They also feel a pinch and react in a way.A kittens death may occur before even being born or just lives for a short time.The mother cat tends to react in a way to respond to the sad occurrence.Just like human mothers are protective of their children, even cats are generally protective, and such a loss traumatizes them.Their protective instinct usually is strong. The first reason has to do with survival for her and the rest of the kittens. What happens if a cat gives birth to a dead kitten? If the kitten is cold, you can put it in a warm area, like the litter box. Learning when to, Read More What Age Should My Kittens Be Before Allowing Them to Roam the House?Continue, With its light and fluffy texture, its understandable that you may want to give your cat a lick of Starbucks iconic whipped cream. In general, mother cats are already aware of the negative effects of a dead kitten in their litter. A study of pedigree cats found that approximately 7% of kittens born were stillborn. Credit: Marketa Barborikova, Shutterstock After a mother cat ultimately gives up on the kitten ever breathing, she is prone to do a couple of things that might seem dramatic. Eating their dead kittens will provide nutrients that will be dissolved in the mothers milk and will be beneficial for other kittens. A dead kitten will decompose and potentially cause infection in the other kittens or the mother cat. Offer her comfort through petting and talk to her in a calm reassuring voice. Kittens are social animals, and a dead kitten could traumatize the surviving kittens. Even though cats have been domesticated for many years, they are still animals with many instincts. However, make sure the mother cat is aware that it is safe before removing the dead body from her litter; otherwise, it might start eating the corpse out of fear that it is being harmed in some way. If your cat has died from a cause that doesnt pose a risk of infection to other cats, and you feel comfortable doing so, you can show your cat the body of your deceased cat. Different cities have different regulations so always research the legal aspects of kitten burial first. If this is something that you dont want her to do, you might want to take away the dead kitten before she can eat it. Kittens come out dead because they have not been given the proper nutrition or have not been given the time they need to grow. When a mother cat sees its kitten not moving or breathing, it will lick and cuddle the kitten to try to get it to respond. So its important to remove a dead kitten from the litter as soon as you notice it. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'21cats_org-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-21cats_org-large-mobile-banner-1-0');It will also prevent bacteria from entering the environment through the pores of the decomposing body, thus preventing the possible spread of disease to other animals and people. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When a kitten is born dead or isnt strong enough to survive the first several days outside of the womb, a mother cat knows what to do. Featured Image Credit: schubbel, Shutterstock, When a cat gives birth to a stillborn kitten, its important to leave the kitten in place until their mother realizes that theyre dead. This is another form of grieving and letting go of the loss.You will also note some behavioral changes with the cat. For those asking Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter? you are going to want to get in front of this. If the family is not able to find another kitten, they may have to choose between having the stillborn kitten removed or leaving it to suffer. Bury It. The birth process of a litter of kittens is an exciting event for pet owners. Also known as distemper, this virus can result in an abnormality of the skull known as cerebellar hypoplasia. Others will just stuff the dead baby deep in the bedding or push it outside. They say its best to let nature take its course and allow the mother cat to experience the necessary stages of grief. Some will move the litter to help protect the other kittens. When asking Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?, this is one of the reasons most cat owners have to act fast. This can lead to bacteria-related concerns along with potential infections upon interaction with the dead kitten. Can Cats Eat Sausages? It can vary depending on a cats individual health and reproductive history. This is essential to prevent cannibalism from occurring in her brood. Its the right decision for everyone involved.Key factors include:DecompositionHealth of the LitterLocation of the LitterMost mother cats will already be in tune with the negative effects of a dead kitten on the other kittens. The instincts for mother cats dont only apply to taking care of their live kittens. That means she will often leave the body alone for hours, just in case the kitten revives. Any other object that has been in contact with the dead kitten should also be disposed of. While no-one will ever know if a cat understands death, they certainly know that a fellow housemate is missing and that something has changed in the house. If the kitten is still warm, you can put it in a cardboard box or a plastic bag. Congenital abnormalities arise due to problems in early development and malformation of genes. If the kitten is still warm, you can put it in a warm area, like the litter box. If kittens are removed before the age of 10 weeks and before they are fully weaned, this behavior from the mother cat may persist a bit longer, but not by much as shes instinctually programmed to leave her litter and cats do not remember or grieve for kittens in the way that a human parent would. Genetic defects are most common among pedigrees due to incestuous breeding narrowing the breeds gene pool. They dont want anything else to smell the kittens body and come to eat it. There is, however, no studies to suggest that this aids the grieving process in your cat. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'21cats_org-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_3',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-21cats_org-large-mobile-banner-2-0');The primary purpose for removing a deceased pet is to protect the family from the harmful effects of decaying flesh and fluids that enter through the pores of the carcass. 5. Wrap the kitten in a towel or blanket and add a heat source. Prevents Consumption of the Dead Kitten. 8. 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. Be more affectionate. If your cat gave birth to a dead kitten or more dead kittens she needs some time to sniff them and count them. Who makes home decorators collection laminate flooring, What is the best airbrush for cake decorating, Is home decorators collection flooring good quality, How to start your own party decorating business, How to start your own balloon decorating business, How to start a small event decorating business, How to hang outdoor decor on vinyl siding. That means she will often leave the body alone for hours, just in case the kitten revives. Causes and Treatments. Doing so could disturb the grieving process of the mother cat and cause her to reject her remaining kittens. Maybe her current nest feels too noisy or exposed, or there are too many people coming over to look at her and her kittens when she really wants to be left alone. If the kitten is cold, you can try to take it out with a blanket or a towel. