young new momma cat clamped down on 3 day old baby with open jaws, looking to kill?

joanna319

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Hello, I hope you forgive my ignorance, as a newbie cat person I was suddenly the proud momma of Winnie, who at 8 wks old was about to be chucked into a lake. We have an exceptionally strong bond and is with me 24/7. As she was so undernourished, the vet wanted her to put on some weight & condition before speying but at 10 months old she 'escaped' (dog let her out) and got pregnant. She had 2 beautiful babies (large!) after insisting I held her hand for the night long labour, but didnt know what they were, or what to do. Very bemused! I cleaned them up & got them breathing, and put them straight onto her belly to feed and her instincts soon kicked in. She is in a box next to my bed to keep watchful eye out & rescue when she lies on them. They have been feeding well (159g day 3) and she seems protective and reactive. A few times I have noticed the quiet one 'smokey' laying away from her looking 'flat' and have moved him onto her to feed. She seems to favour the drama queen who squeals and demands a lot from her. She has just started to leave the box to come lie under my bed for 'time out'? but returned when drama queen called. She just got back in, walked over squealer, and went right up to smokey who was fast asleep, opened her jaws wide and clamped her teeth around his neck. It looked like she was going to bite down, but let go when I shouted. She went back and got him around belly & neck 3 times but thankfully released him when I told her no. She isnt disciplining, and he looks strappingly healthy, but should I be worried he is so quiet and not as active ? Do they naturally just have favourites and take a dislike to another? Is she a danger to him? She isnt rejecting him feeding but he does look to get hiccups! I plan to keep them both, so anything I can do to make it easier for Winnie? Any advice welcome!
 

louann jude

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She may sense that something is wrong with him. You are going to have to become Mama to him and start feeding him every two hours and keep him warm and stimulate him to pee and poop. There is articles on here that can help you and there is some veterans that can help you out with this. 
 

StefanZ

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Now, whatever she is doing, it was not her purpose to bite him.  If she wanted, he would already be dead, or at least, severerly wounded.  When they bite for real, it goes quick, and there is tremendous force in that bite.

I suppose she was going to either move him, or perhaps carry him somewhere else.

So you must look up so she doenst carry him away, and perhaps abandon.

And yes, be prepared you must perhaps step in and take active care of him.   Weighting them every day helps you to notice if they gain every day - do weigh both, so she doesnt notice the differences too much...

Also, get home some good kmr or goat milk - exact which depends on what you do have to get.

Also, kittens whom have mom are usually reluctant to take bottle, so get a needleless syringe, its easier.  Or at least a dropper. (tummy down, head a little up, in the corner of the mouht, slowly, so the kitten has time to swallow properly).

Good you are observant, and good momma is happy with your helping out.
 

hatchytt

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If she wasn't biting down, she may have only been trying to move him. Who's to say if she's trying to move him away or just move him closer or move him to another nest. Did he cry like she was hurting him? Or did he tuck in his legs and tail? If it was the latter, it's because kittens have a nerve in the back of their neck that makes them instinctively curl up and go limp for easier transport by mama. After all, she has no other way to move a baby.
 

StefanZ

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Moms have seldom favorites THAT openly.  Hovewer, Its not impossible she notices there is some fault on him.  And may perhaps abandon him if he doesnt get better.

Such kittens may however, not seldom be savyied by an observant owner - ie raising by hand, etc.

Sometimes they are ill for real, and dies whatever you do - but that cant be helped if so is.

So, good you Joanna are observant.  Moms care is best, if IF she abandons him, or neglects him too much, you must step actively in.
 
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talkingpeanut

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It would be helpful if you could weigh both of them daily and make sure they are gaining enough. I doubt that she was trying to hurt her kitten; as others have said moms so use their mouths to carry their babies. . It's important that you not yell at her and scare her away from handling him. Obviously you should intervene if the kitten is injured, but since you are both new to this I think you need to be cautious.
 

Sarthur2

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Mama cats typically will move their kittens around day 3 to a new nest, so you may want to move the box into a closet so she has more privacy. Have you changed the bedding since they were born?

The kitten who you say is flat probably has a more laid back personality. As long as they are nursing well and gaining weight daily there is little cause for concern. It's wise to weigh them daily and keep an eye out though. Sounds like she's a pretty good mom so far. Make sure she has plenty of wet food and dry food 24/7, along with fresh water and litter nearby.
 

handsome kitty

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When you say the kitty looks flat, what exactly do you mean?  Some kittens are born flat chested and need bracing to get the ribs growing correctly.  Can you post a picture of the flat kitten?
 
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joanna319

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Ah ha, a lot makes sense now I know she may want to move them, and in hindsight watching her nursing them both I dont believe she wanted to hurt. I have backed off today and let her get on with it, but will try move box into a quieter room tonight as I dont think my insomnia restlessness helps her relax! Watching her anxiety going to & from box shows she isnt settled. thank you all for good advice, I have been weighing every day, & clean fresh bedding but then we are told not to pick them up or interrupt but know monitoring weight gain is good indicator all is well. Am going to stock up with emergency feeding kit just in case! Sorry my Yorkshire dialect confuses, by 'flat' I meant unresponsive, but I think its right he just a cool dude in comparison to Mrs drama queen. So I am going to take a chill pill, stop hovering, stop gazing at them all the time, and gently poking when they are asleep to see they still breathing…I lost a much loved puppy at a year old who just dropped dead (heart) so will remain vigilant, without being overprotective.I do miss her constant companionship though, think its time I had some human friends[emoji]128526[/emoji]
 

Sarthur2

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I think you've just given yourself some excellent advice! Keep us posted as to how they are doing though! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 

catwoman707

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Ah ha, a lot makes sense now I know she may want to move them, and in hindsight watching her nursing them both I dont believe she wanted to hurt. I have backed off today and let her get on with it, but will try move box into a quieter room tonight as I dont think my insomnia restlessness helps her relax! Watching her anxiety going to & from box shows she isnt settled. thank you all for good advice, I have been weighing every day, & clean fresh bedding but then we are told not to pick them up or interrupt but know monitoring weight gain is good indicator all is well. Am going to stock up with emergency feeding kit just in case! Sorry my Yorkshire dialect confuses, by 'flat' I meant unresponsive, but I think its right he just a cool dude in comparison to Mrs drama queen. So I am going to take a chill pill, stop hovering, stop gazing at them all the time, and gently poking when they are asleep to see they still breathing…I lost a much loved puppy at a year old who just dropped dead (heart) so will remain vigilant, without being overprotective.I do miss her constant companionship though, think its time I had some human friends[emoji]128526[/emoji]
I am relieved to read that flat did not mean 'flat', since I was working a 12 hr shift tonight and just got home, which is why the delay in replying.

Mom clearly was very unhappy and restless where her nest was located, it is extremely important to allow her the privacy, quiet, low lighted space possible.

This is why she was mauling the one baby earlier.

Just keep a close eye on things, do not change out her bedding daily, only if wet or dirty. She wants her scents on it and reduces stress level for her.

Good luck! Keep us updated!!  


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