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Question
Hey so my cat had kittens about 2 weeks ago and all are good but i have noticed recently that now that the kittens are starting to crawl around a bit more she is biting them. I know she does this to move them but she is not moving them it seems to be that when she is getting fed up with them she bites. Its not hard and skin is never broken mostly it happens when she is trying to clean them or helping them toilet. Is this normal ? Should i be worried that she will hurt them ?
The other thing i have noticed is that one of the kittens have taken to licking Peppas anus ? I know that sound like i am taking the mick but no seriously she does and peppa does not seem to mind . . . could the kitten catch anything from doing this and why would it be doing it in the first place ?
Thanks Michelle
Michelle,
Congratulations on the mama having her kittens and all proceeding as normally expected. The mama's behavior is not unusual. It is, of course, always good to double check kittens for being bitten, but, generally, this is not a problem unless they are being moved excessively.
Cats and kittens have very, very tough skin, so, although it may appear that mama is biting them hard, she knows how much pressure they can take. So, as long as the kittens' skin is not broken, I would not worry.
Best regards... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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