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by Anonymous on November 11th, 2006

Anonymous

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My female cat attacked her 6-month old kittens last night. I wasn't able to see what provoked the attack, but does anyone know why a mother cat would attack her babies? I had to separate them because the kittens are afraid of her now.

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Answers. 9 helpful answers below.

  • by snakesncrocks on November 11th, 2006

    snakesncrocks

    there getting older maybe in the wild this would be the time when the mother leaves the kittens, mabe they need a new home?

    but im just a kid, no expert dont give them away just because of what im saying

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  • by Anonymous on November 2nd, 2009

    Anonymous

    They're 6 mos old and you still have them? Mama can smell that babies are coming into heat....your 6 mo old babies are emitting pheramones and she is feeling defensive.....get the babies and mama spayed/neutered.

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  • by Anonymous on November 2nd, 2009

    Anonymous

    Some great answers that you have received here. Mama is only trying to teach them how to behave appropriately.

    Feline (domestic) mom's often have been forced to leave their 'cubs' earlier than at age 6 mos. Mom isn't going to hurt her babies....it's possible that babies are still trying to suckle from mama. Are there any other cats around?

    There's no reason to interfer with mama grabbing babies by the neck until baby relaxes. She will NOT hurt them....but rather is teaching them. Maybe she is telling them "No matter what, I eat before you!" or some other lesson. Just watch and learn.....she won't hurt them but rather is teaching them......(why do you have 6 mo old babies anyway?? ALL need to be spayed/neutered. At 6 mos of age, they will gift you with more kittens than you can possibly want, and in-bred to boot. [Exponentially, 1 fertile male and 1 fertile female will produce >600,000 kittens over a 7 yr period.] Check with your local Feral Cat Coalition, FCCO for getting them all s/n.)

    Volunteer, Feral Cat Coalition.

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  • by JUSTNORMAL on November 11th, 2006

    JUSTNORMAL

    I agree with the others, at 6 months Mom is tired, and she is out to kick some butt and keep them in line and to leave her alone.

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  • by theLastCynthia on January 16th, 2012

    theLastCynthia

    She's telling the kittens they need to leave her and get a new home.

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  • by Dizzym on December 11th, 2009

    Dizzym

    Yes, the other posters are correct - kittens of 6 months shouldn't still be with their mother. As far as she's concerned they're adults now, as indeed they are, old enough to come into season themselves and soon have babies of their own. If you intend keeping them and don't want to breed from them in future, you need to have them neutered/spayed. You also need to have them develop an independent life from their mother, with their own places to sleep, eat, etc., rather than always being with her. I know it isn't always easy to do all this when they've all been used to being together, but the mother cat needs her own life back.

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  • by robbie2828 on August 25th, 2010

    robbie2828

    Hi, I think the mom wants her kittens to realize that they need to be independent, and that they don't need her anymore, she has taught them everything they need to know. I hope that helps good luck.

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  • by sandylew2010 on January 2nd, 2011

    sandylew2010

    I just noticed mine is doing that, she dissappeared for 3 days and came back and now if they come near her she acts as if she doesnt know them, these are all strays im feeding, so not really mine...

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  • by pandora on December 11th, 2009

    pandora

    Cats are territorial. Its possible they are trying to claim her space. And if you have a male he may be trying to mate with her if he is in heat. I don't think cats care if mom is a relative or not. Get the males fixed or your going to have a larger problem.

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