do they recognize their own offspring
2006-06-07 18:59:43 · 27 answers · asked by smalls 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
No
Propagation is the main interest.
But they do seem to relate to a degree while they are kittens, maybe it's because they are kittens.
2006-06-07 19:04:27 · answer #1 · answered by cashflow_2000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really don't think that male cats do have paternal instincts. It is possible for a female cat to mate with several other cats while in heat. She can have a litter of five kittens and each one could have a different father. The male domestic cat doesn't really play a role with the kittens. In fact I have seen a male cat try to kill a new litter of kittens. Male cats will also mate with their mother, sisters, aunts, daughters, granddaughters because they don't have the human sense of family. Female cats on the other hand are very maternal and will often adopt kittens from other litters and raise them as their own.
2006-06-19 00:04:31 · answer #2 · answered by angelsforanimals 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At one time I didn't think so but there is a big black and white male in the neighborhood that fathered a litter by my next door neighbor's cat and he actually protects those kittens from other males, lets them eat out of his dish and even let's them snuggle up to him.
He is a free roaming Tom and lives several blocks away, so he isn't living in or near the house where the female or the kittens live.
If that isn't paternal instinct, I don't know what is.
2006-06-16 14:21:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course they do. When a cat gives birth to a liter, They all have the same scent she does. So its easy for her to recognize them. Male cats, however, have a different scent so they dont recognize them as theirs, they will hiss, bat, scratch, or sometimes evn kill the kittens and sometimes the same thing will happen with other female cats.
2006-06-19 21:09:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the animal and the circumstance in which they are living. I've seen males in a barnyard setting that were attentive to the kittens and then seemed to remain friends with them after they grew older.
2006-06-21 15:44:02 · answer #5 · answered by dzychase 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
some do and some dont when my mom was pregant the cat we had would watch over the crib even though no one was sleeping in it once my baby sis came home the cat would sleep on the dresser across from the crib and when ever she cried my cat would go get my mom and when visitors came over she sat right next to my sis as my sister got older she was the one person our cat was attached to
2006-06-18 22:16:53 · answer #6 · answered by Big T 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they know babies and will take on that motherly instinct and surprising enough it doesnt even have to be the own species my ex had a cat that took on the mother instinct to a puppy
2006-06-19 20:48:59 · answer #7 · answered by kschwark25 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No.
Male cats do not (naturally) assist in raising kittens. Some male cats will be nice to kittens, but (although its not common) some can try to hurt them.
2006-06-08 11:28:28 · answer #8 · answered by Amy E 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, because I brought back my cats sister in the house and she absolutely hated her. The mother did not seem to care either .
2006-06-21 20:14:49 · answer #9 · answered by acadia_69 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had a neutered cat at the rescue that took care of alll the kitties. But as a rule they are more the ,"my babie's mama," type.
2006-06-21 23:45:16 · answer #10 · answered by Howard L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