Can male cats be around kittens that are not their own?

Asked By: Alissa Estrada

Date created: Sat, Jul 9, 2022 2:27 AM

Date updated: Sun, May 12, 2024 6:30 AM

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Best answer to the question «Can male cats be around kittens that are not their own?»

Answered by Terisa Mcgregor on Sat, Jul 9, 2022 7:35 AM

And mama cats often foster kittens that aren't their own, even taking in babies of an entirely different species, like squirrels, raccoons and rabbits. If you have both male and female cats in your family, it's best to play it safe and not allow the male cat access to the newborns, at least not unsupervised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «Can male cats be around kittens that are not their own?» often ask the following questions:

😻 Do male or female cats take care of babies?

Although typically male cats aren't known to be the biggest helpers when it comes to caring for the babies, female cats often help their friends and family when it comes to looking after the little ones. Some female cats act as midwives, attending a birthing and helping to clean the newborn kittens.

😻 Do male cats kill kittens they don't father?

Domestic male cats as well as male cats in the wild aren't known for their fathering skills. Other than siring as many kittens as possible, tom cats don't tend to get involved in the raising of the kittens. Male cats have been known to kill kittens, usually kittens that they didn't father.

😻 Do male cats raise kittens?

Male cats have little to do with their litters. They don’t have that paternal instinct, just like the mothers. Most of the time, mothers or other female cats raise kittens. Most domesticated male cats seemed to be good-natured. They would love to play with their kittens but still have little to no effort in caring for their offspring.

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We've handpicked 25 related questions for you, similar to «Can male cats be around kittens that are not their own?» so you can surely find the answer!

Do male cats have fatherly skills?

Both domestic and wild male cats are not known to have fatherly skills. They don’t get involved much in raising their kittens. As a matter of fact, some male cats are hostile towards kittens, not their own. Male cats often kill kittens that they did not have a father with.

Do all male cats attack kittens?

Not all male cats attack kittens. There are some that are harmless around their newborns. We got the idea that mother cats do most of the work in rearing their kittens. But little did you know that there are rare circumstances where male cats can do the same. Some male cats contribute to nurturing their kittens when around.

Do male cats Kill Kittens?

In some cases, male cats do kill kittens; particularly if they are not their own. This behavior is more common in feral cats and not domestic male cats. Neutered male cats also participate in this behavior. In this article, we will be explaining everything that cat owners need to know about this potential issue.

Do male cats kill their own kittens?

It is far more common for a mother cat to kill her own kittens than it is for a male cat to kill kittens. Male cats often help take care of kittens in feral colonies. Not all males will help, but some do.

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Do male cats recognize their kittens?

Can male cats recognize their own kittens? Most likely not, since in feral colonies cats will breed repeatedly and can end up with a litter from more than one father. This can make it difficult for tomcats to recognize their kittens, but some can recognize their offspring through scent.

Do cats kill their kittens?

Yes, the male cat has the tendency to kill his own kittens. However, this type of behavior is not typical, especially for domesticated one. A male cat will come to the point that they will kill their kittens and eat them only if they are greatly starving.

Do male cats leave their kittens to have kittens?

The kittens will leave to have their own lives, eventually having kittens of their own. A male will leave to claim his own territory and sow his seed. The kittens, however, may have a little more trouble with the process.

Does a male cat know his kittens?

Will a male cat kill a kitten?

Some male cats contribute to nurturing their kittens when around. They sometimes spend time playing with kittens and supply them food. However, it will be smarter to keep your male cats not around with your kittens to avoid killing them. There are various ways to keep your kitten safe from tomcats.

Do male cats eat their own kittens?

Male cats do eat their own kittens but this phenomena is even more rare than when mother cats eat their own kittens. When this situation does arise it is usually limited to activity in feral cats.

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Do male cats help with their kittens?

There are some that are harmless around their newborns. We got the idea that mother cats do most of the work in rearing their kittens. But little did you know that there are rare circumstances where male cats can do the same. Some male cats contribute to nurturing their kittens when around.

Is it safe to have a male cat around kittens?

It is safe to have a male cat around kittens if he is neutered or the kittens’ father. A male cat that is not neutered is too much of a wild card and could act violently towards kittens, so it is best to keep them away. A neutered male cat will not have the drive to hurt the kittens and generally will not pay much attention to them.

Can a male cat impregnate a female kitten at 4 months?

Female kittens can conceive from around this age, while male kittens can impregnate a fertile female. This can be bad news if you have 2 cats from the same litter that haven’t been neutered. If a female kitten becomes impregnated at 4 months old, there’s every chance that the cat could produce its own litter at only 6 months old.

Do male cats take care of kittens from the womb?

This role is relegated to the female cats since they are the ones who nurture the litter from the womb until they wean the kittens. However, many cat owners attest that their male cats exhibit paternal instincts toward kittens, regardless if it is their own offspring or not.

Will male cat eat newborn kittens?

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. 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.

Do father cats know who their kittens are?

Do cats leave their kittens to have kittens of their own?

While it may seem cold that she lets go so easily, it's natural. The kittens will leave to have their own lives, eventually having kittens of their own. A male will leave to claim his own territory and sow his seed. The kittens, however, may have a little more trouble with the process.

How do male cats react to newborn kittens?

Do father cats know their kittens?

Do Father cats know their kittens?

Do Dad cats recognize their kittens?

Do Dad cats know their kittens?

Do cat dads know their kittens?

Can a newborn kitten walk on its own?

Newborn kittens, though clumsy, are somewhat capable of getting around on their own -- but they don't walk right away. Mama may nudge her babies around in their earliest days, but after a few weeks they'll be strong enough to walk around.

Are all male cats bad fathers?

Male cats might not win the award for father of the year, but not all male cats are terrible fathers. Different circumstances breed different father figures, and some tomcats have taken the role of caregivers or foster parents to kittens in their own homes or in animal shelters.

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