Mean cat

[mandymarie]

Well I have a slight problem with my cats. My oldest Kitties just had her babies 2 weeks ago, and my youngest Klondike just had his leg amputated about a week ago. But the prolem is now Klondiike's getting active again and wants to move around I have had him in the bathroom but he doesnt like it anymore and is banging on the door. But every time I let him out Kitties comes running hissing at him, I think but I'm not sure that it may be that Klondike is a boy and she just had her kittens at least I am hoping that is just it, anyway I have no other ways of seprating them because my apartment doesnt have any real doors except for in the bathroom, they all come up like a foot off the ground. Any idea's?

[abm]

Hi mandy,

I forget, are Kitties and Klondike littermates (brother and sister)? And how old are they? As they grow older cat siblings do tend to have spats and hiss a lot. You're right, it could also have to do with the new babies.

Are you planning to keep all of the cats and kittens or will the kittens be moving out? Depending on how long you expect your cat family to be together and how much time during the day you are able to supervise them, I would recommend letting them "duke it out", as long as no serious problems result. They need to figure out who's boss and where the limits are. Of course you need to make sure the kittens are safe; I'm not sure a bathroom is the best place for Klondike to recuperate either but I'm sure you're doing the best that you can.

Bottom line is, hissing is normal for cats, esp. siblings, and as long as you are watching to be sure Klondike and Kitties are not being dangerously aggressive to one another or to the kittens, I would just let them figure it out. I wouldn't leave them unsupervised until the kittens and Klondike can defend themselves properly though. The longer it takes before everyone has "met" everyone else, the harder the introductions will be... so I would not keep them separated unless it appears there's a real danger.

I love kittens And I'm so glad to hear that Klondike is recovering so well! Good luck and pm me if you have any other questions - I've had large cat families my whole life, I don't think there's much I haven't seen!

[BettaLove]

I know the feeling of new kittens having to be introduced to the family and mama cat not liking the other cats at least it seems that way.

What I did was I had a closet we hardly used so I put mama and babies in there with door open enough for the mama to get out. The other cats knew after being hissed at or slapped by mama a couple of times to stay out of that closet. (the small opening also let mama feel more in control and less like she couldn't defend her babies from all angles.). As time went by and kittens got older mama became less defensive towards other cats and started letting them check out the kittens.

Another suggest is to take one kitten at a time and let mama see you sitting w/ kitten by the other cat and pet the cat then the kitten for a few minutes and if your comfortable with it let the other cat sniff the kitten after a while mama will realize the other cat is not a threat.

I do agree with ABM try not to leave them alone unsupervised just in case your other cat don't mind his p's and q's at first.

Let me know if you try this, it worked for me with my cats, I liked to know if it works for others too. Also let me know if I can be of anymore help.

Take care,

BettaLove

[mandymarie]

Klondike is actually from Kitties first litter so Kitties is Klondikes mom. I have tried Brniging Klondike out to get Kitties used to Klondike being aruond her new babies but she tries to attack everytime she see's him and the vet said to keep klondike away from as much stress as possible also I am afraid to let the "duke" it out because klondiek still has his stiches and all and I am afraid kitties will scratch them or something. I am so confused I just hope all is well again once the kittens are in their new homes in a few weeks.

Also I work really long hours so I dont have a lot of time during the day to supervise them and although my boyfriend Justin helps out with feeding and cleaning he's not comfortable with that ordeal. I am currently looking for a job where I can be home more often cause now I work from 11 am until around 11 pm monday through Saturday.

[abm]

Bettalove's ideas brought back many memories for me! I had forgotten all the little tricks we did when our kittens and grown cats were figuring out who stood where on the family totem pole!

I think time will be your best ally - as the kittens get older and can fend for themselves better, Kitties will be less protective - actually she may abandon them from time to time to allow them to learn self-preservation. But as long as she's happy with you she will return.

Another factor may be Klondike's surgery. He probably still "smells" like the vet to Kitties and that must be overpowering to cats!

You have so much going on - my best suggestion is to figure out a way to keep Klondike away from Kitties and kittens when you cannot watch them, for Klondike's protection as much as the kittens.

Also, and I won't get on my soapbox, but please have Kitties spayed as soon as you can! Most humane societies have very low-cost spay and neuter programs; when the kittens have weaned at about 2-3 months I think she could have the surgery. Then you wouldn't have to worry about more kittens and going through this AGAIN!

Good luck, and keep us posted!!!

[mandymarie]

Yeah that sounds like a good idea...I plan on having kitties spayed asap, I had the appointment scheduled to doit right after she got pregnant again...just my luckl