Everyone needs their Mum

Hundreds of kittens come into shelters each year; many under eight weeks of age and some as young as one day old. While many people who find these kittens are trying to do the right thing, thinking they've been 'abandoned', are they really? And do you know why it is important for these guys to stay with their mum?

A mother cat has all the skills needed to properly care for her new litter. She will be responsible for not only the basics such as feeding them, keeping them warm, and helping them expunge waste, but the more complex skills they will learn, such as playing, hunting and interaction with other cats.

A lot of the time when kittens are found, they are from feral cats giving birth on someone’s property. The biggest concern in these situations is the ongoing health of the infant kittens.

Did you know that kittens are born with an extremely immature immune system and that the mother cat actually transfers part of her own immune system to them through nursing? As such when they are brought to the shelter without their mothers, these kittens have a low chance at survival

If a cat gives birth to unwanted kittens on your property, try to keep the mother and her kittens together. As a species cats generally don’t abandon their litter - if you feel the litter has been abandoned for whatever reason watch the kittens FROM A DISTANCE over a 24 hour period. Try not to be too close to the kittens as the mother may stay away through fear of you.

Remember, just like human mothers cat mothers need a break too. If you notice that the mother has disappeared for a few hours, she may be wary of you and once you are gone, she will most likely come back and move her babies. Or she may be doing what all nursing cats do and making time for a perimeter check, a predator check, getting food for herself, and possibly getting some much needed rest – she may be gone a few hours – THIS IS OK!

In addition to staying as a family being better for the babies, taking kittens away from lactating mothers can cause huge health issue for the mother cat, which may leave you with a very sick cat on your property who is then unable to move on. She will pine for her kittens and after just a few weeks is able to go on heat again, likely producing another litter.

If you do want to keep the mother and kittens together on your property until they are old enough to find homes, please check out www.communitycats.com.au for more info on caring for these guys.

Remember, kittens under eight weeks of age have a much stronger chance of survival if they have their mother feeding them and providing them with much needed immunity.

Everybody needs their Mum!

Adapted from an RSPCA ACT article

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