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My cat had kittens, why is she suddenly attacking my other cats?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My cat had kittens 5 weeks ago. I have 2 other cats. All get along. Mama cat is laid back. All of a sudden she has been viciously attacking the others

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Laura E. McRae

Veterinary Technician

Published on March 11th, 2015

It is not uncommon for mother cat's to become aggressive toward other household pets while nursing and raising their kittens. This is just a natural instinct to protect their offspring. Perhaps, now that the kittens are becoming more mobile, your cat is more anxious about their safety around the other cats. It may be a good idea to confine her and the kittens to a single room (if possible) to keep tension and scuffles to a minimum. You can also try a pheromone spray or plug-in diffuser such as FeliwayTM to help ease tensions. More than likely, once the kittens have weaned and been placed in new homes, your cat will start to relax again and return to her old self.

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17Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Lotus Altholtz

    Veterinarian, Board-Certified Lab Animal Medicine Specialist

    Published on March 7th, 2019

    Definitely keep your cat and her kittens isolated from Mini until after the kittens are weaned (at about 8 weeks of age). You can potentially do this by keeping them in a bedroom with the door closed so Mini can’t approach them. Your cat is likely just being very protective of her kittens which is a natural instinct. It would be best to bring Mini to your vet to have all the scratches/bites cleaned with a chlorhexidine scrub, and to have her started on an oral antibiotic such as Simplicef to keep the scratches/bites from getting infected. Your vet may also prescribe oral pain meds such as carprofen/rimadyl and a topical steroid/antibiotic ointment such as Dermavet or powder such as Neopredef with tetracaine. Hopefully your cat hasn’t and won’t scratch Mini’s eyes! That would be extremely painful and serious! Good luck!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 15th, 2018

    Female cats can be very protective of their newborn kittens, sometime acting aggressively. I would keep Habla and her kittens isolated from the other cats at all times until the kittens are older and starting to wean. Best of luck.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 22nd, 2018

    Alley is being protective of her kitten, and I would keep her separated from your other cat. This issue should go away as the kitten gets old and weans from her, but until then, keep them both isolated.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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