Momma cat--upset can't seem to calm her..Help..

I am fostering a momma and 4 babies who are approx 6-7weeks old. They have their own room complete with food,toys, litter boxes, beds, water,etc....

In addition I have 5 resident cats--all altered and 4 are senior.

The problem is that momma cat cries and cries to come out with me, but in order to do that I have to lock all of my residents up--PLUS let the babies out as well because if I don't she lays by their door and cries just as much... I have been doing this almost every 4 hours because one of the kittens is still being spoon fed (they were very sick at one time and this one refuses to eat any other way).

At first Mom would just cry and beat at the door for a few minutes when I put them back in their room--but now she won't let up--I gave up after an hour and let them back out..

How long can I let her cry? She has food -water-clean litter-doesn't seem to be in pain or ill. I have tried letting her be with some of my other guys but I think she is still very protective and a fight invariably occurs--

On top of it my guys will protest just as much being quarantined--even with all that they need.

This has to stop--I can't get anything done. I am worried about her hurting herself or even just stressing the babies too much...

Suggestions--PLEASE!!!!!!

Originally Posted by someday

l. I have tried letting her be with some of my other guys but I think she is still very protective and a fight invariably occurs--

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She wants their company, but when they are together, they will fight?

Please, describe more closely how the fights begin, and how do they goes.

Is it possible it is only a rough play? The battle matches CAN seem quite rough!

I understand here it is no longer a strict quarentine the issue. Good.

One suggestion as far, is you apt a Feliway diffuser, especielly in the area they do meets. This should help some of her overprotectiveness. And perhaps also the others stress.

Lets hope others do fill in.


Good luck!

THank you for responding--

When at first momma comes near my other guys it is the normal posturing, hissing, spitting and such but then the teeth and nails come out and it is full combat. I have had to use a towel to separate them... :-(

Then there is one resident who is the youngest and all momma has to do is look at her and she immediately chases her and tries to pounce. THis has terrified my little girl who can be skittish anyway. I was hoping that they would actually get along..

I really think that the aggression is because the babies are still in the house-the real prob is that when I try to put mom and babies in their room she complains LOUDLY and constantly--throwing herself at the door, clawing at the bottom. THis is nonstop and went on for hour+ this morning before I let her out because I was afraid she would hurt herself.

Then once she is out--she still won't settle down, paces, follows me everywhere, meowing, I offer her food but I don't hink she is hungry as she only tastes it--even if I am standing right there.

For instance, right now the babies are sleeping in their room --with door open-- (if I close the door momma lays outside and yells loudly) all other resident cats are quarantined in another bedroom and quiet (for now) and she is roaming the house, nervous, meowing periodically and up and down from my lap and on my desk...

I just want for her to be calm and relax, rest and recupperate from babies and being sick... I really don't recall seeing her sleep--seriously--she doesn't seem to give up.

I have the diffusers--two actually. I have also tried rubbing rescue remedy in her ears as she refuses to have it on treats or rubbed on her gums. SHe also prefers to dring out of a running faucet--and I don't want to leave it in water the babies might get into...

THe question remains--how do I calm this sweet,sweet girl???

When she first got here she was much calmer and would stay quietly in her room for several hours or if I let her out she was content with sitting beside me..

Originally Posted by someday

When at first momma comes near my other guys it is the normal posturing, hissing, spitting and such but then the teeth and nails come out and it is full combat. I have had to use a towel to separate them... :-(

Then there is one resident who is the youngest and all momma has to do is look at her and she immediately chases her and tries to pounce. THis has terrified my little girl who can be skittish anyway. I was hoping that they would actually get along..


I have the diffusers--two actually. I have also tried rubbing rescue remedy in her ears as she refuses to have it on treats or rubbed on her gums. SHe also prefers to dring out of a running faucet--and I don't want to leave it in water the babies might get into...

THe question remains--how do I calm this sweet,sweet girl???

When she first got here she was much calmer and would stay quietly in her room for several hours or if I let her out she was content with sitting beside me..

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Blast! so the first defence line is already broken... I dont wonder she doesnt want the rescue remedy in treats. The solution is a strong spiritus, typically brandy of konjak-type. So solved in water, or rubbed in ears, like you do. Or the sole of the feet.

I see of your description, as there ARE hissings and spittings, this is no friendly approach, and thus - she doesnt want their company.

Although the scenario with your youngest - MAY perhaps be some sort of hard playing. It depends on what the "pouncing" is. Pouncing with soft paw = will be hard play. My boys do hits each other vigorously when having their wrestling, run and hit matches - but I have never see them bleeding of this! Never, nor even shrieking. So apparently they do it with soft paws.
But if she hits the little one with claws, drawing blood or big bits of fur - yes, it is enemy.

Ok, you can also try with soft, calming music, preferably classical harp Music. PM our experienced LDG, she knows which pieces are the very best.

Next idea is to give her occupation. She seems to have a lot of excessive energy. Set on a TV... Play with a laser and let her chase the laser spot. The kittens may join. A radio on? Video with birds and or fishes??
Something along these lines...

Good luck!


ps. Is she neutered? I suspect not. May it be she is in heat? If in heat, she may very well behave like this...

