Cats are fascinating animals. They can be really playful and fun, but they also have their moments of sneaky evilness. One thing that makes them so interesting is how much they care for their kittens. Kittens are born blind and helpless, which means the momma cat has to do all the work!
Cats are very protective of their kittens, and for good reason. They know that they need to keep them warm, but also safe from potential threats. One way they do this is by moving the little ones around. It’s all about keeping them in a cosy environment while checking out any new people or animals nearby. Unfortunately, not everyone understands why cats move their kittens so much, which can lead to some frustration on both ends!
Cats are famously independent, but what many people don’t know is that they have a really good reason for moving their kittens so when cats sense danger or when the environment changes, they move their kittens to protect themselves from harm.
However, there are many reasons for your cat to move her kittens so much. In this article, we will discuss the main reasons why your cat takes her kitten to several places.
Is It Normal For A Cat To Relocate Her Kittens?
Some of a new mother’s routines, particularly the so-called “two-week move,” may appear perplexing. Rest assured, this is a very common behavior in cats and is rarely a reason for alarm. Most cats begin moving their offspring at 2 weeks of age.
It’s important to note the timeline since most cats will not move their kittens for the first 14 days of life. For the first two weeks of their lives, kittens are completely dependent on their mother. Kittens are as blind and deaf as newborns because they cannot open their eyes or ears. A mother will be aware of this and will keep the kittens close by.
Cats Transfer Their Kittens For A Number Of Reasons
“Why does my female cat constantly transfer her kittens?” is a common inquiry from owners. If you aren’t a professional cat breeder, you might have never seen this behavior before. Fortunately, this is not a problem. Regardless, it’s a good idea to find out why your cat feels the need to relocate her young.
Privacy
Privacy is one of the key reasons a cat may shift her kittens. Your cat is unlikely to be pleased with the idea of feeding her kittens in full view of her human family. She’ll find another location. Your cat might be hiding from her baby’s father.
According to Biology of Reproduction, it takes at least 6 weeks for a cat to re-enter heat after delivering birth. An intact cat does not require such a recuperation period, which might lead to conflict.
Intense stimulation
Kittens are blind and deaf during the first two weeks of their existence, however, this condition does not continue. When your kittens open their eyes and ears, they are subjected to a sensory onslaught. Their mother will want to shield the children from this. If a cat and her young are kept in a too-light environment, the kittens will most likely be relocated.
All cats detest bright lighting and prefer low lighting, but kittens are especially vulnerable. Noise is also an issue. Keep the cat and kittens away from televisions and stereos. Consider any barriers as well. If the kittens are close to noisy neighbours or windows that let in a lot of street noise, they may be distressed.
Protection
Life may be terrifying for a cat, and this is especially true for kittens. Traditional adult cat predators, such as coyotes, will make quick work of a kitten. Your cat will go to any length to protect her kittens. Whether you realize it or not, your cat will defend her babies from you. Perhaps more significantly, the kittens will be sheltered from envious competitors.
Other cats, particularly the kittens’ father, may react negatively to new creatures snatching their attention. A male cat, on the other hand, may appear to play a little rougher than kittens can endure. The kittens will need to be kept secure until the existing cats in your family acclimatize to the new arrivals. If it means keeping the kittens out of harm’s path, so be it.
Warmness
Kittens require a higher body temperature than adult cats. This is why kittens frequently snuggle up together or seek warmth from their mother. This is particularly critical for babies. If a cat believes that her kittens are not getting enough warmth, she will seek out a new area for them.
Kittens require a temperature of approximately 80 degrees. That may appear to be warm, but it can be reduced by five degrees or so as they age.
Unclean or soiled territory
Even if you do your best to clean your cat’s nesting area after birth, your cat may move her kittens to a cleaner location once she cleans them. She does this to ensure that none of her kittens become infected or unwell.
After giving birth, cats become extremely picky about their environment. If their domain is dusty, filthy, or unclean, they will flee and make a new home elsewhere.
What Is The Average Distance That Cats Roam With Their Kittens?
When it comes to transferring their offspring, cats frequently struggle to achieve the correct balance. On the one hand, the cat wishes to maintain a safe distance between the birthing place and any prospective predators. Your cat, on the other hand, will choose to stay on familiar ground.
A cat will almost never try to take her kittens outside. The kittens will frequently wind up on the same floor as your cat’s nesting box. Check these spots initially, as well as any other locations where your cat is known to congregate.
The mother cat is relocating her kittens to a dangerous location
It makes no difference where your cat leaves her babies as long as the location is safe. Regrettably, this is not always the case. Some cats may abandon their young in perilous situations. This is not a malicious act, but rather a poor judgment made by your exhausted pet. Keep an eye out for where your cat abandons her kittens.
The kittens may wind up in a washing machine or somewhere equally dangerous in her search for somewhere warm and quiet. If you find your kittens in an unsuitable location, relocate them. Your cat will soon understand why you are doing this. However, avoid touching the kittens. Before uprooting and transferring them, wrap them with a blanket.
What’s the reason for my cat to separate her kittens?
The bulk of the time, a cat transferring her kittens is part of the package. Your cat will transfer her entire litter all at once. If you’re wondering why your cat keeps moving one of her babies but not the others, it’s probably not good news for the kitten.
Most litters include a runt, who is the tiniest and weakest member of the family. This runt may be withheld from feeding and lessons following a lengthy delivery. This frequently results in the kitten dying without any external intervention.
This appears to be harsh, especially coming from a mother animal like a cat. How could a mother abandon her child to die? This is a sacrifice for the greater good, according to the cat. A cat can only feed so many kittens, therefore priority is given to those who are most likely to survive.
