Hi - this is my first post although I have been a lurker reading up on advice and such regarding ferals. I have always had domesticated cats and this is my first time dealing with ferals. Last July my husband saw a mother cat with 3 kittens in our back yard. I estimated them to be about 8-10 weeks old at the time. Since first spotting them I started to feed Momma kitty and the kittens. It is now January and (I lost a kitten to a neighbor trapping it) I have been able to get them to come in the house and even upstairs to the kitchen when I am fixing their food (I have also given them worming medication), but they still run out the window to be fed. I can semi-pet one of the babies (gets very lovey and purrs but will only let me pet him during those feeding times) but not the other and have not been able to pet the momma kitty for some time now.
About 2 weeks ago, we noticed a big change in momma kitty.....she is now hissing and swatting at the babies to where they cringe whenever they are near her. The only time she doesn't hiss or get aggressive with them is when they eat. We have a heated shelter for them but we have seen that momma kitty will not let them in there. So, my question is this - why has momma kitty turned nasty to her babies? Also, is there anything that I can do?
I can't bring them in the house for good as my husband is allergic - he has an allergy attack every now and then when they do come in.
Any advice on this problem will certainly help with my dilema. Thanks!!!! KathyM
About 2 weeks ago, we noticed a big change in momma kitty.....she is now hissing and swatting at the babies to where they cringe whenever they are near her. The only time she doesn't hiss or get aggressive with them is when they eat. We have a heated shelter for them but we have seen that momma kitty will not let them in there. So, my question is this - why has momma kitty turned nasty to her babies? Also, is there anything that I can do?
I can't bring them in the house for good as my husband is allergic - he has an allergy attack every now and then when they do come in.
Any advice on this problem will certainly help with my dilema. Thanks!!!! KathyM