Sometimes, cats eat their kittens for the benefit of their own health. If any of the kittens in the litter survive or if they are healthy and you get to them before they are eaten, you should separate them from the mother. The mother will most likely choose a nesting spot where you can make her comfortable. However, some cat illnesses and complications after giving birth are possible.In some instances, these conditions may be prevented or minimized by carefully monitoring of the cat during delivery and the postpartum period. Second, cats are clean by nature, so they tend to clean up after themselves! Cats have an innate hunting ability. Anxious first-time mothers do this more frequently. Why do cats, either male or female, sometimes kill kittens - either their own kittens or those belonging to another cat? If the mother cat detects that there is a problem with one or more of her kittens, then she will abandon them, so that they don't infect her or the other kittens in the litter. The problem is that it causes a lot of pain, especially when the pussycat tries to suck, which can cause the cat to reject them, even devouring them to avoid suffering. Mothers eat there kittens , the possible reasons are : The mother is really hungry and has nothing to survive on . The cat people contribute their ideas:Mother cats sometimes eat their kittens if they are unhealthy or have died. However, there are other reasons a cat may eat her babies and we need to look out for them if they are in our care. If the mother cat won't feed her newborn kittens at all, it's important to get both the mother and the kittens to a veterinarian as soon as possible. The mother cat can keep the babies warm, but if she leaves to eat or use a litter box, the kittens can get cold. Cats are generally excellent mothers; they instinctively know what to do and protecting and nursing their newborn kittens is their prime focus. This can occur when the cat has birthed her babies via cesarean section. In these cases, the mother cat assumes the kitten is unable to survive until adulthood. The birth of new life can also be an emotional and joyful time. In all litters, especially those of 5 or 6 kittens, there are bigger and stronger puppies, and others smaller and weaker. There are a number of reasons why the queen might choose to do this, and this behavior is not necessarily a reflection of her inexperience as a mother. Since the mother cat will be primarily caring for the kittens during the first four weeks of their lives, ensure she has everything she needs. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. They do, however, commonly eat the placenta of their kittens and this is completely normal behaviour. A mother cat is, by nature, very protective of its kittens and it is not her instinct to kill her own babies. If a kitten dies in the nest, she will eat it to prevent the decaying body from attracting predators or spreading disease among the remaining kittens. A cat will also eat her placenta and afterbirth to provide extra nutrients for milk production. If you don’t see her, monitor the kittens from a distance for a few hours. She may chase the other cat off, even if he's nowhere near her kittens. In a wild setting with no domestic food available how would a new mother be able to hunt? Instead of rejecting the cat, we will need to try to find out why the cat ate her babies in the first place. All this is usually more common in first-time mothers, when Stress is able to nullify your maternal instinct. Even the millennia of domestication does not mean companion cats do not retain some of this instinct. This event usually generates not only frustration in the human family, but also disgust and even rejection. After the newly-born mom feeds her children, she will wish to taste the milk herself.But there is a small problem: beginners think that the cat does not want to eat, because it does not go to the bowl. This is nature and I would assume the nutrients are needed to feed the other kittens. This article is merely informative, in .com we do not have the faculty to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. Why do cats sometimes kill their kittens? Eating a weak or dead newborn kitten will act for the same purpose. Again – although this is confronting, this is normal behaviour. There are various causes of mastitis in cats, but is potentially life threatening for the kittens. Instead of rejecting the feline, try to find out what could have happened based on the reasons that we have already presented. The first thing to do if you see a cat eating her kittens is to stay calm. After tearing the house apart, we have yet to find the little one. At present there are several recognised reasons for this, all supported by field observation, documented by breeders and related to other known feline behaviours. However, it is a behavior that is up to a certain point normal in the animal world. When the mother cat tries to breastfeed her babies, it can be very painful. For this reason, the cat will eat the kitten. Although it does not always happen, some cats consider it convenient to do without the less suitable offspring, in order to give their milk and care only to those that