Does momma cry when the kitties go?

We have 5 4 and a half week olds, who will be leaving us in 5-7 weeks

The mum cat really cares about them - she's always with them and playing with them and licking them - she's such a good mum - will she miss them when they go?

I think we have decided to keep 2 of the kitties, so she will still have them around - she is a stray who gets on with my male cat and partly lives with us, so she will know when they are gone...

Originally Posted by chupi

The mum cat really cares about them - she's always with them and playing with them and licking them - she's such a good mum - will she miss them when they go?

I think we have decided to keep 2 of the kitties, so she will still have them around - she is a stray who gets on with my male cat and partly lives with us, so she will know when they are gone...

Click to expand...

Yes, cat moms usually miss their kittens and are often in deep sorrow several days yes.
Thing to do is to arrange not all leaving at once, one or two should leave a little later. This makes it a little easier.

You are plannning to keep one or two of them, it will be OK.

The small one will be about 10-11 weeks yes? Good, they shouldnt be younger.

I presume you are cuddling and playing and handling with the kittens? Necessary so they will be social domestic kittens.
Good also if other cats can play with them...

ohhh yes! we cuddle and play with them lots! They are well used to us, and every morning when they have seen me for the past 4 days they meow to me, and come and sit on my lap and fall asleep - they're very comfortable with humans now!

As for other cats playing with them - my male cat is around, but he is more interested in hissing at them - they seem to have learnt to hiss and spit rather well in the last couple of weeks as a result

Aww.. I'm sure you will miss the little ones almost as much as their momma will.

When my 3 kittens (out of 4) passed away, they had already been separated from their momma (Kids on 3rd floor, mom on 1st floor) cos we didn't want the flu virus to be passed round and round. When they passed on, mama cat didn't see, but I think she knew. She was pacing and crying downstairs while we were cleaning out the room. She seemed to recover quickly though, and bonded well with her one remaining kitten weeks later when he recovered from his flu.

Although during the first few days of being introduced to the kitten room, she kept looking around, peering behind doors and sniffing the litterbox, as if looking for the other three. But that behaviour soon stopped, and she is doing fine now.

I would think since you are keeping a couple around, the momma cat won't be overly sad about the loss. You could tell her what's going to happen though, and that the kittens will all be going to good homes where they will be well taken care of. I'm sure to some degree, she will understand and be comforted.

She will be fine, Especailly with you keeping one or two!!!

cats cant count she won't know that some are gone if you keep a few of them with her (unless you tell her then she'll be mad at you)

LOL well maybe cats can't count, but they may feel a lot less tired now that they only have to run after 2 and not 7!

My queens are always relieved after their kittens leave! I can see it in their faces

Originally Posted by bengalbabe

cats cant count she won't know that some are gone if you keep a few of them with her (unless you tell her then she'll be mad at you)

Click to expand...

ROFL! Oh the poor mommas get all harrassed chasing after their kittens. Makes me wonder why they have litter after litter! it's like they have real bad amnesia. (Yes I do know why they keep reproducing... call of nature or whatever... but still...)

Good for you for keeping the kittens until they are of proper age to leave mom! At 6-8 weeks, which is much to young to leave momma kitty, both kits & mom get very distressed! But once the kittens are weaned, the momma cat seems to be relieved to have them go! They do like having a baby or two left behind. I hope that you can have the momma cat spayed; TNR1 has a great list of organizations that can help out with that, esp. since she's a stray. Bless you for taking care of the kittens!

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

My queens are always relieved after their kittens leave!

I can see it in their faces

Click to expand...

Oh Sam! True though. At any given moment Mama reminds Megan that she does not want her within 15 feet of her Poor Megan

Silly question, but can cats go into severe depression and maybe even feel suicidal like humans?

Originally Posted by StefanZ

Yes, cat moms usually miss their kittens and are often in deep sorrow several days yes.

Click to expand...

No, she will be happy and so will I... Everyone will be happy. Happy, happy, happy...



How many times do I have to repeat this before I start believing it ?


My first set of fosters are leaving this friday and I'm already having anxiety attacks about it !! I'm going to miss those little guys so much !!! And the momma is such a sweetie. I pray they get terrific homes where they will be loved and spoiled and pampered (please, oh please, oh please ! )

happy, happy, happy, happy...
(not)
Julie

Lilo had 7 (but 1 died) so she had 6. I gave them away 2 at the time and about atleast a week apart. She did just fine. She did notice they were gone and seemed a little sad at first but did great. We did decide to keep Petals (Lilos runt) and she seems quite content with her.

Originally Posted by JulieH

My first set of fosters are leaving this friday and I'm already having anxiety attacks about it !! I'm going to miss those little guys so much !!! And the momma is such a sweetie. I pray they get terrific homes where they will be loved and spoiled and pampered (please, oh please, oh please !

)

happy, happy, happy, happy...
(not)
Julie

Click to expand...

I know how you feel - they are just such sweet affectionate little things! We have found good homes for them (friends), but have told them that if for any reason they have to give them up in the future we will take them back.

Love 'em to bits!