Mother cats are very protective of their kittens, and their territorial instincts really start coming out.
This can result in all sorts of behaviors that you might find a bit strange to say the least.
Learning about these things will help you understand your pet much better.
Instinctual Behavior
Feral cats will usually hide their kittens to keep them from other cats and predators of all kinds. Even domesticated housecats do this because it is such a deep instinct that they cannot shake. Your cat might take the kittens to a closet or some other isolated area in an effort to hide them.
It is important to keep in mind that your cat is not doing this because it doesn’t trust you or, but rather because it is just part of their nature. They are doing this to protect their kittens because they are still young and defenseless.
This is also not necessarily a sign that your cat is uncomfortable with its surroundings. You don’t want to take this personally.
How Should I Respond to My Cat Hiding its Kittens?
You should try to avoid moving the kittens from wherever the mother has hidden them, as this can cause her to become very aggressive. Make sure that you do not let any pets or small kids near this area. If you do have children in the house, you will need to teach them how to go about handling your cat for this period of time.
Keep your distance for a while until your cat isn’t exhibiting such protective instincts towards her kittens anymore. This can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, so you need to be prepared. It is definitely not the kind of process that you want to try rushing your cat through.
Tips to Follow
There are a number of tips that you will need to follow when it comes to both the mother cat and her kittens. This is a very delicate and vulnerable time for everyone, you’ll need to be very respectful.
Give Your Cat All the Privacy it Needs
One of the best things you can do when it comes to taking care of your cat after it gives birth is to give plenty of privacy. Mother cats feel incredibly vulnerable around this time, which is why you need to give yours all the space it needs.
Make sure that you create a comfortable “nest” for your cat to give birth in. While they may choose to move the kittens to another location, you should really still do this. A cardboard box and some soft blankets is all it takes to create this nest. Your cat will be sure to appreciate it, even if they seem like they don’t care at all.
You also need to keep this area very clean and away from everyone else in the house. This will provide the mother with all of the privacy it will require during this process.
Keep Your Cat Well Fed
Your mother cat needs to get its nutritional needs met, especially before it gives birth and just after. These are crucial times for your cat’s overall health. You’ll want to get a good wet food that is packed with all of the nutrients your pet needs.
The kittens will be getting nourishment from their mother’s milk, so she needs to be very healthy. Take the time to find the right wet food to give your cat. This will benefit both the mother and its kittens.
Prevent Problems with Fleas
When you have kittens in your home, fleas can quickly become a huge problem. You will therefore want to use some product to prevent this issue entirely. You don’t want to use these products with newborn kitties around though. This can save you a lot of headaches and frustration.
Use the Right Type of Litter
Even the cat litter that you buy is very important when it comes to making your cat as comfortable as possible. You want to get non-clumping litter with a clay base. This will reduce the kitten’s chances of getting seriously ill if it consumes any of the litter.
Non-clumping litter might be a little bit more of a hassle to scoop out and clean, but it ultimately serves the greater good. When you have kittens in the house, you will need to keep this in mind.
Start Handling the Kittens at a Young Age
You need to make a point of handling the kittens while they are still fairly young. This will help you to socialize them properly. Keep in mind that their mother might act nervously while you are doing this, so a little comforting might be needed.
Hygiene is incredibly important when you are handling kittens, so you will need to wash your hands just before and after you do this. It is just one of the basic things that should do to keep these animals healthy. You also want to get the kittens fixed when they reach 8 to 12 weeks of age.
Conclusion
- Mother cats often hide their kittens out of a natural instinct to protect them, so you should not take it personally.
- Make sure that you leave the kittens wherever the mother has taken them, assuming it is a safe place.
- You need to make a point of giving the mother plenty of privacy and care after it has given birth to kittens.
- Fix up a nice “nest” for your cat to give birth in. This will be made up of some soft and thick blankets in a cardboard box. Your cat doesn’t need anything fancy, but it should be comfortable.
- Be careful when you are handling the kittens. The earlier you start interacting with them, the better socialized they are going to be.
- Choose a non-clumping cat litter to reduce the chances of serious illness if any kittens happen to ingest it.
- Use an effective anti-flea product to prevent these pests from becoming an issue in your house after your cat has given birth.
