young mumma cat killed 1 kitten tried killing another

mzemjay

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Aug 22, 2014
Messages
4
Purraise
1
We had a stray kitten stay. Shes provably around 9 months maybe less. Shes an outdoor cat. She gave birth to a litter of 4 kittens. Today I saw her climb to the roof top with a kitten in her mouth. It was crying and then it stopped. The cat stayed on roof for 20 minutes or so after it had killed it.

10 mins after sitting with the 3 remaining kittens it tried climbing to roof with another. She couldn't make it up and decided to attack the kitten then and there. It didn't notice me watching. As soon as I got her attention she stopped and took kitten back to the litter.

She seems like she is feeding them but also seems like she squashes them to.

I called numerous cat agencies etc they said to remove the kittens if she tries again and raise them myself.

Any help appreciated. What would you do?
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,972
Purraise
10,596
Location
Sweden
If doing  the job of raising them yourself is an option for you, its apparently the main alternative here.  What else??   There arent any overlfow of first rate foster moms, nor rescuers [editet]  Such is the truth..

Possibly the young moms maternal instinct will kick in later, so she will join the effort, if you take them in and work with them.

The question is also, if it is some fault with these kittens, and that is why the mom tried to take them away.   If so, they may possibly be saved by a vigoruous and knowleable human raising, but it will of course be even more difficult than helping healthy kittens, but de facto motherless.

In a little longer term, its essential to spay this young mom.

Sorry, I dont have any really good answer.   YOu are there, ist only you who can or cannot do anything.

Good luck!  @mzemjay  
 
Last edited:

Norachan

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
May 27, 2013
Messages
32,607
Purraise
32,760
Location
Mount Fuji, Japan
Mother cats do sometimes kill kittens if they sense there is something wrong with them. They also remove sick or weak kittens form the nest so that they don't attract predators that would kill the healthy kittens.

How old are the kittens?

If you feel up to raising them yourself this would be the best option, but kittens under 4 weeks old need a lot of care, It's a round-the-clock job. 

This link has some advice on how to take care of very young kittens.

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/

Let us know if you need any more help or advice. And please think about getting the mother cat spayed as soon as you can. She'll come into heat and get pregnant again very soon after giving birth,
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

mzemjay

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Aug 22, 2014
Messages
4
Purraise
1
Thanks for the advice.

The kittens are 5 days old. They only started meowing yesterday.

we definitely will be getting her spayed

I bought them Bottle and kitten formula today. But im just keeping a close eye on them tonight and see what she does. I think shes so young also that she is finding it hard. Her behaviour has changed even her eyes seem so dark and losing colour.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,972
Purraise
10,596
Location
Sweden
Thanks for the advice.

The kittens are 5 days old. They only started meowing yesterday.

we definitely will be getting her spayed

I bought them Bottle and kitten formula today. But im just keeping a close eye on them tonight and see what she does. I think shes so young also that she is finding it hard. Her behaviour has changed even her eyes seem so dark and losing colour.
If she IS friendly to you, sees you as her support (she went backwith that kitten when she saw you watching) - try to give her as much support you can. Food, water, talk sweetly.  Make sure there are no dogs or children from outside disturbing them, etc...

If she is non stressed, assured by your friendly presence, etc, it will be become easier so she cools down and becomes a good, caretaking momma...

A high stressed momma is seldom a good momma. 

Good luck!
 
Last edited:

Norachan

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
May 27, 2013
Messages
32,607
Purraise
32,760
Location
Mount Fuji, Japan
It does take a lot out of them, having kittens so young. Poor girl. I feel sorry for her.

When you feed the kittens make sure you hold them belly downwards so that they don't inhale any formula. If it gets into their lungs it can be fatal.

Also, only feed them when they are warm as cold kittens can't digest milk. They'll need to be stimulated to potty if their mother isn't with them.

Thank you for trying to help, I wish you luck.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

mzemjay

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Aug 22, 2014
Messages
4
Purraise
1
It looks like she's feeding them but she has been disappearing back to the roof.

I also realised she brings 2 kittens close to her but the one she intended to kill she feeds it but does not draw it close or hug like the other 2..

im also worried as its so cold and rainy here. Im worried they are cold. She isn't an in door cat and when shes inside she is hysterical and tries to escape.

I hate to intervene because I know they need the mother but its winter in Australia and freezing outside. I can't shake the guilt of taking them yet I feel so bad for them.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,972
Purraise
10,596
Location
Sweden
It looks like she's feeding them but she has been disappearing back to the roof.

I also realised she brings 2 kittens close to her but the one she intended to kill she feeds it but does not draw it close or hug like the other 2..

im also worried as its so cold and rainy here. Im worried they are cold. She isn't an in door cat and when shes inside she is hysterical and tries to escape.

I hate to intervene because I know they need the mother but its winter in Australia and freezing outside. I can't shake the guilt of taking them yet I feel so bad for them.
Its a dilemma.  There are pro and contras for intervention.  But that one she is not taking care of properly, I think you must step in for it to have any chance.

As it apparently an option to you, please do so here.  There is no doubt.  It may be the kitten is doomed anyway and was so from the beginning, but as it is now, it has no chance at all.   This will be your quest.

Together with a mom actively warming up them they usually do have a chance, even if it is rather cold.   But with a mom taking care so so and no warming up...

Our rule number one for rescuers is "keep them warm, make sure they are warm before you even try to feed them"

Good luck!
 

Norachan

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
May 27, 2013
Messages
32,607
Purraise
32,760
Location
Mount Fuji, Japan
I agree with Stefan, I think you need to step in. Even if you just take the one kitten she doesn't keep close by and see how she does with the other two for now.

The most important thing is to keep the kitten warm. You can warm it next to your skin, inside your shirt, or you could use a hot water bottle or electric blanket. (make sure it's not too hot.)

Please remember that sometimes mother cats reject kittens because they can sense that something is wrong with them. If you try to save this kitten and it doesn't make it you shouldn't blame yourself. They're very fragile at this early age and there is only so much we can do.

 
Top