
Please let me know how things go.
Best regards... Norm.
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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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