Cats have a way of understanding what makes them different from one another.
Since they look the same, people can easily confuse them. Some cats become playful after giving birth, and they may bite or lick their muzzles to get rid of temporary odors.
If your cat has a skin condition called cracked and flaky patches, it’s likely that these cracks are the result of the irritated skin moisturizing spray we created. So, why do cats growl after giving birth?
When a cat gives birth, she usually growls at her kittens. This is to protect the kittens from predators and teach them how to hunt and defend themselves.
In fact, if a cat doesn’t do this, her kittens may die of starvation or disease. However, not all cats do this.
Cats that have lost the ability to hunt, known as pet cats, generally don’t growl at their babies. However, pet cats do have other ways of protecting their kittens from predators.
For example, they may play with them or sing to them.
Do Cats Get Aggressive After Having Kittens?
The short answer is yes, but be sure to read the long answer below for an explanation.
Cats can be aggressive after they’ve had kittens. This is because a new-born kitten is just like a new-born baby in a cat’s eyes.
The mother cat takes her kittens everywhere with her, including outside and to other homes. As a result, kittens get exposed to new environments where they encounter other animals and people.
These experiences teach the kittens how to defend themselves and warn them of potential threats. However, once kittens are weaned and grow up, their behavior changes dramatically.
Adult cats are generally less aggressive than kittens. However, the memories of being aggressive and scared will stay with adult cats, so they may show signs of aggression from time to time.
Why Do Cats Growl After Giving Birth?
Maternal Aggression
Cats are known for their playful and affectionate natures.
They are often described as “kittens” or “purrs.” However, cats can sometimes be aggressive. For example, when cats feel threatened, they can let out a sharp hiss.
When cats give birth, they may also growl aggressively when the mother cat is protecting her kittens from potential predators. This behavior is called maternal aggression.
It can be seen in many cat species, including lions, tigers, and cheetahs. However, it is not known why cats growl when they give birth.
It could simply be a behavior that has evolved over time because predators are territorial and protective of their young. More research is required to understand the origin of maternal aggression in cats.
Refocusing Anger
Cats’ growls after giving birth are unrelated to their anger.
New research suggests that cats growl after birth in order to refocus their anger. Cats growl when angry in order to show aggression to those around them.
However, this aggression is often misdirected towards the kitten itself. Scientists suspect that cats growl after birth in order to refocus their anger on the kitten instead of themselves.
Cats are territorial and protective of their kittens. Therefore, they growl in order to show aggression towards other cats or potential threats to the kitten.
The new theory suggests that cats growl after birth in order to refocus their anger on the kitten instead of themselves.
Cat Not Well
When a cat gives birth, her litter can be difficult for the newborn.
As a result, some mothers growl at their new babies. This may be because cats are not used to giving birth, so they’re scared.
Furthermore, cats are more likely to growl when their litter is small or they have to care for more than one baby at a time. Cats also growl when they’re hungry, so they need more food.
For all these reasons, it’s likely that cats growl after giving birth because they need more food or they’re scared.
Petting Induced Aggression
Cats purr when they are happy or content, and purring sounds similar to human speech.
But purring has many other meanings as well. Some cats purr when they are nervous or uncomfortable, while others purr when they are in pain or sick.
Now, scientists have discovered that cats purr after giving birth. While giving birth, cats either scratch or bite their bellies, depending on the litter size.
This pain causes them to produce higher levels of hormones, including oxytocin, which is the same hormone that causes labor contractions in humans.
Oxytocin causes cats to purr after giving birth, which can reduce swelling and speed up healing.
Fear-Based Aggression
A recent study has found that cats growl after giving birth due to fear-based aggression.
When cats give birth, they instinctively go into attack mode to protect their offspring. This response is natural, but it may lead to more aggression later on.
Most cats will only attack when giving birth, but this study has found that some cats may attack later if frightened during feeding or petting. Additionally, these cats are more likely to attack their owners’ faces or hands.
The study suggests that cats should be trained to be more accepting of humans so they don’t attack them after giving birth.
How Can You Help Your Cat With Maternal Aggression?
Stay Calm
During pregnancy, cats often develop maternal aggression.
