Why does my mother cat let me hold some kittens but others hiss?

If the kittens are old enough to survive on kitten food instead of needing to nurse (around 8 weeks) then I would not be too concerned. Mama may just be teaching them cat manners. If the kittens are younger than that and still dependent on mom for milk, then I would contact your vet, as it is important that they are getting enough nutrition, or they could quickly become ill. It's also important to have mama cat checked to make sure she isn't feeling unwell as sometimes conditions like mastitis (inflammation in the mammary glands) can lead to a mother cat refusing to allow kittens to nurse. I hope that helps!

This is the time of year when cats start to come into heat again, and if she isn't spayed and there is an intact male nearby, she may be going into heat and trying to push away her previous litter in order to make room for a new one. If you do not wish to have more kittens, I highly recommend having Chloe (and the kittens) spayed if the male cannot be. 5 cats (plus the others you mentioned) is also a lot of cats, and the sheer number may be very stressful for her. Finding homes for the kittens, or making sure everyone has access to their own food, water, bedding, litter, etc can help decrease tension.

Isabella has decided that the kittens are now ready to live on their own. She believes that she has taught them everything they need to know as a cat to survive. So now it is time to separate ways. You will not be able to keep her from doing this. You may want to take the mother in or the kittens in and separate them that way so that neither mama and kittens will be too stressed. You can also do nothing and let mama do her thing. Eventually they may get along again once the kittens have been successfully weaned from mama.

Yes, that is normal. Some kittens are more independent than others and they are old enough to begin exploring the world on their terms. Generally the cats will work this out amongst themselves. I do recommend to have the mother spayed in six weeks. Spaying cats prevents many health and behavioral issues. It also helps to control the problem of pet overpopulation. One female cat can have almost 30 kittens in a year. That is a lot of cats! I hope this helps.

There are a few possibilities: One, she is a new mother and is feeling a bit overwhelmed or doesn't know what to do with an entire litter, so she is just trying to move a single kitten with her. Two, there may be something wrong with the other kittens such as a deformity, etc, as some cats will try to push away or stop caring for these kittens if they sense something is wrong. Three, she will eventually move ALL the kittens, she is just trying to find a place that she feels safe and comfortable in before she does so. Making sure she has a nice cozy and private place to house her kittens may help her feel more comfortable. You may also need to start helping out and supplementing feeding for any kittens she is pushing away or is having trouble nursing. If any kitten or momma cat seems ill or aren't thriving, bringing them into your vet for an exam to rule out any illness or genetic issues is best.

I don't think you are doing anything wrong! I think it's somewhat common for cats to act very differently in a shelter situation than at home. Sometimes this means that a cat will be fearful or aggressive in the shelter but sweet in a home situation, but it can also mean that a cat seems more affectionate when stressed. Kittens also tend to be more affectionate and tolerant than older cats, so her increased age might be playing a role as well. You may want to try to find another way to spend time with her (like playing or brushing) rather than trying to hold her or snuggle with her.

IT can be common for two cats to get along sometimes and not other just like children. The cats are working together to figure out perfect harmony in there environment. I would not be concerned unless you notice abnormal urination/defecation or you feel like the two cats are constantly fighting. IF they are having occasional disagreements that can just be normal pet behavior. If you feel the younger cat has a lot of energy I would recommend trying to increase play by hiding toys and treats around the house. Hope that helps