Cat Cannibalism: Mother Eats Her Kittens, Why?

It is not uncommon for cats to eat their kittens, and there are several reasons why they might do this. One of the most common reasons is that the kitten is diseased, unhealthy, or stillborn, and the mother is trying to prevent the spread of bacteria to the rest of the litter. Another reason could be that the mother cat is malnourished and is trying to recoup nutrients to ensure the survival of the rest of her litter. In other cases, the mother cat may be young or old, stressed, or feeling threatened by other animals or humans, leading to a stress response of eating her kittens. While this behaviour can be disturbing to owners, it is a natural part of the cycle of life for many animals.

Kittens are stillborn or unhealthy

The most likely reason a mother cat will eat her kittens is that they were born stillborn or unhealthy. Cats have more than 200 million smell sensors and can detect things that a human nose can't, such as a diseased kitten. An unhealthy kitten poses a danger to the rest of the litter as if it dies, bacteria can quickly spread.

A mother cat may also sense if a kitten has birth defects or isn't thriving and will realise that it won't survive long. She may eat the kitten to prevent the problem of having a dead kitten attract predators. This is an evolutionary behaviour to ensure the survival of the rest of the litter.

If a mother cat is severely malnourished, she may eat her kittens to recoup her "investment". A malnourished cat will instinctively know that she can't support her kittens or produce enough milk to keep them alive. She may choose to eat one or two kittens to provide nutrients for herself and ensure the survival of her remaining kittens.

To prevent this scenario, ensure your female cat has plenty of nutritionally balanced food before and after giving birth. If she is extremely malnourished, she may eat the entire litter.

Mother cat is malnourished

A malnourished mother cat may eat her kittens to obtain essential nutrients. If extremely underweight, she may eat the entire litter. This behaviour is driven by the mother's survival instinct, as she prioritises her own survival over that of her kittens.

In the wild, a malnourished mother cat may be more likely to eat her kittens due to the scarcity of food and the need to survive. However, pet cats in the United States are less likely to face such extreme malnutrition.

It is important to note that a malnourished mother cat will usually eat the placenta first. If there are any kittens left after she has eaten the placenta, they will receive increased nutrients through their mother's breast milk. Therefore, the sacrifice of one kitten can improve the health and survival chances of the remaining kittens.

To prevent a mother cat from eating her kittens due to malnutrition, it is crucial to ensure she is well-nourished and healthy, especially during pregnancy and lactation. Providing a nutritious and adequate diet can help reduce the risk of malnutrition and its potential consequences.

Additionally, creating a safe and secure nursing environment for the mother cat can help alleviate stress and reduce the likelihood of her feeling the need to eat her kittens. Consulting with a veterinarian is always recommended to ensure the mother cat and her kittens receive the best possible care.

Mother cat feels threatened or stressed

A mother cat may eat her kittens if she feels threatened or stressed. This instinctive response is more common in first-time mothers who feel their nest is insecure. This could be due to disturbances from other pets or humans. In the wild, this behaviour helps protect the litter from potential threats.

To prevent this, it is important to give your cat a safe, secure nesting spot away from disturbances. If you have children, ask them not to disturb the mother and her kittens. Ensure your cat has access to fresh drinking water at all times, as a nursing queen requires a lot of water to produce milk. Offer her high-quality kitten food when she leaves the nest. Discuss your cat's nutritional requirements with your veterinarian, as the amount of food she needs will depend on the number of kittens.

If you notice your cat is displaying signs of stress, such as pacing, yowling, or hissing at her kittens, speak to your vet immediately. They can help you understand why she may be stressed and advise on how to protect the remaining kittens.

It is important to remember that this behaviour is rare and not something most pet owners will ever have to worry about. However, by understanding the reasons behind it, you can take steps to create a calm and secure environment for your cat and her kittens.

Genetic predisposition

While it is uncommon for cats to eat their kittens, it is believed that there may be a genetic predisposition for some female cats to do so. If this is the case, breeders often advise against using the female cat, or queen, for future breeding. While not proven, some people claim that mating the queen with a different male cat may curb this behaviour. If this behaviour is repeated, the best option is to have the queen spayed.

It is important to note that this behaviour is not an indication of the queen's viability as a friendly house pet. In fact, such queens often make great pets. Additionally, this behaviour is more common in stray cats than in domestic cats, as domestic cats typically receive all the necessary nutrients.

If you are concerned about your queen eating her kittens, it is recommended to keep her healthy when she is not pregnant and provide her with a private, safe, and secure nesting area away from noise and traffic when it is time to give birth. It is also crucial to ensure your queen has access to plenty of nutritionally balanced food before and after giving birth.

If you notice any warning signs, you can safely remove a kitten from the litter and consult your veterinarian for advice. While it may be distressing to think about, this behaviour is a rare event and not something that most pet owners will ever have to worry about.

Queen's age

A mother cat's age can be a factor in whether she eats her kittens. Research suggests that queens that are very young or very old are at a higher risk of eating their young. It is thought that the best age range for a queen to give birth is between 2 and 8 years, with younger and older queens more likely to display behaviours such as infanticide.

Queens that are older or younger than the 2-8 year range can still breed, but they may be more prone to stress and insecurity, which can lead to infanticide. A younger queen may be a first-time mother, and inexperience can lead to confusion and uncertainty about how to care for her kittens. She may be unintentionally rough with her kittens, or she may not feel an immediate bond with them due to a delayed response in the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for bonding a mother to her babies.

Older queens may be more prone to health issues, which can impact their ability to care for their kittens. They may also be more set in their ways and less adaptable to the changes that come with having a litter. Additionally, older queens may be more likely to have a genetic predisposition towards infanticide, which can be passed down from generation to generation.

While a queen's age is a factor to consider, it is important to note that infanticide is a rare occurrence and is not something that most pet owners will ever have to worry about. Other factors, such as stress, malnutrition, and the presence of birth defects in the litter, can also contribute to a queen's decision to eat her kittens.

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