What about building her a cage for the living area to get used to the others-it may help the kittens socialize more to. Or going into the bedroom more(maybe setting it up as your living room-tv or radio. It may just be her personality is not a cat liking cata but she wants to be part of YOU just not your cats. Shes also getting trained and if possible only let her out when shes quiet not in the height of meowing

Why are you letting a young mother in the same room with your resident cats? Not a good idea as she is going in and out of heat. Doesn't matter if the males are neutered they are still boys and will act so. If she is a new cat then she needs to be away from all other house traffic. Fix her a secluded spot in the room where she can feel safe, put on some harp music www.harpofhope.com is the best thing for stressed kitties, then ignore her cries. Visit during certain hours in the day and make a schedule and keep to it. But keep her away from your other cats, you are fostering (protecting) this family until a time when the kittens can be adopted, mom can be spayed and adopted out.

THANK YOU ALL FOR GREAT SUGGESTIONS!

I will def try the music,harp and classical I know we have some...

I have also given her new (not used) toys to play with--she doesn't seem interested in chasing the laser dot or feather wand..

I don't think she is in heat--as she still nurses the babies periodically--


For those worried about her being with my others--I have stopped trying, total separation for the two groups--at all times. I have gotten very good with getting over the baby gates before someone comes over them.

I thought about moving the crate into the living room but honestly the area is small and the commotion it would most likely cause would be disaster. At least in their room they have a ton of room to move around and momma can distance herself from her kits when she wants time. My kids are sulking a bit but I have been giving them extra loves and treats when they are out and have the run of the place..

Again--THANKS for the great advice and support I will def be giving all a try--

Now-- on to getting the littlest one off of her baby food...

Originally Posted by someday

THANK YOU ALL FOR GREAT SUGGESTIONS!

I will def try the music,harp and classical I know we have some...

I have also given her new (not used) toys to play with--she doesn't seem interested in chasing the laser dot or feather wand..

I don't think she is in heat--as she still nurses the babies periodically--


For those worried about her being with my others--I have stopped trying, total separation for the two groups--at all times. I have gotten very good with getting over the baby gates before someone comes over them.

I thought about moving the crate into the living room but honestly the area is small and the commotion it would most likely cause would be disaster. At least in their room they have a ton of room to move around and momma can distance herself from her kits when she wants time. My kids are sulking a bit but I have been giving them extra loves and treats when they are out and have the run of the place..

Again--THANKS for the great advice and support I will def be giving all a try--

Now-- on to getting the littlest one off of her baby food...

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Don't rush the kitten, he or she will tell you when the baby food isn't enough and he wants more. When cats are allowed outside to breed at random this can cause multiple pregnancies to occur. Three toms can take one female in one heat cycle - when the first kitten is ready to be delivered the rest have no choice but to follow. You have a runt that needs to be supplemented. Buy canned kitten food, puree it up with a bit of clear Karo syrup and give it to the kitten in a small jar lid. Put a small dab on roof of the mouth and as kitty is chewing and licking, put the jar lid close and see if he gets the idea. Baby food is okay for a bit but doesn't have everything this kitten needs- if he needs help feeding then help him out. To soon he will grow up and be eating on his own anyway.

Originally Posted by someday

I don't think she is in heat--as she still nurses the babies periodically--

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Now you are confusing cats with women... Nursing human moms are almost sterile, but not so cats! Quite opposite, very often they do get in heat while still with small kittens. The first heat comes about one week after the delivery...


So both I and Hissy do suspect she has her heat-periods...

Ooops--Color me stupid. I thought as long as nursing...oh my, maybe I am in too deep..

They all go in for a ck up on Tuesday and I am hoping and praying that I am doing right by them...

I need to say that right at this moment Mom and babies are in their room and are quiet.. So far today she has stayed quiet and happy for about 2 to 2.5 hours at a time.. Yeah...

Maybe there is progress.

I tried the littlest baby on kitten food with Karo syrup--she was not having it... She just wants her baby food--which she has no problem gobbling off a spoon/then plate. I have been trying to mix in the kitten food but once it is in majority--she just stops and cries.

I am also having problems with getting her to go in the litter box..I don't think she likes the litter. So I have a smaller box with newspaper and paper towel in it--but she won't go in front of me and I don't know if the pee in there when I go back in is hers or a litter mates.. She likes to run off in a corner or under a bed to do her business.

She was one of the sickest ones that had to be hospitalized for awhile and I think it has really set her back. She is gaining weight but I don't want her to develop too many bad habits that will inhibit her getting her forever home..

One more question--I havn't seen any of the babies taking water from their small bowl (momma does). They eat their canned food w/out a problem--when will they go after water...?

Again--Thank everyone soo much..

Originally Posted by someday

-I havn't seen any of the babies taking water from their small bowl (momma does). They eat their canned food w/out a problem--when will they go after water...?

.

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Canned food contains lots water, between 70-85 % depending on brand, typically 78-82. So a cat eating canned really doesnt need water. (although a good owner safeguards there is fresh water easily attainable).
So if they try a little occasionally it is really enough.
Unless it is very hot of course.

Try perhaps with several water bowls.

For grown up cats I would recommend one of the bowls to be with stale water - as some cats do prefer stale water which humans would leave be if they had any choice... The other bowls of course with fresh water.
But with kittens I dont dare to experiment, so fresh water, but in shallow bowl, one porcelain, one stainless steel. Perhaps even one of plastic.
The main bowl NOT near their food.

Good luck!