are more likely to survive. It is likely that the cat does not recognize the puppies as their own, or members of their own race. cats eat their own aafterbirth because it is FILLED with nutrients that help the mother keep going … Temperature is also a concern for mother cats. The Kitten Care website says that mother cats will move their kittens if there is too much light where they are located, or if the mother cat does not feel safe for whatever reason. For this reason, it is essential to offer an expectant feline mother the best care during pregnancy to provide a relaxed, calm and stress-free environment. They do, however, commonly eat the placenta of their kittens and this is completely normal behaviour. Increased fat to meet the high demand for calories of the mother. Litter Size. It is possible that pregnancy failed to make the cat develop a maternal instinct because of hormonal imbalance. She may also eat these weaker kittens in an attempt to get some of her strength back after having given birth. Tomcats not only sometimes engage in fun-loving play sessions with the little furballs, they also sometimes help to groom them, licking them to cleanliness and brimming health. Our cat just gave birth to a little of five kittens on the 10th. All of this is most common in first time mothers. It is very normal for cats not to eat much after giving birth. Mother cats sometimes eat her kittens if they are unhealthy or have died. This is nature and I would assume the nutrients are needed to feed the other kittens. Eventually, you will need to wean them onto solid food. Sometimes, cats eat their kittens for the benefit of their own health. If you see the mother lacks any maternal instinct (e.g. An expectant litter of kittens can make any cat guardian nervous. Similarly, if the cat has eaten her babies, it is very important you have the cat sterilized. She wouldn't. Sometimes, some offspring of a litter can be born with some disease or deficiency that is not appreciated by the naked eye, and that the mother detects through her acute sense of smell. Also, sterilization has general benefits for the cat and for the larger feline community. 1. If a tomcat gets the scent of a rival tomcat he may decide the kittens belong to the visiting tomcat. My cat has had kittens during lockdown! Mastitis is an infection which is common only to mammals. It is possible the cat is unwell and has passed the illness to her kittens. If you suspect this may be the case with a cat in your care, you need to look out for the symptoms of mastitis in cats to know how to act. It may also occur if there are other animals around which she perceives as a threat, especially if she has not been socialized with them. She can't leave the litter. Learn what to do when you find kittens outdoors. 1. Mother cats do this a few days after birth so as to throw potential predators off the scent, thus ensuring that they do not become some other animal’s dinner. If you dom then you will need to take over caring for the kitten's needs. Anxious first-time mothers do this more frequently. Why Does My Dog Have Bright Red Blood in His Stool? This is a video of our cat, Moxie, giving birth to her kittens. This is because male cats will often kill kittens, and the momma wants to make sure her babies are totally safe. This is good mama cat behavior, and seeing this certainly doesn’t mean your mother cat is thinking about eating … After a few hours the kitten is crying maybe because of hunger but the mother cat do not … Sometimes cats eat their kittens or other kittens, so if she did this it’s probably because she didn’t smell her scent on them, so she ate them to keep herself going so her genes were more likely to be passed on. This undertaking, thus, falls on even the cat owner or the mommy cat to create the cat poop after each meal. Keep reading so you discover in why cats eat their newborn kittens, and know how to face an event like this. You will need to take over their care in terms of feeding, keeping safe and more. This may cause him to kill all the kittens that have been born. If you have been anxious about your beloved cat bringing new life into the world, you will likely have done all you can to make their first day a comfortable one. Killing and eating the kittens is attributed to a number of reasons. What can you do if your cat eats her newborn kittens? Some kittens die within minutes of being born, due to some inborn defect. In the first place, it is necessary to clarify that when an animal, anyone, devours another of its same species, it is called cannibalism. The reasons why a cat will eat a kitten they deem unable to survive has a lot to do with their natural instinct. 