Parasites, like heartworm, can also be passed from mother to kitten and could result in a miscarriage or stillbirth. The reason that a mother cat will eat the kitten is twofold. Yes, it is recommended to let a mother cat see her dead kitten. Instead, she will do her best to reanimate them. 4. So its important to remove a dead kitten from the litter as soon as you notice it. It is much more likely for a stray mother cat to do this. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'21cats_org-leader-2','ezslot_4',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-21cats_org-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'21cats_org-leader-2','ezslot_5',105,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-21cats_org-leader-2-0_1'); .leader-2-multi-105{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}This is why they are quick to relocate them to another area to avoid exposing them to this smell. The owners distress at the loss of a pet may also be communicated to the cat, adding to the confusion it may be feeling. There is no way for a cat to eat more than one or two of its kittens. 2. Dont be surprised if your cat veers the other direction, though, and instead of offering you her kitten, she hisses and scratches whenever you come near. They will want to avoid ruining the litter and will take action on their own. If there are live kittens, redirect her focus on them. Trauma and hypothermia are two causes of fading kitten syndrome that truly come on suddenly. When there are no live kittens she can pay attention to, you can try offering hersmall stuffed toysthat resemble a kitten in size and form. If there is none, continue performing chest compressions while gently blowing air into the kittens lungs until it starts breathing on its own again. 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. It is an instinctual behavior for her to do right after giving birth. However, generally speaking, it is unlikely that a cat can miscarry only one kitten. Right after a mother cat gives birth to new kittens, she licks them clean. Contents. The good news is that eventually, all of them manage to come around. Veterinary check-ups and vet advice during pregnancy can help you ensure the mother is properly nurtured. It is not uncommon for one or two kittens in a litter to be stillborn. What to Do With a Dead Kitten After Birth. 3. While she shows this type of behavior, its best if you let her finish with the whole ceremony. Doing so could disturb the grieving process of the mother cat and cause her to reject her remaining kittens. This is to separate the dead far from the live ones to avoid any health risks. It might seem rather harsh at first because it is typically a rigorous cleaning. Everything You Need to Know!Continue, Your email address will not be published. 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. They dont want anything else to smell the kittens body and come to eat it. While this percentage is higher among pedigrees, its still fair to presume around 1 in 20 kittens are stillborn. Kittens are vulnerable to parasites, bacteria, and viruses which can be contracted from the placenta, the milk, the environment, all of which can cause a cat to have stillborn kittens. They could have developed an infection of some sort in utero. She will then turn her attention to the ki. Kitten Care : Why Some Kittens Are Born Dead Do mother cats miss their dead kittens? Required fields are marked *. Preparing for Removal of the Deceased Kitten, 5. So she doesn't get depressed that it isn't moving. Yes, you should remove a dead kitten from a litter. Sometimes, a stillborn kitten will disrupt labor, resulting in dystocia. This is why they tend to be defensive if you try to get close to their kittens due to fear of losing them.This is what prompts them to have different reactions when the kitten dies.Thats why when a mother cat is about to give birth; it finds a haven to deliver babies in.They rarely allow humans or any other animals to come near. These nutrients will help her support the surviving kittens by getting dissolved into her milk. In some cases, one or more kittens in the litter may be miscarried and resorbed, while other kittens in the litter go on to be born normally. If she is unable to find her kitten, she may become agitated and obsessively groom herself or the remaining kittens. Another viral infection that can be passed from mother to fetus is panleukopenia virus. Can Cats Eat Whipped Cream from Starbucks? Additionally, some may find it helpful to spend extra time towards providing enrichment activities for their feline companion. They will not allow anyone, even their pet parent to come near their kittens, dead or alive. Step 1: Grasp the kitten with a clean towel. Due to the formation of harmful bacteria, the dead body of a deceased animal causes a great deal of harm to the living ones around it. I got a second-hand litter box and litter mat the other day for free. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'21cats_org-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-21cats_org-large-mobile-banner-1-0');It will also prevent bacteria from entering the environment through the pores of the decomposing body, thus preventing the possible spread of disease to other animals and people. Should I Remove A Dead Kitten From The Litter. The mother may have been fighting it, but the babies didn't have the immunities or strength to fight it off. If the kitten is not removed, the mother cat may become anxious and stop caring for the rest of her kittens. There could be a few reasons why your cat ate her 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. Should I show my cat her dead sister? If a kitten dies from a congenital deformation in utero early in the pregnancy, the queen may absorb the kitten, or she may suffer a miscarriage. 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 might be a sad sight to see, but even when a kitten is dead, the mother cat will continue to groom them. 1.Should I Remove A Dead Kitten From The Litter? The dead kitten has an examining priority to verify the cause of death. The excitement goes through the roof near the last days of the cat's pregnancy. In this case, a mother cat may move one kitten before returning to her nest to collect the others. This is why as a cat owner, you should look to remove the dead kitten safely from the litter. Any other object that has been in contact with the dead kitten should also be disposed of. Allowing things to continue as is increases the risk of the mother becoming infected and dying from septicemia. Eat the kitten It may sound gross but some mother cats eat their kittens when they seem to be dead. This website provides general information about pets and their care. What Does A Mother Cat Do With A Dead Kitten? How Long Does a Mother Cat Remember Her Kittens? She will eat it in time. A dead kitten will decompose and potentially cause infection in the other kittens or the mother cat. Yes, its recommended to remove a dead kitten from the litter. This is something a cat does in the wild whenever one of her offspring dies. As bad it may seem to leave the dead kittens lying on the floor or the bedding you simply will need to for the sake of the grieving mother. What Causes A Cat To Have Stillborn Kittens? 8 FactsHave you ever wondered what mother cats do with dead kittens? By eating the newborn, a mother cat will re-absorb the nutrients that her body had first used to generate the kitten. Nutritional deficienciesoccur when the mother doesnt receive enough vitamins and energy sources essential for labor and nursing. 2. Inexperienced mothers sometimes accidentally step on the kittens, lay on them, or cause damage when eating the placenta. Raising kittens is a large undertaking that can put a lot of additional stress on the mothers body. There are a lot of things to consider when you end up dealing with one or even a whole litter of dead kittens. If she does not know about it, then she will likely remain less distressed. Here are some tips on how to do it: 1. They need to be given time to remember their pets. Instead, show it, love.2. Removing a dead kitten from the litter could also increase the risk of disease, as the remaining kittens could become stressed and sick from the loss of their companion. The first reason has to do with survival for her and the rest of the kittens. Heres some things you should know that should help you make the right decision for you and your mother cat. 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. Once she loses hope, she will do everything that she can to keep her live kittens safe and sound. Since you are not dealing with a wild cat, you will have to take action. Image Credit: Lightcube, Shutterstock Cats experience grief in somewhat similar but simpler ways as humans. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Checking for retained kittens in the uterus or birth canal. Natural deaths are usually sudden but can take days in some cases. Many cat owners have experienced this and interpret it as their cats way of showing it trust you to fix its young. Kittens are incredibly curious and full of energy as they grow. Furthermore, its better to leave the dead kitten in the litter because removing it could stress the remaining kittens so much that they die soon after being born. The fading kitten syndrome describes a situation when the kitten appears normal at birth but dies within 2 to 9 weeks. Yes, for sanitary reasons it needs to be removed. If the cat has already given birth, the dead kitten may need to be removed. DecompositionThe main reason to remove a dead kitten from the litter has to do with decomposition.A lifeless kitten is going to naturally decompose. This is why they are genetically coded to act in the manner they do. 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