Some cats may react positively to seeing their dead sister, while others may be completely devastated by the experience. Psychological Distress. As a result, most mother cats will attempt to eat the dead kitten to get them out of the way. Cats soon after forget that such a tragedy happened, but for the time being, they are filled with sadness. Kittens are social animals, and a dead kitten could traumatize the surviving kittens. Please refer to the information below. A litter of kittens without any survivors leaves the owners saddened but also in doubt about what caused such an outcome in the first place. Are they going to do something strange and unexpected? Many people wonder if animals can have same-sex, Read More Can Dogs & Cats Be Gay? If the kitten is still warm, you can put it in a warm area, like the litter box. If you must remove the kitten for any reason, do so gently and with care. See answer (1) Best Answer. 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. However, letting them roam the house too early can be hazardous to their health and safety. Pathogens can be more potent in overcrowded litters and spread in the blink of an eye. Preparing for Removal of the Deceased Kitten, 5. If this happens, it is important to remove the kitten from the litter as soon as possible. Following are typical behaviors that a mother cat may exhibit with a dead kitten: 1. They include: This problem in kittens is caused by a variety of things. Although this is a distressing sight for humans, this is a normal behavior for animals. If the cat has already given birth, the dead kitten may need to be removed. The box should be twice as long as an adult cat and wide as the cat is long. Bring it to the pet parent. If they do not get the proper nutrition, their bodies will not be able to function properly and they will die. Since you are not dealing with a wild cat, you will have to take action. When asking Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?, this is one of the reasons most cat owners have to act fast. A dead kitten should not be removed from the litter. Do Mother Cats Eat Their Dead Kittens? Premature birthPremature birth is a possible cause for stillborn kittens. Others will just stuff the dead baby deep in the bedding or push it outside. Some female cats may attempt to bury or hide their dead kittens. Yes, its recommended to remove a dead kitten from the litter. Domestic cats that feel safe in their home are less likely to eat their kittens because they dont have to worry about their nutrient sources. While this percentage is higher among pedigrees, its still fair to presume around 1 in 20 kittens are stillborn. 1. Becoming a parent brings out instincts for any animal, including for a mother cat. She will often call out for the missing kitten and look in places it usually naps or under furniture. What to Do With a Dead Kitten After Birth. When it comes to handling a dead kitten, your actions will play a role in the overall development of the litter. It is not unheard of for kittens to fade or be stillborn. This is why they tend to be defensive if you try to get close to their kittens due to fear of losing them.This is what prompts them to have different reactions when the kitten dies.Thats why when a mother cat is about to give birth; it finds a haven to deliver babies in.They rarely allow humans or any other animals to come near. A mother cat will do everything that she can to keep her baby kittens safe. No, you should not remove a dead kitten from the litter. Some vet practices offer private cremations where the kitten can get cremated and the ashes returned to you in an urn or a plastic bag. Buy her favorite treat or food for her as a special pick-me-up. You cant keep an eye on the mother all of the time, but if its her first litter try to minimize the incidence of traumatic injuries to the kittens. Genetic defects and toxin exposureare responsible for abnormal conditions in the form of congenital defects. In these instances, they will deliver a mercy killing and eat the remains!So what is going on here? There is no scientific evidence to suggest that cats eat their own dead kittens. The dead kitten has an examining priority to verify the cause of death. Also known as distemper, this virus can result in an abnormality of the skull known as cerebellar hypoplasia. Manage Settings Continue pulling gently and steadily until the kitten is delivered. She instinctively knows that the kitten might be dead for some kind of health reason and wants to move the body a safe distance from their other kittens. It is the mothers instinct to try and clean her kittens. Cat Pet Animals and Pets. 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. This is something they are genetically trained to do and that is what their actions would show in the wild.Since you are not dealing with a wild cat, you will have to take action.This is when asking Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter? is a nice starting point. Bury It. The dead body and the placenta need to be taken to the veterinarian for examination as soon as possible. Removing a stillborn kitten is a difficult decision to make. Do cats mourn the death of their kittens? Get over it. Avoid saying anything this harsh because it hurts more than it helps. Well, as in the case of burying or hiding, by eating the remains they are looking to reduce the chances of infection in the other kittens and instinctively reduce the odds of identification and exposure to predators in the area. 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. Cats experience grief in somewhat similar but simpler ways as humans. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that cats get sad when they lose their kittens. 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. Once established the vet will provide recommendations for treatment or additional testing for the mother and the live kittens. Sometimes a mother cat will decide to move all her kittens to a new location. There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as it depends on the individuals cat and their relationship with their sister. This process may seem cruel, but it is a behavior rooted in deep biological instincts. Can Cats Eat Sausages? Leaving a dead body around a baby feline can lead to a number of health issues for both the mother and remaining baby felines. The cons are that the family may not be able to find another kitten to take its place and that the kitten may be buried or cremated. Pay a lot of attention to her and when you talk use a calm tone and a lot of praise. Most people think that its wrong to remove a dead kitten from a litter of kittens. Your cat may not want you to take the kitten they may growl and become protective the best bet in these . Yes, it is recommended to let a mother cat see her dead kitten. It is important to recognize the physical stress and mental anguish the mother cat will experience when losing a kitten. Sometimes, a stillborn kitten will disrupt labor, resulting in dystocia. To prevent any stress to the surviving kittens, its best to leave the dead kitten in the litter until the surviving kittens are old enough to leave on their own. 