my mother cat Martha does not like her two babies they are getting older and she is always atacking them?

Question

they are all female and get the same treatment

Answer 1

This could be nature's way of stopping the kittens from drinking from the mother - weaning them - you did say that they were older kittens, and her establishing her roll as the top animal in the household. Nothing much wrong here, unless she's drawing blood. Then you may have to re-house the little ones.

Answer 2

How old are they? If they are old enough to be on their own, perhaps the mother is trying to teach them to be self-relient. If they are newborns, maybe the mother doesn't know how to take care of them, at which point I would immediately seek a vetinarian's help, buy some baby bottles and kitten formula just in case you have to feed them yourself if the mother rejects them (they need to eat several times a day!). Nature has a way of working itself out. Chances are, Martha knows exactly what she's doing. She may be teaching the kittens how to play and fight (it looks painful but I assure you it's not), self-defense, or even just horsing around with them. Don't panic, just watch. If it gets violent (bloody) then you may want to interfere if the kittens are still under 4 months old.

Answer 3

She probably feels that they are old enough to make their way in the world. She doesn't understand that they can't just go and establish their own territory!

If you're keeping any of them, she should get over it as they become adults and equals. Right now she feels as threatened as if you brought a new kitten or cat into your home. If you're trying to find homes for them, just do the best you can.

However, if the situation seems dangerous or the mom's behavior changes dramatically, take her to a vet. If you're worried, just do it now, to be safe.

I don't want to be patronizing, but I'd get her fixed soon. Even if there are no males around, it is healthier for her and less frustrating for both of you if she is spayed.

Answer 4

When there is more than one cat in a home a pecking order is established. One cat will establish themselves as top cat and the others take up lower postions. Cats establish territory even inside the home, some cats will have their own special places and will not allow other cats in the home to occupy their places. Cats compete for attention. Your mother cat is perhaps viewing her older kittens as rivals for attention and territory and that is why she is attacking them. My grandparents got a female cat years ago that later had kittens. They kept a female kitten from this litter. The female cat they first had was the "top cat" in the house. She later attacked her kitten as this kitten got older. She even hated the male cat she had mated with and another female cat my grandparents took in. She viewed all the other cats in the house as rivals. Female cats will more often display this behavior more than males. Female lions in the wild will sometimes view other females in the pride as rivals. It is a common behavior among the cat species.

Answer 5

At a certain age the kittens need to be weanned from milk to cat food. That or she is trying to teach them how to fight. If the problem stays then try to take her(the mother) to the vet and ask the vet what is wrong.

Answer 6

The mother cat is simply trying to wean the kittens. By "attacking" them when they try to nurse or get to close she is making them find other food (that you provide) to eat. This is normal...she is just being a good mother cat.

Answer 7

Martha is now jealous of her kittens. That means it is time for them to be on their own. Find them good homes.

Answer 8

don't worry! She is trying to wean them, she will not hurt them! that is the way that a momma cat weans her kittens by snapping, growling and all that. there will still be times, after she gets them weaned from her, that she will still play with them.
She still loves her kitties, she just don't want them nursing from her now.

Answer 9

teach them manners..and wean them she wants them to go on and start their lives....its what happens. same with all mothers...we just wait 18 years before we give the boot....lol

Answer 10

That's natural for animals to behave that way to their offspring. I would advice that you find homes for them so it does not continue and they do not seriously injure another.