Female Cat Growling at Everyone/Thing Since the Kittens Came....

mowsluver

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We have 2 'older' cats, about two years old, 1 male 1 female, both spayed/nuetered. We also have a female about a year old, who had kittens this summer. The 3 cats (and our dogs) always got along well UNTIL the kittens came.
The older female (Pooh) now growls at everyone both human and animal. Even the cat/dogs she got along with before. She has shown no aggression such as biting or scratching, she just growls and hisses and will leave the area.
Has this happened to anyone else? We have found homes for all of the kittens, though we have kept one. The mom and kitten were recently spayed/nuetered.
 

jen

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I can pretty much guarentee it is all the changes that have been happening. The kittens came= intruders in your cats home
Then they got neutered=they smell different=changes in smell in the home.
Then the kittens left=another change in the home

Just give it some time until things settle down a bit. Put vanilla extract on all of them so they smell alike. As long as no one is really fighting or hurting each other, I wouldn't worry.
 
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mowsluver

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Thanks, I will try that. I can understand her being upset at the kittens but she is even growling at her buddy 'Tigger'. We got them at the same time, from the same person but they are from different litters.
She and Tigger are indoor/outdoor cats. So it is not like she is trapped in here with them!
 

gayef

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Another change has also taken place in that the hierarchy of the cats has changed. You've added a kitten, which depending upon what his/her personality type is like, could mean a shift in their respective positions. Even if he/she is the most docile, non-confrontrational sort, the older female (Pooh) could potentially perceive him/her to be a threat to her current (and comfortable) position there.
 

kluchetta

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Originally Posted by gayef

Another change has also taken place in that the hierarchy of the cats has changed. You've added a kitten, which depending upon what his/her personality type is like, could mean a shift in their respective positions. Even if he/she is the most docile, non-confrontrational sort, the older female (Pooh) could potentially perceive him/her to be a threat to her current (and comfortable) position there.
Exactly. I would try and give Pooh some extra attention. Maybe even in front of the kitten? To show her she's still special. You could also use the Feliway plug ins or spray to sort of neutralize the hormones floating around there!
 

angier106

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I've posted that my Chachi ran away and now I think that it is because of I was paying attention to her own (kids, a 1 year and other two 8 months). I noticed that she became like this after having her spaying.
She'd even growl at me. It is sad to remember that the "last day" (hopefully not) I saw her she was very mad and growling, rolling around the grass.

Angie
 
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mowsluver

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Pooh has never been a real friendly cat, that is....except for my 6 year old daughter! Pooh tolerated the rest of us but adores my daughter. She sleeps with her evernight, and she will only let her hold her. I am here to provide food and open the door when needed, otherwise she could care less.
My daughter hasn't really shown that much more affection to the kittens. Pooh is her baby and she knows it. So me giving Pooh any special attention wouldn't matter at all.
I have to say though, I was worried that the male cat would be the one to have a hard time with the kittens but he doesn't. Never has since day one. He even plays with the remaining kitten and he has an 'attitude' about playing, like he is too good for it or something!
I hope Pooh stops growling soon, her place in the food chain hasn't changed....
 

aussie_dog

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The same thing has happened here. Buffy is the Alpha cat, even though Willow was practically her mother when Buffy was a baby (orphaned at 4 weeks, Willow took her under her wing). But then Molly came and Buffy went nutso, acting COLD towards Molly, and then would take her anger out on everyone and everything around her (including us humans). A year later, Buffy still doesn't like Molly, but she's finally showing little hints of progress (walking around Molly without even growling, when before she would give Molly a smack and then run by, hissing).

Just give it time. Buffy's an extremely stubborn girl, so it's taking longer than usual, but for most cats it's a lot quicker, so long as you don't put any pressure on any of the cats.
 
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