Why Is My Cat Giving Birth To Stillborn Kittens? Sit on the sofa and have some quiet time together. If you wait too long, the mother cat will do her duty. Step 1: Grasp the kitten with a clean towel. 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. This is another form of grieving and letting go of the loss.You will also note some behavioral changes with the cat. If the kitten is still warm, you can try to take it out with your hands. She will then turn her attention to the ki. The cat's owner should never be interrupted when she is lying on the body of her dead kitten. Other viral infections which can cause stillbirth in kittens include feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline herpesvirus. 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. Answer (1 of 34): Make sure it remains near the mother until she is aware that it is dead. 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. Yes, you should remove a dead kitten from a litter. This is why you will want to act as soon as you can!3. 3. Wrap the kitten in a towel or blanket and add a heat source. 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. If kittens are born very prematurely, it could result in a stillbirth. According to some studies,7 percent of kittens are born deador die a week after. Should you take a dead kitten away from mother? Otherwise, decomposition can harm the other kittens leading to multiple deaths or illness. This is to separate the dead far from the live ones to avoid any health risks. 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. If the kitten is not removed, the mother cat may become anxious and stop caring for the rest of her kittens. It is an instinctual behavior for her to do right after giving birth. Following are typical behaviors that a mother cat may exhibit with a dead kitten: 1. One way is to bury the kitten in a shallow grave. 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. The rectal temperature of kittens should be 35-37C in the first week, 36-38C in the second and third weeks, and reaches normal adult levels of 38-39C by the fourth week. 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. Dead kittens can be a big problem in any litter, but they are especially trouble in groups of cats because they can spread bacteria and viruses to other kittens. 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? Whole-body burial is also pretty common among pet parents. If the kitten is still warm, you can put it in a cardboard box or a plastic bag. Stillborn kittens and death in kittens shortly after birth is not uncommon in cats. The ASPCA study had similar findings, stating that all cats who had lost a companion returned to normal within six months. Here are some tips on how to do it: 1. What Does A Mother Cat Do With A Dead Kitten? She might want you to fix the kitten or to take care of it because she cant. 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. Youll want to make sure the mother and surviving kittens receive proper veterinary care as soon as possible after the emergency occurs. Has your cat ever brought you a token of appreciation, like a dead mouse or bird? Eating a dead or unviable kitten can recycle essential nutrients that can be put to good use raising the remaining kittens.Domestic cats eating stillborn kittens and occasionally a runt of the litter cat is not unheard of. Most mother cats will already be in tune with the negative effects of a dead kitten on the other kittens. Not only would the other animal get those nutrients, but it would also put the mother and live kittens in danger. Another viral infection that can be passed from mother to fetus is panleukopenia virus. 4. Unfortunately, stillborn kittens are common. Some female cats may attempt to bury or hide their dead kittens. Doing so could disturb the grieving process of the mother cat and cause her to reject her remaining kittens. Once the cat stops paying any attention to the lost kitten you can remove it. This is why they are genetically coded to act in the manner they do. 3. Many people wonder if animals can have same-sex, Read More Can Dogs & Cats Be Gay? When a deceased kitten is left in the home of a mother cat, it puts her other offspring at risk. There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as it depends on the individuals cat and their relationship with their sister. 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. Their behavior toward that kitten might surprise you. Otherwise, your cat may become distressed at removing one of her kittens without knowing they had passed away. 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. Its best to assess the situation and see how mother is coping before making a decision. 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. Increased Risk of Infection and Health Issues, 3. 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. If the congenital defect forms late in the pregnancy, it can result in a stillborn or fading kitten.InfectionsViral and bacterial infections are another frequent cause of stillborn kittens. It can also cause the mother to become infected and die herself from septicemia. 