An litter of kittens that is about to be born is always a cause for nervousness in the home, but also for excitement. Surely you have been anxious about the arrival of the new members of the family, wondering what life will be like with the little ones. However, sometimes these ideas are truncated when you discover that your cat, the mother of the kittens, has decided to eat one of her pups, and even the entire litter. This event usually generates not only frustration in the human family, but also disgust and even rejection.
However, it is a behavior that is to some extent normal in the animal world. Read on to find out on our site why cats eat their newborn kittens, and learn how to deal with an event like this.
Weak or sick pups
First of all, it is necessary to clarify that when an animal, any animal, devours another of the same species, this is called cannibalism. The word is strong, but it is not a rare behavior in nature.
Occasionally, some offspring of a litter may be born with a disease or deficiency that cannot be seen with the naked eye, and that the mother detects through her keen sense of smell. In these cases the cat assumes that the pup will not be able to survive, so she decides to eat it; at the same time, she avoids infecting the rest of the pack. The same happens with pups that suffer from some deformity.
Something similar happens with the weakest hatchlings. In all litters, especially those of 5 or 6 kittens, there are larger and stronger puppies and smaller and weaker ones. Although it does not always happen, some cats find it convenient to dispense with the least fit offspring, in order to give their milk and care only to those that have a better chance of surviving.
These things may sound cruel, but it's just natural selection, which governs all species in one way or another.
Stress
Usually a house cat will not kill her kittens due to stress, but this possibility should not be ruled out. An extremely noisy environment during pregnancy or childbirth, constant traffic of people from one to another, harassing the animal with care and attention, not providing a quiet space to give birth, among other reasons, trigger nervous behavior.
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 (that her puppies are separated from her, that they are prey of some predator), and in some cases this feeling leads to the sad outcome that we already know. It also happens if there are other animals around and the mother perceives them as possible threats.
All this tends to be more common in new mothers, when stress is capable of overriding their maternal instinct Therefore, it is essential offer the expectant mother the best care during pregnancy and provide her with a relaxed, calm and stress-free environment.
Lack of maternal instinct
It is also possible that the cat lacks maternal instinct, in which case she will have no interest in caring for the young or simply not she will know how to do it, which leads her to get rid of them and therefore eat her newborn kittens.
To prevent this from happening, or to save as many kittens as possible, observe your cat's behavior after giving birth and if you see that she lacks maternal instinct and the life of the kittens is in danger, you should be you who welcome them and take care of taking them forward. To do this, don't miss our article on how to feed newborn cats and seek professional help if you need it.
Feline mastitis
Mastitis is an infection, common in many mammals, that affects the mammary glands. It can be deadly for the mother and the puppies, but it is also very easy to care for. The problem is that causes a lot of pain, especially when the kittens try to suckle, which can cause the cat to reject them, even devouring them in order to avoid the suffering. If you suspect that this may be the case with your furry companion, consult our article on mastitis in cats and get the information you need to go to the vet and start treatment.
Does not recognize its young
The cat may not recognize the puppies as her own, or members of her own breed. It occurs in some cats who have needed a caesarean section, because the hormones related to motherhood that are usually activated during childbirth are not produced.
Similarly, in some breeds or with new mothers, they may confuse the kittens with smaller prey, instead of seeing them as their own children. For this same reason it is that it is recommended not to handle the puppies unless it is necessary, since the human scent eliminates the scent of the cat, causing them not to recognize.
What can you do if your cat eats her newborn kittens?
First of all keep calm We know how impressive this can be for humans, but don't get too emotional y don't despise your cat Simply, it is a behavior that has its reasons, and that is natural even if it is not for us.
Instead of rejecting the feline, try to figure out what could have happened based on the reasons we have already given you. If it is due to your cat's he alth or stress, resolve them as soon as possible with your veterinarian.
If any of the cats in the litter was left alive or you realize in time that your cat bites her kittens to kill them, the best thing to do, as we have already mentioned, is to raise it yourself himself to prevent something bad from happening to him. Take him to a specialist to assess her he alth status.
In the same way, if all the kittens have been devoured, it is best to sterilize the cat to prevent this event from occurring. repeat. Offer your cat the same affection and love as always, soon you will be able to overcome this little tragedy together.
