Will pappa eats the babies?

Hi my cat just had kittens (sometime today I think).

We live on an acreage and she lives in the garage (heated).

The dad is not around right now (must be out mousing) and I think she had them within the last few hours (we just got home and all babies are fine and are eating but there's still little traces of blood etc. on mom's tail and it's still wet so they're pretty fresh).

Here's my question: I have heard that tomcats will eat babies. Will he freak out if he comes home and there are 5 litle ones in his bed?

(he's a sweet cat to people and dogs)

If so what should I do? She won't come in the house - I tried to get her used to the house when seh was pregnant but she gets freaked when she gets in here.

Advice?
(also - I have an appt next week to get him neutered and to ask when I can spay her)

THANKS =)

It depends on the situation and the tom in question so it is hard to say. If there are other queens in the area this helps. If he isn't a strong alpha that helps as well. It is best to not allow him near the nest just to be safe. If you have touched and handled the male, then chances are good that he won't harm the kittens. But you just can never tell and you want the kittens safe.

with home cats the risk is verry small (although there is some, a couple of forumists had tragic experience). Many males, even toms, are acutally helping the mom.
My belief the risk with homecats is in practice small because the mom cat and the male are good friends... As simply as that.

But yours are outside living, more or less semiferal?


So. Your male isnt very dominant, and is sweet to people and dogs. How is he to other cats??
Is he sweet to his wife, ie this mom here?? ARE they very good friends, or just so so??
If yes, the danger shouldnt be big... Although I cant give you any quaranties...

If the queen is healthy, she can usually chase away the tom if she thinks there is really a danger. They often do so. So here too is a security.


If it is possible, I think the best if you can supervise their first meeting when he comes back. If the mom is accepting him and he behaves, good.
Be watchful. In unlucky cases it can go quick. especielly as he is a good mouser.
If he hisses much or you have any other doubts, held him out if possible.
Trap him in a dog cage and held there if necessary...


As Hissy says, there are good chances nothing much will happen, but better safe than sorry.

Good luck!



ps dont forget to handle the kittens much, so they are well socialized with people. It is MUCH easier to find buyers for well socialized, more or less home raised kittens, they kittens people think are themselves semiferales...

Thanks so much you guys.
We locked the garage last night so 'Rockstar' (dad) couldn't get in. when he comes home I will go out and introduce him to the babies and see what happens.
They are very domesticated - they just live in the garage because I am allergic. But we feed them in there and go out and spend lots of time with them as well.
They are mousers but they are very loving (they often snuggle with my labs).

So I will keeo an eye on him and we will keep him out as much as we have to =)

It is possible. Tomcats sometimes will kill kittens because they don't know if the kittens are theirs and killing them brings the queen back into heat so they can mate again.

Yes keep in mind that letting the male and female interact will mean the female will be pregnant again very fast. Even if he is neutered soon, he can still impregnate her for 1-3 (I have heard) months after he is neutered.

My experience has been good. The tom (Gray) actually groomed the kittens - I was looking for a picture I have where he is grooming while the son is nursing - and, mommy is also grooming - I'm still looking, maybe I'll find it, if I do, I'll post it.

Originally Posted by GloriaJH

My experience has been good. The tom (Gray) actually groomed the kittens - I was looking for a picture I have where he is grooming while the son is nursing - and, mommy is also grooming - I'm still looking, maybe I'll find it, if I do, I'll post it.

Click to expand...

That would be adorbale =)

Originally Posted by GloriaJH

My experience has been good. The tom (Gray) actually groomed the kittens - I was looking for a picture I have where he is grooming while the son is nursing - and, mommy is also grooming - I'm still looking, maybe I'll find it, if I do, I'll post it.

Click to expand...

That's lovely Some cats make great dads.

I hope this is correct. I downloaded the video to Photobucket, and not sure if I picked the right link to post here - so here's a try ....
http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=MOV00659.flv

The picture isn't great, I was taking the video through a window

Gray is the gray cat grooming his son - his son is nursing, and the little sister can be seen by the head of the mommy (GiGi) - I don't know which kitten she's grooming, but I think it's Jr? - Gray saw me, so I slowly closed the blinds.