she had four kittens but one died this morning (the last one out). I put the dead kitten aside in the bed and when I came back an hour later it was gone. did she take it someplace or do they eat their dead? (she is on an old sheet under the house) it was less than 24 hours old. it seemed to be a long and messy birth but she cleaned herself up nicely and is up and running today. also, how long before they open their eyes? and, how many cute kitten pictures is too many? ;-)
2007-02-16 17:27:12 · 19 answers · asked by cnjswimmer 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
perhaps a little more info in my defense - the cats came with the house I recently moved into. I opted to keep them for rodent control. they already had their space under the house. the house is on stilts like almost all houses here since I live in the semi-tropics . don't assume it's cold where I am - it certainly isn't. I left it there for - closure in case cats need that? thanks for all the good answers - and the wiseas* ones that made me smile!
2007-02-16 18:49:18 · update #1
I am A long time cat owner and have seen many born. The mother cat has taken the dead kitten off somewhere. You should probably look under everything, sheets, beds, anywhere the mother cat can get. The reasoning behind this is that animals tend to remove or shun the runt of the litter, even if it is alive, Because in the wild the mother knows it can't survive.
The other healthy kittens eyes should open in 8-14 days.
And no there are never enough pictures of kittens, just don't try showing them to everyone you meet. Not everyone are cat lovers like us. Good Luck and Congratulations!!!
2007-02-16 18:06:40 · answer #1 · answered by suzyqsl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HI Cnj, Oh the poor kitty. i hate to hear about any animal passing on. The mom will not eat here baby. She has taken the little one somewhere were you won't find the baby. This is the way they do if they get a chance. So don't be to upset with mama. They should have their eyes open in 12 to 14 days. Take all the pictures you want. You are a proud daddy and i would do the same. Good luck with your new family. A Friend.
Clowmy
2007-02-16 17:38:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hum...cats do eat dead kittens. They do that to keep wild animals from smelling the dead kitten. I had a cat who had a still birth, and the cat ate it before I could stop her.
As for their eyes, the eyes will open in about 5-10 days. Depends on the kitten.
2007-02-16 18:38:50 · answer #3 · answered by death_is_on_my_side 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband tells me that a mother cat knows/feels if one of her babies are sick or dead. Most mother cats will eat the last born because it seems it is the weakest. The mother doesn't want to jeopardise the rest of her young. Out in the wild she may just leave the weakest to die while she moves her family to another place...
The kittens will open their eyes a week from birth, and their eyes will be blue..but you shouldn't be near them for the first month I'd say....Don't touch them or turn bright lights on them...their eyes are TOO sensitive when they are born....Also the mother will get angry if you are around her babies....Don't anger the MAMA!!
2007-02-18 03:19:50 · answer #4 · answered by January00 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mommma cat probably took it somewhere. Usually with cats and dogs - if one baby is sickly or dies they will push it aside or take it and hide it some wheres because they dont want ti around the other babies..
It will be a couple weeks before they open there eyes - there is never to many cute kitty pictures !!
why is she outside with her babies ?? it is too cold this time of year - you need to bring them in
2007-02-16 17:34:20 · answer #5 · answered by country_girl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats do not eat thier babies. She probably took it somewhere to hide it unless you have other pets or people that may have done this. Kittens open thier eyes at about 3 weeks and you can never have too many cute kitten pictures
2007-02-16 17:32:16 · answer #6 · answered by 'lil peanut 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why would you leave the dead kitten there?!? That seems slightly sadistic. Urfgh yes I have heard that sometimes the mothers eat their kittens when they are sick...or in your case dead..But on a sheet under the house..what kind of owner are you?
2007-02-16 17:34:14 · answer #7 · answered by Abigail M 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We keep barn cats at the ranch and do just fine outside, actually they prefer it that way...The mama more than likely took the baby away. If it was dead i wouldn't worry about it...Good luck with your new wee ones and in about 2 weeks, you'll see there little eyes....
2007-02-16 19:03:41 · answer #8 · answered by ABBYsMom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea she takes the dead kitten and hides/burries it
The eyes can open anywhere from 8-14 days .The eyes are normally blue for a few days until they change into their normal color.
Good luck with your kitties!
2007-02-16 17:32:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I been told animals do eat the young.When they are born if there something wrong with it. Or if they think there might be danger. About two weeks for eye to open up .nine weeks when they are wing from there mother.
2007-02-16 18:02:48 · answer #10 · answered by myakkacitycountrygirl 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