Cats are often called the feline version of a sociopath. They’re independent, smart, and cunning. But the reality is that cats are just like people in that they have emotions and feelings, too.
And sometimes those feelings lead them to act out in strange ways—like when they beat up their own kittens! What causes this behavior? Let’s take a look:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Cats may exhibit aggression towards kittens for various reasons. |
| Aggression can be a result of maternal instincts gone wrong or stress. |
| Kittens’ behavior or physical conditions may trigger aggression from the mother cat. |
| Proper socialization and a safe environment can help prevent aggression between cats and kittens. |
| Seeking professional help is recommended if aggression persists or poses a risk to the kittens. |
Why Do Cats Beat Up Kittens?
Cats are mean. They don’t care about you or your kittens, and they won’t hesitate to remind you of that fact if they feel the need.
Cats are territorial, aggressive, and violent by nature; they have to be in order to survive in their natural habitat. In short: cats are ruff.
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New Litter
The second most common reason for cat-on-kitten violence is the introduction of a new litter. This can be a big shock to the established hierarchy, as it throws their comfortable relationship off balance.
Older cats may not be happy about sharing their toys or territory with the newcomers, especially if they are too noisy or boisterous for the older cats’ liking and don’t know their boundaries.
The best way to prevent this sort of fighting is to keep your kittens in separate rooms until they reach an appropriate age (8–12 weeks), at which point you can introduce them gradually by having them play together behind closed doors before letting them share an area like your living room.
If you’re only getting one kitten, try letting him explore his own room first so he can get used to being alone before venturing into yours.
New Territory
When a cat is faced with a new territory, she will go through what’s called the “adoption phase.” This is when she continuously marks areas of her new home as hers.
This adoption process can be seen in kittens: when they’re young and learning to walk, they’ll wander around your house and mark everything using their scent glands (the ones between their legs).
It might seem cute at first, but once your kitty has finished marking her territory, she’ll start marking it again—and again—to make sure it’s clear that this is HER space!
So if you have an adopted kitten or are planning on adopting one soon, don’t worry about her territorial instincts!
Cats are very territorial by nature; they’re like humans in that way. But cats aren’t the only creatures who mark their territories; dogs do that too!
If you’re dealing with a mischievous kitten who loves to nibble and scratch furniture, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Discover practical tips and tricks to stop a kitten from biting and scratching furniture in our helpful guide and maintain a peaceful home for both you and your feline companion.
Poor Socialization
The reason for this is that kittens need to be socialized with people and other cats. In the wild, cats are solitary animals who live in small family groups.
They hunt alone and only interact with their littermates. When they are young, they learn how to hunt by playing with their siblings at home or else observing them out in the wild. As a result, kittens can grow up without ever having been around people or other cats besides their siblings.
When you bring your new kitten home, it’s important that you spend time getting to know each other so that he doesn’t feel like he has been abandoned by his mother and siblings!
This can help prevent things such as aggression (as he will associate humans as being more approachable) as well as fearfulness (if he knows what humans look like).
Dominance
Cats are territorial and will defend their territory from other cats. Dominance is important for establishing order in the cat’s world, so it’s critical to establish dominance as soon as your kitten comes home.
Cats can establish dominance through play, aggression or scent marking. They can also establish dominance by vocalizing using a high-pitched yowl or growl.
The best way to help your kitten learn how to be assertive is by playing with him every day! There are several different games you can play that will help him learn how to fight back against other aggressive cats — and they’re all fun for both of you!
| Dog Breed | Dominance Level |
|---|---|
| German Shepherd | High |
| Rottweiler | High |
| Doberman Pinscher | High |
| Akita | High |
| Siberian Husky | Medium |
| Labrador Retriever | Medium |
| Golden Retriever | Medium |
| Beagle | Low |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Low |
| Bichon Frise | Low |
Medical Condition
If your cat is acting out towards a kitten, it could be due to a medical condition. Cats can get sick and lash out at others when they are in pain or feeling threatened.
If you have noticed that your cat has been acting differently recently, it may be because of their changing health status.
Your vet may be able to help determine whether or not the cause of this behavior is due to an illness or injury.
If it turns out that your kitty’s pushy behavior is not because of an illness, there are still things you can do as a pet owner so that everyone feels safe and comfortable during playtime!
Hormones Gone Wild
There are several reasons why adult cats might attack kittens. Kittens are more likely to be attacked by adult cats than the other way around because their hormones are at their peak and they tend to behave in ways that seem threatening or too rambunctious or noisy.
Also, kittens may feel threatened by an overly affectionate kitten and lash out out of fear of being overwhelmed by affection.
This type of behavior is very common in cats; you need only watch a cat raise its hackles as it approaches another cat who has recently given birth.
This type of display is meant to show dominance, even though both parties may be neutered males or females without young ones present (males will still be able to mate if they haven’t been neutered).
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Individual Temperament
There are a lot of factors that go into the development of a cat’s personality. The biggest factor is genetics, but there are other things to consider too.
For example, the individual experiences they have while they’re young can influence how they grow up (like being raised by humans versus another cat).
Cats also tend to be more aggressive when they’re older than younger because as cats get older their bodies change and become less limber.
A less limber body makes it harder for cats to play with each other or wrestle around like kittens often do, which means that these animals may try harder instead of using their energy for something else like grooming themselves or sleeping at night!
