Pregnant cat aggression

dianneh · Dec 19, 2016

Hi, I foster cats and kittens, 2 weeks ago I took on my first pregnant cat, she is due any time.

She rubs round my legs and seems friendly, but then every now and then she goes for me! Usually hisses, strikes my leg and a little bite. She as not broke the skin, it's like a warning or something.

My worry is what she will be like once the kittens arrive? I have been told she will carm down, will this be the case?
Any advice wellcome [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Sarthur2 · Dec 20, 2016

Pregnant cats have very active hormones, which can make them moody. They are often very affectionate, but can just as easily turn defensive when it comes to protecting the babies. It's all instinctual. The fact she has not broken the skin tells me she trusts you but wants you to know she's in charge!

Here are some links you may find helpful:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-do-i-know-when-my-cat-will-give-birth

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/pregnant-cat-what-to-prepare-for-the-birth

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/help-my-cat-is-having-kittens

Good luck and keep us posted! [emoji]128571[/emoji]

StefanZ · Dec 20, 2016

Very true. Observe, if a cat wants to bite for real, you wont be in doubt... So its 100% sure "just for warning" so you mind yourself.

Talk sweetly and calmly, friendly voice and friendly sounds are a potent langage cats do understand.

Rub her belly if she wants and allows. - it helps here and now with the momma to be.

dianneh · Dec 20, 2016

Thank you both so much for your reply. It's harder understanding her because she's not mine.

She only seems to want her head stroking. Do you think she will carm down once the kittens arrive? I'm worrying about taking them from her to weigh them [emoji]128563[/emoji]

Sarthur2 · Dec 20, 2016

She will likely be fiercely protective of her kittens for a few weeks after birth. It's best to weigh them right in front of her as quickly as possible. Once she realizes you mean no harm she should relax a bit. Again, it's instinctual. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

dianneh · Dec 20, 2016

Thanks. I have fostered mummy cats with they kittens but all have been ok with me near them. This is my first mummy before birth and first moody one [emoji]128514[/emoji][emoji]128514[/emoji][emoji]128571[/emoji]

dianneh · Dec 21, 2016

This morning Lucy looked like she had white round her mouth, now I could be clutching at straws but could it be the mucus plug that she was cleaning away?

I can't spend a lot of time observing Lucy because of her moods.

StefanZ · Dec 21, 2016

DianneH said:
This morning Lucy looked like she had white round her mouth, now I could be clutching at straws but could it be the mucus plug that she was cleaning away?

I can't spend a lot of time observing Lucy because of her moods.

I hesitated to answer, because I dont know for sure. but they arent renown for having white around mouth because licking off the mucus... It depends on exaclty how it looks, I guess.

Of course, there may be much fluids flowing, and they ARE eager to lick it off and clean themselves. Also, the milk may have began to come, and she will try to lick it off. Still, they arent renown to get white around the mouth.

So a guess is she got some foam from the mouth, which usually isnt good, even alarming...

Sorry I cant come with an calming.

dianneh · Dec 21, 2016

After posting this I did think of her milk coming, or possibly that she had been sick? I'm going to check on her again. Thanks x

Sarthur2 · Dec 21, 2016

How is she doing now?

dianneh · Dec 21, 2016

Hi she's doing ok, I think I was over reacting this morning and she had just had a drink [emoji]128514[/emoji][emoji]128514[/emoji]
She has just had a wall round the kitchen whilst I put more food out in her room, very loving at the moment [emoji]128571[/emoji]

Sarthur2 · Dec 22, 2016

Good to hear!

dianneh · Dec 25, 2016

Hello [emoji]128515[/emoji] Still no kittens here, but I have a little question.
Lucy hissed and struck my leg again today (it's been a good few days since she last did it) it seems to be when I need to get on and she wants me to stop [emoji]128514[/emoji][emoji]128514[/emoji]
I was thinking would feliway help Lucy to feel calm? I'm kind of thinking it won't work on pregnant cats but if it helps I would get some in. She makes me feel nervous and all I want to do is look after her bless her.
Thanks xx [emoji]128536[/emoji]

Sarthur2 · Dec 25, 2016

I think Feliway is a great idea! It should help mama kitty feel calmer, though it might take a few days.

fostersrule · Dec 25, 2016

She could really lighten up once she gives birth. Some mommas are just plain odd! The way you describe her reminds me of one of my previous foster cats. She would be very lovey dovey. Then suddenly swipe, hiss, jump away and sit there glaring at me. For no apparent reason. Literally. One time I was just sitting on the floor and she was sitting next to me and siddenly (there was no noise, no movement from me, nothing) she swiped, hissed, jumped away and sat at a distance glaring at me. I wasn't really sure how she'd do with me when she gave birth. She was a little intimidating. She did wonderful. She let me sit with her and get involved. Once the kittens were about 5 weeks she began getting protective sometimes when I'd play with them. Up until then she let me handle them all I wanted with no problem. I could pick them up, weigh them, play with them. She was a good mom and easy-going. My mentor told me she had one prego who was terrified and didn't want anything to do with her. Until she gave birth. Then she welcomed all the help and they were friends afterward.

dianneh · Dec 26, 2016

The RSPCA man told me she will be like a different cat once the kittens arrive, I'm finding it difficult to believe lol.
She does sound like your cat, and hopefully will calm down. I will get the feliway anyway as if it can't do any harm it's worth a try.

biancavd · Dec 27, 2016

DianneH said:
Hello [emoji]128515[/emoji] Still no kittens here, but I have a little question.
Lucy hissed and struck my leg again today (it's been a good few days since she last did it) it seems to be when I need to get on and she wants me to stop [emoji]128514[/emoji][emoji]128514[/emoji]
I was thinking would feliway help Lucy to feel calm? I'm kind of thinking it won't work on pregnant cats but if it helps I would get some in. She makes me feel nervous and all I want to do is look after her bless her.
Thanks xx [emoji]128536[/emoji]

If it makes you feel any better, I have a very protective mom here at the moment too (her kittens are already born and currently 8 weeks old). We too tried Feliway and she has changed completely a few days after I plugged it in. Give her a few days for it to work (up to 7 days), but it will most likely (it doesn't always work sadly) make her feel more comfortable. Even if you don't notice it yourself, I am quite sure she will at least be a little less stressed (it is a stressful thing for new moms) than without the Feliway. And the less stressed and uncomfortable she is, the less she will feel the need to protect. Good luck!

dianneh · Dec 27, 2016

Oh thank you so much, this does make me feel better. I want to do the right thing by her and her kittens. Thank you [emoji]128522[/emoji]

dianneh · Dec 27, 2016

Biancavd said:
If it makes you feel any better, I have a very protective mom here at the moment too (her kittens are already born and currently 8 weeks old). We too tried Feliway and she has changed completely a few days after I plugged it in. Give her a few days for it to work (up to 7 days), but it will most likely (it doesn't always work sadly) make her feel more comfortable. Even if you don't notice it yourself, I am quite sure she will at least be a little less stressed (it is a stressful thing for new moms) than without the Feliway. And the less stressed and uncomfortable she is, the less she will feel the need to protect. Good luck!

dianneh · Dec 27, 2016

Ok just been in Lucy's room and there is some red on the floor, it's dry but wasn't there earlier. Could it be the start of something? She seems the same [emoji]128571[/emoji]

Pregnant cat aggression

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