The phenomenon when a cat does not accept kittens is unusual for our understanding. Usually these furry predators are wonderful mothers, and after the kittens are born, you do not need to worry about them. Your task is to care for the mother cat. And she instinctively takes care of newborns.
Maternal behavior is a set of instincts that encourage the female to ensure the development and growth of the offspring - to feed, lick, protect. Most cats exhibit these instincts. Milk provides everything babies need during this critical period, up to the fourth week.
If it so happens that the cat does not accept the kittens, leaves them unattended, refuses to feed them, behaves aggressively, throws them out or kills them, then it cannot be punished. This is not a manifestation of cruelty (animals have no morals). It is important to understand the reasons for this behavior.
Why don't some cats accept kittens?
There are a number of reasons why a female mother ignores her newborns. They may be behavioral, caused in part by hormonal imbalances. Sometimes a cat will not accept kittens due to a medical condition that makes her unwilling or unable to care for her children.
Behavioral problems
Some mother cats believe that the first kitten born is the only one. They focus on him and ignore others. Sometimes a female rejects a litter born by Caesarean section, as well as due to undeveloped maternal instinct.
Animals can abandon their young due to stress caused by obsessive attention from their owners, bright light, noise, poor living conditions, and malnutrition. A difficult birth can frighten a mother so much that she refuses to care for her offspring (avoids the source of pain).
Alien smell can cause kittens to be abandoned. Do not touch them with your hands without medical gloves. You can correct the situation by “marking” the cubs with their native smell (cat milk, urine). As a last resort, apply your pet’s favorite treat to the “refuser”.
Cats will not accept kittens that seem sick or unviable to them.
Sometimes the female instinctively abandons and stops feeding a weak cub (especially in a litter that is too large) - one with a birth defect, illness, or parasites. In the wild, this is a normal occurrence to conserve limited resources and prevent the spread of disease in the litter.
Diseases and hormonal disorders affecting maternal behavior
Any disturbance in the endocrine or nervous system - a decrease in the levels of prolactin, oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine - affects the instincts, prompting the female to ignore her children.
A cat will not accept kittens if she does not produce milk. This problem may occur due to a defect in the pituitary gland: low levels of the hormone prolactin lead to insufficient development of the mammary glands during pregnancy.
Another reason for lack of milk is malnutrition. A pregnant female should eat 2-2.5 times more calories per day than a normal female. If the amount of food and water is insufficient, weight loss and dehydration will reduce lactation.
Sometimes the breasts can become inflamed due to infection, a condition called mastitis. Swelling and pain occur in the affected glands. The milk becomes yellow, thick and occasionally bloody. The female's temperature rises, she becomes lethargic and loses her appetite.
Often, a cat refuses to feed due to painful hardening of the mammary glands due to eclampsia (low calcium levels), stagnation of milk, postpartum diseases of the uterus, peritonitis. When an animal is in pain or unwell, it has no desire to care for its offspring.
First meeting
You can’t immediately let a new tenant near your old pet. The cat, which previously lived in the apartment, will appreciate the appearance of a new one as an invasion of its territory. The result of such an acquaintance will be aggression, expressed in hissing or direct attack.
The reaction of the new tenant depends on his age and temperament:
- a small and insecure kitten will experience stress and will remain distrustful of both the owner and the older pet for a long time;
- an adult cat with character is capable of fighting back, and as a result of the fight, the old inhabitant of the apartment may also suffer.
Trying to quickly meet 2 cats does not contribute to their good relationship with each other. In addition, the old cat will lose trust in the owner, considering him the reason for the appearance of a rival, whom this owner is now also courting.
Consequences when a cat does not accept kittens
Poor mothering is the most common cause of disease and death in newborn offspring. It is important that kittens receive antibody-rich colostrum within the first 24 hours after birth. This is protection against diseases, since their immune system is not yet developed.
If there is not enough colostrum, they will be at risk of contracting infections. During the first four weeks of life, kittens need their mother's milk. If “refuseniks” are malnourished, they gain weight poorly, become weak, get sick and die.
