cat changing behavior

I took in a very friendly stray cat last year (first time cat owner at age 42) because it was so good with my kids. The cat had kittens before I got it spayed, we kept one of the kittens. Normally the 2 cats stayed outside all day and I would bring them into the house for the night and feed them. No trouble until 2 weeks ago, the kitten is 7 months old and the mother seems have have disowned her and is acting aggressive towards the little one. I know this is normal. The trouble is I don't want these cats out at night. The little one still comes in when I call her and goes into the garage for food, but the mother comes into the house (or sometimes won't even do that)and refuses to go into the garage and eat even though I know she is hungry. Don't worry the garage is safe and the climate is warm here. I am sure this problem is a territorial issue but at any rate, what can I do to get the mother to come into the garage and eat when she knows the kitten is also in there? I'm assuming hunger will eventually overtake her territorial instincts but any advice would be helpful.

Answer by KAte
Hi you have not said whether or not you have had both cats spayed now. I ask this as the behavior you describe is more associated with cats that are not spayed.
At 7 months old the kitten should definately be spayed before she too become pregnant.
If they are not spayed then have both of them done at the same time. This should definately ease the situation. You may also find that you may need to rebuild their confidence in each other again and so the introduction method would help here

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/introducing-cats.html

best wishes kate

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