why do male cats eat their kittens

A cat who is not spayed or neutered is much more likely to be aggressive. Although some father cats may be completely harmless around their newborn kittens, it may be smart to keep them away, just for caution's sake. Kittens require more food per pound of body weight to support their growth than do adult cats, and therefore should be fed more often throughout the day. It is a hard sacrifice she makes to ensure the survival of her litter. Although these behaviors are extremely uncommon, they are not nonexistent. Also, conditions like Mastitis can cause a cat not to feed kittens hence rejecting them. Cats in the wild have a harder time than domestic cat rearing their young. Cats don't only just communicate by meowing. She will eat one or two of her kittens for the following reasons; Sadly, stillbirths also happen in the feline world. The cat will likely move the litter or eat the kittens in the process. She sees this as an act of mercy and love to her kittens- a more honorable death compared to being mauled by predators. She will not feed them and may even sleep or trample over them causing some of them to die. This behavior is a throwback to instincts from wilder days when killing a rival's young would keep the rival from spreading his genes about the countryside and giving the killer a better chance of … 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. Also, a cat would eat a kitten or two if she is unable to produce enough milk for all her litter. Your Cat May Be Experiencing Stress, Anxiety, or Depression. Kitten rearing generally isn't a male cat's strongest suit. It is rampant in dairy cows although pets like cats suffer from it too. Female cats are very territorial when they are expecting a litter. What Can I Give My Dog to make Him Sleep? They are more likely to eat their litter for survival. Answer (1 of 10): Tom cats have been known to kill kittens that have been fathered by other toms. A cat may also reject the disadvantaged kittens in the litter-especially those with deformities or illness. She is … One is to move all kittens to other locations. This, in turn, flushes any bacteria from the bladder. Meowing is reserved for their communications with people. How Long Until a Mom Cat Accepts an Adopted Kitten?→, Why Should Kittens Drink Water Instead of Milk?→, Will a Female Kitten Not Spray After Being Spayed?→. Some of the congenital defects that affect newborn kittens include; Any of the above defects can and will affect a kitten’s growth process. There are many illnesses that may affect a cat’s eating and diet. Cats are predators. Diet. Yes, some mother cats, also known as queens, will eat one or more of their kittens. With their hunter’s instinct, male cats happen to kill kittens quite often. Hence, it is better to keep a female cat who has mothered kittens away from the male cat. Why do cats meow? Another side of mercy is she will ensure she can produce enough milk for her litter. The new litter will then belong to the new male cat. One of the horrors of living with a nursing cat is coming home to find she gobbled up one, or two, of her own. This is another reason why they may end up eating the kitten. Defects can be both internal and external. Human caretakers, if available on the scene, just need to be around to provide helping hands should any problems arise. It is easier to move two kittens to safety as opposed to six of them. It is a misconception that neutered male cats cannot achieve erections. Mastitis is a very painful condition. Antibiotics and painkillers can help manage pain and clear the infection. It is important to monitor a nursing cat to ensure they do not lack anything when nurturing their litter. She is ensuring the survival and continuity of her litter. Why do cats, either male or female, sometimes kill kittens - either their own kittens or those belonging to another cat? Sadly, stillbirths also happen in the feline world. Often times the older cats will appear sad, reclusive, hiss a lot, and sometimes even stop eating if it isn't adjusting well to the new member of the family. A mother cat would eat one or all of her kittens if she perceives they are in danger. Even the millennia of domestication does not mean companion cats do not retain some of this instinct. Reproduction: spaying, neutering, and sterilizing will prevent wandering, especially with male cats seeking out a female in heat. Milk fever occurs in animals with extremely low levels of calcium in the blood. Feline hypocalcemia is only prevalent when the litter is born. Mastitis is usually caused by a germ or bacteria found on the skin or the suckling kitten’s mouth. This is a predatory instinct to help the female to go into heat again. Male cats tend to step out more than females, but it's quite normal for all cats who are given the freedom to roam to do just that. By killing and eating one of her kittens who is suffering from an infection due to a reduced resistance or hypothermia and inactivity, the mother eliminates the pathogen from the nest thereby protecting the remaining kittens. Although mama cats definitely do most of the work in managing litters, father cats, if around, do occasionally spend time with their kittens, although not often. A professional vet will have to diagnose and treat the condition before it escalates. When one of the kittens is born dead, the mum will immediately eat her. Queens or female cats do care for their newborn litter. When one of the kittens is born dead, the mum will immediately eat her. A female cat afflicted by endometritis may also ignore her litter. Like most animals (and people) cats are drawn to friendly people! You must provide enough cat to the mother cat during her nursing period. Sometimes, cats eat their kittens for the benefit of their own health. The sight of the defenceless kittens would trigger the hunting instinct of the mother cat. The duties of caring for kittens lie squarely on the mother cats' shoulders. The more water a cat consumes, the more it will urinate. As your cat grows older, he may have particular difficulties with the way he functions, namely his eating habits.If you noticed your old cat not eating, then it may be a huge problem in the long run. Dehydration. The mother cat will eat the deformed