Expert: Marcia Owen - 8/21/2009

Question
My cat Bella gave birth to 2 kittens early today, she spent all day with them occasionly leaving to eat and drink then when it got to around 12am/1am she started to seek attention from me, leaving her kittens for long periods of time, she is now biting the kittens and im not sure wether she is trying to move them or eat them, i really dont know what to do as i want both of these kittens to survive
PLEASE HELP :(


Answer
Dear Charlotte

Obviously I'm not sure where the kittens are in the house, what breed Bella is etc. so I can only guess.

You need to make sure that the kitten box is in a very quiet part of the house and that it is dark so it feels secure.  I usually have a blanket over it so that it is dark.  

Cats in the wild would move their kittens from time to time to avoid predators discovering them or smelling them.  Have you cleaned the soiled bedding away since the birth - if not I would suggest you do that.  Make sure there is another suitable box in the room for her to move her kittens to if she wants to.  She may look like she is biting them but if she is a new Mum she may just not hae got the knack of picking them up yet.

I think you need to keep an eye on Bella as it has been known for kittens to 'disappear' with Bengals and the only explanation that could be was that the kittens had been eaten.  

Bella may need a lot of reassurance and it may be that she doesn't want you to leave her - again that has been known with some breeds.  It may be that she wants to carry them to where you are.

Give her a few days to settle down with them properly.

Marcia