Simple ways to get rid of conflicts
There are scent glands on a cat's face: when the animal rubs its nose and head, it expresses friendliness. Therefore, the owner needs to use 2 clean mittens, stroking the pets from the muzzle to the ears. The mitten with the alien's scent should be moved to the territory of the old cat, and its pheromones should be moved to the territory of the new resident. This will allow cats to feel the “favorable” aromas of their neighbor and not feel anxiety towards him.
Other ways to smooth out conflicts include:
- when allocating a place for a feeder, you need to place it so that the neighbor can watch the second animal eat;
- cats need to be fed at the same time, using the same food;
- you need to play with both pets at once, using 2 toys for them (each should have their own);
- install shared climbing equipment, increasing the total area shared by the 2 cats.
These simple methods help relieve the anxiety that both cats experience. Eating and playing together helps make neighbors feel relaxed. Gradually, you need to move both feeders closer to each other, giving the cats the opportunity to get used to the reduction in distance. The same should happen when playing together: during the game, the fishing rods are brought closer to each other, and then again spread as far apart as possible. In the common territory, aggression must be resolutely suppressed.
What to do when your cat won't accept kittens
If your pet is a first-time mother and refuses to nurse newborns, apply them to her nipples. Sucking will release hormones, which will improve her mothering behavior. If the cat is physically healthy, you can try to gently “persuade” her to care for the babies.
Place the mother and her kittens in a quiet, private area of the house. Try not to disturb the cat family often, place food, water and a litter box nearby so that the cat can reach them without leaving her newborns for a long time.
Observe the animal's temperature and condition, and check the mammary glands for lumps, milk, or abnormal vaginal discharge indicating an infection in the uterus.
Examine kittens for any signs of disease or birth defects. If you find weak individuals or your cat is behaving inappropriately, take them to the vet. Try to find another lactating female for the “refusers” or start feeding them using special mixtures.
Ask your veterinarian how to care for newborns and how much and how often to feed them. These parameters change as they get older, so it is best to work closely with your veterinarian during this critical period.
Is it possible to independently define a territory for cats?
If you plan to purchase a new cat, it is better to prepare 1 room in advance where the old pet will not be able to enter for 2-3 days. A new animal brought in is immediately placed in an area closed to the domestic cat and provided with everything necessary (tray, drinking bowl, feeder and scratching post). This territory must be mastered by the new resident, and only then can you begin to introduce the cats to each other. It can take from several days to several weeks to settle into a new place, the period varies from person to person.
If it is not possible to give the newcomer his own room, the territory is divided, providing a place for the new resident away from the old pet:
- put a separate tray;
- install a scratching post and a bed no closer than 1-2 m from it;
- put up a feeder.
The distance to neighboring accessories should be maximum. An old cat will perceive any approach to them as an attack on its territory and will show aggression.
You need to be tough with the old tenant: considering the entire apartment to be hers, the old cat will show aggression towards the new cat in any case. The owner’s task is to make the animal understand that they will have to put up with the alien. Every aggressive attack of an old cat must be gently stopped, distracting the animal by communicating with the owner. It is important that the previous cat does not feel abandoned. You need to caress the newcomer in front of the old inhabitant, demonstrating to her your affection for him.
Oh, this jealousy!
Often adult cats offend babies for the banal reason that they are jealous of their owners. That is why, during the period when a small newcomer is actively settling into the house, and an old-timer is getting used to it, the owner needs to pay more attention to the adult pet than to the new one. Yes, yes, exactly that, although there is a great temptation to spend most of the time with the kitten, because it is smaller and more defenseless. But animals are very similar to people in some ways - they are jealous. Hence the elementary conclusion for the owner is how to accustom a cat to a kitten. Caress an adult cat with redoubled force, pay attention to it, show a kind attitude, caress, feed both pets at the same time, so that the adult cat does not think that its rights are being infringed upon. When feeding together, bowls should be placed at a fairly large distance at first, and gradually, as the animals get used to it, the distance between the bowls should be reduced.
Abandoned Angel
If you decide to take a new pet, and you already have other animals, you need to take into account several nuances.
First, take a sober look at your current pet. If he is very jealous or has a history of aggression directed at other animals, then you probably shouldn't take the risk.
Be also prepared to pay attention to both pets, because your behavior will also affect the kind of relationship they will develop. The very initial stage is especially important - as in the case of the appearance of a cat in a house without other four-legged inhabitants, we recommend preparing everything you need in advance, thinking through behavioral tactics and, most importantly, choosing the right time to move in a new animal (your weekend or the evening before it).
