A question about keeping a kitten

Ethel had 4 kittens and we decided to keep one. One has already gone to his new home and she started nursing the other 3 more when she was barely nursing them before. She has since slowed that down. However, I still notice that she is very much their mom in that she doesn't wash them completely but "freshens" them up on occasion. (Usually after the dog gives them a bath) And if they try and play she will bite them (gently) to get them to stop.

How old will the kitten that is staying be before Mom stops treating her like her child?

We kept all 5 kittens, they are a year old and momma still calls them over to her and cleans them.

I guess I thought that they would just get independent and do their own thing.
Thanks!

My male cats even mother our kittens

WOW a male taking on the mother role LOl A must see

Originally Posted by momof3rugratz

WOW a male taking on the mother role LOl A must see

Click to expand...

My Rocky did that a lot when I first got my last two. They were about 13 weeks, and he used to beg to come in and visit. He still bathes them now. He also bathes me too... Here is a pic of him with them early on since you said it was a must see! Suzie was getting her head cleaned up!

Fergus has been a bit motherly to Steuben recently as well...he'll groom Steuben's head, and if one of our dogs is sniffing Steuben, Ferg will charge at the dog, and wap the dog's nose, like, "Get away from the kitten, he's mine!!!"

Fergus has always been a serious oddball, however.

Ripley (my female) just looks at Steuben like he's just murdered her mother. Although she is loosening up a bit and allowing some cautious sleepy time near Steuben.

I have a sneaky feeling that all cats in a colony will groom each other...Donny (neuter) grooms the kits, Stevie (the sire) occassionally grooms the kits, Reecie (Dam) still grooms the kits and Shimmy (the barren female) grooms the kits. The kits are nearly 5 months old!

Yeah, this happens. Fergus and Ripley bathe each other, and they're not even related...in our house, we say that Fergus and Ripley are "releasing their sexual frustrations" on each other, since both are fixed. Especially when it comes down to some rear-sniffing, and mutual tummy washing, and tail-licking. It's kind of a running joke in our house. LOL

We're convinced that Ferg and Rip are long-lost lovers.

My 2 year old fixed female, Lucy kind of stalks the kittens and they roll over to play and then she ignores them. But she and Ethel have never been lovey...they play and roll around together but there is no apparent affection.

My big white dog is the one that wants to love on them but she's so big all she can do is lick them. ALthough I noticed that Ethel lets Storm (the dog) lick her butt too! I guess she is tired of cleaning everyone elses! Yuck!!!