kitten to save it from the disadvantages that lay ahead. Tomcats also sometimes kill kittens that have different fathers -- a way of eliminating living proof of the rival fathers' DNA. The mother does not recognize the kitten because of the new scent from the human hands. Also, it is advisable to spay the cat after a full recovery to prevent the condition from recurring. Endometritis causes uterine inflammation. Male cats tend to eat more than females, however, they spend less time hunting. Provide a secure place for your cat to nurse its litter. Tomcats also sometimes kill kittens that have different fathers -- a way of eliminating living proof of the rival fathers' DNA. Rather than face death, a female cat will eat her kitten to replenish lost nutrients. Male cats have been known to kill kittens, usually kittens that they didn't father. It interferes in many physical processes, especially feeding on the mother’s milk. Small kittens mostly resemble small animals, which the tomcats prey on. Once the litter is born, they will want to compensate for lost nutrients. If a stressed mother feels that her energy is low from the birthing process or her nutrients are depleted from nursing, she may eat her kittens in an effort to restore her own health. Ensure your cat has a safe area for her birth and while kittens still require her for survival. Illness. Eating the stillborn kitten will provide nutrients that are passed to the other kittens 2. Mother cats will eat their kittens if she believes they’re in danger from predators. Female cats are born with a strong maternal instinct that identifies the defective kittens in a litter. In extreme cases, the cat may eat her entire litter. Should the Father Cat Be Kept Away From Newborn Kittens? How can I know I’m selecting a high-quality kitten food? A new kitten is typically eager to make friends, but the older cats in the household may want nothing to do with the younger one. A customizable modal perfect for newsletters, Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, 5 Real Reasons Mother Cats Eat Their Babies, Things To Take Care of With Your 3 Month Old Kitten, Essential Oils For Dogs – The Safest And Worst Oil To Use. The first course is to eat the placenta to provide nutrients to the kittens through nursing milk. Your cat has a … All these symptoms are life-threatening to a nursing cat. That's why people find it hard to believe that a cat can get separation anxiety. The reasons change as they grow from kittens into cats. Similarly, unneutered male cats will also spray their territory with urine as a warning to other predators to stay away. Toms like most other animals of prey have strong hunting instincts and once activated are hard to be switched off. This is done for several reasons; 1. It can cause mother cats to stop feeding their litter. If a male cat has been castrated, then their testicles have been removed, but their penis should still function normally. As absurd as it sounds, a mother cat eats her kittens out of love. Taking care of your cat is one of the most important things you should prioritize. Cats usually exhibit neck biting behaviors especially when the mothers are lifting the kitten to move them from one place to another. Kittens meow to their mothers when they’re hungry, cold, or scared. Read on to discover, ‘Why do mother cats eat their kittens?’ and what you can do to stop it from happening. But there will be times that they suffer from certain problems that end up with them being unhealthy. Cats that do not drink enough water leave themselves at risk of urinary tract infections. To protect the remaining litter and ensure their survival to adulthood. This is important because cats eat their prey as is, including both the edible … This is likely to happen where the mother cat is not being fed enough nutrients. Neutered male cats may still engage in masturbation or even mounting of other cats. The aim of male cats is different -- to move their DNA all around and keep their characteristics alive and strong for generations to come. They are more vulnerable to predators and the elements. This is done for several reasons; So, do not be too hard on your cat if she eats her stillborn babies. It is important not to interfere with a cat’s litter until the weaning age. Fortunately, feline hypocalcemia is a rare condition. Neutered male cats. They meow at humans for many reasons, and it is up to us as cat parents to try to understand our cats … Feral cats spend around 25 percent of their day hunting for food, with an average daily kill being four mice. A domesticated cat may eat a kitten too if she feels malnourished. Female cats occasionally help raise kittens from other mothers by grooming the little ones, being attentive to them as their mothers are away hunting for food and even sometimes delivering food themselves. The mother cat will eat the dead kitten to protect the remaining litter So, do not be too hard on your cat if she eats her stillborn babies. Cats are usually very independent. Nursing cats interpret human interference as a threat to the litter. This is not the norm and often fathers will help raise kittens. In part, this is down to females providing food for their kittens. Food: your neighbor may be feeding your cat. Some tomcats have attacked and killed their own offspring as a means of getting the busy mother cats to focus on them -- and then go back into estrus for mating purposes. Hunting: a nice supply of mice or other prey may have lured your cat to act on its natural instincts. Don’t get it wrong. Apparently, according to the veterinary behaviorists at Tufts University, this kind of behavior comes from when a cat was orphaned and bottle-fed as kittens. The reasons why a cat will eat a kitten they deem unable to survive has a lot to do with their natural instinct. In the remaining litter, some of them may be born with defects. Some medical issues affect nursing cats after birthing their litter. You are not alone, lots of pet parents have witnessed this supposed cruelty, leaving them puzzled with the question, why do mother cats eat their kittens? In worse cases, milk fever can send a cat into a coma and eventually death. One of the horrors of living with a nursing cat is coming home to find she gobbled up one, or