My cat is ignoring her kittens

M
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Hi everyone. My 11-month-old cat gave birth on Monday night. The kittens are doing well and putting on weight; their mum cleans them and they are toileting fine, but it’s my cat’s behaviour that’s confusing me. I get the impression that as soon as they're asleep, she leaves the nest to find another spot to nap, and when they cry and she isn’t right next to them, she doesn’t seem to hear them. I have to go and get her and show her where they are. At the start, she really couldn’t manage on her own; she’d call for me as soon as they started mewling, and it felt like she wanted me to stay with her. She seems to understand a bit better now, so I don’t need to be there with her as much. I also get the feeling she wants to go out, as she’s always hanging around the windows (she was used to going outside). So, my questions are: is it normal for her to leave the little ones like this? Won't they get too cold since their mum isn't keeping them warm? I also feel like the mum is bored; I’ve given her toys but nothing seems to help. Am I worrying over nothing? Sorry, I might be overthinking things, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. Oh, one more thing – I’ve noticed that sometimes when she’s with her kittens, she pants. I’m asking you lot because I’ve called the vets and none of them will answer my questions, so I’m coming to you hoping for an answer. Thanks!

Translated from French
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6 answers
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    • M
    Meisilyes Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks! 😊

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    P
    Poupinouchette Icon representing the flag French
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    Good luck
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    M
    Meisilyes Icon representing the flag French
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    Okay, thanks ever so much for your reply. Yes, she lets me handle them and I give her cuddles all the time – I was only just playing with her earlier. I'll definitely keep a close eye on her. Anyway, thank you so much because I was really worried and you've managed to put my mind at rest 😊
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    11 months is very young for a first litter.

    It’s a bit like a 15-year-old getting pregnant.

    Often, mums that young don't really know what they’re doing, and physically, their bodies aren't always fully developed yet. Sometimes they might even push the kittens away a bit...

    I’ll try to give you some advice in the order you asked:

    1. Mum doesn’t need to be with them 24/7, so let her go about her business a bit.

    2. This will help you see if she’s struggling with her milk supply, which is quite common with young cats and first-time litters. Normally, nursing is both a maternal and a physical need, so she should head back to them regularly without you having to force her...

    3. Make sure you give her just as much attention as the kittens. Sometimes, having a litter is like bringing new cats into the house—the "original" cat can feel a bit left out or even neglected by their humans. So, plenty of fuss and playtime!

    4. The little ones shouldn't get cold unless your house is particularly chilly!

    Keep a close eye to make sure she’s got enough milk for ALL the kittens. Sometimes the weaker ones don't make it, so be prepared to step in with some bottle-feeding if necessary.

    There’s a good chance she’ll try to move the kittens around; don’t worry about it, but don’t let her go outside or put the little ones in any dangerous spots!

    A queen can actually go back into heat just 2 or 3 weeks after having her kittens...

    Handle the kittens as much as you can, staying close to the mum. It’s best to do this while their eyes are still closed—that way, they’ll literally trust you with their eyes shut!

    Translated from French
    M
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    Yes, I’m feeding her kitten wet food because she’s turning her nose up at her dry food. The kittens’ nest is in my wardrobe, so there aren’t any draughts getting to them. They’re in a basket and I’ve given them a velvet cushion. She’s had three kittens and it’s about 25°C in my house. I’m also weighing the kittens every day and they’re putting on weight.
    Translated from French
    P
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    Hi there,

    Your girl is still very young and likely feels quite overwhelmed by motherhood—a bit like a young girl finding herself with a baby. Her natural instincts are probably clashing with a desire to get back to her old life, plus she must be exhausted.

    Are you letting her go outside? If there are toms hanging around, she could very quickly end up pregnant again, which is a huge risk.

    You also need to be feeding her high-quality kitten dry food; try to avoid the budget supermarket brands. Check the ingredients—generally, if you see 30% animal protein, that’s good. Leave it out for her all the time as she needs plenty of energy to recover and produce milk.

    The fact that she’s panting might be because she isn't producing enough milk, but we'll have to see!

    The nesting box should be kept away from any draughts. A box covered with a fleece or something similar, with some woolly blankets at the bottom, will help keep the little ones warm.

    How many kittens does she have?

    What’s the temperature like in your home?

    Depending on your answers, I’ll be able to give you some better advice. 👌

    Translated from French

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