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Cats/Mother cat attitude with her two 6 mo. old kittens
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Question
We had our two 6 month old kittens spayed today. When we brought them home tonight, the once loving Mother cat growls, hisses, and swipes her paw at them when they get near to her. The Mother Cat and the 2 female kittens have been so close. They sleep on top of each other and eat out of the same bowl and the three of them play with toys together. They give each other a bath and have been so kind to each other since the birth. The kittens keep trying to approach her but she won't allow it and rejects them. I have tried to pay more attention to the Mother but she still is mean to them. Thank you so much for your help.
Dave,
Cats know each other by scent. After cats/kittens have been in surgery at the vet, they smell differently. In a couple of days the scent from the vet's office should wear off and mama will, once again recognize, the kittens. Normally, when cats encounter cats or kittens they do not recognize they begin the "getting to know you" ritual which starts out with hissing, spitting, and swatting.
All should return to normality in a few days.
Best regards... Norm.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you so much. Our mother cat is once again acknowledging the kittens (48 hrs later) Yesterday she hid from them and was still growling and hissing. This morning they are playing together. We are so happy that she isn't shunning them forever. | ||
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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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