Help!! Overprotective Mommy Cat!

My cat (she actually was a stray) is getting very protective of her 3 week old kittens. She never has liked our other cat very well, but they tollerated each other. Yesterday I opened the door where she and her kittens are and she ran out and attacked our other cat. He was just standing there, not even trying to get close to her. He's a nutered male, so no threat that I can see, but I'm not a cat!! Is there anything we can do? I hate to have to keep them apart for the next 6 weeks or so.

She also is very nervous about me even being in with the babies. Will this get better with time or worse? Please give advice!

It's pretty typical behavior, any cat near her family will be a threat to her. Keep her in the same room with her babies, and as they grow and get less dependent on her, she will eventually relax. But for now, let them just be a family alone.

Hello Simon,

My cat is rather protective too. Her kittens are also 3 weeks old. We do not have another cat for her to attack (thankfully) but she doesn't like us taking them from their box. She comes out and takes them back in !

As the kittens are becoming more inquisitive, they are coming out of the box and coming up to us on their own and mum doesn't seem to mind this so the problem seems to be going away by itself. So I'm sure as the kittens begin to interact with you of their own accord (and eventually your other cat), mum should be fine !