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why has my cat started hissing and scratching at her kittens2007-11-25 12:32:35

kittens are 4 months old and mummy has just started hissing and biting and scratching them.

Answers:

Moving them on to independence.

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That's normal. My cat did the same. She's done her duty and now wants to be left alone. My cat now 'tolerates' her son after nearly two years.

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post natal depression

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maybe she is trying to make them more independant, and weaning them off of needing her all the time. she is prolly trying to get back on with her life before kittens, and tired of them hanging all over her.

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shes proberly done her motherly bit now and wants a break from them.

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They are probably trying to nurse off her and she does not want them to nurse anymore. Either that or they are just annoying her. Once they are old enough she wants nothing more to do with them in a motherly type relationship.

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I've had cats all my life and at this stage in their development it's quite normal. Hissing and biting (sort of nipping) at them is her way of showing discipline and boundaries so they learn to be on their own. She's expecting them to start being weened by now and is helping them to be more independent instead of dependent on her.

I wouldn't be concerned or consult a vet unless her behaviour actually becomes violent toward them.

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she is fed up with them at this stage find them a home unless you want them

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She is probably weening them.

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Mother cat is trying to wean her kittens. At some point, all mammals grow too big for their mothers to "breast feed" them. Mothers don't make enough milk for "big" babies and their babies have teeth that hurt when they start to grow up. She wants the kittens to eat much more solid food, so she's pushing them away from her, that's all.

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because she doesn't like them any more

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its probably time they left her and went on solids

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its normal every female cat that i have had has done this

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She doesn't want them trying to suck anymore. They have teeth now and it probably hurts her. She is weaning them from nursing.

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Sounds like mommy cat is trying to "cut the cord" they are old enough to eat kitten food and be more independent.

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maybe she lacking calcium. or maybe her babies are still trying to nurse from her and they are biting her nipples with their teeth that can be irritating.

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don't know about mother & kittens but if you don't get any other advice you could get a consultation with a 'cat therapist' we spoke to www.thecattherapist.com when our cats were fighting (we have two brothers who are 5 so a bit different) & they did stop for a while & make up but have started again so bit early to tell wether her technique (basically seperating them but so they can still see each other) worked, although she does emphasize the fact it may take a while . don't know if that's suitable for kittens though so might be worth asking her, she does charge though . good luck

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You must keep to the animal hierarchy and to treat the mum first and then the kittens, otherwise, the mum will feel usurped and attack and possibly kill the kittens.

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They're misbehaving.

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thats their way of showing affection

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wants to be alone now that the eqivilant of our 18yrs with a child but it is different with animalscause they have to learn to defend them selves in the wild her way of teaching them i suppose telling them

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she is trying to kick them out of the house it is time they got a job or went to university - a bit like human parents when they are fed up with teenagers sponging off them!!

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This is normal for most animals. When their young get to a certain age and can live independently, the mother tells them to start living their own lives.

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My cat is the same! Shes was such a good mum when they were born, only kept one and found homes for the others., but now every time sammi(the baby) walks past her saskia (mum) lashes out at sammi. Sammi dont care she jus walks off ans goes to sleep somewhere else, sammi is 4 now so cant see it ever changing now its jus natural, jus have to get used to it sorry!

It has defo changed saskia personality thou she used to be a lovely cat but she spits and lashes out at anyone now if the mood takes her or you catch the wrong spot on her back.