Has anyone recognised family behaviour in cats?

So at this moment in time I have 5 cats if you include the 3 week old kitten.

I never meant to end up with so many but a combination of circumstance and a soft heart for animals led me here.

I rescued a Bengal bitch (in the nonneutered female sense rather than personality although she has her moments) and I have a non neutered tabby who mated and for the second time have a litter. First time there were 5 and this time only one.

Now I was warned the male and my other male might be agressive or even try and attack or eat the kitten/s.

However the father both times even more the second litter that is one, sits by the kitten a lot especially if mum leaves for food or toilet break.

I'm fact they take it in turns to watch it.

I kept one of the kittens from the previous litter too and they all sleep together most nights.

Has anyone else experienced this behaviour?

jennacat5 said:

So at this moment in time I have 5 cats if you include the 3 week old kitten.

I never meant to end up with so many but a combination of circumstance and a soft heart for animals led me here.

I rescued a Bengal bitch (in the nonneutered female sense rather than personality although she has her moments) and I have a non neutered tabby who mated and for the second time have a litter. First time there were 5 and this time only one.

Now I was warned the male and my other male might be agressive or even try and attack or eat the kitten/s.

However the father both times even more the second litter that is one, sits by the kitten a lot especially if mum leaves for food or toilet break.

I'm fact they take it in turns to watch it.

I kept one of the kittens from the previous litter too and they all sleep together most nights.

Has anyone else experienced this behaviour?

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Males who are friends with the mom, are often that friendly to the kittens too.  They dont even need to be the biological fathers.  The important factor is they are good friends with mom.   Neutered males are even more safe bet.  

Our forumists in the Stray and Ferale forum quite often tells us about friendly toms, family groups, even the male being the main provider and caretaker.

So yes, the situation with toms participating in the kitten care  isnt really unique.

- the problem is sooner, mom can get into heat already a week after delivery.  And having an intact tom nearby, its pretty sure.  They arent  protected by lactacing, unlike humans.  That is why most breeders avoid this situation.  Its cozy and sweet, but have its natural dangers.  

What is more unsual, though, is your combination of several  intact females and appaerntly, also intact males...

Are you a breeder, actively wishing to have more litters?

If not, my recommendation would be you strongly consider to spay and neuter them all.  Or at very least, these you dont use for active breeding.

THIS will cool down the main source to many pending and or active, problems,

Yes, I have two friendly toms hanging around and they are being very nice to the kittens.  Still, I do not leave them unsupervised.