1  Provide blankets, a heat lamp, or a heating pad to ensure the kittens stay warm. Yes, some mother cats, also known as queens, will eat one or more of their kittens. Click to attach a photo related to your comment. Sometimes cats will eat their kittens if they are unhealthy or if the mother believes that they won't have a chance of surviving in some other way… Mastitis is an infection, common in many mammals, that affects the mammary glands. They generally eat the placenta after they have ensured the kittens are safe and washed down. If it’s about reasons of health or stress of your cat, solve them as soon as possible with your veterinarian. Missy will not forget about her kittens. These instances are very rare, and definitely not common in the feline community. If you need some more background on how to care for a kitten the following video may help: This article is purely informative. While giving birth , if the mother cat is really tired , and needs energy Missy will not forget about her kittens. Let AnimalWised explain more by providing the reasons why a mother would engage in this behavior. Increased calcium and phosphorus for bone growth of kittens and milk production of their mother. Weak or sick pups. Explore celebrity trends and tips on fashion, style, beauty, diets, health, relationships and more. This is also unlikely and the reasons are not well-known. The mother cat will eat the placenta of her kittens Cleaning the membranes from her fourth-born kitten All kittens are born with membranes cleaned away by the mother cat … Immediately after giving birth, a cat's appetite is affected and will want to eat almost nothing. Take him to a specialist to assess his health status. If their mother returns, Leave Them Be ®. A cat will also eat her placenta and afterbirth to provide extra nutrients for milk production. Intervals between kittens are variable, from as little as 10 minutes to up to an hour in the average case. Think about it. The mother will not want to waste her milk and energy on a kitten that will not survive. My Dog Keeps Licking Her Private Area - All Possible Reasons, Why Is My Dog Bleeding From Its Anus? The mother cat needs high-quality food after giving birth as well. We know how shocking the scenario may be, but if we overreact we can make the situation worse. The majority of felines become pregnant and give birth without complications. This process may seem cruel, but it is a behavior which has biological impulses important for the cat. When kittens are first born, they are helpless—they cannot see, hear, keep themselves warm, or … Again – although this is confronting, this is normal behaviour. There is … Usually a homemade cat will not kill its young due to stress, but this possibility should not be ruled out. Take a look at our top tips in our visual guide. In the meantime, you must find a way to feed the kittens since they need to eat every few hours with the exact frequency depending on their … After giving birth cats are supposed to eat the after birth from their kittens as it contains many nutrients. Cannibalism is a relatively common occurrence in the animal kingdom. When this happens, many of the birth-related hormones which bond mother to kittens are not released. They are more vulnerable to predators and the elements. Learn more about kittens and their needs as they grow in our Kitten Guide. Mother cats sometimes eat their kittens if they are unhealthy or have died. Why do cats eat their kittens after birth? To prevent a mother eating her babies due to a lack of maternal instinct, we need to be vigilant after the kittens are born. Answer (1 of 9): Cats eat the afterbirth because of instinct. However, there are certain circumstances under which the mother cat sometimes kills her kittens in self-defense or for survival. How Long Do Cats Stay in Heat? Their decomposition also provides a serious hygiene risk to the surviving litter. It can be deadly for the mother and the puppies, but it is also very easy to care for. The mother may also know that one of the kittens may have a defect, and ignoring the kitten is her way of focusing on the kittens that are the most likely to survive. WARNING: This video contains graphic footage that may be upsetting to some people. On rare occasions, it is also possible she may eat the entire litter. Another reason a mother will eat her kitten is because they have already died and eating them provides her with additional nutrients. In the Oconee Humane Society's Kitten Foster Manual, it says that if you see a mother cat not cleaning her kittens after birth, it could be because of stress. In some cases, the result could be the mother cat eating her babies due to stress. Unfortunately, cats do sometimes eat their kittens. She may not know what to do when her babies are born and will eat the kittens out of confusion. The word is strong, but it is not a strange behavior in nature. Increased protein for growth and development of the kittens. Occasionally, one or more of a litter of newborn kittens will be born with a disease, deficiency, deformity or other health condition. Why do cats abandon their kittens? To feed a cat after giving birth, during lactation, you should feed your cat with kitten-suitable feed. This is to prevent any predators smelling searching out the kittens to devour. We know how impressive this can be for humans, but do not get carried away by emotions and do not despise your cat. Mother cats do this a few days after birth so as to throw potential predators off the scent, thus ensuring that they do not become some other animal’s dinner. This could result in rejection, ejection from the nest or even eating the kitten. Cats usually will remove the sac from around kittens