Is it normal for mother cats to eat their dead kittens? Do cats get sad when they lose their kittens? There are pros and cons to each option. When asking Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?, this is one of the reasons most cat owners have to act fast. Sometimes they do reject one, a runt or a weak one. The death of a small kitten can be heartbreaking, but it is important to consider whether or not to remove the deceased kitten from its mother. Instead, she plans to devour the deceased kitten when she feels its safe to do so. They move slowly, sleep a lot, and have decreased appetite and motivation to play. Nutritional deficienciesoccur when the mother doesnt receive enough vitamins and energy sources essential for labor and nursing. The first question to ask is, should I remove a dead kitten from the litter? If the kitten is cold, you can put it in a cardboard box or a plastic bag. She will cuddle and lick the kitten to try to get them to respond and start breathing. 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. Their behavior toward that kitten might surprise you. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. As harrowing as it might seem, it is important that you leave the kitten with the mother so that she is aware of what has happened. She might bury it, or if she has quite a few live kittens left, she will take it away from them and abandon it. Never touch a dead kitten after birth with bare handsbecause there is a high risk of getting an infection and spreading it. Some cats are very trusting to their owners in times of grief or loss. Born for Pets is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It will then cover the body with mud and might lay on the spot for several hours. Removing the dead kitten will help prevent it from contaminating the other members of the litter. When there are no live kittens she can pay attention to, you can try offering hersmall stuffed toysthat resemble a kitten in size and form. For instance, if the body is not properly removed after death, it can cause serious infections to the living ones around it. You can also call your veterinarian. 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 it comes to handling a dead kitten, your actions will play a role in the overall development of the litter. The cat's owner should never be interrupted when she is lying on the body of her dead kitten. Their behavior toward that kitten might surprise you. In the majority of cases, another kitten will be born soon. 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. If the kitten is not removed, the mother cat may become anxious and stop caring for the rest of her kittens. If there are live kittens, redirect her focus on them. Increased Risk of Infection and Health IssuesThere is a natural increase in infections when a dead kitten remains near the litter.These health issues can be avoided as long as you remove the dead kitten safely. If the kitten is still warm, you can put it in a cardboard box or a plastic bag. Becoming a parent brings out instincts for any animal, including for a mother cat. Yes, it is recommended to let a mother cat see her dead kitten. This will include any that were stillborn or that died soon after birth. "Miscarriage refers to the death of a fetus during pregnancy." Why is my cat having dead kittens? A lifeless kitten is going to naturally decompose. The general rule for burial is to put the body at least 4-5 feet (1-1.5 meters) deep in the ground. However, it is still an instinct, and although its rare for a domestic cat, dont be shocked if that happens. This website provides general information about pets and their care. Mother Cats Start by Licking the Kitten Image Credit: Azami Adiputera, Shutterstock Right after a mother cat gives birth to new kittens, she licks them clean. Their decomposition also provides a serious hygiene risk to the surviving litter. Each situation is going to warrant a different approach. If the family is able to find another kitten, it is likely that the new kitten would not have been born stillborn, which would make the decision to remove it more difficult. Causes and TreatmentsContinue, The topic of homosexuality in animals, particularly in dogs and cats, has been a subject of curiosity and controversy for many years. The instincts for mother cats don't only apply to taking care of their live kittens. If you have a question about your pet's health, please contact your veterinarian. Mother cats are generally aware of when their offspring are about to be born and they will instinctively know that the smell of a decaying cat could be harmful to their young. While removing the gloves turn them inside out and properly discard them. A dead kitten will decompose and potentially cause infection in the other kittens or the mother cat. A dead kitten is a health hazard. When a kitten is born dead or isn't strong enough to survive the first several days outside of the womb, a mother cat knows what to do. Otherwise, your cat may become distressed at removing one of her kittens without knowing they had passed away, If you believe that once a pet has passed away the body is just a shell, you can call your local animal control. Trauma and hypothermia are two causes of fading kitten syndrome that truly come on suddenly. Kittens should not be given litter products that contain fragrances, harsh chemicals, or clumping properties. It is also necessary for her to clean away placenta and liquid that might be blocking the kittens lungs from taking in the air they need. