Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/cat behaviour

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 5/9/2008


Question
my cat just gave birth yesterday to four kittens they seem to be doing well, she gave birth to them under the bed in a safe corner, her behavior seems to be different from my other cat that gave birth, this one doesn't stay with the kitten for too long and comes down stairs to eat or go toilet but even after feeding her she still meows at me. i thought that maybe she wants attention and affection which is true because after grooming her she is quite, and she does want me to follow her to the room were the kittens are she doesn't mind me going near them but if leave the room she sometimes follows me and starts to meow again, does she just want company?..i thought of maybe she wants some help with her kittens like finding them a new place because the area has started to smell a bit.

thank you.

Answer
Nass,

All cats are different and have different personalities and traits. Don't compare another cat's behavior with this one. If the cat is a first time mother you can can expect any kind of behavior from them. Some just don't understand the kitten process and are not sure how to deal with them. It sounds like she wants you to be with her and keep her company or reassure her.

Make sure you are feeding her enough. A mother cat should have four times the amount of food she normally would eat until the kittens are weaned. Kitten chow is a good choice for her because it has a lot of protein. She needs to keep her body built up because the babies take a lot out of her.

You can try getting a new box with clean bedding and see what she does. If she doesn't like where they are she will move them. Mother cats usually move the kittens at least once anyway (always check to make sure she didn't leave one behind).

If she starts acting stressed you may want to take her (and the kittens) to the vet for a checkup to make sure she got all of the afterbirth out, or make sure there is not a kitten left in her, or make sure she hasn't acquired an infection. Those things would be painful and make her cry.

Also note that the mother cat can go into heat and get pregnant 48 hours to two weeks after giving birth!

Tabbi  

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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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).

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