Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have had two adult cats for a couple of years. They get along fine with each other. We rescued two other cats, a new mother, and one of her male kittens. We have kept the two new cats separate from the adult cats for several weeks and recently, just introduced them. Kitten went off exploring and interracting with the adult cats, and mama stayed behind. When kitten returned to mama, mama hissed and attacked him. It has been this way ever since. Anyone have any idea what is going on here? Is this a permanent change of behavior? Is mama cat rejecting kitten for consorting with the "enemy?"

This may be a case of redirected aggression. The mama may be aggressing on her son because he is smaller than the other two cats. She'd like to aggress on them, but for some reason, possibly their size, won't do it.

If she still has problems, contact your vet. He/She may be willing to prescribe some antianxiety meds to make the socialization go a little smoother.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Thanks so much for your insight on this. Before reading your post, I really didn't think that cats were able to think with this level of complexity. Regards. --Arnie

>>Thanks so much for your insight on this. Before reading your post, I really didn't think that cats were able to think with this level of complexity. Regards. --Arnie

You might also try Comfort Zone, which is a Feliway plug-in. It seems to have a calming effect on cats in what they perceive is a stressful situation, as it mimics the happy pheremones that cats give off. It seems to help with aggression problems in my multiple cat family. I would try this first before drugging the cat.
click here......Feliway Comfort Zone

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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

To err is human, to purr is feline.