Question:
Hi, My cat had her kittens on 5th April, kitties are now one week old.
I have kept mum and babies in our bedroom seperate from my two male cats, One of these, Neo is the daddy. He is 13 months old, and still very playful.
The two males have both been neutered. I was worried about Neo possibly harming the babies as he is very boistrous so he is allowed in the room only on supervised visits.
Yesterday when he was in the room with mum and babies he jumped into the nest, not that mum minded at all. One by one he licked their rear to stimulate them to toilet as mum does. then started cleaning them.
Today i went to check on the babies and found that the door to the room had been left open, i went in and Neo and Madeline (mum) were both lying on the bed.
I checked the babies and there were only two in the nest. I looked for the other missing kitten and he was lying sound asleep next to daddy.
It was obvious that Neo had taken the kitten from the nest and when i picked him up to put him back in Neo started crying because i took him away.
he then jumped straight into the nest and started grooming all of the kittens, i took Neo out of the nest but he jumped straight back in. he seemed to want to be with mum and babies.
i had to take him out of the room as he wouldn't leave them alone.
Do male cats especially the daddy, have maternal instincts towards thier own babies? Do they know what to do when it comes to caring for them.
I am really worried that he may not realise these are babies and try tossing them about like he does with my sons soft toy cats.
I'm not really sure how long to keep them seperated and how often to let daddy visit.
Eventually i need to move mom and babies downstairs, when would be the best time to do this?
Sorry for the long post but any advice would greatfully be appreciated, Thanks
Answer:
I would not leave Neo unsupervised with mum oR the kittens, as he may harm them, intentionally or not, or start a fight with mum. I've never heard of male cats being any more paternal with kittens because they are the father, in fact I doubt Neo knows and understands that these babies are 'his', in a human sense. He would probably be this friendly and attentive to the kittens if they were sired by a different cat as well, it must be his nature. I don't see the harm in allowing him supervised socialisation time if this does not bother mum, but only supervised, and only for short periods.
Ems
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Answer:
Thanks for te reply, I have only allowed supervised visits as i am petrified he might harm the babies whether it be intentional or not,
Today one of my children had been in to get something from the room and forgot to close the door.
i've just been to check on the babies and as soon as Neo got into the room he was straight into the nest, all the babies were sleeping and he just sat there.
i didn't think male cats would be interested in "mothering" the kittens- so to speak, My other male has shown no interest in them whatsoever i shown him the babies but didn't even bat an eyelid maybe because he's older (3 1/2 yrs)
When Neo is not in the room with us or has been shut out, he will sit guard at the door and has done this since the kittens were born on the 5th.
Answer:
He sounds really sweet, bless him. I am assuming you will be getting mum speyed as soon as the kittens are weaned?
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Answer:
Oh yes, i will definitly be getting Maddy spayed,Even though she is an indoor cat and has shown no interest in going outside at all, but as i well know accidents happen!!!!
I am not taking any chances!!
Answer:
Glad to hear it, any chance of any pictures?
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Answer:
emma_pen wrote: Glad to hear it, any chance of any pictures?
what emma said! pictures would be GREAT!
Answer:
Just figuring out how to post pics , Ive got them into the photo gallery, if you want to look, but hopefully i can post them soon.
Answer:
Some male cats are very maternal. My daughter has a feral group in her neighborhood that has an uncle cat who watches the babies when mom goes hunting. My daughter plans to TNR the group as soon as she can set up a recovery place for them.
MM
Answer:
Here are the pics hope this works!!!
Baby #1 Little boy no name yet!
Baby #2 Little boy no name either!
This is baby# 3 Little girl which i have named Sophie
Answer:
Here Are mummy and Daddy,
Enjoy!!!!
Answer:
They are all gorgeous! Mum & Dad are beautiful, and a litter of cuties there. Will you be keeping any of them, or do they have homes lined up yet?
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Answer:
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!
soooo lovely =)
Answer:
In the wild a tom cat will actually kill the kittens many times because as long as they are nursing she won't come in heat again. Had a sweet tom around the shop that was so wild you couldn't get close and a little female she had kittens and he killed them before I could get to them. I have since TNR both. And they just stay around the shop and I feed them. Wish I could get close because they are so pretty.
Cats are Gods way of reminding us we aren't as important as we think we are
Answer:
I would love to keep all of them but My kids and i really want to keep Sophie, I think thats why i managed to come up with a name for her as for the boys i'm totally stumped!!
I'm not too sure my husband will let me keep her, as we do have another cat as well, Heski, he's three and a half. I never thought to post a pic of him, One will follow soon.
I guess i've been a bit too wrapped up in the new kitties, Although he does get extra hugs when everyone is sleeping!
My hubby says that three is too many as it is and Neo has recently had trouble with a UTI and crystals and was peeing absolutely everywhere, the house really did smell.The problems are all sorted out now and the smell is gone. At one point he did say that the cats would have to go because of it and i told him if the cats go so do i, and i really meant it!!!!
He hasn't complained since
Deep down i know he loves them really, iv'e heard doing his baby talk with them when he thinks nobody is listening. So i think when they are charging about the house and climbing the curtains he will change his tune. He loves kittens when they are at that stage and he also loves me and i normally get what i want especially when it comes to my cats.
Lynda ~ i'm so sorry you weren't able to save the kitties, i am also bad for feeding the waifs and strays around here which my husband doesn't like but if they are hungry or lost i do what i can to find thier owners, i cant stand to see a kitty hungry!!!!
it's really frustrating when you cannot gain a cats trust and all you want to do is pick it up and give it a great big hug!