Pregnant cat is being attacked by other cats

tacosdebirria

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Hi, around 2 weeks ago I found a stray cat who was pretty much starving. She was very small, and she was crying quite a lot, so I decided to take her home.
And the moment she arrived my other 2 cats started being very aggressive with her: dashing towards her, growling, constantly walking around her. 
I noticed that she was pregnant a few days later after her arrival. She was well fed now, and her belly was getting bigger, I though that she was just getting fatter, but in fact she was pregnant, and probably feeding her helped to get her belly bigger.

She is in one of the rooms, she has water, food, a litter box, and a bed. The other cats can't get inside the room but she can't leave either unless I am around, and I don't feel okay with leaving her inside the room for 8 hours while I work. I want her to be able to go around the house, but with the other 2 cats constantly attacking her I am afraid of doing so.

Is it normal that cats attack a pregnant kitty?, is it because she is a stray cat and that I decided to take her in?; I have been thinking about spaying her (cat abortion I believe is the term?) is it safe, would it help?

Thanks in advance.
 

StefanZ

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Hi, around 2 weeks ago I found a stray cat who was pretty much starving. She was very small, and she was crying quite a lot, so I decided to take her home.
And the moment she arrived my other 2 cats started being very aggressive with her: dashing towards her, growling, constantly walking around her. 
I noticed that she was pregnant a few days later after her arrival. She was well fed now, and her belly was getting bigger, I though that she was just getting fatter, but in fact she was pregnant, and probably feeding her helped to get her belly bigger.

She is in one of the rooms, she has water, food, a litter box, and a bed. The other cats can't get inside the room but she can't leave either unless I am around, and I don't feel okay with leaving her inside the room for 8 hours while I work. I want her to be able to go around the house, but with the other 2 cats constantly attacking her I am afraid of doing so.

Is it normal that cats attack a pregnant kitty?, is it because she is a stray cat and that I decided to take her in?; I have been thinking about spaying her (cat abortion I believe is the term?) is it safe, would it help?

Thanks in advance.
Its entirely correct you have her in her own room.   I dont think she does mind being alone there!   she knows its for her safety.  And she knows she need safety, especielly now...

Spay-abortion - if its done by an experienced vet, whom is used with such surgery, its no problem.   If its an occasional, not very experienced vet, its of course more difficult than the usual spaying.   Many would hesitate to spay when its visible she is preg.  But as long the kittens aren movingt its ethically no real problem.  If its feasible for you, and you DO have access to such a willing, and experinced vet - you have my allowance to continue with the planning...

Your residents attack her because she is new.  Some are more accepting, some are less.  If its important for you to them to be friends, there are tricks... It may take time and patience thought.

You can also have a Feliway diffuser, it will help some.  Both with her and with them...

Spaying may help some - spayed neutered cats arent felt as the same potential threat.  But it wont be no immediate switch.  You will still need to work for it...

Tx a lot for caring!!!
 

StefanZ

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I must also add, its just wise to keep her isolated, in a quarantine of sorts, till you are entirely sure she is healthy and dewormed properly.   So you were perhaps plain lucky your residents are suspcious, and did your work for you.

Because, unless the situation isnt very favorable (for example, they themselves ex homeless, or healthy cats used to roam outside) some quarantine is the usual, standard treatment for rescued homeless.
 

Sarthur2

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Stefan is correct. It is because she is new, and she does not mind being kept in a room by herself. If she is far along in her pregnancy, and it sounds like she is, many vets will not spay, and it is not always best for mom cat either. Thank you for taking her in!
 
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