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. What Does A Mother Cat Do With A Dead Kitten? There is no right or wrong decision when it comes to removing a stillborn kitten, it is simply a choice that the family has to make based on their individual circumstances. How many kittens usually survive in a litter? The kittens heart may be too weak to pump blood, and it may not be getting enough oxygen. In the wild, if a kitten does not survive the birth, their body can attract predators. Place a couple drops of Karo syrup or sugar dissolved in water in your cats mouth every three minutes. Allowing things to continue as is increases the risk of the mother becoming infected and dying from septicemia. If the kitten is cold, you can try to take it out with . Doing so could disturb the grieving process of the mother cat and cause her to reject her remaining kittens. Removing the dead kitten from its mother can be beneficial if the mother appears to be obsessively searching for or vocalizing to the deceased kitten but should be done with caution sudden removal can cause further distress for a grieving mother cat. How Do You Restrict Cat Activity After Surgery? They suggest, if possible, its best to provide her with a quiet corner where she can grieve without disruption. Other viral infections which can cause stillbirth in kittens include feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline herpesvirus. Do Mother Cats Eat Their Dead Kittens? Its essential to take your time and understand what your options are in this situation. Cats will chew the umbilical cord of a kitten once it has been born if it is free of litter. Natural deaths are usually sudden but can take days in some cases. One is that she might eat the dead kitten. Should I Remove A Dead Kitten From The Litter? Removing the dead kitten will prevent the mother from eating the corpse of her young and help to prevent the living babies from becoming sick due to the presence of the rotting carcass in their home. See answer (1) Best Answer. However, letting them roam the house too early can be hazardous to their health and safety. When an animal dies in its natural habitat, it decomposes very quickly due to the warm weather and the abundance of natural predators that feed on its corpse. Again although this is confronting, this is normal behaviour. When one, What Does A Mother Cat Do With A Dead Kitten? The mother cat might bring her dead kitten to you, signaling that she needs your help. The two most commonmicroorganismsresponsible for kitten death are Brucella Melitensis and Feline Viral Herpesvirus, which causes embryonic and fetal death. This may seem to be a strange question, but if you have a pregnant cat the thought might have crossed your mind. Sometimes, a stillborn kitten will disrupt labor, resulting in dystocia. 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. This can lead to bacteria-related concerns along with potential infections upon interaction with the dead kitten. 8 FactsHave you ever wondered what mother cats do with dead kittens? Youll want to make sure the mother and surviving kittens receive proper veterinary care as soon as possible after the emergency occurs. In these instances, they will deliver a mercy killing and eat the remains!So what is going on here? Sit on the sofa and have some quiet time together. Congenital malformation and defectsCongenital malformation and fetal defects are the most common cause of stillborn kittens. A heating pad is an effective option, or alternatively, put rice in a sock or cloth bag and microwave it for a couple of minutes to heat it. 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. Get over it. Avoid saying anything this harsh because it hurts more than it helps. The other reason that cats do this is out of affection for their kitten and safety for the live kittens. It is not unheard of for kittens to fade or be stillborn. If your family pet has died from a cause that doesnt pose a risk of infection to your surviving cat, and you feel comfortable doing so, you can show your cat the body of your deceased pet.Jun 9, 2022. Dead kittens can also be a nuisance to clean up, and they can be a safety hazard to the cat. You can choose between a pet cemetery, your backyard (if allowed by law), and human cemeteries with designated pet sections. In this case, a mother cat may move one kitten before returning to her nest to collect the others. Some possible reasons are as follows: 1) The cat may have been feeling abandoned or insecure, and as a result, she may have consumed her kittens as a way of trying to take care of them. 3. If your cat, What Do Mother Cats Do With A Dead Kitten? Dead baby cats should be disposed of in a humane way, preferably by a veterinarian. 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. You are looking : should i remove a dead kitten from the litter. 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. 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