Why Do Mom Cats Assault Their Older Kittens? 4 Vet-Reviewed Causes

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Queens often reject kittens who seem like unwell or spend much less time caring for weaker ones after they have significantly massive litters and never sufficient milk to offer sufficient nourishment for all their infants. Mom cats generally cease giving their kittens consideration however can even actively assault them, for a wide range of causes.

As soon as kittens grow old, the explanations mom cats could go on the assault range from instructing boundaries to weaning. Contact your veterinarian for recommendation for those who turn out to be involved about your cat’s conduct or the kittens’ welfare. Maintain studying to study extra about 4 attainable causes mom cats assault older kittens.

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The 4 Causes a Mom Cat Might Assault Their Older Kittens

1. Weaning

When cats are born, they’re depending on their moms for vitamin. As kittens age, their moms encourage them to eat common meals by pushing them away after they need to cuddle up and nurse.

The method can proceed till cats are solely weaned, and most kittens want about 6-8 weeks earlier than they’re totally weaned. In case your cat seems to be reacting assertively, particularly when her older kittens strategy to nurse, there’s probably nothing to be nervous about because it’s in all probability simply a part of the pure weaning course of.

mother cat feeding kittens
Picture Credit score: Christiane Höfer, Pixabay

2. Instructing Boundaries

Cats generally react aggressively when issues turn out to be too heated throughout playtime. Mom cats are primarily accountable for instructing their infants the way to work together with and get together with different cats and navigate the world. Cats usually growl, chew, and use aggression to inform their feline buddies it’s time to again off.

In case your cat is biting or hitting her kittens after they get carried away whereas taking part in, she’s probably instructing them their boundaries. The mom and her kittens often relax after she disciplines them.


3. Redirected Aggression

Scared cats generally assault individuals and animals that don’t have anything to do with what’s upsetting them. As an illustration, a cat who’s upset with the household canine could assault the closest bystander as a substitute of the canine; it’s known as redirected aggression and will also be triggered by issues your cat sees taking place exterior.

In case your cat reacts aggressively towards her kittens after a showdown with one other pet, it might be redirected aggression. Permitting cats the time and area to relax is vital in terms of controlling this form of conduct.

Angry cat to kitten
Picture Credit score: Alfiya Safuanova, Shutterstock

4. Ache

Cats usually conceal indicators they’re not feeling effectively; it’s an adaptation that helped them survive within the wild. It’s notoriously tough to establish indicators of sickness in cats, as they’re usually refined and marked by minor modifications. Cats that aren’t feeling effectively usually withdraw and lose curiosity in interacting with individuals they often need to spend each minute with, and so they may even lash out when feeling significantly below the climate.

Some chew and turn out to be aggressive when painful elements of their our bodies are touched. In case your cat typically seems to be torpid otherwise you’ve noticed different behavioral modifications, make an appointment together with your vet to make sure nothing else is happening that may very well be inflicting the conduct.

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Conclusion

Mom cats can turn out to be aggressive towards older kittens for a number of causes, together with setting limits and weaning. Ache can even inspire this form of conduct. Mom cats can go on the offensive when kittens’ play turns into a bit too enthusiastic.

Eliminating stressors and making certain cats have comfy environments that meet their wants can usually go a great distance towards decreasing overly assertive conduct in pets. Remember that punishing cats for aggressive conduct makes the scenario worse. Cats displaying indicators of sickness, comparable to lethargy, lack of urge for food, or withdrawal, ought to at all times be seen by a veterinarian in order that they are often identified and handled.


Featured Picture Credit score: Volodymyr Plysiuk, Shutterstock

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