Hi everybody, one of our cats recently had a litter of two kittens and everything went exceptionally well but now we are having an unexpected possible complication. Our other cat had a kitten about a year ago and is now trying to be the mama for the two little ones. Shes licks them, sleeps with them, and tries to feed them her milk. I didn't think she had any milk left so this threw me. Is it normal for the other cat to be taking on roll of mother, the kittens are only a few weeks old (born 4/22). Any advice or suggestions?
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Purrs
Not the mama but wants to be?
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Hi, jVolpert - welcome to TDK! It's funny that you should have this happen because another member started a thread today about her male cat letting a kitten "nurse". I think it is just an instinct. I'm not the kitten expert, but hopefully some of them will see your question. But if would seem that, if the kittens are still with their mom and nursing, it wouldn't do any harm if your other kitty has a mothering instinct.
Posted 3 years ago by WillowandWindismom #
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Here is a thread that discusses this topic: http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/6196
Welcome to TDK!!
Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #
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you need to set up a room for the mother cat and keep the other cat out. Once she is not beig harrassed she should go back to her babies. I know it is inconvienit but it is what needs to be done!
Posted 3 years ago by TheKnittingNinja #
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Yes, you need to step in. If the other cat was nursing her own kittens along with them it would be OK, but they need milk and the one doesn't have it. If you don't act quickly the mom's milk will dry up and you'll have to bottle feed them.
Posted 3 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #
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Oh, and if these are not purebreds you need to spay the moms. Too many unwanted kittens being put down.
Posted 3 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #
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yeah, we got the dad spayed as soon as we could. he got her pregnant the day before we got him spayed, lol.
well... chocolate, the mother, is feeding the kittens, and is taking care of them. she is not abandoning them. she has her own seperate corner. the only problem is the other cat millie, who had a kitten about a year ago. she has started to lay with chocolate and her two kittens and just yesterday took a kitten and took it to the cat room from the living room and was hissing when we tried to get the kitten back. we still have ninja too, which is millie's daughter. might millie be missing the time when ninja was little and dependent?
that's what i'm thinking. right now we are keeping millie and chocolate apart.
but chocolate and b-mellow are cute, the mom and the dad, they both lay with the kittens. it's like they take turns. =) -
that is good, now ya just need to get the girls fixed
Posted 3 years ago by TheKnittingNinja #
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Definitely set the mama kitty and her kittens up with their own space, at least until her kitties are weaned or 8 weeks of age.
Millie isn't doing anything wrong; it's just that her mothering instinct is so strong that she's mistaking Chocolate's kittens as kittens that Millie should be taking care of. Try to spend as much time as you can with Millie, and give her extra attention and love. She's just a bit confused, and she doesn't understand that she's doing anything wrong.
After the kittens are weaned, I'd feel better about letting Millie around the kittens, but only so long as she doesn't show any hostility or threatening behavior toward Chocolate.
Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #
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