Help with re-introducing cat that became aggressive after kittens to existing household cats?

We took in a stray a while back and brought her into our home. She was pregnant at the time but got along well with our other cats...no issues. When she had the kittens over two months ago, she became aggressive towards the other cats and she and her kittens had to be confined to keep the peace. At 8 weeks old the kittens were adopted out to very good homes and we decided we would take her in as a permanent family member..even though we thought we were at our maximum capacity already having 3 cats.. Anyway, it has been a week since the kittens have been gone, we are trying to re-introduce her to the other cats and she is VERY aggressive still..She hisses, howls and attacks even if they are just sleeping nearby. We thought fixing her would solve this but it has been two weeks since her surgery and still no change.. I have used Felaway spray and have the plug-in diffuser as well to try and calm the household. How do the shelters handle this problem? Is her hormones still unbalanced? We really thought she would go back to normal once the kittens were gone and she was fixed... We are at a loss and are not sure how to handle the situation. Our three cats live in fear of her and we can't stand the thought of them feeling this way in their own home.. She cannot hurt them as we have purchased and put the soft claw rubber nail tips on her.. Any chance she will get back to living in peace with them as she was before having the litter?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated..



Thanks,

Stephanie
Help with re-introducing cat that became aggressive after kittens to existing household cats?
Cats can be very territorial, especially when hormones are involved, and once cats decide they don't like one another, it can be very hard to change their minds. Here's a little more on feline aggression:

http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/93鈥?/a>



Right now, you should separate the aggressive cat in her own room, with food, water and a litter box, and try introducing her gradually, as though she was a new cat.

http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/26鈥?/a>



If this doesn't work, you may have to consider finding her an only-cat home, or making the division of your household more permanent.

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