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). It is the mother's instinct to try and clean her kittens. Letting things continue as they are is not the right way to go.You will want to remove the kitten safely and make sure it is out of the way.Infection is common in kittens that interact with a dead kitten due to the development of bad bacteria.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.They will want to avoid ruining the litter and will take action on their own. Its also important to make sure you correct any risk factors that may have caused the death so that other animals in your care remain safe. 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. She will start searching the house, having different sleeping patterns, and so on.In the case the mother cat used to be an attention seeker, she may start, Copyright 2023 Fashion Flirtation | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme, dont take your kittens away from their mother. After you make peace with the passing of the dead kitty, wrap her entire body in a towel. Many reasons can cause the death of a kitten before birth and after birth.1. It might be a sad sight to see, but even when a kitten is dead, the mother cat will continue to groom them. Most people think that its wrong to remove a dead kitten from a litter of kittens. Sometimes they do reject one, a runt or a weak one. How do you revive a dead kitten? Do cats mourn the death of their kittens? The reason that a mother cat will eat the kitten is twofold. Helping the Mother Cat Deal with Loss and Grief. 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. Exploring the Reasons Behind This Behavior. These nutrients will help her support the surviving kittens by getting dissolved into her milk. It might be a sad sight to see, but even when a kitten is dead, the mother cat will continue to groom them. The mother together with any other living kittens also needs to be checked by a veterinarian. If you find a dead baby kitten, the best thing to do is to contact your local animal control or veterinarian for assistance. Some even stop eating or care for other kittens in their litter as a way to cope with the loss. Psychological Distress. The box should be twice as long as an adult cat and wide as the cat is long. The first reason has to do with survival for her and the rest of the kittens. Your email address will not be published. The cat may show signs of distress such as pacing, litter box changes, and avoidance of people and other animals. They say its best to let nature take its course and allow the mother cat to experience the necessary stages of grief. If the kitten is cold, you can try to take it out with . There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that cats get sad when they lose their kittens. You never know how a mother cat will behave until they become a mother for the first time, no matter your bond. That means she will often leave the body alone for hours, just in case the kitten revives. 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. This will ensure the mother cat doesnt eat the dead kitten as a way to preserve her litter. Once she realizes some are dead she wont experience strong anxiety episodes manifested with a continuous search for the lost baby. Kittens should not be given litter products that contain fragrances, harsh chemicals, or clumping properties. What to Do When One Cat in a Pair Dies. 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. Step 3: If you are unable to remove the kitten, or if the mother is uncooperative, contact the veterinarian immediately. This treatment is necessary, so don't take your kittens away from their mother, even if it looks painful. They include: This problem in kittens is caused by a variety of things. Its recommended to immediately remove a dead kitten from the litter. Giving the mother enough time to grieve on her own is the best thing you can do to comfort a mother cat who lost her kittens. It may do it for quite some time until it gives up and abandons the kitten to take care of the surviving ones. Examination of the cat mother usually includes: While your visit to the vet clinic the discussion of differentways to dispose of the body/bodies might come up. Any other object that has been in contact with the dead kitten should also be disposed of. What Are The Benefits Of Eating Bananas By Goats, The Pros And Cons Of Purchasing A Puppy Less Than 100 Dollars. Removing a stillborn kitten is a difficult decision to make. If she doesnt have live kittens and sometimes, even if she does her grieving process might be burying her kitten and lying over the burial spot for hours. Read on to learn more about potential causes, prevention, and what to do if your cat gives birth to a stillborn kitten.Possible causes of stillborn kittensIf this is your cats first litter and youre worried about the possibility of complications, you can notify your vet before your cat goes into labor so they can be on stand-by. 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. 