there is 3 kittens about as big as a coke can in my back yard and they keep crying for about a few hours now and the mom never came to their aid, its freezing out side right now so i was just wondering if it is possible that cats might abandon their kittens and should i take them in?
2006-09-25 20:07:16 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Yes they can but it doesn't happen very often. I'd be more concerned over the fact that something might have happened to her.
2006-09-25 20:10:35 · answer #1 · answered by sarah071267 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the momma cat does not want to be a mommy or feels that she cannot provide than yes she will abandon the babies. I wouldn't throw out the possibility that she may came back, but personally I would bring them in and take care of them through the night. Only problem with that is now your scent is on them and even if momma came back she wont touch them now. So you'll have to call your local animal shelter and turn them over. They are still young so they have a better chance of finding a good home when they are ready.
2006-09-25 20:13:48 · answer #2 · answered by racha 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately yes,
Particularly if its the mother cat's first litter.
You'll need to bring the kittens inside anyway because its far too dangerous to leave them outside even with the mother. Get a giant cardboard box to keep them in or if you have a spare cupboard near the ground you can use that too.
If your mother cat has a special blanket or anything really that is covered in her scent, put it in with the kittens, both for their own comfort and to let her know that they are hers.
If she continues to not show interest in her kittens after you bring them inside and start setting up a nest for them, you will need to raise them yourself.
Go to the vet, they will be able to sell you special kitten milk formula that can be used to suppliment the mother's own milk. Ordinary milk can kill a young kitten and will make most cats sick anyway. The vet will give you instructions on how to feed the kittens and how regularly, as well as any other tips for getting the mother interested in them.
Also grab something that ticks, like a clock, and put that under a blanket for the kittens to hear when they sleep. It will simulate the beating heart of their mother and provide comfort.
If there is definitely no sign of your mother cat getting involved then expect reguar trips to the vet.
Sometimes vets can get you in contact with people who raise kittens like this. Usually they're vet students or wildlife carers and such, and can even offer to take the kittens for a while until they can fend for themselves.
2006-09-25 22:35:17 · answer #3 · answered by Sierra 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mom cat will only abandon her kittens if she KNOWS they aren't going to make it! Try putting a thick blanket out for the kittens make sure they are wrapped in the blanket loosly and wait for mom to come, maybe next day when you go back to the kittens, see if they are still wrapped in the blanket. If not, then you know mom came and moved them and she knows what's best for her kittens. If the kittens are still their, Id leave them another day, only if they look like they have fat bellies and are moving around. check on them the second day and see if you notice they are moving around, changing their positions, have fat bellys, then they are ok. You know kittens are not being abandoned when they have very fat bellies. Reguardless if it's cold out. Mom knows how to care and keep her babies warm. She'll move them if she thinks they aren't getting enough warmth. I realy hope they will be ok. Please take my advise and don't bring them in just yet. Just wait, check on them, but don't touch them TOO MUCH, mom will smell the human scent and she will either move them or she just may kill them from her fear of danger from the human smell on them.
Put a box out there with the blanket in it AND the kittens and see if mom comes, perhaps if you can, gently and slowly catch her and her babies and bring them ALL in, (like in a garage or a dark, quiet room, she just may thank you or she may try to run away then that could cause trouble for her, her kittens and you! So try my first advise before attempting to bring them in K.
Good Luck!
2006-09-25 23:51:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they can . My boyfriend's mom cat did that to her baby kittens . My boyfriend and his mom had to raise it by themselfs. Then they gave them away when they were old euogh . And I have one of them. Anyways.It's a good idea to take them in . If you dont want to just care the aniaml shelter . If you need help on raiseing them . Take to the vet or a animal shelter will help you out . Good luck with the kittens and finding a loving home.
2006-09-27 11:15:36 · answer #5 · answered by kitty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have never heard of a cat abandoning their kittens .she may have been hurt or killed if she could get back she would instinct is strong between mother and kittens you could put a box with a top and warm clothing inside open half way up one side ,so mother cat can get inside if she is able to get back to look after her kittens ,if not back in a few days you should be able to feed them on kitten food and cat milk normal milk is no good for cats.if not back in 2 weeks they are yours to look after..god bless
2006-09-25 21:45:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would take them in. Yes mother cats will abandom their kittens. My mom has one outdoor cat that gave birth to her kittens right next to my moms car and never licked them clean or anything, just left them there to die. They were dead by the time my mom seen them. Then another time she had a set of 3 kittens and raised them until they were about the size of a soda can. Then just sorta left them alone. My mom and I heard them one night when it was freezing rain and so cold. We brought them into the house and raised them, if we wouldn't have they would have died. so I recommend taking the kittens into the house and taking them to a vet and have them checked out and then raise them yourself. Good luck
2006-09-25 20:12:09 · answer #7 · answered by Jessica 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead and take the kittens in, because it is possible the mother abandoned them, The cat we have now and we got her from a barn because her mother abandoned her after eating the others.
2006-09-25 20:10:57 · answer #8 · answered by angelgirl3574018 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, some mother cats do abandon their kittens. Regardless whether they get abandoned or not, you should trap the kittens and take them to get neuters/spayed at around 6 weeks old.
2006-09-25 20:16:05 · answer #9 · answered by justdennis 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Usually if they cry, mommy comes to check on them. Very rarely do they leave them. She might have gotten hurt...poor thing. If they are coke can size, they can probably handle kitten food. If you can take them in, you'd be doing such a kind thing. They should not be out without protection, from the cold and from anything else that could hurt them. Good luck to you, and thanks for having a heart.
2006-09-25 20:12:58 · answer #10 · answered by Smilingcheek 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Its possible they're mom has been killed..maybe...and yes, sometimes cats do abandoned they're babies for various reasons...If mom does come back you will notice her looking for babies...but if they are crying and they're mom isnt around..most likely they need rescuing..
Good luck...
P.S. They sell baby kitten milk and bottles in grocery stores to feed them..
Good liuck 2 ya
2006-09-25 20:17:22 · answer #11 · answered by JEM 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