Litter behavior. Please help!!

Question
Hello,
My problem is this, last year I took in a cat whom I found on the street who was pregnant at the time and she gave birth to to five healthy little kittens. We tried our best but could only find a home for one kitten which resulted in us having five ourselves. The mom and four kittens (two neutered males and two still intact females)
Now the kittens are 1 yr and 8 months old and I'm having a big problem with one of the females. She is scared and/or stressed out from what seems to be the other cats. She is either hiding between the couches or in the bathroom. Whenever she sees another cat she starts growling and hissing. Her sister and brother seek her out sometimes which results in the same hissing/growling and fighting fits. She is eating and drinking still but she is alert the whole time and runs away if she senses anyone coming or there.
If I am on the couch or in the bathroom she will Mela and comeout and sit with me and be very lovey dovey, purring and rubbing up against me.
I am making an appointment to get the three female spayed asap and I'm hoping mabey that will help if its a matter of hormones etc.
What do you think is causing this behavior and what can I do? Please help.

Answer
Hi Jackie

It is natural for a cat family to be dispersed if they were in the wild and it is ourselves who make them live together.  You would probably need a cat behaviourist to identify what is the problem.  There may have been some bullying going on that you weren't aware of which has resulted in her feeling threatened by her brother and sister.  However spaying the 3 females is certainly a step in the right direction but only time will tell if this resolves the problem as sometimes it doesn't.

If it doesn't resolve in say 3 months after the girls are spayed, then you may have to consider looking for a home for this cat as she may be much better with a family with no other animals where she can have the one to one that she seems to enjoy with you.

We have to remember that every cat is an individual the same as we are, and some of them just want their own space.

Regards

Marcia