Do kittens remember their mother?

Long story short, we have been fostering a litter of kittens for about 2 weeks now. We got them at about 4 weeks old and they are going on 6 weeks. The person who had the mother kept one of the kittens who was the runt of the litter, and ended up giving us the rest of the litter because she had way too many other kittens she was fostering for.

She is now going to give us the last kitten along with the mother and we were curious if they would all remember each other since its been about 2 weeks.

Hmm, I don't know.  Two weeks is a long time to a kitten, but they may remember each other's scents, or it may take a little bit of time to fully remember each other.  I think mama cat may remember her kittens.  

I think they will quickly reacclimate.

It's a shame they had to be separated from their mom when they were only 4 weeks old. That's much too young. They will probably be overjoyed to have their mom again!

When do you get mom and the runt? Let us know what happens! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Oh my gosh!  I teach a creative writing class at our homeschool co-op, and we were talking about this today.

Do you think adult mamas remember their adult babies?

I can't wait to hear what happens!

sarthur2 said:

It's a shame they had to be separated from their mom when they were only 4 weeks old. That's much too young. They will probably be overjoyed to have their mom again!

When do you get mom and the runt? Let us know what happens! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

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Yeah we weren't to happy with that, and actually we had no idea of the mother. The lady who had the mother and these kittens gave us the guys and told us she needed help, and that they were weaned and on wet and dry food. We asked where the mother was and she said she wasnt sure. But little did we know she just took on another set of kittens that were much younger than ours. So she took ours off their mother thinking they were fine and putting the new younger litter to nurse.

We actually had one pass away about a week ago because it wasnt absorbing nutrients, and I strongly feel this was the cause. We almost lost another but luckily we got him to the vet on time. The rescue shelter is now finding out about this now and I dont think they are too happy about it. So we are now getting the mother and the last kitten, they will be in better hands with us.

Wendydelmo said:

Oh my gosh!  I teach a creative writing class at our homeschool co-op, and we were talking about this today.

Do you think adult mamas remember their adult babies?

I can't wait to hear what happens!

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I'll let you know how it goes! It will be interesting to see what happens. I'm also curious if they will still nurse

I would think that the rescue will no longer work with this woman, or severely limit the animals she is given.

When do you get the mom and the runt?

sarthur2 said:

I would think that the rescue will no longer work with this woman, or severely limit the animals she is given.

When do you get the mom and the runt?

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That's what we were thinking. We were pretty upset with her for that because the one that passed on us could've had a fighting chance, but now we will never know. I would like to think it was an honest mistake because I get that the other litter was being bottle fed, but i still dont think she had the right to jepordize the mothers actual litter.

But yes, she should not be allowed to care for ones this young anymore, they are a big responsibility

Do you know when you will be getting the mom and the runt?

sarthur2 said:

Do you know when you will be getting the mom and the runt?

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Oh yes Im sorry, either today or tomorrow. I have to try and go after work but were suppose to have some bad storms today around 5. So probably tomorrow.

Most of the kittens are pre adopted already, except for two. We're actually keeping one of the kittens, which is the one that is the weakest right now. We sort of fell in love with him from having to take extra special care of him and give him medicine over the last week. Plus we figured with him being the weakest he will be more safe with us foster fail lol.

The shelter likes the kittens under 6 months to go in groups or at least to a home that already has cats. Luckily we have a couple coming to look at the last 2, so fingers crossed that they get adopted and go together!! So after them all we will have is the mother to try and adopt out, which she will stay with us until then. Were fixing to move into a new home with a screened in porch so the mother who use to be an outdoor cat will really enjoy that

This all sounds wonderful. I think the sooner you can bring home mom and the last baby the better for everyone! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

sarthur2 said:

This all sounds wonderful. I think the sooner you can bring home mom and the last baby the better for everyone! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

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Most definitely! We are looking forward to how the kitties respond to be reunited with their mother. Its going to be a good day!

Hi! Is mom home with you yet? [emoji]128571[/emoji]

sarthur2 said:

Hi! Is mom home with you yet? [emoji]128571[/emoji]

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Yeah we just picked her up today. Unfortunately she did not remember them, she hissed at them but it didnt take her long to get adjusted with them. They must smell different by now.

Question tho, these kittens do not like kitten food. They only like the adult food. Right now there regular wet food diet is Merrick Limited Ingredients, which is for both adults and kittens. But, I need to try and get them on something else because that stuff is not cheap lol.

Ive tried Pro Plan kitten, fancy feast kitten, iams kitten, and science diet kitten, and they just scratch at the floor in front of the bowl. I need to get them ready for when they are adopted so how can I get them interested in other kitten food?

Try the Fancy Feast Classic flavors rather than the kitten ones. You can also try mixing the wet food with some of the KMR to see if that appeals to them.

Are they nursing mom? How is the runt kitten doing?

sarthur2 said:

Try the Fancy Feast Classic flavors rather than the kitten ones. You can also try mixing the wet food with some of the KMR to see if that appeals to them.

Are they nursing mom? How is the runt kitten doing?

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No...they arent really going to the mom much. It may take a few days for her to adjust to the new place. She hisses at them but doesnt do anything else to them. She was starving! That lady must have neglected her a bit

The runt is a porker...its hard to imagine that was the smallest of the group, because now its the biggest. Goes to show how important it is for them to stay with the mother. Im pretty convinced now that the other kitten would have made it had he stayed with the mom

That's so sad! I'm thinking the mom is starving because she's been nursing that other set of kittens, who have now also been taken from her. The whole situation is curious, but I agree that the other sibling might have made it. I feel badly for all the stress the mom has been through. Hopefully she'll calm down soon under your care.

sarthur2 said:

That's so sad! I'm thinking the mom is starving because she's been nursing that other set of kittens, who have now also been taken from her. The whole situation is curious, but I agree that the other sibling might have made it. I feel badly for all the stress the mom has been through. Hopefully she'll calm down soon under your care.

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Yeah it takes everything out of me to just be nice and not say something to that lady. But I have definitely voiced my opinion to the person in charge and it seems they are going to me monitoring and limiting her from here on out.

The momma is slowly coming around to us and we try to give her breaks as much as we can. Usually when I feed her, Ill try and separate her because the kittens either want her food or try to nurse. But yeah poor thing is always so hungry and she seems tired, so it will be nice once these guys fatten up and don't need to nurse anymore so she can take a break. Is that maybe why she isnt active is because the kittens are getting all of her nutrients?

Hopefully she gets adopted as fast as these guys, but Im also ok with her staying with us a few months so she can be spoiled and socialized by us But again Im just so happy shes with us now, shes in much better hands now!!

sarthur2 said:

Try the Fancy Feast Classic flavors rather than the kitten ones. You can also try mixing the wet food with some of the KMR to see if that appeals to them.

Are they nursing mom? How is the runt kitten doing?

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Oh side note to that. They all nurse now. It took the mother a day or so but she's cleaning and feeding them like they were her own again. It even looks like the one we have that was skinny is finally putting some weight on

Now I don't know if she remembers them but she definitely loves them. Also the only time she comes out of the bathroom is to check on them when they start meowing