If you act fast, you can save a litter’s runt. Take this kitten to the doctor and make sure it gets enough warmth and food. At the very least, this will keep the kitten alive for a while. Darwinism is not usually the cause of kitten isolation.
If a kitten is aggressive or possesses a potentially contagious condition, it may be removed from the rest of the litter. However, the outcome stays the same. You must instantly rescue the kitten since it is in need of food and warmth.
What Are the Reasons My Cat Always Brings Me Her Kittens?
Cats do not just hide their kittens in strange places away from human contact. After noticing a mewling litter on your pillow, you may wonder, “why does my cat constantly relocate her kittens to my bed?” Your cat may even defecate at your feet. In this case, the cat is requesting a break. While queens are naturally maternal, their patience and tolerance have limitations.
As an example, consider the cat sending you her kittens as praise. “I trust you as a parent,” she says. “Please look after them for me.” This is not a major problem as long as two weeks have elapsed and the kittens remain alert to their surroundings. You can’t keep the kittens apart from their mother for long. They’ll need to eat quite soon.
The Best Ways To Prevent A Cat Shifting Her Kittens
While it is normal for a mother to transfer her kittens, you may be hesitant to promote the habit. To be clear, you are unlikely to be able to totally halt this. It’s not even worth attempting. However, you may reduce the interruption.
Knowing what to do when your cat continues to move her kittens is an important aspect of parenting a litter. Take the necessary precautions to keep the queen and her offspring safe. There are three major processes involved in doing this:
Avoid handling kittens
Do all you can to avoid touching kittens within the first two weeks of their lives, unless absolutely essential. At this age, kittens are so fragile that your cat will go to any length to protect them. For starters, you may be inadvertently injuring the kittens. Even if you are not, you are most likely frightening the animals. They can’t see or hear you, and they can’t smell you.
They are separated from their source of warmth and nourishment when they are handled. Accept that your cat may not trust your motives as well. A cat’s only concern is the safety of her kittens. It makes no difference how nicely you treat her. She could think you’re up to anything bad.
As a result, she will bite and scratch to avoid being approached. The more kittens you handle at this critical early stage of growth, the stronger your smell will become. Your cat will smell the odour, and she will believe it necessary to hide her kittens. Try not to give this impression.
Maintain a clean, warm, and quiet territory
Your cat will want to keep her kittens calm, quiet, and tidy, as previously said. This is a delicate balancing act. If you clean too much, you will be regarded as a territorial invader. Ignore it, and the cat will leave her territory. Wait for your cat to transfer her babies before taking action. Remove anything unsavory, such as soiling, while the space is empty.
Cats and kittens will still seek out familiar odors, so swap out one worn blanket for another. Purchase a thermometer for the wall. Whether the temperature surrounding your cat and kitten nest dips below 80 degrees on a frequent basis, keep an eye out to see if this correlates with relocation. If this is the case, find a safe way to offer a little more warmth, such as heaters or blankets.
Observe The Health Of A Mother And Her Kittens
Keep a watchful check on your cat and her kittens’ appearance, behavior, and emotions. The better the animals’ health, the more likely they are to remain together. You’ll know how your cat normally behaves and will be able to tell if something is wrong. Expect a little oddness – she’s recently had a baby – but nothing out of the usual.
Keep tabs on the kittens. At approximately 3 weeks of age, they should be taken to the vet for a check-up. Prior to that, keep an eye out for any warning symptoms of a health condition. Your kittens should begin to mature in terms of playfulness, interest, and verbalization.
There might be an issue if the kittens are quiet, introverted, and shy away from the interaction. It is typical for cats to move their babies. It’s nothing to be concerned about if she transfers her entire litter and continues to cater to their requirements.
Conclusion
As a pet owner, you have to be prepared for anything. Your cat is an independent animal who will protect her kittens at all costs. However, this does not mean that she should continue moving them just because they are born in your territory. One way that the mother cat may be able to do this is by moving her kittens into different areas around the house or outdoors.
This allows for both security and exploration, which will help the kitten grow up to become an independent adult cat with all its senses sharpened. If the mother cat is moving her kittens, it could be because she feels that her home and surrounding is not safe for them.
While you may not be able to change your cat’s mind on this issue, it is important that you make the necessary changes around the home so as not to put her or her kittens in any danger. If she continues moving them after making these changes, try talking with a vet about how best to go forward and provide for all of their needs.
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions:
Q. Can I move newborn kittens around?
Ans: It’s best to let the mom cat do what she wants with her kittens for the first few weeks. Once they get bigger, you might be able to move them one at a time (most likely only when she’s out of sight).
Q. How early can you touch kittens?
Ans: Kittens should not be touched until they are 1 week old or older. Before then, their eyes and ears are still closed, so touching them could actually do more harm than good. Ask your vet how soon before that age is good time to get your fresh new family member checked out.
Q. When should I move the kittens to a bigger box?
Before moving them to their next enclosure, be sure that they are fully weaned and eating wet food on their own (and not making a mess of their surroundings). By ~6-7 weeks, you can try to introduce them into an outside space if possible.
Q. Why do mother cats eat their kittens?
Ans: There are rarely, if any, good reasons why a mother cat would eat their kittens. This is because there are few things in the world more protective than a mother’s love for her kittens. It can be incredibly difficult to determine why this happened (if it did at all), but you need to keep an eye on your pets before jumping to conclusions that could potentially ruin your relationship with them without sufficient evidence.
