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Expert: - 5/15/2011


Question
Hi and Thankyou.

My Cat is about 18 months/2years old. She had a litter of 3 kittens and was a wonderful mother. 2 of the kittens were re housed and we kept 1 of the kittens. Her and her kitten were very close and played together all the time and one day she just started growling, spitting, hissing etc whenever he went anywhere near her. (both are not desexed). Now she just hates him to a huge degree and if you try to go near her when she is behaving badly she will attack us also. If she is outside and the other cat is not around she will come up for a pat, purr and be very social until another cat is around, then you must stay away from her. We have recently got another kitten and her behavior is the same to the kitten also. I was wondering if you know why she would turn like this and especially to her own young.

Also do you have any advice in trying to get a kitten to use the litter box. The kitten is driving me nuts, she will do her business in corners or on towels/clothes etc.

Thanks so much.

Answer
Hi Collette,

How old is the kit? It may be the start of a sexual behavior between them. Kits can become sexually mature as young as 4 moths old. Sounds like mom is under some stress there. You can try some of this on her.

http://www.scvas.org/index.php?page=text&id=keepcats

Or this.

http://www.feliway.com/us

You need to neuter them. This will help immensely.

Now onto the kit and the litter box problem. First get an enzymatic cat urine cleaner. I have used these two. Both work great.

http://www.simplesolution.com/products/cats/stain-odor-solutions.html?show=1

http://www.antiickypoo.com/

Clean everything with one of these. Then check the area with a black light to make sure every bit of urine is gone. Get the kit checked by a vet to make sure it's not sick. Make sure the litter box is low enough that the kit can get into it easily. If it has trouble getting into the box it's going to go where it can. Next get some of this.

http://www.preciouscat.com/kitten-attract-p-10.html

Use it. I hope that this will take care of your problems.
Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen

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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.

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