Secondly, it is worth keeping in mind that it will not be easy for a new pet to get along with many animals. Let's look at this issue in more detail.
1. Rabbits. If it is an adult, the cat will most likely treat it calmly. The fact is that the size of the rabbit, approaching the size of the cat itself, will not allow the hunting instinct to turn on. Cases of sincere friendship between these animals are often described. However, if your rabbit is a toddler, he is in potential danger.
2. Mice, rats, hamsters and guinea pigs. Mice, rats and hamsters are the category of pets that fall under the definition of “prey” for a cat. Of course, there are also wonderful stories about incredible good neighborly relationships between a cat and these animals, but we must not forget that these are exceptions to the general rule. Only large rodents, such as adult guinea pigs, can feel more or less safe. Think also about the cat, what kind of nervous tension it will be for her to be next to a potential victim, without being able to complete the hunt.
3. Parrots, canaries and other small birds. The situation is absolutely similar to the one described above - both animals will be stressed by each other’s presence.
4. Aquarium fish. Cats love to watch fish. To avoid any trouble, make sure that your aquarium is securely closed (it is better to use a special protective cover, since ordinary glass can be moved by your predator).
5. Turtles. Cats are not particularly interested in these animals. But if you let the turtle out to walk around the house, it is better to do this under supervision - the cat may start playing with it like a toy, and the latter will not be very pleased with turning over and hitting its shell. Nothing bad will happen, but be there to stop your playful pet in time. The terrarium should also be tightly covered.
6. Dog The easiest way to get to know each other, of course, is a kitten and a puppy. But if one or both animals are already adults, your intervention will be required.
As in the case of two cats, it is recommended to initially place the pets in different rooms, and after some time have passed, change their places. Take your time introducing the animals to each other - they need to get used to unfamiliar smells, and the newcomer in the house needs to get used to the unfamiliar environment in general. Contacts should be short at first. If your dog is too proactive and unceremonious towards the cat, the cat will probably not like it, and such activity may generally frighten the baby. Therefore, be sure to be present when your pets first meet and assess the situation. If you have a very large dog, it may make sense to muzzle him.
Separately, I would like to draw attention to the fact that when a baby appears in the house, the maternal instinct does not always awaken in an adult animal. Unfortunately, the opposite may also be true - feeling that the kitten is weaker and more defenseless, the dog may offend it. Watch your pets carefully and be ready to help your baby.
The expression “like cats and dogs” is familiar to everyone, but, more often than not, in reality everything is not so bad. The main difficulty in establishing relationships between these animals is the different non-verbal signals. For example, the wagging of a dog's tail (a manifestation of joy and friendliness) and the wagging of a cat's tail (irritability, dissatisfaction) are interpreted completely differently. Because of this, at first the pets will most likely misjudge each other’s behavior and emotions. Getting used to it can take quite a long time, periods of peace can lead to conflicts, but usually everything ends, if not in strong friendship, then in neutrality.
It is also worth saying that if the source of the disagreement is a dog, do not be afraid to contact a dog handler. And, of course, do not forget to pay attention to both pets. However, there are some subtleties here. It is advised to initially show more concern towards your old pet so that he does not become jealous. For example, when feeding, fill his bowl first. Your sensitive approach to the situation, patience and love for animals will definitely help them overcome the difficulties of adapting to each other!
How to introduce cats.
The relationship between the two cats will develop gradually, and to avoid unpleasant situations, experts advise not to rush things. We will first focus on sound, then olfactory, and only then visual contact and direct acquaintance. In this regard, you first need to purchase new things for the new pet - a carrier for transportation, bowls for food and water, its own tray, bed and toys. Cats have a good sense of smell, so it is of great importance that objects should not have the smell of another animal.
As was written above about introducing a dog, two cats should also first be placed in different rooms. The newcomer should be given the room where the old favorite spends a minimum of time. Equip there a sleeping place, a place for feeding, a toilet, and so on. And, of course, the room should have a door, which will be closed at first to delimit territories.
