Mother cat and her kittens...???

Question

I am taking care of my mother's cat becuase she was pregnant and she just had her babies Thurs. night. Gabbie is a very sweet cat, loves people, and has always been good since she was a kitten. The kittens are in the closet of my bedroom. I walked in there and poured her some more food, she walked out and started eating and I pet her just a couple times, 2 or 3, and then she attacked me! jumped at my face and then chased me out the door attacking my leg. My husband went in just to investigate (I know he shouldn't have) and he was petting her, she was purring and then jumped up and bit his face! I assume it's cause she's being protective but this is her 3rd litter, she knows both of us, we're not bothering her kittens at all, and she's in our bedroom! I don't want to wake up to a cat attack! Every vet in the area is closed - even cat hospitals - I can't get ahold of anyone. Can this be a sign of distemper? Rabis? or is it really just protective behavior?

**She just came back a week ago after running away for about 3-4 months. She was in our bedroom being completely happy the 4 days leading to the birth of the kittens. I'm confident she feels comfortable. She's been doing nothing but cuddling with us, sleeping, and eating for the last 4 days. She very well could have just snapped and I understand that, we're TOTOALLY leaving her alone but am just worried if it might be a sign of something else.

I have 2 cats myself who I've kept completely apart from Gabbie and that is why she's in the bedroom. So I can't move her, and my mom can't take her now because since she ran away my mom's boyfriend moved in with an American Bulldog that will kill the cat and the kittens. This is our only option for Gabbie - no one else would do this for my mom and I can only keep her in the bedroom, the only place big and safe enough for her and her kitties.

Answer 1

She's just being protective of her kittens. It sounds like she used to live at your mother's house and you have brought her to yours to have her kittens. If so, she is in a strange place or at least a less familiar place than she is used to. Do you have a dog or other cats? Smelling them could also make her stressed out, worrying that they will harm her babies.

Put her food down outside the closet and don't try to pet her for a week or so. I don't think she'll seek you out in order to attack you...if you stay away from her she won't go after you.

She will most likely return to her normal personality by the time the kittens are a couple of weeks old.

You could get some Feliway or Composure from a pet store. It's a synthetic hormone that you spray in the area of a scared, stressed, or unhappy cat. It calms them and makes them feel secure and happy. Humans can't smell it.

Answer 2

It really is just protective behavior. Instinct takes over. As someone else pointed out, you are much bigger than she is. She is not at your mom's house anymore, she is at yours. It doesn't feel as safe for her. There are other animals there, including you and your husband!

Although you feel petting her is not doing anything, apparently is it stressing her out. She isn't going to attack you or your husband in your sleep, however. She just wants to be left alone to care for her new babies and rest when she is not, knowing that they will be safe. Stay away from the closet. When she is eating, leave her be. Once the kittens are older and she feels more secure, she will let you know when she is ready for affection. Cats always let you know.

Answer 3

they might, regardless of the undeniable fact that sometimes if the mummy became looking after all of them she would not basically exchange her ideas and kill one among them. you ought to might desire to examine to make valuable that the room is decrease off from the exterior thoroughly. I keep in mind whilst i became youthful my father and mom have been given a cat because of the fact we had a mouse. She took care of the mouse. ultimately she had kittens, and by the night a rat had come into the homestead. The rat killed between the kittens and tried to take it away, however the mummy killed the rat. She basically killed it too overdue to maintain the kitten. perchance there's the same animal entering into the room inclusive of your kittens, however the mummy cat became no longer rapid adequate to end it. basically an thought, yet once you're no longer somewhat valuable with regard to the mummy cat, then examine with a vet for techniques on a thank you to make valuable she isn't risky and the thank you to guard the kittens if the mummy seems to be the criminal.

Answer 4

She is being protective of her litter. It may be her 3rd litter, but to her it is all brand new all over again. :) Plus you said you are taking care of you moms cat. Is she at your house and not used to being there? She then had her kittens in a place she may know but does not call "her own". She is probably missing your mom too. She is feeling not quite as secure (even though you know she is) as maybe in her past two litters.
She is in Mamma Bear mode! Good Luck!

Answer 5

Let her be with her kittens. Approach only to feed, and then leave her. When she is able, move her to a different closet, in the house. If she gets better after the kittens are weaned its normal. Stop petting her right now.Have her checked by the veterinarian, or just let her be.

Answer 6

Your cat is sitting in your lap, purring contentedly as you stroke him, when he suddenly bites your hand and jumps down. What happened?

There are several possibilities agreed upon by behaviorists as to why a cat can turn hostile under such peaceful circumstances:

* He has begun to doze in your lap, wakes suddenly and is momentarily disoriented by his surroundings and by being "confined" by your hands. After he jumps down he may look confused and begin to groom himself to calm down.
* Sensitive or nervous cats can be overstimulated by prolonged petting. There are usually warning signs of the impending attack--restlessness, tail twitching, flattened ears, head turned toward hand. It is important for the cat owner to be alert to these signals and to stop petting the cat before this point is reached. At this time a small food treat could be given, along with a few more strokes, to gradually increase his threshold of tolerance. Never physically punish the cat for biting as it may cause him to become defensive and to seriously retaliate.

Answer 7

My cat just had kittens tuesday night and she does not attack me just our boy cats. I think she is just protecting her kittens. I think u should get them out of your closet and put them in a more open room. And try to keep her isolated with her kittens

Answer 8

It may well be protection but who knows. If you have to, Move mom and babies to another room, I wouldn't want to worry about that happening either. Remember, your House your rules.

Answer 9

First, get your cat spayed. There are millions of unwanted kittens in shelters, everywhere. Hard to believe there isnt one animal hospital open in your area???? Check out the below listed website, good luck!!

Answer 10

your best bet is to just stay away from her for it a bit. its probably her protective instincts. I woudl wait until the first vet opens and then ask then some more about it.