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'21cats_org-leader-2','ezslot_4',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-21cats_org-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'21cats_org-leader-2','ezslot_5',105,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-21cats_org-leader-2-0_1'); .leader-2-multi-105{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}This is why they are quick to relocate them to another area to avoid exposing them to this smell. Once she loses hope, she will do everything that she can to keep her live kittens safe and sound. Bury the kitten into the ground Sometimes a mother cat will dig the ground where it will bury its dead kitten. What to Do When One Cat in a Pair Dies. In the wild, a mother cat would relocate its litter and/or eat the dead kitten. This is why you will want to act as soon as you can!3. Manage Settings What Age Should My Kittens Be Before Allowing Them to Roam the House? In the wild, if a kitten does not survive the birth, their body can attract predators. While this percentage is higher among pedigrees, its still fair to presume around 1 in 20 kittens are stillborn. For example, a dead kitten might be blocking the live kittens access to food or water, or it might harbor a disease that is harmful to live kittens. The first reason has to do with survival for her and the rest of the kittens. 1. 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. At the end of the day, the kitten will have to be remove. Required fields are marked *. If there are live kittens, redirect her focus on them. Why Is My Cat Foaming at the Mouth? I am working hard on this blog to provide you with valuable information on everything cats. What do you do with a dead baby cat? This will ensure the mother cat doesnt eat the dead kitten as a way to preserve her litter. Kitten Care : Why Some Kittens Are Born Dead Do mother cats miss their dead kittens? Exploring Homosexuality in Pets! If she does not know about it, then she will likely remain less distressed. Kittens should not be given litter products that contain fragrances, harsh chemicals, or clumping properties. Yes, its recommended to remove a dead kitten from the litter. Instead, she is going to try to eat the dead kitten to preserve the others as a way to protect those who are living. This might cause bacteria-related issues as the body starts to decompose and toxins are released into the air. If you keep watch, you will see a moment when she knows. 3) The cat may have been feeling aggressive or territorial, and as a result, she may have consumed her kittens as a way of asserting her dominance over them. Cats will chew the umbilical cord of a kitten once it has been born if it is free of litter. Copyright 2023 Warmly Pet | All Rights Reserved | Editorial Policy | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Sitemap. If you find a dead cat, follow these five stepsMove the cat to safety.Take the cat to the nearest vet, transporting them in a box or old blanket or clothing.The vet will be able to scan the cat for a microchip and contact the owner to let them know if the cat is chipped. Using gloves, carefully pick up the body and place it in an appropriate container for burial. 1.Should I Remove A Dead Kitten From The Litter? Mother Cat Won't Stop Looking For Her Dead Kitten, How To Comfort A Mother Cat Who Lost Her Kittens. If this happens, it is important to remove the kitten from the litter as soon as possible. her grieving process might be burying her kitten and lying over the burial spot for hours. 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. This is something they are genetically trained to do and that is what their actions would show in the wild. Is your cat going to mourn the loss of a kitten? Its important to know the symptoms of labor and behavioral and physical changes a few days before. Here is more on cats calming down a male cat, dealing with a kitten that is about to die, cats that make bird-line noises, and finding a quality scratching post for cats. Mother Cat Eats The Dead KittenThere are instances mother cat eats her kittens once they die. Its important to learn about stillborn kittens just in case the unthinkable happens. So she doesn't get depressed that it isn't moving. Step 2: Applying steady traction, gently pull the kitten at a slight downward angle. These health issues can be avoided as long as you remove the dead kitten safely. 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. Your email address will not be published. They suggest, if possible, its best to provide her with a quiet corner where she can grieve without disruption. In most cases, they prove to be fatal for the unborn kittens. If kittens are born very prematurely, it could result in a stillbirth. They will not allow anyone, even their pet parent to come near their kittens, dead or alive. See answer (1) Best Answer. Telling someone to get over such a loss comes across mean and thoughtless. If the cat is showing signs of distress, it is important to take her to the veterinarian for a check-up and to rule out any underlying health issues. Once established the vet will provide recommendations for treatment or additional testing for the mother and the live kittens. The same rules apply to the vet examination and burial/cremation when its only a single kitten born. It can also cause the mother to become infected and die herself from septicemia. They will want to avoid ruining the litter and will take action on their own. 3. In the wild, mother cats will consume their dead kittens to preserve the health of their litter. Again although this is confronting, this is normal behaviour. We have given this some thought and researched what goes on in the situations. Its also essential to give your cat time and space before attempting to remove the deceased kitten, as cats can become aggressive if they feel threatened or disrespected during this difficult time. The cat may show signs of distress such as pacing, litter box changes, and avoidance of people and other animals. If the kitten is not removed, the mother cat may become anxious and stop caring for the rest of her kittens. Once the mourning process has passed, which can take a few days, she may start to accept that their kittens are gone. As mentioned in the intro, the advice is mixed. 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. Premature birthPremature birth is a possible cause for stillborn kittens. Let your child know it is normal to miss pets after they die and encourage the youngster to come to you with questions or for reassurance and comfort. Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?. By consuming the dead kitten, the mother will actually provide a better chance of survival for the others. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. A mother cat won't stop looking for her dead kittens until she completely understands that the kitten is gone. This process may seem cruel, but it is a behavior rooted in deep biological instincts. All Facts and Guides to Cats and Kittens - 21Cats.org. 3. 5) The cat may have been feeling overwhelmed or stressed, and as a result, she may have consumed her kittens as a way of calming herself down. Licks The KittenWhen the mother cat realizes that the kitten is not moving, they tend to lick the kitten furiously. 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