Expert: Karen Craft - 10/7/2007

Question
My cat (Osa) is just about 1 year old, this is a guess, as she was found in a tree. She has always been very docile, sweet, and loving. However is very timid, and cautious around strangers. She shares our home with 2 other female cats. When Osa first arrived it was not long that one of the other females had her first litter of kittens, and Osa was right by her side. Infact this mom literally picked up a few of her babies and dropped them in Osa's lap. Osa I am assuming instictually cleaned, and cared for them, as best she could, and altho she could not nurse them she played the surrogate mother role. That litter is since gone, and that mother recently had her second litter, as Osa too was also pregnant. Once again when mom with her second litter delivered, I could NOT keep her away from the kittens, and Osa also being pregnant, and about to deliver her milk was available, and she almost craved to nurse them. It was a battle for me to separate her from mom, and her newborns. I found Osa in labor one day as she was able to get to the kittens, and was nursing them. I thought that maybe by nursing the other moms kittens this was bringing on her labor, I am not sure it was just a thought. Anyhow she gave birth about 4 days ago, and altho it was a long process, and I was coached over the phone by professionals, she had 6 healthy babies for her first litter. the problem is that she does not seem interested, and anytime she hears the other moms litter crying, she wants to run and care for them leaving her own babies behind?? They do seem fine, she just is very different, and aggressive too. She clawed, and bit my friend in the ankle today, just he he walked by her. She growls ALOT, like no other growl that I have ever heard from a cat. She sounds like a dog, or bear. I am noticing that when she breast feeds her kittens she is breathing rapidly, and it sounds almost as if she is asthmatic. She is breathing thru her nose, and not mouth but it sounds like a struggle?? She is eating, and drinking just fine, and her bowels seem to be as normal as well. As far as my other females kittens, they are in the process of being weaned, but will nurse from her if possible. It really does seem to me as tho she is caring for her own, but not like my other females. They seem fine, I am just so confused as to her obssession with the other litter, and her odd aggressive persoanlity?? If you have any feedback, knowledge of this behavior I would really appreciate any input.
Sincerely,
Tonya

Answer
Hi Tonya,

Sometimes the maternal instinct is very strong in some animals. It sounds like Osa is one of these. The growling is just her giving warning to the others. She is protecting her young. This goes with the strong instinct there.
Keep an eye on the breathing. There may be something going on about her milk production. Just to make sure she's okay there, make sure she is getting kitten food to eat. She needs the extra nutrition that it supplies.

As long as her kittens are fine I wouldn't worry too much. Cats, like people, have different types of personalities. She sounds okay in her own way. Also, when cats have their first litter, they sometimes  have a reaction like you describe. They will ignore the kits. She will get better with that. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen