Do Cats Mourn The Death Of Their Kittens? If your cat had one kitten and he/she died, you should let the mother take her time, clean the spot and then visit the vet. You should also take the best possible care of your cat during pregnancy. Seek medical attention immediately if unsuccessful. Should I Remove A Dead Kitten From The Litter. Nutritional deficienciesoccur when the mother doesnt receive enough vitamins and energy sources essential for labor and nursing. What does a mother cat do with a dead kitten? Using gloves, carefully pick up the body and place it in an appropriate container for burial. If orphaned kittens are placed in a foster home with consistent attention, warmth, and adequate nutrition, they have a good chance of thriving. As a result, most mother cats will attempt to eat the dead kitten to get them out of the way. Copy. They also feel a pinch and react in a way.A kittens death may occur before even being born or just lives for a short time.The mother cat tends to react in a way to respond to the sad occurrence.Just like human mothers are protective of their children, even cats are generally protective, and such a loss traumatizes them.Their protective instinct usually is strong. It is an instinctual behavior for her to do right after giving birth. Genetic defects are most common among pedigrees due to incestuous breeding narrowing the breeds gene pool. Its the right decision for everyone involved.Key factors include:DecompositionHealth of the LitterLocation of the LitterMost mother cats will already be in tune with the negative effects of a dead kitten on the other kittens. Manage Settings When there are no live kittens she can pay attention to, you can try offering hersmall stuffed toysthat resemble a kitten in size and form. Allow her to grieve by providing her with a safe and secure space. Some possible reasons are as follows: 1) The cat may have been feeling abandoned or insecure, and as a result, she may have consumed her kittens as a way of trying to take care of them. Ultimately, it is up to each cats individual personality and behavior to decide whether or not they are comfortable viewing their sisters body. Becoming a parent brings out instincts for any animal, including for a mother cat. Cats are usually pregnant for 58 to 67 days, and kittens born weeks early could struggle to survive. It is important to be gentle when removing the dead kitten from its mother. Credit: Marketa Barborikova, Shutterstock After a mother cat ultimately gives up on the kitten ever breathing, she is prone to do a couple of things that might seem dramatic. Why Is My Cat Foaming at the Mouth? Start by gently lifting the kitten away from the mother, taking care not to cause her any pain or distress. Kittens should not be given litter products that contain fragrances, harsh chemicals, or clumping properties. The survival rate of abandoned kittens without their mothers is low. How Long Does a Mother Cat Remember Her Kittens? At other times, the dead kitten will be delivered normally. Born for Pets is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It can take anywhere from days to months for a cat to go through these three stages. DecompositionThe main reason to remove a dead kitten from the litter has to do with decomposition.A lifeless kitten is going to naturally decompose. Mother cats are very protective of their young; they will fight anyone that tries to harm them in any way, including consuming their own children. This way you prevent the mother from spotting and digging up the body and ensure there is no disease transmission. Why would a kitten died suddenly? If the kitten is still warm, you can put it in a warm area, like the litter box. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. According to some studies,7 percent of kittens are born deador die a week after. Causes and TreatmentsContinue, The topic of homosexuality in animals, particularly in dogs and cats, has been a subject of curiosity and controversy for many years. They say its best to let nature take its course and allow the mother cat to experience the necessary stages of grief. Their behavior toward that kitten might surprise you. A mother cat will only eat her kitten when she is sure that they are dead. On this blog you will learn how to be the best cat parent you can be. They need to be given time to remember their pets. Mother cats may demonstrate signs of mourning, such as heightened vocalizations, intermittently searching the deceased kittens body, or avoiding contact with other kittens. Kittens are vulnerable to parasites, bacteria, and viruses which can be contracted from the placenta, the milk, the environment, all of which can cause a cat to have stillborn kittens. It will help ease you into the process while making sure the right steps are taken. Give her some time days, or in some cases even weeks, and also space to explore around the house and become more comfortable with how she feels about this. Chances are their bodies are covered with harmful bacteria and should be immediately removed from the litter. Final Words on Should I Remove a Dead Kitten from Its Mother, Why Does My Cat Keep Bringing Me Her Kittens? This treatment is necessary, so don't take your kittens away from their mother, even if it looks painful. This is why as a cat owner, you should look to remove the dead kitten safely from the litter. However, this is not indicative of sadness. Have a bag, towel, or blanket ready to wrap the deceased kitten in and be prepared to protect yourself from potential exposure to any infectious agents. Allowing things to continue as is increases the risk of the mother becoming infected and dying from septicemia. 4) The cat may have been feeling sick or injured, and as a result, she may have consumed her kittens as a way of self-medicating. What Age Should My Kittens Be Before Allowing Them to Roam the House? This is something a cat does in the wild whenever one of her offspring dies. The main reason to remove a dead kitten from the litter has to do with decomposition. As a result, most mother cats will attempt to eat the dead kitten to get them out of the way.In general, mother cats are already aware of the negative effects of a dead kitten in their litter. This treatment is necessary, so dont take your kittens away from their mother, even if it looks painful. The two most commonmicroorganismsresponsible for kitten death are Brucella Melitensis and Feline Viral Herpesvirus, which causes embryonic and fetal death. Im going to explain what steps to take and how to make the most of this uncomfortable situation. Here are some tips on how to do it: 1. Can Cats Eat Sausages? The question is more about the timing. The risk of infection increases when the decomposing body is not removed from the home of the deceased feline or canine. One option is to bury the kitten yourself. This is a fact you will have to come to terms with. While removing the gloves turn them inside out and properly discard them. Yes, it is recommended to let a mother cat see her dead kitten. Parasites, like heartworm, can also be passed from mother to kitten and could result in a miscarriage or stillbirth. By removing the deceased kitten, the responsible owner has prevented a cannibalistic attack from taking place on her kittens.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'21cats_org-leader-1','ezslot_7',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-21cats_org-leader-1-0'); A mother cat in the wild will either ingest the body of her deceased littermate or leave it alone to decompose naturally. The fading kitten syndrome describes a situation when the kitten appears normal at birth but dies within 2 to 9 weeks. Pathogens can be more potent in overcrowded litters and spread in the blink of an eye. her grieving process might be burying her kitten and lying over the burial spot for hours. Exploring Homosexuality in Pets!Continue, Are you tempted to share a sausage with your cat? If the cat is showing signs of distress, it is important to take her to the veterinarian for a check-up and to rule out any underlying health issues. It is not unheard of for kittens to fade or be stillborn. Offer her comfort through petting and talk to her in a calm reassuring voice. A dead kitten will decompose and potentially cause infection in the other kittens or the mother cat. When you have your peace of mind, you can explore the different possibilities that led to the dead litter of kittens. These health risks may be severe enough to cause the death of your surviving kittens, and the mother will sometimes suffer as well. There are a few ways to bury a kitten. Instead, she is going to try to eat the dead kitten to preserve the others as a way to protect those who are living. Hide The Dead Cat In The ClosetIn some cases, when the mother cat realizes that her kitten is dead, she can decide to carry it and hide it somewhere in a box or closet.They will then go back to the other kittens and nurse them. Is their behavior going to change? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Its recommended to immediately remove a dead kitten from the litter. But dont be surprised if she hasnt given up on them reviving and gets angry and aggressive toward you while you try to take the body away. In the wild, reducing odor is important as scavenging predators in the area may be attracted to the litter by the smell of decomposition, putting the whole litter at risk.Burying the remains also means the mother cat and kittens do not necessarily have to vacate a prey rich territory for fear that odor may identify their position and highlight the richness of the territory.Hiding the remains without burying also occurs in the wild from time to time. Its important to learn about stillborn kittens just in case the unthinkable happens. If your cat has died from a cause that doesnt pose a risk of infection to other cats, and you feel comfortable doing so, you can show your cat the body of your deceased cat. Its also essential to give your cat time and space before attempting to remove the deceased kitten, as cats can become aggressive if they feel threatened or disrespected during this difficult time. If your cat, What Do Mother Cats Do With A Dead Kitten? It is an instinctual behavior for her to do right after giving birth. Helping the Mother Cat Deal with Loss and Grief. If your cat goes for 2 or 3 hours between kittens without giving birth or has strong contractions for 20 minutes without giving birth, contact your vet. Again although this is confronting, this is normal behaviour. These defects can be inherited or caused by exposure to a drug or disease that affects development.Many kittens are born with minor abnormalities like cleft palates and bone deformities. Keep the information you give simple and truthful, and use words they can understand. How To Teach A Kitten To Drink From A Bowl. Once the mourning process has passed, which can take a few days, she may start to accept that their kittens are gone. Leaving a dead body around a baby feline can lead to a number of health issues for both the mother and remaining baby felines. Doing so could disturb the grieving process of the mother cat and cause her to reject her remaining kittens. Kittens can survive if theyre born prematurely, but theyll require constant care from humans. Only on incredibly rare occasions, if a kitten is born deceased a mother cat may choose to ingest the remains for hygiene purposes. Some female cats may attempt to bury or hide their dead kittens. Once she realizes some are dead she wont experience strong anxiety episodes manifested with a continuous search for the lost baby. Cats are capable of producing several litters of kittens over the course of their lifetime, and it is rare for one of these litters to result in only one kitten. However, despite being crafted from just four, Read More Can Cats Eat Whipped Cream from Starbucks?Continue, Cats need a certain amount of light and dark to maintain their natural circadian rhythm. If the kitten is not removed, the mother cat may become anxious and stop caring for the rest of her kittens. She will then turn her attention to the ki. How many kittens usually survive in a litter? In the wild, a mother cat would relocate its litter and/or eat the dead kitten. However, due to the nature of bacterial infections, its difficult to pinpoint which bacteria cause stillbirths. However, do make sure the mother cat knows her kitten has passed away or she will continue to look for it. As bad it may seem to leave the dead kittens lying on the floor or the bedding you simply will need to for the sake of the grieving mother. They could have developed an infection of some sort in utero. Each situation is going to warrant a different approach. But it is better if you remove it. However, she does this to stimulate the kitten to breathe because it wont feel natural for them at first. Communal cremation chambers mean that the pet is cremated at the same time as other animals so you cant get any ashes back. This is a major reason why keeping the kitten with the mother cat is smart. Another way to bury a kitten is to place the kitten in a small bag or container, and then bury the bag or container in the ground. In the majority of cases, another kitten will be born soon. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'21cats_org-box-4','ezslot_11',101,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-21cats_org-box-4-0');So, should I remove a dead kitten from the litter? Bury the kitten into the ground Sometimes a mother cat will dig the ground where it will bury its dead kitten. Removing the dead kitten will help prevent it from contaminating the other members of the litter. Unfortunately, stillborn kittens are common. What To Do If Dead Kitten Gets Stuck Inside A Cat? It may also be best to separate seriously ill kittens so they receive proper care or have their suffering minimized. There is no reason for the dead kitten to be eaten as long as you are taking action. Required fields are marked *. Cats soon after forget that such a tragedy happened, but for the time being, they are filled with sadness. 3. This website provides general information about pets and their care. What To Do With A Dead Kitten After Birth? The litter box is fine, but the mat definitely has a slight urine scent to it. If the kitten is still warm, you can put it in a warm area, like the litter box. Checking for retained kittens in the uterus or birth canal. Even though cats have been domesticated for many years, they are still animals with many instincts. Cat Harness with Leash, Fits Average Cats: Size measuring:Neck Girth: 8.5 -11 Inches, Chest Girth: 13.5 - 16 Inches. Do cats mourn the death of their kittens? All cats are different and can remain in this state for weeks and even months. In most cases, it is better to allow the mother to grieve, but if the death was unexpected or there is an infectious disease present, removal may be necessary. This is essential to prevent cannibalism from occurring in her brood. The process might go on for quite a while before she starts to focus more on the live kittens again. The mother cat isnt going to grieve over the dead kitten. Removing a dead kitten from the litter could also increase the risk of disease, as the remaining