Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Maternal aggression is regular and protecting conduct often strongest within the first 3-4 weeks after beginning.
- Present the queen cat with separate meals, water, and litterbox to cut back stress and aggression.
- Shield the kittens by making a secure, confined space and monitoring interactions with different cats and people.
Maternal aggression occurs when a queen, or feminine cat, turns into notably protecting. This conduct defends her kittens and might goal people, different animals, or cats that come near her newborns. Since male cats have been identified to cannibalize kittens, the queen’s protecting instincts are justified. It is pure for her to maintain her kittens secure, so this conduct is smart. This aggression often decreases because the kittens develop and grow to be extra impartial.
Understanding Aggression
After the queen cat offers beginning, maternal hormones in her physique can affect her conduct, making her extraordinarily protecting and inflicting hair-trigger tempers. Cats instinctively react with what some name a “stranger hazard” when encountering unfamiliar people or conditions. A brand new cat coming into a resident cat’s territory might really feel defensive, and introductions can ease this transition. Mom cats additionally shield their litter and surrounding space, treating any intruders as threats to their offspring.
Notice Timing of the Aggressive Conduct
In the course of the first three to 4 weeks post-birth, queens exhibit robust protecting aggression since their kittens are most susceptible and maternal hormones are heightened. Something unfamiliar is perceived as a possible menace. Even when cats have been beforehand acquainted, the queen would probably attempt to maintain others away. Whereas aggression primarily targets different cats, it may well additionally have an effect on people. Keep away from dealing with the brand new litter in the course of the first few days. Because the kittens mature, aggression will reduce, however lowering stress for all cats will help within the meantime.
Present the Queen With Her Personal Provides
If different cats reside in your house, present the queen with separate meals, water, and a litter field. This setup allows her to remain near her kittens and keep away from demanding contact with different cats. Lowering sharing-related nervousness decreases the probability of aggression.
Shield the Kittens
Set up your private home to guard the kittens through the use of a child gate to create a secure space for the mom and her infants. Whereas the mother cat might jump over a low gate, it reassures her that the kittens cannot wander away. Different cats should not be allowed within the kitten space. Because the kittens develop, lead the mom out for playtime whereas another person engages in playtime with the kittens.
Encourage Pure Conduct
Because the kittens mature, the mom will show pure behaviors that help their development. Some moms transfer their kittens day by day, whereas others accomplish that solely when frightened. This conduct hides them from predators. The mom may also meow to her kittens in order that they be taught her voice and return to her. Enable these pure actions with out interference, as interruption might provoke aggression attributable to perceived threats. If the mom cat meows loudly or seems confused, verify that no kitten is caught away from her.
Issues and Proofing Conduct
Do not fret an excessive amount of if the queen cat aggression appears fairly robust when the kittens are born. Give the mom cat a number of weeks to regulate to her new function and see how her aggression ranges are as soon as the kittens are a few month previous. As soon as the kittens are weaned, you possibly can spay your feminine cat to stop extra litters (and the maternal aggression that comes with new kittens).