Lets just say the expert advice on this one is mixed. If a cat does miscarry only one kitten, it is likely due to a medical condition or problem with the pregnancy that prevented the kitten from developing properly. Kittens need to eat kitten food and milk to grow properly. 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. 1.Should I Remove A Dead Kitten From The Litter? 4. Other viral infections which can cause stillbirth in kittens include feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline herpesvirus. The process might go on for quite a while before she starts to focus more on the live kittens again. If you have found a non-breathing kitten, the first step is to perform CPR. 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? It is not unheard of for kittens to fade or be stillborn. A dead kitten will decompose and potentially cause infection in the other kittens or the mother cat. It might be a sad sight to see, but even when a kitten is dead, the mother cat will continue to groom them. Once established the vet will provide recommendations for treatment or additional testing for the mother and the live kittens. Congenital malformation and defectsCongenital malformation and fetal defects are the most common cause of stillborn kittens. This action is to check whether the kitten is alive or not.You will also note that the mother cat will smell the cat to see if there is any movement.When the cat is still alive, the mother cat often licks the kitten to groom their skin and fun.It is also a form of showing affection. Bury It. They dont want anything else to smell the kittens body and come to eat it. When asking Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?, this is one of the reasons most cat owners have to act fast. One is that she might eat the dead kitten. Kitten Care : Why Some Kittens Are Born Dead Do mother cats miss their dead kittens? What To Do With A Dead Kitten After Birth? Do cats mourn the death of their kittens? If your cat, What Do Mother Cats Do With A Dead Kitten? There are pros and cons to each option. As a consequence, most mother cats will try to relocate their kittens to a new nest if they are exposed to the scent of a dead cat in their house or yard. Licking the kittens stimulates breathing, helps to remove any remaining placenta and helps to remove liquid from the kittens lungs. Offer her comfort through petting and talk to her in a calm reassuring voice. However, dont misjudge that occurrence; it is an act of affection.They eat their dead kittens after a while to protect the body from being eaten by any other animal.This is another form of being protective of their kittens. The mother cat may simply eat the motionless member of the litter if she notices it. As mentioned in the intro, the advice is mixed. It is the mother's instinct to try and clean her kittens. There are a lot of things to consider when you end up dealing with one or even a whole litter of dead kittens. You should choose a location that is both available and inconspicuous, away from areas of high foot traffic or anywhere else where your pet may be disturbed. They would feel so bad if they found another animal feasting on their kittens remains.Also, in the case of stillbirth, the mother cat will feast on the kitten as it helps provide nutrients.This will then be dissolved in milk that the other kittens will benefit from.Individual cats will just eat one kitten, while some will eat the whole litter.Also, in other cases, the mother cat eats their kitten due to congenital disabilities, feeling sorry for the kitten, external threats, and malnourishment.Mother cats love their young ones and wouldnt want to see them suffer.The next time you see your cat eating its dead kitten, dont question the action. Licks The KittenWhen the mother cat realizes that the kitten is not moving, they tend to lick the kitten furiously. Talk to your vet if your continuously medicated cat gets pregnant. When a mother cat loses a kitten, she may spend some time searching for them. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There is no way for a cat to eat more than one or two of its kittens. Wiki User. Exploring Homosexuality in Pets! Once your cat goes into labor (known as queening), she should give birth in intervals between 10 minutes and an hour. 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. A dead kitten will decompose and potentially cause infection in the other kittens or the mother cat. You can also call your veterinarian. 2. In the wild, a mother cat would relocate its litter and/or eat the dead kitten. There could be a few reasons why your cat ate her kittens. As a result, most mother cats will attempt to eat the dead kitten to get them out of the way. 10. Only on incredibly rare occasions, if a kitten is born deceased a mother cat may choose to ingest the remains for hygiene purposes. It is an instinctual behavior for her to do right after giving birth. Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?. 