kittens could become stressed and sick from the loss of their companion. However, she does this to stimulate the kitten to breathe because it wont feel natural for them at first. Image: istockphoto.com / Funtay, Why Is My Cat Giving Birth to Stillborn Kittens?If youre inexperienced with breeding cats, youll likely find it distressing when your queen gives birth to a stillborn kitten. There is no way for a cat to eat more than one or two of its kittens. If she is unable to find her kitten, she may become agitated and obsessively groom herself or the remaining kittens. Therefore, if the dead animal is left alone, the mother might start eating the dead kitten instead of caring for her living babies. A litter of kittens without any survivors leaves the owners saddened but also in doubt about what caused such an outcome in the first place. 2. One is that she might eat the dead kitten. What to Do With a Dead Kitten After Birth. If the mother cat doesnt see her dead kitten, she may continue to look for it and remain uneasy. At other times, the dead kitten will be delivered normally. This is another form of grieving and letting go of the loss.You will also note some behavioral changes with the cat. The first question to ask is, should I remove a dead kitten from the litter? Removing a dead kitten after birth too fast can leave her agitated and she may even try to bite you when attempting to move the body. While she shows this type of behavior, its best if you let her finish with the whole ceremony. A cat will also eat its placenta and afterbirth to get extra nutrients for milk production. While cats may be able to sleep with the lights on, it is important to, Read More Do Cats Sleep Better with or Without a Light on at Night?Continue, If youve ever seen your cat foaming at the mouth, it can be a frightening experience. What do you do with a dead baby cat? It may do it for quite some time until it gives up and abandons the kitten to take care of the surviving ones. Otherwise, decomposition can harm the other kittens leading to multiple deaths or illness.This is why as a cat owner, you should look to remove the dead kitten safely from the litter. Some people may believe this to be the case because cats are known to be creatures of habit and tend to prefer close family relationships. There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as it depends on the individuals cat and their relationship with their sister. Should I show my cat her dead sister? The instincts for mother cats dont only apply to taking care of their live kittens. This is a fact of life and that is why its important to avoid the decomposition to take where the other healthy kittens are.This can lead to bacteria-related concerns along with potential infections upon interaction with the dead kitten. If the cat is not showing any signs of distress, the veterinarian may simply observe the cat and wait for the next litter to be born. When one, What Does A Mother Cat Do With A Dead Kitten? Should you take a dead kitten away from mother? 1. Domestic cats that feel safe in their home are less likely to eat their kittens because they dont have to worry about their nutrient sources. CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST HARNESS FOR KITTENS, Best Harness for Kittens (EDITORS CHOICE), Reasons to Remove a Dead Kitten From The Litter, 2. The ASPCA study had similar findings, stating that all cats who had lost a companion returned to normal within six months. The kitten can be placed in a small box or container, and then buried in the ground. Mother Cat Eats The Dead KittenThere are instances mother cat eats her kittens once they die. Since you are not dealing with a wild cat, you will have to take action. If you find a dead cat, follow these five stepsMove the cat to safety.Take the cat to the nearest vet, transporting them in a box or old blanket or clothing.The vet will be able to scan the cat for a microchip and contact the owner to let them know if the cat is chipped. Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) - Newborn kittens have high energy requirements but no energy reserves so are highly dependent on the milk from the queen. Removing a dead kitten after birth too fast can leave her agitated and she may even try to bite you when attempting to move the body. Sometimes, a stillborn kitten will disrupt labor, resulting in dystocia. If you have a question about your pet's health, please contact your veterinarian. These nutrients will help her support the surviving kittens by getting dissolved into her milk. Its not easy to deal with the loss of a kitten but its important to act appropriately. It is not uncommon for one or two kittens in a litter to be stillborn. An instinctual drive for some female mother cats, especially the inexperienced ones, is to eat their dead kittens. Study now. She removes the carcass from her nest so that she doesnt eat her own child by mistake. Should I Remove A Dead Kitten From The Litter? After a mother cat ultimately gives up on the kitten ever breathing, she is prone to do a couple of things that might seem dramatic.