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Question
what does it mean when the mother cat has her kitten head in mouth and kinda nibbles on them?
Hi Starr. I'm having a little bit of trouble envisioning exactly what you mean, but it sounds like mom could be either grooming the kitten or trying to figure out how to carry it. Moms carry babies by grasping the back of the neck, but this is a skill that takes a little bit of practice. First-time moms especially can find it confusing. I've seen them pick up their kittens by the head, rump and even tail.
If the kittens are getting older, say 3-4 weeks, mom might even be playing with them. The kittens will wrestle with each other as well as their mother, but she will generally be very gentle. If it looks like mom is doing anything more than nibbling, you should separate her from the kittens and bottle feed. The vast majority of cats are great moms, but a few mothers turn aggressive on their babies for reasons unknown. They can seriously harm and even kill their babies. To try to ensure their survival, the babies should be hand-raised and mother should have no contact with them.
Best wishes!
Jessica
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Answers by Expert:
Jessica
Expertise
The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.
Experience
I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.
Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience
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