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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/abandoning newborns
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Question
We live on a farm. Until last fall our barn was used by our flock of sheep and a bunch of cats that took care of the mice. The sheep have been sold, so the cats have taken over, which is a good thing. I also feed the cats very well. Quite a few of the cats are friendly and like to be picked up and petted and played with. Some are feral. This spring I have found on five occasions a litter of kittens that the mother left. Sometimes one or two are still alive and fading quickly. Never have I known which cat is the mother. Why do they do this? Please don't tell me because it's a lack of food.....you should see my cat food bill!
Diana,
Sometimes first time mothers do not know how to take care of kittens or have no interest in them. Sometimes they instinctively know something is wrong with the kittens. It's also possible that the mother's milk did not come in. Or something could have happened to the mother.
Sometimes too with the wilder feral cats they do not want any competition for food. Some mothers will even kill their babies to protect them from danger. Mother Nature is a strange lady!
You are very kind feeding the cats! It would be nice if you could get the ones you can catch fixed too. But you have a good heart. Bless you!
Tabbi
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you for the response. As for "fixing" the cats.....We did fix 2 of the females that were quite tame. One died last summer, the other died this spring. There is no way my husband will OK the expense again!!! | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
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Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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