1. When the housewarming day arrives, immediately take the animal in a carrier to its room and only let it out there (the door should be closed). An unusual environment is a lot of stress for a cat, so let her first get used to the new place. You can read about how addiction can proceed in the article ADAPTATION OF A CAT IN A NEW HOUSE. Therefore, it will be better for your pet's peace of mind if he spends the first few days in a quiet environment. At this time, the only animal contact you can allow is sound. Both can hear each other, scratch at the door or meow, and at this stage that is enough. From the point of view of your old pet, this tactic of behavior is also advantageous: for him, the newcomer is an invader of the territory, and when the alien is isolated in the room, it turns out that not the entire apartment is captured, but only one part of it. Do not forget to pay attention to both pets, involve your household members so that you can keep up with everything.
2. If you see that the new cat has become a little more comfortable and is not afraid of the sounds made by the second pet, you can move on to the stage of olfactory contact (usually no earlier than 3 days after adoption). Thanks to their developed sense of smell, both pets, of course, have already picked up some of each other’s smells. Now it's time to let them get used to them. To do this, you need to bring one animal some object from another and vice versa. For example, take an unnecessary piece of fabric or a sock and stroke the cat with it. Pay special attention to the areas where the glands are located - cheeks, area under the jaw, forehead, etc. It is not necessary to directly give this thing to the second pet - even if it is somewhere in plain sight in his room, he will find it and come up to sniff it. Reinforce positive behavior: if the animal does not react aggressively to the smell, treat it with something tasty. If the cat did not perceive the object very well, switch its attention to other things or start a game. The procedure can be repeated several times a day, and when after some time (usually 3-4 days) you see improvements, you can move on to the next stage. It is also worth mentioning that there are also tips to use special artificial pheromones from a veterinary pharmacy.
3. Now you have to swap pets for rooms. Most likely, by this point they will have become accustomed to each other’s smell and will not show too strong emotions when they find themselves in “enemy” territory. However, if this does happen, let the session of visiting the other animal's room last no more than a few hours. In general, the stage of such a visit can last 3-4 days - everything, of course, is individual.
4. Finally, eye contact. If you are inclined to think that your pets are ready to see each other, organize a meeting between them. Let your household help you, because this is an important step towards the success of the entire enterprise. You need to open the door of the room where the newcomer is, but so that the gap only allows you to look through it, and not jump out. At a distance of a meter or one and a half from the door, dishes with treats are placed on each side. The idea is for the cats to see each other while eating, but at a safe distance. Over time, the distance must be gradually reduced, but only if both animals do not show negative emotions.
If you can't keep your pets neutral at this stage, feed them through a closed door. In this case, let the bowls be close to her - the cats will hear and feel each other, but at the same time be in a protected position. It is important that such communication through a barrier will be related specifically to a pleasant activity (absorption of food). After some time, try to open the door again and feed the pets so that they can see each other. This stage can last up to 7 days, be patient! And don't forget to reward your animals for the desired behavior.
5. Cooperative activity. Play with cats in such a way as not to provoke them into fighting over one thing. This is also why we previously wrote about purchasing toys separately for a new family member. But still try to keep the fun happening at the same time and the animals within sight of each other. Then gradually involve them in general activities and be sure to ensure that the pets do not move from entertainment to fight. To separate cats, throw a blanket over them or use a spray bottle.
A few more tips: many recommend paying more attention to your old pet at first. Cats are very jealous, so for one who is already accustomed to your participation in her life, it will be extremely important to how you behave and who you prefer. If she feels that you are focused on the newcomer, she may deliberately offend him or express her dissatisfaction, for example, by going to the toilet in the wrong place. This is a very delicate point, so you will have to become a bit of an animal psychologist. All other things being equal, do a little more for the old-timer - for example, when feeding, put the food in his bowl first.
It is also worth mentioning the organization of space. Height is important for cats; it is an indicator of status. Pets' beds should be placed at the same distance from the floor so that no one feels left out. But tall claw houses and similar structures will be very useful - you can safely sit there and watch what is happening below. Also keep the doors open so that in case of an unpleasant situation one of your pets has somewhere to retreat.
What to do if cats fight and how to reconcile them - we will try to talk about this in subsequent articles.
In conclusion, I would like to say that much of how relationships develop among animals depends on the character of each of them. But your participation and concern are also important.
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