Expert: Karen Craft - 6/11/2007

Question
I have taken in 3 kittens that were left in some bamboo bushes near my home. The mommy cat and her two babies. I have to keep the kittens in a separate room cause they are feral. My older male cat that I have had for nearly 5 yrs. Now does not want to stay at home. He also growls at me when I pick him up. I have tried locking him inside cause I dont want to lose him. I have discovered that some nights he is staying at a neighbours house. This is rather problematic for me as all my cats get closed in at night as I do not allow them to roam at night and now i am having to leave a window open for him if he has not come home by the time i close up, which means the others cats are able to get out. The females aren't a problem because they normally stay in anyway, but my other male cat will go out. Is he doing this  because he's unhappy about the new cats? Will he get over it? He has in the past but this time it seems he's rehousing himself. I also need some advise on how can I calm down the kittens. The one allows me to pick him up now but the little female just won't let me pick her up, she hisses and runs from me.  

Answer
Hi Priscilla,

Yes he is upset with the new additions to the house. You can get a product called Feliway. Spray it around the house. This should help calm the cats down. If he has accepted other additions in the past he should now. He needs time. Also some males get very nervous around kittens. He  may be one like that. Keep him inside and pay extra attention to him. Give him special treats. He is feeling that you are giving up his territory to others. He needs reassurance.
With the little one that hisses; she going to need time and special treats. When you get near the female give her something special to eat. Deli chicken, American cheese, or soft Pounce treats work great. You want her to associate you with really good things. Talk to her gently when you feed her these things. Try petting her. She will calm down alot in about 3 weeks of doing this. When you pick her up and she wants down, let her go. You don't want her afraid of you. I have one that hated to be picked up but now sits in my lap as long as I will let her. Make sure you don't ignore the other kitten either. He will benefit from the extra attention. Good luck and let me know what happens.

Ciao, Karen