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If your cat has recently given birth, you may notice some changes in her behavior. Maybe you prepared a nice soft nest for her to rest with her kittens, only to return a few hours to find the family abandoned it.
While your cat may have various reasons to move her kittens, they all relate to the kitten’s survival. In this article, we’ll cover specific situations that prompt your cat to move her kittens. We’ll also discuss how to support your cat and her new family as they grow.
The 4 Reasons Why Mother Cats Move Their Kittens
1. Instinct
Mother cats may move their kittens because their instincts warn them that staying in the same place for too long is not a good idea. Essentially, the cat tries to stay one step ahead of predators who want to eat her kittens by constantly moving her nest. Even if your cat is housed indoors with no predators in sight, instinct may still drive her to move her kittens every few days or so.
2. Cold
Research indicates that it takes newborn kittens up to 45 days to regulate their body temperature1. Until that time, they rely largely on their mother to keep them warm. If the mother cat feels that the kittens’ location is too cold, she may move them to a warmer spot.
3. Noise
Your cat may move her kittens if she becomes frightened by a noise. Kittens can’t hear for the first few days of life, but their mom can and won’t hesitate to move them if she feels their old nest is too noisy or scary.
4. Presence of a Predator
Mother cats may move their kittens if they spot a predator near the current location. For an indoor cat, the predator could be an unfamiliar human or the family dog, even if the two animals used to get along before the kittens were born. And yes, it’s also possible that your cat may consider you a danger to her kittens and move them to keep them away from you. Don’t take it personally.
What to Do After Your Cat Has Kittens
After your cat has kittens, there are some steps you can take to help support her and make sure her family stays safe and healthy.
- First, ensure that the mom and babies are left alone as much as possible. No matter how much every kid in the neighborhood wants to come and see the newborns, keep them away for at least the first couple of weeks. Prevent other family pets from disturbing the mother cat and kittens as well.
- Keep your cat and her kittens in a clean, warm, safe area. Make sure she has room to get some space from the kittens if needed. Feed the mother quality kitten food to provide all the nutrients she needs to nurse her babies.
- If your cat seems to be caring for her kittens, let her decide how involved she wants you to be. At a minimum, you should monitor the kittens just after birth to ensure they all begin nursing. Check on the family daily to ensure the mother keeps them fed and clean. Weighing the kittens daily is also helpful to track their growth and health.
- Avoid excessive handling of the kittens for the first couple of weeks. Once they are 2 weeks old, socialization can begin, and you should start handling the kittens briefly. However, monitor your cat’s reaction to your efforts, and don’t try to touch the kittens with her there if she shows aggression or fear.
- Wait until she takes a break and leaves the kittens alone to get some socialization in. The mother cat won’t reject the kittens just because you touch them. However, you might find that she moves them again!
When to Worry About Your Cat and Her Kittens After Birth
If you notice the kittens aren’t starting to nurse after birth or the mother has rejected one or more, contact your veterinarian. Ideally, kittens should be raised by their mother because keeping orphan babies alive is a lot of work. However, some kittens are abandoned by their mother or may need more support to survive.
You should also contact your vet if the mother cat seems lethargic, sick, or isn’t eating after giving birth. Vocalizing or other signs of pain, along with vomiting and belly pain, are other warning signs.
- Panting
- Restlessness
- Tremors
- Muscle spasms
- Seizures
Milk fever is a life-threatening condition, and your cat needs to see a vet immediately if you suspect it’s occurring.
Conclusion
Mother cats move their kittens to keep them safe, warm, and protected from predators. While you may not understand what triggers this behavior, a strong maternal instinct drives it. That same instinct helps your cat care for her new family with minimal intervention from you. You can follow our tips to support your cat and her kittens, but be prepared to assist the mom or the kittens if you spot any of the warning signs we discussed.
Featured Image Credit: Pukhov K, Shutterstock
