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Cannibalism in Cats: Why Do Cats Eat Their Babies?

As cute and harmless as they look, cats have a weird behavior of eating their kittens. Yes, cats, sometimes, eat their newborn kittens.

Technically, the birth of a new life should be a joyful and emotional time. This explains why it can be a distressing sight to see a mother cat eat her newborn kittens.

This peculiar event, especially when the mother cat eats the entire litter usually results in frustration, shock, and even disgust. Even so, why do cats eat their babies?

Well, knowing the answer to this question will help you know and understand how to properly respond to the situation.

Here are several reasons to answer the question

Sick, Weak, or Deformed Kittens

This is perhaps the main reason why mother cats eat their babies. Cats have an olfactory sense that is more acute than that of humans. They can detect a problem we cannot.

They use their instinct to assume that the kitten might not make it to adulthood. Wild cats have a hard time rearing their young ones as compared to domestic cats. It is because they are more vulnerable to predators.

Note that even with the domestication of the new era, it does not mean that domestic cats lack this instinct. They will kill and eat their kittens out of mercy.

When Stressed or Threatened

Do cats eat their babies when they are stressed? Well, although it is uncommon in domestic cats, this possibility should not be ruled out.

When the environment during or after labor is stressful, the mother cat might result in eating her babies. These environmental stressors might include loud noises, footsteps in the room, or over-manipulation.

She might be scared that her kittens might be susceptible to predators or that her kittens might be taken away. In the wild, the mother cat will kill and eat her kittens if there are other animals around that she perceives as a threat.

When She Does Not Recognize Her Young

Many of the birth-related hormones that bond mothers to kittens are released during birth. It is possible if she got her kitten via cesarean section.

First-time mothers can also fail to recognize their kittens and confuse them as prey. It is perhaps one of the main reasons why you should not manipulate them too much.

Ensure you don’t touch them too much as the smell of a human can stop the mother from recognizing her babies, especially when she has a large litter.

If the Kitten is Stillborn

Do cats eat their babies when they are stillborn? Although your cat doesn’t have to worry about hygiene or predators while she’s in your kitchen, a stillborn kitten in the wild might pose great danger to the mother cat and her litter.

The best way to protect your cat’s litter is to gently remove it while allowing her to see you doing so. You can seek the services of a veterinarian who will advise you on the best way to dispose of the kitten’s body.

So, why do cats eat their babies? As weird as it might sound, cats follow their evolutionary instincts. Technically, this action doesn’t make mother cat a bad mother- she’s only doing what she sees best for her kittens.

Ensure you put into consideration and make sure your pregnant cat is feeling secure and well-nourished for a healthy litter of kittens.

Sick, Weak, or Deformed Kittens