This can make it difficult for owners to take care of their cats during their pregnancy.
Fortunately, there are ways to deal with maternal aggression, such as staying calm during the cat’s pregnancy, making sure the cat isn’t stressed, and offering the cat lots of affection.
By staying calm, owners can make it easier for their cats to give birth to healthy kittens.
Encourage Natural Behavior
If your cat is displaying maternal aggression, try to encourage natural behavior.
For example, provide her with a litter box in her preferred location and make sure she eats regularly. If your cat isn’t getting enough sleep, try to provide her with a comfy bed in a peaceful place.
Also, make sure your kitty has plenty of toys that are safe for kittens to play with. To encourage natural maternal behavior, introduce another cat into your home and let her socialize with the kitten.
Finally, make sure your cat gets plenty of exercise throughout the day.
Get The Cat All She Needs
Cats are one of the most intelligent animals on the planet.
They know how to take care of their kittens and newborn litters. But sometimes cats have problems caring for their kittens.
Maternal aggression is one of these common problems. Maternal aggression is when a mother cat is aggressive toward her newborn kittens.
It’s a serious problem that can sometimes end up killing the kittens. The best way to deal with maternal aggression is to get it treated as soon as possible.
There are several treatment options for cats with maternal aggression.
Note Timing Of The Aggressive Behavior
Cats are aggressive by nature.
They attack other animals in order to protect their territory and food. However, not all aggression is natural.
Some cats become aggressive toward their owner. This typically happens when a cat becomes stressed by loneliness or illness.
If your cat is displaying this behavior, try to stay calm. Then, try to note when the aggressive behavior starts and stops.
Also, note whether the aggression is directed at you or at something else. Finally, try to figure out what triggers the aggression.
If you can figure out what triggers the aggression, you’ll be able to help your cat overcome it.
Know The Source Of Aggression
Kittens and cats can have “maternal aggression,” which is when a mother cat is aggressive toward her kittens.
This is usually due to a kitten getting too close to her kittens or the mother cat getting too stressed with the kittens around. However, it is important to note that this behavior is quite common and normal for cats.
Experts believe cats display maternal aggression because they want their kittens to develop normally into adult cats.
For example, she may display aggression towards other cats or dogs to ensure her kittens can socialize without a problem.
She may also display aggression towards her kittens when they are roughhousing or playing too much, so they learn to be gentle.
Physical contact from humans can also trigger this aggression, so it is important to be careful when petting a cat and to not pet her in a way that makes her uncomfortable.
If you are having trouble trying to interact with your cat, it is best to either move away or stop petting her.
Do Cats Get Aggressive After Giving Birth?
If someone approaches a queen who has just given birth and she starts to growl at them, this is perfectly normal behavior for the cat.
Owners should maintain a calm, stress-free atmosphere, limit their interactions with the queen, and avoid touching her as she nurses the young litters.
What Is Normal Behavior for a Cat After Giving Birth?
Your cat may be purring, licking herself, eating, or even sleeping more than usual after giving birth.
kittens she is showing “normal” behavior after giving birth.
She may decide to shift her kittens if she senses danger from predators or other felines.
Why Does My Cat Growl When Her Babies Cry?
The weeping of a baby won’t cause a cat to growl; in fact, it may make her feel protective toward her babies.
Nobody is entirely sure why a crying newborn makes your cat growl so much. But a little bit of knowledge should help make the experience less stressful for you both.
Some experts think it may be due to hormonal changes. Experts believe that a crying baby cat mimics the behavior of a mother cat who has just given birth.
This maternal instinct in a queen cat causes her to respond with aggression towards other felines, including you or your family members.
Also Read: Why Is My Cat Growling At Nothing?
Final Words
Cat growling after giving birth is a common behavior among female cats.
When a female cat gives birth, she is in pain and scared. Her growling is a defense mechanism meant to deter predators or protective males from attacking her while she is vulnerable.
Cats can’t meow after giving birth, so instead they growl loudly to protect their kittens and themselves.
Furthermore, cat growling after giving birth is a temporary behavior, and the female cat usually stops growling after a few hours or days.
Therefore, cat owners shouldn’t worry if a cat is growling; this is a common and natural behavior.