A lady my wife works with often takes in abandoned cats and nurses them to health as needed and either finds a good home for them herself, or gives them to a local rescue group to do so.
Last week my wife and I took a momma cat and her two kittens that has just been "fixed". The kittens have adjusted well. One outgoing male took to me immediately (he's my little furry buddy) and the other has taken to us over the course of the week (she was a a bit skittish and we let her decide when to come to us). They play together regularly as well as with my wife and I. The only behavior issue we have with them is getting on the end tables and now the dining room table as well. We just always ask them to get down and pat the floor gently. If they don't get down, we set them down. If they do, we pet them gently with soothing words of praise.
The momma cat, however, does not seem to be adjusting as well. She shows no real behavior issues (she doesn't "act out"), but she just sorta lies around or mopes about. She also has bouts of being very vocal. She continues to care for the kittens (cleaning them and so forth), and she occasionally will play with us when we are playing with the kittens, but she bores quickly and goes back to just laying on the couch. My wife and I both make attempts often to include her and show her she is loved. She doesn't shy away from us, but it more a look of toleration than actual acceptance.
We are certain she was an outdoor cat and she is now an indoor cat. Currently, until we can adequately kitten-proof the house and are certain they will do well on their own, we place them in a very large cage in the den area while we are away. But we have them out whenever we are home, and show them all lots of attention.
Is there anything special we can do to help the momma cat adjust better? Thanks.
Last week my wife and I took a momma cat and her two kittens that has just been "fixed". The kittens have adjusted well. One outgoing male took to me immediately (he's my little furry buddy) and the other has taken to us over the course of the week (she was a a bit skittish and we let her decide when to come to us). They play together regularly as well as with my wife and I. The only behavior issue we have with them is getting on the end tables and now the dining room table as well. We just always ask them to get down and pat the floor gently. If they don't get down, we set them down. If they do, we pet them gently with soothing words of praise.
The momma cat, however, does not seem to be adjusting as well. She shows no real behavior issues (she doesn't "act out"), but she just sorta lies around or mopes about. She also has bouts of being very vocal. She continues to care for the kittens (cleaning them and so forth), and she occasionally will play with us when we are playing with the kittens, but she bores quickly and goes back to just laying on the couch. My wife and I both make attempts often to include her and show her she is loved. She doesn't shy away from us, but it more a look of toleration than actual acceptance.
We are certain she was an outdoor cat and she is now an indoor cat. Currently, until we can adequately kitten-proof the house and are certain they will do well on their own, we place them in a very large cage in the den area while we are away. But we have them out whenever we are home, and show them all lots of attention.
Is there anything special we can do to help the momma cat adjust better? Thanks.
