When it comes to handling a dead kitten, your actions will play a role in the overall development of the litter. Therefore, if the dead animal is left alone, the mother might start eating the dead kitten instead of caring for her living babies. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that cats eat their own dead kittens. The fading kitten syndrome describes a situation when the kitten appears normal at birth but dies within 2 to 9 weeks. She might want you to fix the kitten or to take care of it because she cant. Grief in cats is often overlooked and misunderstood. That means she will often leave the body alone for hours, just in case the kitten revives. You should also take the best possible care of your cat during pregnancy. There is, however, no studies to suggest that this aids the grieving process in your cat. 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. This is when asking Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter? is a nice starting point. 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. 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. Removing a dead kitten after birth too fast can leave her agitated and she may even try to bite you when attempting to move the body. Have a bag, towel, or blanket ready to wrap the deceased kitten in and be prepared to protect yourself from potential exposure to any infectious agents. She might bury it, or if she has quite a few live kittens left, she will take it away from them and abandon it. An instinctual drive for some female mother cats, especially the inexperienced ones, is to eat their dead kittens. Once the mourning process has passed, which can take a few days, she may start to accept that their kittens are gone. Its important to learn about stillborn kittens just in case the unthinkable happens. In most cases, it is better to allow the mother to grieve, but if the death was unexpected or there is an infectious disease present, removal may be necessary. Natural deaths are usually sudden but can take days in some cases. Its important to know the symptoms of labor and behavioral and physical changes a few days before. If the kitten is cold, you can put it in a warm area, like the litter box. Kittens are incredibly curious and full of energy as they grow. 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. Without access to their mothers milk, kittens are susceptible to dehydration and hypothermia, both of which can be fatal. Take it away, a decomposing body isn't healthy to be around new kitties, and waiting for mom to possibly eat it is kinda morbid. 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. Do cats eat their own dead kitten? Helping the Mother Cat Deal with Loss and Grief. Although this is a distressing sight for humans, this is a normal behavior for animals. If you keep watch, you will see a moment when she knows. Dead kittens can also be a nuisance to clean up, and they can be a safety hazard to the cat. Ultimately, the decision should weigh benefits and risks involved with removing the deceased kitten against allowing them time to grieve. If the kitten is cold, you can put it in a cardboard box or a plastic bag. Kitten Care : Why Some Kittens Are Born Dead Do mother cats miss their dead kittens? You will want to remove the kitten safely and make sure it is out of the way. Not all cats do this but some may lay their kitten at your feet for help or empathy. How To Teach A Kitten To Drink From A Bowl. When a mother cat loses a kitten, she may spend some time searching for them. Once your cat goes into labor (known as queening), she should give birth in intervals between 10 minutes and an hour. Parasites, like heartworm, can also be passed from mother to kitten and could result in a miscarriage or stillbirth. Has your cat ever brought you a token of appreciation, like a dead mouse or bird? Weighing the risks and benefits involved in this decision It is important to observe local laws when disposing of animal remains, so be sure to look into what regulations are in place before handling the body. Your email address will not be published. 3. If possible, try to keep the area where the kitten was found or passed away from her sight. She may know immediately, or she may know when she begins to groom it and get the afterbirth cleaned away. 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. One is that she might eat the dead kitten. No, it is not recommended to show your cat her dead kitten as this may cause her to become distressed and have a negative reaction. While foam coming from a cats mouth can be caused by something as simple, Read More Why Is My Cat Foaming at the Mouth? Furthermore, it might be too traumatic for the remaining kittens to be abandoned to the care of strangers after the death of their sibling. 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. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that cats get sad when they lose their kittens. Prevents Consumption of the Dead Kitten. Keep the information you give simple and truthful, and use words they can understand. However, removal is not as simple as it sounds; if not done properly, it could lead to even more problems for the mother and remaining babies in the nest. The narrow pelvis is a concern in younger cat mothers and large kittens are a problem when the father is way larger than the mother. When I am not working on my blog, I study research articles and enjoy the time with my beloved cat Astra! 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. Cats experience grief in somewhat similar but simpler ways as humans. Do cats mourn the death of their kittens? 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. So its important to remove a dead kitten from the litter as soon as you notice it. Exploring the Reasons Behind This Behavior. The other reason that cats do this is out of affection for their kitten and safety for the live kittens. - Born For Pets In some cases, the mother may still care for and even nurse her dead kitten which can be a natural part of her healing process. 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. Even though cats have been domesticated for many years, they are still animals with many instincts. Before proceeding with removal, its important to take the necessary precautions and create a safe environment. Wrap the kitten in a towel or blanket and add a heat source. Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?. The process might go on for quite a while before she starts to focus more on the live kittens again. If the cat has already given birth, the dead kitten may need to be removed. Yes, cats can and do mourn the death of their kittens. If you must remove the kitten for any reason, do so gently and with care. Is it normal for mother cats to eat their dead kittens? While this percentage is higher among pedigrees, its still fair to presume around 1 in 20 kittens are stillborn. Manage Settings Some female cats may attempt to bury or hide their dead kittens. Once it has been removed, place it on a flat surface and cover it with a cloth until you are ready to dispose of it appropriately. It is best to remove a dead kitten from the litter as soon as possible. A dead kitten should not be removed from the litter. Unexpected deaths are often the result of extreme trauma or infection, caused by a lack of adequate nutrition and veterinary care. 4. Inexperienced mothers sometimes accidentally step on the kittens, lay on them, or cause damage when eating the placenta. Its the right decision for everyone involved. In this case, a mother cat may move one kitten before returning to her nest to collect the others. Sometimes, a stillborn kitten will disrupt labor, resulting in dystocia. A lifeless kitten is going to naturally decompose. DecompositionThe main reason to remove a dead kitten from the litter has to do with decomposition.A lifeless kitten is going to naturally decompose. Another way to bury a kitten is to place the kitten in a small bag or container, and then bury the bag or container in the ground. Sometimes a mother cat will decide to move all her kittens to a new location. Once established the vet will provide recommendations for treatment or additional testing for the mother and the live 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. Image: istockphoto.com / Funtay, Why Is My Cat Giving Birth to Stillborn Kittens?If youre inexperienced with breeding cats, youll likely find it distressing when your queen gives birth to a stillborn kitten. If she is unable to find her kitten, she may become agitated and obsessively groom herself or the remaining kittens. In the wild, a mother cat will either consume the dead kitten and/or relocate its litter to help prevent illness with the other kittens. Should you take a dead kitten away from mother? It might be a sad sight to see, but even when a kitten is dead, the mother cat will continue to groom them. Leaving a dead body around a baby feline can lead to a number of health issues for both the mother and remaining baby felines. Wiki User. The ASPCA study had similar findings, stating that all cats who had lost a companion returned to normal within six months. It is sad but sometimes a mother cat will lose a kitten. Hide The Dead Cat In The ClosetIn some cases, when the mother cat realizes that her kitten is dead, she can decide to carry it and hide it somewhere in a box or closet.They will then go back to the other kittens and nurse them. There is no reason for the dead kitten to be eaten as long as you are taking action. What is a newborn kitten survival rate without mother? Get over it. Avoid saying anything this harsh because it hurts more than it helps. 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. They also can suffer from malnutrition if they do not receive appropriate nutrition. If a cat loses a kitten, it may become reclusive and avoid social situations. 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 litter box is fine, but the mat definitely has a slight urine scent to it. 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. 2) The cat may have been feeling trapped or afraid, and as a result, she may have consumed her kittens as a way of escaping from the situation. In the wild, reducing odor is important as scavenging predators in the area may be attracted to the litter by the smell of decomposition, putting the whole litter at risk.Burying the remains also means the mother cat and kittens do not necessarily have to vacate a prey rich territory for fear that odor may identify their position and highlight the richness of the territory.Hiding the remains without burying also occurs in the wild from time to time. 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. 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. Cats are not only mysterious creatures, but they are also instinctual. For those asking Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter? you are going to want to get in front of this. Communal cremation chambers mean that the pet is cremated at the same time as other animals so you cant get any ashes back. Yes, it's recommended to remove a dead kitten from the litter. What might happen in these scenarios? This is essential to prevent cannibalism from occurring in her brood. Other experts recommend that the dead kitten be removed from its mother immediately by an experienced veterinarian or animal care professional, out of respect for the mother and her remaining kittens. This is why you will want to act as soon as you can!3. Becoming a parent brings out instincts for any animal, including for a mother cat. If you have a question about your pet's health, please contact your veterinarian. The dead kitten has an examining priority to verify the cause of death. Many people wonder if animals can have same-sex, Read More Can Dogs & Cats Be Gay? The first question to ask is, should I remove a dead kitten from the litter? Lay the kitten on its right side, with its head slightly lower than its body. Premature birthPremature birth is a possible cause for stillborn kittens. Telling someone to get over such a loss comes across mean and thoughtless. 3. There are occasions when you should completely prevent the mother from contacting the dead baby. 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. Cats typically eat meat, so it is possible that they are eating the remains of the kitten because it is a source of nutrients. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. This website provides general information about pets and their care. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome toMeowFluent! Lets just say the expert advice on this one is mixed. Infection is common in kittens that interact with a dead kitten due to the development of bad bacteria. Some people may believe this to be true because they have seen their cats eating the remains of a dead kitten, but this could simply be evidence of scavenging behaviour. Cats usually mourn their kittens for about two weeks. Often a domestic cat will simply present the body of the dead kitten to its cat guardian.It is almost like they instinctively know that the body has to go and they trust the guardian to act in the appropriate manner to dispose of the body safely.Abandons the BodyEspecially in the wild but also in some domestic circumstances the mother cat will simply move herself and her litter away from the dead body essentially abandoning the body.The thinking is clear , Should you remove a dead kitten from the litter? If the kitten is cold, you can try to take it out with a blanket or a towel. "Miscarriage refers to the death of a fetus during pregnancy." Why is my cat having dead kittens? Each situation is going to warrant a different approach. 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 one of your kittens dies suddenly, its essential to remove it from the litter. If a cat does miscarry only one kitten, it is likely due to a medical condition or problem with the pregnancy that prevented the kitten from developing properly. No pre. Instead, she plans to devour the deceased kitten when she feels its safe to do so. 2. This can result not only in a stillborn litter but serious health complications for the mother as well. How do you revive a dead kitten? Cats will chew the umbilical cord of a kitten once it has been born if it is free of litter. Others will just stuff the dead baby deep in the bedding or push it outside. We have given this some thought and researched what goes on in the situations. What do mom cats do when their kitten dies? Are Slug Pellets Dangerous For Cats? Talk to your vet if your continuously medicated cat gets pregnant. A mother cat will only eat her kitten when she is sure that they are dead. The kittens heart may be too weak to pump blood, and it may not be getting enough oxygen. 7. 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