Why does mom grab and bite the kittens?

I watched Carly grab each kitten like it was a toy and scratch at it with back paws and bite it until it cried. Then she'd grab another one and do the same thing. She was also cleaning at the same time. I don't think she was being mean but I'm curious about the behavior.

Hmm. I've never heard of that. You know the kits know who's "boss" with that kind of discipline (If it's discipline)

Thank you for keeping your eyes open to this

From the reading I've done it sounds like play/dominance. She was probably just teaching and playing. I think queens do a lot of that even if they are just house cats because it's instinctual. I didn't interfere with it, just watched it and it didn't last long each kitten but she made sure to grab each one.

Baby Girl will "bite" at and hold the kittens down if she is trying to clean them and they start trying to get away from her. When she plays with them she will bite them and kick them with her back legs (not enough to make them cry). She has just started playing with them.

letting them know who's Mom.

Originally Posted by kluchetta

letting them know who's Mom.

Click to expand...

I think this is exactly what she's doing. I think they are getting a little bossy (I've seen them trying to get away while she's cleaning them) and she's just putting them in line. They all went to a nipple and ate afterwards and she just went to sleep while they nursed. This whole learning experience has been amazing.