when they are born and then they will lick them all over to encourage circulation in the newborn's bodies. If you want to read similar articles to Why Do Cats Eat Their Babies?, we recommend you visit our Pregnancy problems category. High digestibility to provide more calories in a smaller amount of food. In the wild, when the kittens begin to wean she'll move them closer to her favorite hunting grounds so she can teach them to hunt. You can look at our article on how to care for kittens to give you some help. In the first place, it is necessary to clarify that when an animal, anyone, devours another of its same species, it is called cannibalism. Some mother cats will also eat the placenta, or after birth. This event usually results in shock, frustration and even disgust. Diagnosing the illness is the first step to treating the problem. The nervousness generated in the cat is not only for herself and her own safety, but also due to the fear of what could happen to her litter. Understandably, the word elicits a strong reaction. If we see the cat ignoring the kittens or immediately trying to eat them without any attempt to nurture them, we may want to intervene. If the environment during or after a cat's labor is stressful, then it can trigger nervous behavior in the mother cat. This could be because they've gotten too big for the basket you supplied her to give birth in. A kitten is a juvenile cat. This afternoon, I got home from work to find only four. Too large a litter can also lead to rejection. Typically it is because the mother is starving or ill (either physically or psychologically). To prevent it from happening, or get to save the largest number of offspring, observe the behavior of your cat after delivery and if you see that it lacks maternal instinct and the kittens’ lives are in danger, you should be the one who welcomes them and takes care to take them out. Take a look at our top tips in our visual guide. Similarly, in some races or with new mothers, they may confuse the pussycat with smaller prey, instead of seeing them as their own children. Is it Normal for Momma Cats to Eat their Kittens? If you can discover the reason why a mother cat won't feed her kittens, you may have a better chance of getting her to start nursing them. Speak to your veterinarian and they will provide some practical advice. The result is that the mother does not recognize the kittens as her own and she eats them out of fear or confusion. If there is not enough milk for all her kittens, … Either way, your vet can help. It is rare for a domestic cat to eat her babies due to stress, but this possibility should not be ruled out. As well as advice on looking after your cat after it has given birth, you might be concerned about what to do with your new kittens during the coronavirus crisis. While it can be barbaric to watch, it’s almost second nature for your mother cat to eat her... 2. This is why seeing a mother cat eating one or more of her newborn kittens can be such a distressing sight. Only on incredibly rare occasions, if a kitten is born deceased a mother cat may choose to ingest the remains for hygiene purposes. The mommy cat does this by licking at the kittens' bottoms. … Now they are 3 weeks old and started exploring outside the closet. Therefore, it is essential to offer the expectant mother the best care during pregnancy and provide a relaxed, quiet and without stress. We will need to prevent this from happening again. A cat's olfactory sense are much more acute than ours, so they may be able to detect a problem we cannot. Make the mother cat comfortable after labor. Simply, it is a behavior that has its reasons, and that is natural even if it is not for us. Other times, it’s a cat’s natural drive to reproduce that will cause her to eat her kittens. Remember: When going to the vet, make sure you take the mother and all of her kittens along, regardless of which ones do or do not appear sick. As well as advice on looking after your cat after it has given birth, you might be concerned about what to do with your new kittens during the coronavirus crisis. they may not know to open the kitten's amniotic sac), then it puts the kittens' lives in serious jeopardy. Having food available three times a day is ideal for a grown cat, while kittens need to be fed five times a day. What I DID notice, however, is a bit of a mess in the corner of the room. It is possible this issue is one which is not perceptible to the naked human eye. It is possible the cat does not recognize her young. By educating yourself about how to care for her after the kittens arrive, you can help keep the mother and her kittens healthy and safe. Cats eat their afterbirth for 2 reasons.. First, it helps the mother replenish vitamins and nutriets that are lost during the birthing process and helps keep her energy up. It does this so she has a better chance of breeding healthier kittens next time. - Causes, Mastitis in Cats - Symptoms and Treatment, My Dog Had a Miscarriage - Signs and Symptoms. Leave them be ® have them got home from work to find what. Know how shocking the scenario may be, but this possibility should not switched. 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