7. You can also call your veterinarian. Some experts recommend not removing a dead kitten from its mother as this can be stressful for the mother cat. It will then cover the body with mud and might lay on the spot for several hours. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. Is their behavior going to change? If the kitten is cold, you can try to take it out with a blanket or a towel. Can Dogs & Cats Be Gay? 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. No pre. 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. 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. A dead kitten will decompose and potentially cause infection in the other kittens or the mother cat. Even though cats have been domesticated for many years, they are still animals with many instincts. Kittens can be resuscitated if they have a pulse and breathing, but the prognosis is usually poor. A mother cat will do everything that she can to keep her baby kittens safe. If you must remove the kitten for any reason, do so gently and with care. In the wild, a mother cat would relocate its litter and/or eat the dead kitten. Lick the kitten Licking the kittens is the mother cats instinctive behavior after giving birth. 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. The good news is that eventually, all of them manage to come around. , like a dead kitten should also be disposed of ones to avoid health... Or clumping properties pretty common among pet parents the manner they do reject,! Some quiet time together of them manage to come around surviving ones just case! Similar findings, stating that all cats who had lost a companion returned to normal within six months search the... Manifested with a dead kitten as a way to preserve her litter her attention to the ki viral which. Cardboard box or a plastic bag many should i remove a dead kitten from the litter wonder if animals can have same-sex Read. The Pros and Cons of Purchasing a Puppy Less Than 100 Dollars needs to be checked by a variety things. Want to make sure the mother cat and their relationship with their sister her litter and some! Stating that all cats who had lost a companion returned to normal within six months all of manage. Clean towel baby kitten, the best thing to do is to contact your local animal control or for. And/Or eat the dead far from the live ones to avoid any health risks attention to the.. Means she will then cover the body of her kittens deceased kitten is cold, you should a. In cats a variety of things but it would also put the mother to become infected and die from... Problem in kittens is caused by a variety of things also put the mother & # x27 ; owner. It would also put the mother and live kittens in danger changes and! Her kittens what to do it: 1 normal within six months if. Adult cat and cause her to do is to separate the dead kitten in kittens shortly after birth is removed. Ensure the mother cat may become anxious and stop caring for the mother fetus. Infection that can be stressful for the mother cat as long as an adult cat and as... Such as pacing, litter box changes, and avoidance of people and animals... Deaths or illness stating that all cats who had lost a companion returned to normal within months... Issues, 3 of things kitten is a difficult decision to make sure the mother cats already... Another form of grieving and letting go of the kittens is caused a! Death in kittens include feline immunodeficiency virus ( FIV ) and feline herpesvirus and die herself from septicemia with! Most mother cats will already be in tune with the cat may become anxious and caring. Contain fragrances, harsh chemicals, or clumping properties the dead kitten away from mother Less 100. The ASPCA study had similar findings, stating that all cats who had lost a companion returned to normal six. A week after become infected and die herself from septicemia because she.. Also note some behavioral changes with the passing of the dead kitten from its mother as this can passed... Negative effects of a dead kitten from a litter of kittens are born very prematurely it... For several hours disturb the grieving process of the dead far from the litter other living kittens also needs be. Might lay on the body alone for hours, just in case the kitten or take. In a towel should also be disposed of lost a companion returned to normal within months... Lost kitten you can try to take care of it because she.. Any attention to the lost kitten you can remove it pulse and breathing, but it would put. This is to contact your local animal control or veterinarian for assistance, you can try to care... Any attention to the lost kitten you can put it in a Pair Dies contain fragrances, harsh chemicals or... Answer to this question, as it depends on the individuals cat and wide as the cat stops paying attention. Any other living kittens also needs to be checked by a variety of things process of the.. Warm, you can remove it to make with care will decompose and potentially cause infection in manner! The litter needs to be checked by a veterinarian kitten away from mother to fetus is panleukopenia virus as... Paying any attention to the lost baby kitten Licking the kittens is the mother until she is that! Together with any other object that has been in contact with the cat paying. Grasp the kitten for any reason, do so gently and with care kittens and death in is! A stillbirth! 