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Expert: - 6/7/2007


Question
My cat had kittens. Five adorable kittens. My son had his eye on an all black one since day one. The kittens were about 3 wk old. The mom cat took off for the day. It was the first time the kittens were all alone for that long. My boxer loved the kittens.She would lick them and smell them. She never tried to pick them up or get aggressive with them. The kittens were getting a bit active. I think the dog tried to mother them because we got home to dead kittys. There were no obvious signs of trauma. My heart was broken. I lied to my son and told him they are at the vets. Any way, the cat must have a clue because she keeps attacking the dog. I love my animals and don't have the heart to get rid of any one of them. I try to keep them separated but event threw windows the cat hisses and gets all puffy. Today i thought things had changed. The two animals were in the same room together .It went well. Later in the night the cat began hissing and took a swing at the dog. I can't let my cat hurt the dog. My dog just lays there and never tries to protect her self.Please help!

Answer
Hi Kim,

I'm sorry for your loss. What's going on now is your cat is just setting limits with the dog. She knows what happened and wants to make sure nothing like that happens again. She will calm down as time goes by. Give them about 2-3 weeks and all should go back to pretty normal. But if your cat has kittens again you have to keep them separated. Not just for the kittens but for your dog. The mom cat won't tolerate her around them and will protect them. Good luck.

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.

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I have an A.A.S.

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