What to do if a mother cat won't let her kittens eat?

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Catherin Dehart asked a question: What to do if a mother cat won't let her kittens eat?
Asked By: Catherin Dehart
Date created: Sat, Aug 20, 2022 16:23 PM
Date updated: Sat, May 4, 2024 3:07 AM

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Video answer: Why Cat Not Feeding Her Kittens | Why Mother Cat Stop Feeding Her Kittens | Reason & Solution

Why Cat Not Feeding Her Kittens | Why Mother Cat Stop Feeding Her Kittens | Reason & Solution

Best answer to the question «What to do if a mother cat won't let her kittens eat?»

Wait until mom moves away from the kittens. If she's living on her own, she will have to go look for food at some point. If she's not leaving, offer a bowl of food a couple of feet away from where the kittens are staying. Then wait -- you might need to hide while you wait -- until she goes for the food, then go take the kittens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «What to do if a mother cat won't let her kittens eat?» often ask the following questions:

đŸ˜» Is it OK to breed a cat that won't feed her kittens?

If this is the case with your cat, she should not be bred in the future as this trait can be passed on to her offspring. 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.

đŸ˜» What should I do if my cat won’t feed her kittens?

Once you have seen your veterinarian and addressed any issues, you may want to try to get the mother cat to nurse again (only if recommended by your vet). If the mother cat still cannot or will not feed her kittens, then ongoing bottle-feeding will be necessary.

đŸ˜» Is it normal for a mother cat to leave her kittens?

But it’s normal for the mother cat to leave her kittens from time to time. How long a mother cat can be away from her kittens depends on their age. Newborn kittens need their mother full-time because they’re born deaf, blind, and unable to move. Most mothers don’t leave the nest for the first few days unless they have to feed or go to the bathroom.

Video answer: Mama Cat Rejects Newborn Kittens ~ Taking Over Care ~ Warm Them & Feed Them - 3 Days Old

Mama Cat Rejects Newborn Kittens ~ Taking Over Care ~ Warm Them & Feed Them - 3 Days Old

Your Answer

We've handpicked 27 related questions for you, similar to «What to do if a mother cat won't let her kittens eat?» so you can surely find the answer!

What happens if a mother cat won't feed her newborn kittens?
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. 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 age.
What happens if a mother cat won't feed her newborn kittens?
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. 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 age.
What to do if a mother cat won't let her kittens eat?
Wait until mom moves away from the kittens. If she's living on her own, she will have to go look for food at some point. If she's not leaving, offer a bowl of food a couple of feet away from where the kittens are staying. Then wait -- you might need to hide while you wait -- until she goes for the food, then go take the kittens.
Why does mother cat sometimes eat her kittens?
- Stillborn. If one or more kittens are stillborn, the mother will eat them. ... - Birth Defects. If the kitten is born with a birth defect, they are often eaten because it won't be able survive. ... - Mercy. It's possible that a female will hav

Video answer: How to Care for a Mama Cat & Kittens (3 Top Tips!)

How to Care for a Mama Cat & Kittens (3 Top Tips!) What should I do if my mother cat won't let her kittens?
Do not move the isolated kittens back to momma cat, as this might cause her to reject all kitties. It's up to you to keep them warm and feed them kitten milk replacement. Watch out for signs of aggression toward kittens.
Why won't my Cat nurse her kittens?
Any health issues that causes your cat to feel unwell can make her unwilling to nurse her kittens. Even if the mother cat appears healthy, it's best to take her and the kittens to the vet right away if she won't nurse. The mother cat may detect or suspect a health problem in one or more kittens and refuse to nurse that individual.
Is it OK to breed a cat that won't feed her kittens?
If this is the case with your cat, she should not be bred in the future as this trait can be passed on to her offspring. 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.
Why won't my 5 week old kittens eat anything?
If they are nursing and don’t have access to kitten food, then they obviously won’t eat it. If they are 5 weeks old and the mother has been sick, I think you can start weaning them.
Why won't my Cat breastfeed her kittens?
Dehydration and malnourishment will also affect milk supply. Other health issues may simply cause your cat to feel unwell and uncomfortable, making her unwilling to nurse her kittens. Even if the mother cat appears healthy, it's best to take her and the kittens to the vet right away if she won't nurse.
What should I do if my cat won’t feed her kittens?
Once you have seen your veterinarian and addressed any issues, you may want to try to get the mother cat to nurse again (only if recommended by your vet). If the mother cat still cannot or will not feed her kittens, then ongoing bottle-feeding will be necessary.

