Mumma attacking her kittens

pretttykitty · Jan 20, 2017

Hi everyone, 'my pretty kitty biscuit (tortoiseshell, just over a year old ) has recently become a new mum to 5 beautiful little kittens which are all now 8 weeks old. She's been the perfect mother the entire time but In the last week we have started to notice some funny behaviour from biscuit as she seems to get the shits? with her kittens and is hissing at them and getting angry with them (swatting them away etc) over little stuff likejumping past her, trying to play with her or trying to run off outside onto the deck etc. Is this just her trying to teach them to idk be less hyperactive around her Or something? I'm a little confused and just don't want her to be upset so I want to help her if I can. We give her time to herself as she likes to lay out on the deck in the sun and not be disturbed. They're all inside cats but are allowed out onto the deck for some sun and fresh air etc twice a day everyday. One of those times though is just for biscuit so she can have a little break as she can't escape them much in the house so we keep them locked inside while she lays outside for about an hour or so for her zen time! She's a wonderful cat and loves her babies but I'm worried she might need some more time to herself or something as they might be driving her mad? I'm no cat expert though so any help would be greatly appreciated! Thankyou - prettykittymumma

StefanZ · Jan 21, 2017

Pretttykitty said:
Hi everyone, 'my pretty kitty biscuit (tortoiseshell, just over a year old ) has recently become a new mum to 5 beautiful little kittens which are all now 8 weeks old. She's been the perfect mother the entire time but In the last week we have started to notice some funny behaviour from biscuit as she seems to get the shits? with her kittens and is hissing at them and getting angry with them (swatting them away etc) over little stuff likejumping past her, trying to play with her or trying to run off outside onto the deck etc. Is this just her trying to teach them to idk be less hyperactive around her Or something? I'm a little confused and just don't want her to be upset so I want to help her if I can. We give her time to herself as she likes to lay out on the deck in the sun and not be disturbed. They're all inside cats but are allowed out onto the deck for some sun and fresh air etc twice a day everyday. One of those times though is just for biscuit so she can have a little break as she can't escape them much in the house so we keep them locked inside while she lays outside for about an hour or so for her zen time! She's a wonderful cat and loves her babies but I'm worried she might need some more time to herself or something as they might be driving her mad? I'm no cat expert though so any help would be greatly appreciated! Thankyou - prettykittymumma

Its a little difficult to know, several mechanism are possible.   One is the obvious - the time has come for her to actively begin to push them off, push them into adulthood, not being no more very dependant on momma.   A little early, but no unusual.

Second is, what you yourself propose, she teaching them manners. Which is is overdoing somewhat, but yes, it may look so.

The third possibilily. As she IS allowed outside, it may be so she is already pregnant anew.   It doesnt not take much, a tom passing by, feeling a female, sniks in and they do what they do. Takes a minute or two, not more.

Being pregnant anew, they tend to haste to shove away the previous litter.   Leave be perhaps one dau.

Fourth: Are they still nursing? It may be so she gets sore in the teats, and dont have patience with them - they are literally hurting her in the midst of her maternal love.

So, whatever you do, whatever theory you follow, please spay her now as soon you can.   Its high time anyway, when the kittens are 8 weeks.

AND as she is allowed some Zen-time, there is some risk for new pregnancy.

Mumma attacking her kittens

pretttykitty

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StefanZ

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