Need some guidance

We took in a pregnant cat who was very friendly a little over a month ago. She had 4 babies but only one was born alive. We helped her raise this one, and she's definitely a keeper. I think it's okay that momma cat is now starting to push the baby away (doesn't want to feed her anymore), but it sometimes seems that she's being mean to her baby (taking swats and hissing at her). Is this a cause for concern?

An interesting thing to note is that since she started pushing her baby away, another one of out female cats has sort of taken the role of her mommy. She became protective of the kitten, and would curl up with it often, cleaning her for lengthy periods and just act like the momma cat acted before she started to push her kitten away. The kitten also acts the same way with the other cat as she did when her momma was taking care of her. You know how they have those tender mommy-baby moments? The problem is that often times I find the baby looking for the other cat's nipples, and doing the whole kneading and sucking thing. I don't think she's getting any milk, but it's weird how she just keeps going.... Is this okay?

And one more thing... The momma cat has started acting weird. She lets out all kinds of weird sounds and does all kinds of weird break-dancing (lol). I have three other cats, but all have been spayes/neutered so I am not sure what to make of momma cat's behavior, but from what I've read it looks like she's in heat again. She also keeps having showdowns with our male cats. The only thing that I cannot understand is that she is turning vicious. She is becoming a very mean cat. She attacks the other cats, and if you tried to pet her, sometimes she'll let you, and sometimes she'll attack you. She also growls anytime someone walks in the room -- human or feline -- even her very own baby! I'm not sure if we're going to keep momma because of this. (Of course, if we keep her, we'll spay her.) Does anyone have any idea why she's turned from a sweetie pie to a monster?

Thank you!

Welcome to TCS....it does sound like mom is back in heat again so she really should be spayed. I wouldn't make a decision about whether you will keep her until after she has been spayed and has had a chance to recover. For now....keep her away from your other cats if possible. Some mom's are very loving to their kittens way beyond the weaning period..while others are just ready to move on to a life free of babies. Remember, this is instinctual and nothing you should hold against her. I suspect that once she is spayed, you will see more of her true personality and can then accurate determine if you want to keep her or rehome her. If you need a low cost clinic, just let me know what state you are in and I can look up the low cost clinics in that state.

BTW....pregnant cats are known to be more affectionate...it is interesting that they have this trait. I suspect it is partly due to the fact that when they are pregnant, they are looking for someone to take care of them and their babies. Of course, once the babies are weaned and heat kicks back in...there is a definate change in their personality. The good thing is...that many cats actually become more affectionate once they have been spayed.
Katie

Originally Posted by Kitty-kit-kit

I think it's okay that momma cat is now starting to push the baby away (doesn't want to feed her anymore), but it sometimes seems that she's being mean to her baby (taking swats and hissing at her). Is this a cause for concern?

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No, not really. Mother cats do this. It's part of this little hierarchy system cats have and she's putting the kitten in it's place. Unless you see true signs she is treating the kitten as prey, it's normally not cause for concern. Nevertheless, it's time for mom and baby to be separated.

Originally Posted by Kitty-kit-kit

Does anyone have any idea why she's turned from a sweetie pie to a monster?

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HORMONES! She's in heat, and because of the exposure to her kitten, producing an overabundance of hormones. She's in hormone hell. She needs to be spayed, regardless of whether you keep her or not. As TNR1 suggested, there are low-cost clinics virtually everywhere, many are mobile units and spays can cost as little as $30. Get her spayed ASAP and should you decide to re-home her, just recover your expense for the spay in an adoption fee. Pets shouldn't be given away free anyway.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by fosterfelix

Nevertheless, it's time for mom and baby to be separated.

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Originally Posted by TNR1

...while others are just ready to move on to a life free of babies.

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Thanks for the replies, but are you guys saying that mom and baby should NOT live together?... as in: we shouldn't keep them BOTH?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Kitty-kit-kit

Thanks for the replies, but are you guys saying that mom and baby should NOT live together?... as in: we shouldn't keep them BOTH?

Thanks!

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No...I'm not saying that is the case because she is still intact, however in nature it is normal for mom to get to the point where she is no longer interested in "mothering" her children (ie..it's time for them to become independent from her). Some people do keep both a kitten and mom and it is fine...however the dynamics are individual and are best judged once mom has been spayed.

Katie

Originally Posted by TNR1

No...I'm not saying that is the case because she is still intact, however in nature it is normal for mom to get to the point where she is no longer interested in "mothering" her children (ie..it's time for them to become independent from her). Some people do keep both a kitten and mom and it is fine...however the dynamics are individual and are best judged once mom has been spayed.

Katie

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Oh, okay. Thank you! We'll wait to make a decision on whether to keep momma cat or not until after she gets spayed.

Can you tell me anything about my second paragraph (in the original post) -- how another female cat has seemed to take over as mommy. Should it concern me?

Originally Posted by Kitty-kit-kit

Oh, okay. Thank you! We'll wait to make a decision on whether to keep momma cat or not until after she gets spayed.

Can you tell me anything about my second paragraph (in the original post) -- how another female cat has seemed to take over as mommy. Should it concern me?

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Actually, I think that is wonderful that this other cat has stepped forward and is loving all over this kitten. If she never had kittens and she has a mothering temperment, then that is really good for this kitten. It doesn't say anything bad about the mom because as I stated before..she's simply ready for her kitten to fend for himself.

Katie

How old is the kitten? It sounds like you found the Momma a month ago. If the kitten is less than a month old, it still needs to nurse from the Momma.

I've had several foster Moms, and they each reacted differently to their kittens. One would stalk her kittens, going after them as if they were prey. But once she caught them, she would just give them a bath or let them go! Another only spent the time necessary to feed the kittens, and otherwise sat up on a shelf watching over them. I saw her SEVERELY discipline a kitten for grabbing a toy she wanted! Then my current foster Sarabi spent every moment possible mothering and nursing her babies, and went through severe anxiety when the kittens were removed from her.

I would suggest weighing the kitten to be sure it is gaining and growing. And maybe try putting the Mom and baby in a room alone together. Maybe since the kitten smells like the other kitty, Mom is not accepting her as her own.

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

How old is the kitten? It sounds like you found the Momma a month ago. If the kitten is less than a month old, it still needs to nurse from the Momma.

I've had several foster Moms, and they each reacted differently to their kittens. One would stalk her kittens, going after them as if they were prey. But once she caught them, she would just give them a bath or let them go! Another only spent the time necessary to feed the kittens, and otherwise sat up on a shelf watching over them. I saw her SEVERELY discipline a kitten for grabbing a toy she wanted! Then my current foster Sarabi spent every moment possible mothering and nursing her babies, and went through severe anxiety when the kittens were removed from her.

I would suggest weighing the kitten to be sure it is gaining and growing. And maybe try putting the Mom and baby in a room alone together. Maybe since the kitten smells like the other kitty, Mom is not accepting her as her own.

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Good points Beckiboo...I forgot how young this kitten may in fact be.

Katie