Video answer: Mom cat does not want to feed one kitten. Newborn kittens are yawning and loud meow ASMR

Mom cat does not want to feed one kitten. Newborn kittens are yawning and loud meow ASMR Why won't my pregnant mother cat feed her kittens?
Nutrition for a pregnant and nursing mother cat is an important part of keeping her healthy and able to nurse her kittens after their birth. If a mother cat doesn't get proper nutrition, she will be unable to produce enough milk to feed her litter and will refuse to nurse them.
What should I do if a mother cat won't nurse kittens?
Even if the mother cat appears healthy, it's best to take her and the kittens to the vet right away if she won't nurse. The mother cat may detect or suspect a health problem in one or more kittens and refuse to nurse that individual. She may put the sick kitten out of the nest in an instinctive attempt to protect the other kittens.
Why won't my pregnant mother cat feed her kittens?
Nutrition for a pregnant and nursing mother cat is an important part of keeping her healthy and able to nurse her kittens after their birth. If a mother cat doesn't get proper nutrition, she will be unable to produce enough milk to feed her litter and will refuse to nurse them.
What should I do if my cat won’t feed her kittens?
Once you have seen your veterinarian and addressed any issues, you may want to try to get the mother cat to nurse again (only if recommended by your vet). If the mother cat still cannot or will not feed her kittens, then ongoing bottle-feeding will be necessary.
What should I do if my cat won't eat after surgery?
Your cat should also regain her appetite after the first day post surgery, so if she doesn't resume her normal eating habits, let your vet know. Other signs of trouble include walking with a hunched appearance, meowing unusually, or bleeding from the suture area.
Why won't my Cat breastfeed her kittens?
Dehydration and malnourishment will also affect milk supply. Other health issues may simply cause your cat to feel unwell and uncomfortable, making her unwilling to nurse her kittens. Even if the mother cat appears healthy, it's best to take her and the kittens to the vet right away if she won't nurse.
Is it OK to breed a cat that won't feed her kittens?
If this is the case with your cat, she should not be bred in the future as this trait can be passed on to her offspring. 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.
Do mother cats kill and eat their own kittens?
Mother Cats Don’t “kill and eat” their own Kittens, Except in Extremely Rare Situations! Is this something you witnessed! And if you did witness her killing the kittens, then why didn’t you STOP her????
Can you leave a mother cat alone with her kittens?
In most cases, it's best to leave the mother cat alone with her kittens as much as possible. The mother cat should take care of the kittens initially, so you won't have to do much more than ensure that the mother is fed and that both she and the kittens appear to be healthy.
What to do if your cat won’t let you pet it?
If your cat ever won’t let you pet it, consult a veterinarian or a feline ethologist on how to make your cat get habituated. Let us know what your cat likes and dislikes about the way of petting her, in the comments section below! If you love your cat, you must check out these to avoid some most common mistakes.
What should I do if a mother cat has kittens?
If towels or blankets get wet, remove them and replace them with dry ones. In most cases, it's best to leave the mother cat alone with her kittens as much as possible. The mother cat should take care of the kittens initially, so you won't have to do much more than ensure that the mother is fed and that both she and the kittens appear to be healthy.
Why won't my cat stay with her newborn kittens?
Illness in the Mother Cat

If the mother cat is experiencing a health problem, she may be unable to nurse her kittens. In some cases, she will not produce enough milk for her kittens. Or, an issue such as mastitis may be affecting her ability to nurse. 1 Dehydration and malnourishment will also affect milk supply.
Why won’t my cat feed her kittens?
Moreover, the kittens shouldn’t nurse because the milk is contaminated with bacteria. Rarely, a mother cat might not have milk to feed her kittens. It might be a genetic condition that prevents her from lactating, physical defects, or malnutrition.
Why do cats like soft blankets?
Soft blankets make your cat remember being with their mother and milking her stomach as she nursed. Soft blankets provide comfort for your cat and a sense of comfort, thinking about her mother, even if she hasn’t been around her for years. It’s an instinct even the oldest cats have so that you won’t see kittens exclusively milking soft blankets.
What should I do with a dead kitten?
In Summary: Dead Kitten

A mother cat will do everything that she can to keep her baby kittens safe. If they are born dead or die soon after birth, you won't see her give up on them too quickly. Instead, she will do her best to reanimate them.
Why won't my mother cat breastfeed her kittens?
A cat's pregnancy and the birthing process are very stressful for her to handle, especially if she is suffering from a medical condition. Any number of illnesses can affect your mother cat, which can make her feel unwell and unwilling or unable to nurse her kittens.
Will a mother cat abandon her kittens if humans touch them?
A mother cat will not abandon its kittens if humans touch them. It may be able to detect the human’s scent on its babies alright, but it won’t necessarily reject and desert them. However, a mother cat may move its kittens to a different place if it believes that they are in danger.

Video answer: Protective mom cat won't let me touch her 4 newborn kittens l CrazyCatish

Protective mom cat won't let me touch her 4 newborn kittens l CrazyCatish