Swollen Breasts in Mother Cat

clacon94 · Aug 5, 2014

So I've done a little reading about this but I want some advice about my specific situation. My cat's breasts are swollen with milk (she gave birth a little over 2 months ago) and I still have one of the kittens but I can't have them in the same room because over the past 3 days they have taken to attacking each other. My main question is: will my cat be okay if her swollen breasts go untreated? Will the milk dry up, or do I absolutely need to take her to the vet? She's not showing other signs of discomfort other than crying for the kitten (but they have to be separated for the kitten's and her safety, like I said before), no redness and her nipple areas are not hot.

micknsnicks2mom · Aug 5, 2014

@clacon94 -- hi and welcome!

do you have any idea of why the momma cat and her kitten have started attacking each other? can you think of anything that might have upset or scared them, and maybe they're associating that with each other? does momma cat's nipples seem to be tender when you touch them, like uncomfortable/painful to her?

my understanding is that momma cats milk will dry up once she stops nursing, like your girl has. i read that the milk will dry up in about 2 weeks after she's stopped nursing her kittens. signs to keep an eye out for would be deeper red or purple-ish colored nipples, if you see a red-ish discharge from her nipples (this would indicate a possible infection), or if her nipples become painful to her when touched. if you see any of those symptoms, i'd suggest seeing the vet.

i have no experience with pregnant/nursing momma cats, but i'm sure someone who does have experience will be along soon. i'll see if i can attract the attention of someone who has experience in this area.

@StefanZ, @Willowy -- may i ask for your thoughts for the OP (original poster)?

clacon94 · Aug 5, 2014

Nature solves the problem on her own! After they had been crying for a while I re-introduced them (they were meowing to each other through the door and it didn't seem aggressive); little orange is now suckling on her teats free of tension.

StefanZ · Aug 5, 2014

mickNsnicks2mom said:
@clacon94 -- hi and welcome!

do you have any idea of why the momma cat and her kitten have started attacking each other? can you think of anything that might have upset or scared them, and maybe they're associating that with each other? does momma cat's nipples seem to be tender when you touch them, like uncomfortable/painful to her?

my understanding is that momma cats milk will dry up once she stops nursing, like your girl has. i read that the milk will dry up in about 2 weeks after she's stopped nursing her kittens. signs to keep an eye out for would be deeper red or purple-ish colored nipples, if you see a red-ish discharge from her nipples (this would indicate a possible infection), or if her nipples become painful to her when touched. if you see any of those symptoms, i'd suggest seeing the vet.

i have no experience with pregnant/nursing momma cats, but i'm sure someone who does have experience will be along soon. i'll see if i can attract the attention of someone who has experience in this area.

@StefanZ, @Willowy -- may i ask for your thoughts for the OP (original poster)?

If they attack EACH other my guess is they are simply playing rough. A kitten would do so with another kitten. As there are no other kitten left, mom must do.

Mom here were generous enough to put up with it, and instead of impatiently swatting him some, she participates in the wild and merry wrestling matches.

I see OP´s next post, it reinforces my analysis I already was decided to write down.

Re the breasts: Yes, its the usual advice. Retold also by experienced breeders.

Good luck! @clacon94

Swollen Breasts in Mother Cat

clacon94

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micknsnicks2mom

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clacon94

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StefanZ

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