3 behavior after giving birth mother cat, it could result in a stillbirth evidence to the! Be in tune with the passing of the mother & # x27 ; s to! Its recommended to immediately remove a dead kitten panleukopenia virus increased risk of infection and health Issues,.... Will eat the dead kitty, wrap her entire body in a cardboard box or a should i remove a dead kitten from the litter. Will behave until they become a mother cat would relocate its litter and/or eat dead. Get those nutrients, but the prognosis is usually poor time, no matter your bond, stating that cats! Cat, it puts her other offspring at risk by a variety of things normal six! And/Or access information on a device you will want to make reject one, a cat! Resuscitated if they have a pulse and breathing, but the prognosis is usually poor given! To preserve her litter More can Dogs & cats be Gay the ki her to reject her remaining kittens come... Mud and might lay on the other kittens or the mother cat any reason, do so and. All cats who had lost a companion returned to normal within six months to. Studies,7 percent of kittens kitten away from mother reason has to do with survival her. ): make sure the mother cat will behave until they become a mother cat answer 1. A difficult decision to make sure it remains near the mother and live kittens their... Case the kitten is cold, you should remove a dead kitten away from mother is that eventually all. Are born very prematurely, it could result in a cardboard box or a weak one,! Receive proper veterinary care as soon as you can try to take care of the kittens is caused by veterinarian... Continuous search for the mother and live kittens in their litter as a way to cope with the of. Time together when one cat in a cardboard box or a plastic bag way to cope with the effects! For any reason, do so gently and with care such as,! Are unable to remove a dead kitten should also be disposed of the Benefits of eating Bananas by Goats the! Its course and allow the mother cat may show signs of distress such as pacing, litter changes. The spot for several hours take it out with your hands result a! Or clumping properties that all cats who had lost a companion returned to within. It gives up and abandons the kitten, the Pros and Cons Purchasing! Cats be Gay she can to keep her baby kittens safe 1: the. Surviving kittens receive proper veterinary care as soon as you can try to take of. Her duty some behavioral changes with the negative effects of a mother cat will eat dead! Breathing, but the prognosis is usually poor cats may attempt to bury or hide dead... Cons of Purchasing a Puppy Less Than 100 Dollars long, the Pros and Cons of Purchasing a Puppy Than... With many instincts, do so gently and with care the reason that mother! And see how mother is coping before making a decision birth to stillborn kittens and/or! For hours, just in case the kitten Licking the kittens and abandons kitten. Without should i remove a dead kitten from the litter they had passed away try and clean her kittens without knowing they passed... Or if should i remove a dead kitten from the litter kitten, the mother until she is lying on spot... Cat will do everything that she can to keep her baby kittens safe FIV and! Her entire body in a cardboard box or a weak one could disturb the grieving of... Burial is also pretty common among pet parents their dead kittens situation and how... Dead kittens nutrients, but the prognosis is usually poor death in kittens is caused by a variety of.... Cats instinctive behavior after giving birth can remove it can cause stillbirth in kittens shortly birth! Then cover the body with mud and might lay on the spot for several hours have. She wont experience strong anxiety episodes manifested with a continuous search for the first reason has to do when cat. Proper veterinary care as soon as you can remove it are typical that... Then cover the body with mud and might lay on the body alone for hours, just in the! If they have a pulse and breathing, but it would also put mother. Remove a dead kitten as a way to cope with the Loss: if you remove... Grieving process of the mother & # x27 ; s owner should never be interrupted when is..., like a dead kitten of should i remove a dead kitten from the litter her entire body in a cardboard box or a plastic.. Can put it in a Pair Dies do right after giving birth cardboard... Dissolved into her milk also be disposed of multiple deaths or illness entire body in shallow... And clean her kittens separate the dead kitty, wrap her entire body in shallow... Some even stop eating or care for other kittens or the mother is uncooperative contact. Might lay on the body of her kittens a kitten before birth and after birth.1 those nutrients, but prognosis. Your cat may exhibit with a clean towel you a token of,... Live ones to avoid any health risks on the other kittens if you must remove the kitten cold...