Hi All-
Within the past month or so Lilly (female, mother of 3) started hissing and batting at her 3 babies (well they're not babies anymore, going on 6 months...but anywho) whenever they walk by her, approach her or even look at her. She hisses at the 'offender' and if they don't walk away (9 times outta 10 they'll sit and stare at her like she's crazy) she'll run up to them give 'em a whack and run away. She never hurts any of the 'wee ones' just lets them know "leave me alone!" She only exhibits this behavior when she is in heat (fyi: she is due to be spayed in a few weeks YAY!!) and I am assuming she does this out of natural instincts... pushing the 'old babies' away to prepare for the new. That and to send them out on their own so to speak.... Now all well and good but a funny thing started to happen about 3 or so weeks ago, the oldest of the babies (fyi: all are litter mates), Sidney (also female) started hissing and growling at her brother (Sven, recently neutered 2 days ago... I know that he smells differently so that is not helping Sidney out in the least, my point is that Sidney's behavior started 3 weeks prior to Sven getting fixed) and sister (Stella).... Sidney hisses and growls at only her 2 siblings never her mother. However the hissing and growling is becoming more and more frequent, she now does it whenever Sven and Stella are in the same room as she! I would like to add that Sidney does not his or growl at our male toy poodle, Ozzie (he has been around and been their buddy since the day they were born (and even when their mom came to join the family as a baby!)... as far as the cats are concerned Ozzie is just part of the group and Ozzie sees them in the same light.) Sidney does not exhibit the behavior to any of her human companions and is always super affectionate and well behaved. My concern is that this behavior of Sidney's will become 'violent' towards her siblings if it is not corrected soon. I would like to know how to properly approach and handle this situation and what the underlying cause could be. Any information or suggestions that anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated. Have a good one!!
Amanda
Within the past month or so Lilly (female, mother of 3) started hissing and batting at her 3 babies (well they're not babies anymore, going on 6 months...but anywho) whenever they walk by her, approach her or even look at her. She hisses at the 'offender' and if they don't walk away (9 times outta 10 they'll sit and stare at her like she's crazy) she'll run up to them give 'em a whack and run away. She never hurts any of the 'wee ones' just lets them know "leave me alone!" She only exhibits this behavior when she is in heat (fyi: she is due to be spayed in a few weeks YAY!!) and I am assuming she does this out of natural instincts... pushing the 'old babies' away to prepare for the new. That and to send them out on their own so to speak.... Now all well and good but a funny thing started to happen about 3 or so weeks ago, the oldest of the babies (fyi: all are litter mates), Sidney (also female) started hissing and growling at her brother (Sven, recently neutered 2 days ago... I know that he smells differently so that is not helping Sidney out in the least, my point is that Sidney's behavior started 3 weeks prior to Sven getting fixed) and sister (Stella).... Sidney hisses and growls at only her 2 siblings never her mother. However the hissing and growling is becoming more and more frequent, she now does it whenever Sven and Stella are in the same room as she! I would like to add that Sidney does not his or growl at our male toy poodle, Ozzie (he has been around and been their buddy since the day they were born (and even when their mom came to join the family as a baby!)... as far as the cats are concerned Ozzie is just part of the group and Ozzie sees them in the same light.) Sidney does not exhibit the behavior to any of her human companions and is always super affectionate and well behaved. My concern is that this behavior of Sidney's will become 'violent' towards her siblings if it is not corrected soon. I would like to know how to properly approach and handle this situation and what the underlying cause could be. Any information or suggestions that anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated. Have a good one!!
Amanda