two, of her own. During the pregnancy period, a lot of mother cats lose their appetite. Some tomcats have attacked and killed their own offspring as a means of getting the busy mother cats to focus on them -- and then go back into estrus for mating purposes. In some cats, it may take longer to show. Milk fever is an advanced form of feline hypocalcemia. If there’s been a recent change in your routine or work schedule, your kitty can feel like they’re abandoned. You are not alone, lots of pet parents have witnessed this […]. Losing a beloved family member, whether animal or human, can cause some cats to stop eating due to anxiety or depression. Blood can still be pumped to this area. Although tomcats generally aren't too helpful in kitten rearing, mother cats do frequently get assistance from other mature females, thankfully. Kittens are likely to die if the condition is not treated early. University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web: Felis catus, The Behaviour of the Domestic Cat; John W.S. (Be sure to have your cat neutered at an appropriate age so he doesn't follow through with urine marking.) Cats can be attracted to new sights, sounds, and smells that entice them. Do you love when your cat purrs? A cat will reject kittens if they are touched a lot. Since newborn kittens do not require paternal assistance, there is no need to have the father cats -- or any other male cats, for that matter -- around. Most females have a natural nurturing instinct to love and care for their babies. Killing and eating the kittens can be associated with the cat’s instinct to hunt. The decomposing body of the kitten will attract predators. If the cat is dehydrated, the bacteria has time to multiply. Also, ensure the mother is fed with a balanced diet during the whole nursing period. At present there are several recognised reasons for this, all supported by field observation, documented by breeders and related to other known feline behaviours. Newborn kittens are delicate creatures, and their mother cats usually know exactly what to do in order to keep them healthy and comfortable. Some of these medical conditions include; This is a condition that causes low calcium in nursing cats. Why do mother cats eat their kittens? If the danger is still imminent, the mother cat will have no choice but to eat her kittens. But once cats get older, they use other vocalizations -- such as yowling, hissing, and growling -- to communicate with each other. Within the world of domestic cats, fathers definitely don't have big roles in looking after their offspring. The vet will then prescribe some antibiotics to clear the infection. 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. From nursing the wee babies to strong health to showing them how to hunt and retrieve food on their own, queens do essentially all of the work in raising their youngsters. But sometimes, in this nurturing journey, a mother cat needs to make some tough choices. We list some of the more … Territory: fending off another cat that has entered their territory; neighborhood cat drama is real. They also eat the kitten if they feel threatened. Bradshaw, Rachel A. Casey and Sarah L. Brown, The Everything Cat Book; Karen Leigh Davis. Stray cats suffer malnutrition more than domesticated felines. Just as a bad diet affects us and our own stool, it also causes … Why doesn’t every cat do it? Sometimes cats swallow things they shouldn’t and those things can cause an … Kittens are believed to be victims of a tomcat’s aggression. Only interfere with the litter if you want to rescue the disadvantaged kittens. A male kitten will kill and eat kittens they did not sire. But, cats are social beings that form strong relationships with their humans. This is a postpartum condition that occurs three to four days after delivery. Also, cats don’t like change. Cats purr to express their contentment. If they are females still nursing their kittens, they will do so to help prevent other cats from finding their litter. Eating the stillborn kitten will provide nutrients that are passed to the other kittens, The decomposing body of the kitten will attract predators. Cats killing Kittens- Reason #1. A mother cat would kill and eat a kitten that has a poor chance of surviving. Yes, a cat will reject and eat a kitten if it is frequently touched by a human. Cats have emotions too, and there can be several emotional or behavioral causes of loss of appetite. This will not come as a surprise. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Cats eat their kittens because of deformed, stillborn or birth defects. Male cats in particular are biologically wired to fight with other male cats when females in heat are present. If you notice your cat wincing in pain whenever the kittens are suckling, she is likely suffering from mastitis. The mother cat may also eat one or two kittens for nutrients. A queen cat may also eat her kittens to reduce the litter to a more manageable size. According to most cat owners who experience such with their furballs, it comes down to: Toms may also occasionally kill kittens during play because they are unable to turn off the strong hunting instinct. This is a condition characterized by inflammation of the mammary glands. Vets can diagnose and recommend calcium gluconate supplements or injections for the cat. If they perceive their environment is under threat, they will take drastic measures. Cats often make this … Mindy Bough, CVT, senior director of client … Purr. Intestinal Obstruction. They also purr, chirp, and even chatter. Why do cats eat their kittens? The mother cat will eat the dead kitten to protect the remaining litter, Craniofacial defects (especially in Burmese kittens), Eyelid coloboma (affects Ragdolls mostly), Ocular Dermoid (especially in Birman cats). This instinct comes from competition to pass on its own genetic complement. Take your cat to a professional vet for a proper diagnosis of endometritis. They will search for the hardest to find spots to give birth and nurture their kittens. Well, while it's doubtful that kitty enjoys the act, this up-chucking sensation may eliminate all indigestible matter from the cat's digestive tract, making it feel a whole lot better. 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