It is an instinctual behavior for her to do right after giving birth. Telling someone to get over such a loss comes across mean and thoughtless. Sometimes they do reject one, a runt or a weak one. 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. Im going to explain what steps to take and how to make the most of this uncomfortable situation. 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. her grieving process might be burying her kitten and lying over the burial spot for hours. Before you start looking for answers you must ensure that the mother is in good health condition after all of her kittens died. Also known as distemper, this virus can result in an abnormality of the skull known as cerebellar hypoplasia. If the cat is not showing any signs of distress, the veterinarian may simply observe the cat and wait for the next litter to be born. A mother cat will only eat her kitten when she is sure that they are dead. Should I remove stillborn kitten? Are they going to do something strange and unexpected? This is why as a cat owner, you should look to remove the dead kitten safely from the litter. How Long Does a Mother Cat Remember Her Kittens? I am working hard on this blog to provide you with valuable information on everything cats. Their behavior toward that kitten might surprise you. If the kitten is stillborn, there may be little chance of saving it. They dont want anything else to smell the kittens body and come to eat it. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that cats eat their own dead kittens. Bury It. Preparing for Removal of the Deceased Kitten, 5. She will cuddle and lick the kitten to try to get them to respond and start breathing. Yes, you should remove a dead kitten from a litter. Has your cat ever brought you a token of appreciation, like a dead mouse or bird? What do you do with a dead baby cat? Born For PetsIts not easy to deal with the loss of a kitten but its important to act appropriately. However, letting them roam the house too early can be hazardous to their health and safety. There are a few ways to bury a kitten. When a cat gives birth to a stillborn kitten, its important to leave the kitten in place until their mother realizes that theyre dead. Dead baby cats should be disposed of in a humane way, preferably by a veterinarian. The mother may have been fighting it, but the babies didn't have the immunities or strength to fight it off. Some female cats may attempt to bury or hide their dead kittens. 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. Also Read:Why Does My Kitten Attack My Face? Cats are prolific breeders and a mature, experienced mother, can have up to a dozen kittens or more, although the average litter size tends to be around 5 kittens. Its quite uncommon behavior, but when it happens, it starts with obsessive licking and grooming of the dead kitten. If the kitten is still warm, you can put it in a warm area, like the litter box. At other times, the dead kitten will be delivered normally. 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. In the wild, a mother cat would relocate its litter and/or eat the dead kitten. However, it is still an instinct, and although its rare for a domestic cat, dont be shocked if that happens. This is thought to be an instinctive act. Some people prefer this method because it provides closure of sorts. They will not allow anyone, even their pet parent to come near their kittens, dead or alive. Get over it. Avoid saying anything this harsh because it hurts more than it helps. However, the single kitten syndrome is a very rare occasion indeed. You can also call your veterinarian. Licks The KittenWhen the mother cat realizes that the kitten is not moving, they tend to lick the kitten furiously. Carefully remove the dead kitten and take it to your vets if you wish to have it cremated. If this happens, it is important to remove the kitten from the litter as soon as possible. What Are The Most Common Health Problems In Cats. They say its best to let nature take its course and allow the mother cat to experience the necessary stages of grief. They usually have low cost (or no cost) services to dispose of deceased pets. Cats experience grief in somewhat similar but simpler ways as humans. Removing the dead kitten will prevent the mother from eating the corpse of her young and help to prevent the living babies from becoming sick due to the presence of the rotting carcass in their home. 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. This is to separate the dead far from the live ones to avoid any health risks. Kittens should not be given litter products that contain fragrances, harsh chemicals, or clumping properties. They suggest, if possible, its best to provide her with a quiet corner where she can grieve without disruption. Veterinary check-ups and vet advice during pregnancy can help you ensure the mother is properly nurtured. The mother together with any other living kittens also needs to be checked by a veterinarian. She will start searching the house, having different sleeping patterns, and so on.In the case the mother cat used to be an attention seeker, she may start, Copyright 2023 Fashion Flirtation | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme, dont take your kittens away from their mother. Yes, its recommended to remove a dead kitten from the litter. Furthermore, it might be too traumatic for the remaining kittens to be abandoned to the care of strangers after the death of their sibling. 9. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'21cats_org-box-4','ezslot_11',101,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-21cats_org-box-4-0');So, should I remove a dead kitten from the litter? 4. If the family is able to find another kitten, it is likely that the new kitten would not have been born stillborn, which would make the decision to remove it more difficult. However, she does this to stimulate the kitten to breathe because it wont feel natural for them at first. Pathogens can be more potent in overcrowded litters and spread in the blink of an eye. 2. What is a newborn kitten survival rate without mother? 2. In the meantime, while you protect the dam, you have to think about the other living kittens (if there are any) and the spread of infectious diseases. If the cat is showing signs of distress, it is important to take her to the veterinarian for a check-up and to rule out any underlying health issues. Unfortunately, situations happen when all the happiness is replaced with disappointment and sadness. If the kitten is still warm, you can put it in a warm area, like the litter box. Do Cats Sleep Better with or Without a Light on at Night? Your cat may not want you to take the kitten they may growl and become protective the best bet in these . Removing a stillborn kitten is a difficult decision to make. However, in colder climates, this process may take months or even years to complete. What To Do With A Dead Kitten After Birth Everything You Need To Know. Having a dead kitten in the litter may make the mother kill her other kittens. It can also be a good way to reduce the odor of decomposition. There is no best way for children to mourn their pets. Some possible reasons are as follows: 1) The cat may have been feeling abandoned or insecure, and as a result, she may have consumed her kittens as a way of trying to take care of them. Some things you should not say after the loss of a pet: Dont cry. Crying is part of the grieving process for many people. Born for Pets is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. She removes the carcass from her nest so that she doesnt eat her own child by mistake. When an animal dies in its natural habitat, it decomposes very quickly due to the warm weather and the abundance of natural predators that feed on its corpse. A dead kitten is a health hazard. By eating the newborn, a mother cat will re-absorb the nutrients that her body had first used to generate the kitten. 5) The cat may have been feeling overwhelmed or stressed, and as a result, she may have consumed her kittens as a way of calming herself down. What Do Mother Cats Do With Dead Kittens? 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. Bury the kitten into the ground Sometimes a mother cat will dig the ground where it will bury its dead kitten. This treatment is necessary, so dont take your kittens away from their mother, even if it looks painful. 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. Genetic defects are most common among pedigrees due to incestuous breeding narrowing the breeds gene pool. An instinctual drive for some female mother cats, especially the inexperienced ones, is to eat their dead kittens. If kittens are removed before the age of 10 weeks and before they are fully weaned, this behavior from the mother cat may persist a bit longer, but not by much as shes instinctually programmed to leave her litter and cats do not remember or grieve for kittens in the way that a human parent would. Otherwise, decomposition can harm the other kittens leading to multiple deaths or illness.This is why as a cat owner, you should look to remove the dead kitten safely from the litter. Some will move the litter to help protect the other kittens. Make a point of petting your cat more often. Put the first sealed bag in another sealable bag. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Kittens get Feline Viral Herpesvirus when they pass through the birth canal and after infection remain weak and fail to thrive, eventually dying. This will include any that were stillborn or that died soon after birth. All cats are different and can remain in this state for weeks and even months. Wrap the kitten in a towel or blanket and add a heat source. During this time, they may become depressed, withdrawn, and eat little or no food. Mother Cats Start by Licking the Kitten Image Credit: Azami Adiputera, Shutterstock Right after a mother cat gives birth to new kittens, she licks them clean. Required fields are marked *. Here are some tips on how to do it: 1. So it's important to remove a dead kitten from the litter as soon as you notice it. The first reason has to do with survival for her and the rest of the kittens. Cats soon after forget that such a tragedy happened, but for the time being, they are filled with sadness. Causes and Treatments. Dead kittens can also be a nuisance to clean up, and they can be a safety hazard to the cat. This acts as closure and allows her to focus on the healthy kittens in her litter. This is why you will want to act as soon as you can!3. Symptoms of a Fading Kitten Syndrome can all cause a cat to have stillborn kittens. There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as it depends on the individuals cat and their relationship with their sister. In the majority of cases, another kitten will be born soon. Cats are usually pregnant for 58 to 67 days, and kittens born weeks early could struggle to survive. By consuming the dead kitten, the mother will actually provide a better chance of survival for the others. 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. 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