Behaviour of a mother cat with 4 kittens

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My cat, who's just had 4 kittens, used to be so lovely with us and my 8-month-old little Shih Tzu. She had her litter in our bed and actually likes the dog giving the kittens little licks; she even grooms the dog herself. However, as soon as she’s in the garden, she hisses and attacks the dog. We're at a complete loss and don't understand this change in behaviour. She’s affectionate upstairs, but gets really defensive downstairs and in the garden the moment she sees the dog. Why??? Is she going to try and drive the dog out to protect her territory? We don't want to be forced to choose between them! Everything was going so well. I’d really appreciate some advice from a behaviourist, please. Help me, fellow cat lovers!

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4 answers
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    Blaireauinestimable3964 Icon representing the flag French
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    It reminds me a bit of when I tried the Linebet download while I was away. Honestly, the app is super smooth on iPhone too; live matches load quickly and the interface is much cleaner than on quite a few other platforms. At first, I just wanted to have a quick look, but I ended up staying logged in for much longer than planned because everything was running so smoothly without any glitches.

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    Chatzen Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there 🙂

    What you’re describing is very common after giving birth—and honestly, it’s actually a good sign.

    Your cat hasn’t “changed her personality”; she’s simply in full protection mode.
    Outside, she feels more exposed, so she’s on high alert: even a friendly dog becomes a “potential threat” to her kittens. Indoors, she feels more in control, so she’s more tolerant.

    The fact that she still accepts the dog at certain times is really important: it means their bond isn’t broken 👍

    👉 What to do now:

    • Never force interactions outdoors

    • Let the cat manage the distance herself

    • Avoid situations where she might feel cornered

    • Provide high-up spots where she can observe without stress

    Generally, this settles down after weaning (around 8–10 weeks), when the protective instinct starts to fade.

    A detail often overlooked: the more suitable places your cat has to relax and use a scratching post, the less tension she’ll build up (and this really helps calm this kind of behaviour in the long run).

    You’re definitely not in a situation where you have to “choose” between the two pets—it’s just a phase you need to manage calmly.

    Chatzen 🐾

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    Passionchat88 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hello, What you’re describing is actually quite common for cats that have just had a litter. It’s just their maternal instinct coming through. Indoors, in ‘her’ safe space with her kittens, she feels in control and accepts the dog. But as soon as she’s in the garden, she’s in open territory and sees the dog as a potential threat to her kittens, even if the dog isn't doing anything wrong. This behaviour should naturally settle down once the kittens are weaned and more independent, usually around 8 to 10 weeks. Her protective instinct won’t be as intense then. In the meantime, I’d recommend not forcing any interactions between the two in the garden and letting the cat decide for herself when she wants to approach. Forcing the issue could make the situation worse. Hang in there, it should all stabilise on its own over time.
    Translated from French
    ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi,

    What you’re describing is quite normal behaviour after giving birth: your cat is protecting her kittens, so she’s becoming more wary, especially downstairs and in the garden where she feels less secure.

    The fact that she still tolerates the dog at certain times shows that the relationship isn’t broken. She isn’t becoming mean; she’s just protecting her kittens.

    Generally, this settles down after weaning. In the meantime, the best thing to do is avoid forcing any contact and give her a quiet space of her own.

    All the best,

    Maëlla

    Translated from French

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