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. Final Words on Should I Remove a Dead Kitten from Its Mother, Why Does My Cat Keep Bringing Me Her Kittens? If your cat gave birth to a dead kitten or more dead kittens she needs some time to sniff them and count them. If the group continues to live together, the female cat will always remember her offspring and will usually continue to treat them like a mother. It is not uncommon for one or two kittens in a litter to be stillborn. The first reason has to do with survival for her and the rest of the kittens. Answer (1 of 4): They could have picked up a fatal transmittable disease from the mother who was not vaccinated for it. They could have developed an infection of some sort in utero. Its essential to take your time and understand what your options are in this situation. So she doesn't get depressed that it isn't moving. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'21cats_org-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',102,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-21cats_org-large-leaderboard-2-0');Kittens are social animals, and a dead kitten could traumatize the surviving kittens. 3. Furthermore, its better to leave the dead kitten in the litter because removing it could stress the remaining kittens so much that they die soon after being born. This treatment is necessary, so don't take your kittens away from their mother, even if it looks painful. Do cats eat their own dead kitten? The process might go on for quite a while before she starts to focus more on the live kittens again. Offer her comfort through petting and talk to her in a calm reassuring voice. 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. 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. This is a reality of life, which is why it is important to properly dispose of a deceased animals body as soon as possible after it happens. Some will move the litter to help protect the other kittens. Sit on the sofa and have some quiet time together. Raising kittens is a large undertaking that can put a lot of additional stress on the mothers body. Dead kittens should be removed from a litter of kittens as soon as possible after they are found dead. She will cuddle and lick the kitten to try to get them to respond and start breathing. 3. How Long Does a Mother Cat Remember Her Kittens? According to some studies,7 percent of kittens are born deador die a week after. Dead baby cats should be disposed of in a humane way, preferably by a veterinarian. What Are The Benefits Of Eating Bananas By Goats, The Pros And Cons Of Purchasing A Puppy Less Than 100 Dollars. In the wild, a mother cat would relocate its litter and/or eat the dead kitten. It will help ease you into the process while making sure the right steps are taken.This article is going to look at a few reasons for removing the cat when asking Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter? and why it is the right thing to do.Best Harness for Kittens (EDITORS CHOICE) Sale rabbitgoo Cat Harness and Leash for Walking, Escape Proof Cat Harness with Leash, Fits Average Cats: Size measuring:Neck Girth: 8.5 -11 Inches, Chest Girth: 13.5 16 Inches. 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. Yes, for sanitary reasons it needs to be removed. Doing so could disturb the grieving process of the mother cat and cause her to reject her remaining kittens. If the kitten is still warm, you can try to take it to the vet. This is another form of grieving and letting go of the loss.You will also note some behavioral changes with the cat. It can vary depending on a cats individual health and reproductive history. Do Cats Sleep Better with or Without a Light on at Night? Keep the information you give simple and truthful, and use words they can understand. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. What Happens If Cats Eat Slugs? Congenital abnormalities arise due to problems in early development and malformation of genes. This will include any that were stillborn or that died soon after birth. Place a couple drops of Karo syrup or sugar dissolved in water in your cats mouth every three minutes. Last update on 2023-02-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Cats are capable of producing several litters of kittens over the course of their lifetime, and it is rare for one of these litters to result in only one kitten. Prevents Consumption of the Dead Kitten. If she doesn't have live kittens and sometimes, even if she does her grieving process might be burying her kitten and lying over the burial spot . This is a major reason why keeping the kitten with the mother cat is smart. In short:Let the mother spend time with her dead kitten, clean the area thoroughly and use disposable gloves to present the kitten to your vet to determine cause of death and then decide which kind of burial you want(cremation is pretty common for this situation). DecompositionThe main reason to remove a dead kitten from the litter has to do with decomposition.A lifeless kitten is going to naturally decompose. Some cats are very trusting to their owners in times of grief or loss. Most kittens will begin to develop strength between the months of 4 and 12 weeks making it important for them to stay with their mom. For those asking Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter? this is one of the major issues with leaving a dead kitten near the mother cat. If you have found a dead kitten, the best way to dispose of it is by burying it. Though it is not yet fully understood by scientists, cat parents have seen that mother cats become withdrawn and may show signs of depression after losing a kitten. rabbitgoo Cat Harness and Leash for Walking, Escape Proof dealing with a kitten that is about to die, finding a quality scratching post for cats. It is an instinctual behavior for her to do right after giving birth. Sometimes they do reject one, a runt or a weak one. Your email address will not be published. Should I Let My Cat See Her Dead Kitten? It is much more likely for a stray mother cat to do this. If she does not know about it, then she will likely remain less distressed. In some cases, one or more kittens in the litter may be miscarried and resorbed, while other kittens in the litter go on to be born normally. It can also be a good way to reduce the odor of decomposition. This can lead to bacteria-related concerns along with potential infections upon interaction with the dead kitten. Leaving a dead kitten in with the living ones can be harmful to both the mother cats and the surviving healthy kittens. However, it is still an instinct, and although its rare for a domestic cat, dont be shocked if that happens. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Removing a dead kitten from the litter could also increase the risk of disease, as the remaining kittens could become stressed and sick from the loss of their companion. No right or wrong answer to this question, as it depends on the mothers body! so is. 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