As you can see from this example, it’s possible for aggression between two pets in your home could be caused by any number of different situations—and not all cases will require intervention from an animal behaviorist either!
| Dog Breed | Individual Temperament |
|---|---|
| Labrador Retriever | Friendly, Outgoing, and Gentle |
| German Shepherd | Loyal, Courageous, and Confident |
| Golden Retriever | Intelligent, Devoted, and Friendly |
| Bulldog | Docile, Willful, and Friendly |
| Beagle | Merry, Curious, and Amiable |
| Poodle | Intelligent, Active, and Alert |
| Rottweiler | Calm, Confident, and Courageous |
| Yorkshire Terrier | Bold, Independent, and Confident |
| Boxer | Playful, Patient, and Energetic |
| Dachshund | Curious, Spunky, and Clever |
All About the Play
Play is an important way for kittens to learn how to hunt and defend themselves. It’s also a great way to socialize, because you get to meet other cats and kittens. Kittens will grow up knowing how to play with each other, which makes them better at catching prey when they’re adults.
If you have an adult cat who likes playing with toys or using laser pointers, he probably picked up those habits while being a kitten himself!
If your cat is still young enough that he hasn’t learned to hunt yet (or if he’s not interested), then it’s best not to leave him alone with any live animals (like mice) for now.
Bonding Behaviors
Cats bond with each other by grooming, playing and sleeping together. There’s also a bonding behavior called allorubbing, which is when one cat licks or sucks the fur of another cat. It can be a sign of affection between the two cats.
If you have multiple cats in your home and want to introduce them to each other, it’s important that they have time together away from any distraction such as loud noise or people moving around.
You should start off slowly by letting them smell each other’s scents through playtime or giving them treats at the same time when they are separated from one another.
They need to get used to being close together before actually interacting with each other so that they don’t feel threatened during the process of becoming friends!
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Building Hunting Skills
You may be wondering why cats would bother to beat up kittens in the first place. The truth is, they don’t.
Most cats are very loving and gentle toward their littermates—cats only become aggressive when they learn that another cat’s behavior is not acceptable.
It’s possible that your cat was just practicing his hunting skills on a smaller animal; this can help him refine his technique for when he encounters prey in the wild later on in life.
Cats need to practice their hunting skills before they are fully grown and will have equal footing with larger predators like dogs or other animals that could harm them if placed in a fight against them at an early stage of life.
| Brand | Hunting Skill Product |
|---|---|
| Acme Hunting Gear | Hunting Calls and Decoys |
| Tracker Outdoors | GPS Tracking Systems |
| Stealth Cam | Trail Cameras |
| Browning | Hunting Knives and Multi-Tools |
| Primos Hunting | Game Attractants and Scents |
| Nikon | Riflescopes and Binoculars |
| Sitka Gear | Hunting Clothing and Accessories |
| Bushnell | Laser Rangefinders |
| Moultrie | Game Feeders and Wildlife Cameras |
| Cabela’s | Hunting Blinds and Tree Stands |
Cats Can Be Ruff
It’s common for a kitten to be bullied by its mother or siblings. In nature, cats are predators and territorial animals who compete with each other for food and space.
They also play with their young, which can result in an unfortunate blow that leaves the kitten in pain.
When it comes to kittens and their mothers, the behavior displayed is not always one of aggression; often you’ll see a mother cat gently licking her offspring after they’ve tumbled over each other during playtime.
Cats have been known to share affectionate displays of love with their kittens as well as other family members like human companionship!
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Conclusion
The key to avoiding cat-kitten conflict is to understand the different reasons why your cat may be beating up your kitten.
If you know why it’s happening, then you can better prevent it from happening again in the future.
For example, if your cat is acting out because she doesn’t like having a new litter of kittens in her house, then you could use positive reinforcement training methods or find an alternate place for them to sleep together until they get older and more used to each other.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to explore the topic further:
Can a Mother Cat Attack Her Kittens?: Gain insights into the complex behavior of mother cats and understand the circumstances in which they may exhibit aggression towards their kittens.
Why Do Mother Cats Attack Their Older Kittens?: Discover the reasons behind mother cats’ aggression towards their older kittens and learn how to handle such situations in a safe and effective manner.
Why Do Cats Kill Their Kittens?: Delve into the distressing phenomenon of cats killing their own offspring and explore the various factors that contribute to this behavior.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the aggression of cats towards their kittens:
Q: How common is it for mother cats to attack their kittens?
A: Instances of mother cats attacking their kittens are relatively rare, but they can occur in certain circumstances.
Q: What are the possible reasons behind a mother cat’s aggression towards her kittens?
A: Aggression from a mother cat towards her kittens can stem from various factors such as stress, illness, hormonal imbalances, or protective instincts gone awry.
Q: Are there any signs to look out for to prevent or address aggression from a mother cat towards her kittens?
A: Signs such as excessive aggression, rejection of kittens, or harm inflicted on the kittens should be taken seriously, and immediate intervention from a veterinarian or animal behaviorist may be necessary.
Q: Can a mother cat’s aggression towards her kittens be prevented or mitigated?
A: Early socialization, providing a calm and safe environment, and monitoring the well-being of the mother cat and her kittens can help prevent or minimize instances of aggression.
Q: When should I seek professional help if I observe aggression from a mother cat towards her kittens?
A: If you witness severe aggression or any harm caused to the kittens by the mother cat, it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian or an animal behaviorist for guidance and assistance.
I’m Dr. Hellen James, a professional veterinarian with a deep interest in the ways that litter size affects the health of animals. I’ve spent years studying this subject and performing research on reproduction in many different kinds of creatures.