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. Ultimately, it is up to each cats individual personality and behavior to decide whether or not they are comfortable viewing their sisters body. In a way, this act is similar. and sometimes, even if she does ? Do Cats Sleep Better with or Without a Light on at Night? If you have a cat with a litter and a kitten, particularly a smaller kitten, goes missing the chances are quite high that the mother has eaten the kitten.Gives It To Cat GuardianA mother cat wont always bury, hide, or eat a dead kitten. The pros of removing a stillborn kitten are that the kitten would no longer be suffering and the family would be able to grieve in peace. However, in colder climates, this process may take months or even years to complete. What Does A Mother Cat Do With A Dead Kitten? Their behavior toward that kitten might surprise you. In most cases, they prove to be fatal for the unborn 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. The other reason that cats do this is out of affection for their kitten and safety for the live kittens. 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. The dead kitten has an examining priority to verify the cause of death. Some cats are very trusting to their owners in times of grief or loss. Many cat owners have experienced this and interpret it as their cats way of showing it trust you to fix its young. While she shows this type of behavior, its best if you let her finish with the whole ceremony. Before proceeding with removal, its important to take the necessary precautions and create a safe environment. This is to separate the dead far from the live ones to avoid any health risks. Unfortunately, stillborn kittens are common. 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. Here are some tips on how to do it: 1. Without access to their mothers milk, kittens are susceptible to dehydration and hypothermia, both of which can be fatal. PleaseComfortable Outdoor Harness: This real comfy cat harness will snugly fit your feline friends body, while still keeping himEscape Proof Cat Harness: This adjustable kitty harness features 4 adjusting straps which allow a just-right fit for yourLast update on 2022-09-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API1. Everything You Need to Know! While this percentage is higher among pedigrees, its still fair to presume around 1 in 20 kittens are stillborn. All Facts and Guides to Cats and Kittens - 21Cats.org. The mother cat isnt going to grieve over the dead kitten. This is essential to prevent cannibalism from occurring in her brood. In general, mother cats are already aware of the negative effects of a dead kitten in their litter. Some people may believe this to be true because they have seen their cats eating the remains of a dead kitten, but this could simply be evidence of scavenging behaviour. Step 2: Applying steady traction, gently pull the kitten at a slight downward angle. Not all cats do this but some may lay their kitten at your feet for help or empathy. Its important to know the symptoms of labor and behavioral and physical changes a few days before. If one of your kittens dies suddenly, its essential to remove it from the litter. Parasites, like heartworm, can also be passed from mother to kitten and could result in a miscarriage or stillbirth. If you must remove the kitten for any reason, do so gently and with care. Children will need a clear explanation to help them make sense of whats happened. By eating the newborn, a mother cat will re-absorb the nutrients that her body had first used to generate the kitten. Everything You Need to Know!Continue, Your email address will not be published. The ASPCA study had similar findings, stating that all cats who had lost a companion returned to normal within six months. What Causes A Cat To Have Stillborn Kittens? It is much more likely for a stray mother cat to do this. Required fields are marked *. Therefore, if the dead animal is left alone, the mother might start eating the dead kitten instead of caring for her living babies. How Long Does a Mother Cat Remember Her Kittens? 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. When a deceased kitten is left in the home of a mother cat, it puts her other offspring at risk. The first question to ask is, should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?Yes, its recommended to remove a dead kitten from the litter. There are few causes for a cat giving birth to stillborn kittens: Dystocia refers to a difficult birth and can be a result of wrong fetus positioning, narrow pelvis of the mother, too large kittens, and absence of uterine contractions. This can lead to bacteria-related concerns along with potential infections upon interaction with the dead kitten. Instead, show it, love.2. Deciding whether or not to remove a deceased kitten from its mother can be a difficult decision. This treatment is necessary, so don't take your kittens away from their mother, even if it looks painful. You are looking : should i remove a dead kitten from the litter. However, it is still an instinct, and although its rare for a domestic cat, dont be shocked if that happens. Additionally, some may find it helpful to spend extra time towards providing enrichment activities for their feline companion. The instincts for mother cats dont only apply to taking care of their live kittens. The kittens heart may be too weak to pump blood, and it may not be getting enough oxygen. Is your cat going to mourn the loss of a kitten? Not only would the other animal get those nutrients, but it would also put the mother and live kittens in danger. 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