2007-05-10 07:51:56 · 15 answers · asked by Amy 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Not for long. The mama has a chemical that makes her very protective while nursing. As the kittens are weaned, she wants to be alone more. We saw this with a mother and the kittens we rescued. We kept them in the basement. For a while, she wouldn't let them out of her sight. After they got bigger, she started climbing up places they couldn't get to for peace and quiet.
As long as the cats have someone they can bond with, the loss of the kittens isn't really felt. At least that is what we saw. We found a good home for the mama and one kitten and we kept the other two. From all reports, everyone is happy.
2007-05-10 07:58:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not usually I don't think, as long as the kittens are not given away too soon.
In my experience, the kittens that stay with their mothers end up being an irritation to them - in nature the kittens leave their mother as soon as they are old enough to fend for themselves, and never see her again.
Someone asked a question on here just the other day about why their mother cat had taken a dislike to her 1 year old? kittens - as I explained, it was probably because she was wondering why they were still hanging around! Of the people I know whose cat's are mother and child, they don't get on.
If kittens were given away when still suckling from their mother then yes, the mother would miss them because she wouldn't be done protecting them. You mostly know when kittens are ready to leave their mother.
Chalice
2007-05-10 09:28:39 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you give them away too young. A mother cat will naturally push her kittens away around 10-12 weeks and will refuse to nurse them, clean them, or play with them. They are not social animals in general- lion prides are an anomoly. All other cats are social loners in the wild. After weaning, mothers leave their kittens or force them out of her territory to fend for themselves. If you keep kittens as they age, she'll probably end up tolerating them more as a sibling, not retaining the mother-kitten bond that some people think.
Don't feel bad- every mom needs a break from whining kids now and then! :-)
2007-05-10 07:59:26 · answer #3 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Every time we give away a kitten, our mother cats have always wandered the house calling for them for days.
2007-05-10 07:54:59 · answer #4 · answered by gilgamesh 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the cat. I've had momma cats that take off the very day their kittens eat hard food. I've also had momma cats that form such a bond with a kitten that they live, and die, together. But all-in-all, they are much more intune with nature than we are and they realize that leaving is a necessary part of nature.
2007-05-10 08:04:18 · answer #5 · answered by catsovermen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on how old the kittens are, because after awhile they forget that the other kittens are even hers. But you take them away to young she will get upset, you she has one duty, and it is to get the kittens to learn everything they need to then she is done.
2007-05-10 07:56:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes, but they get over it rather quickly. They enjoy not having to compete with the kittens for attention anymore, and having time to themselves, without the kittens attempting to nurse any chance they get.
Make sure the kittens are at least 8 weeks old though, before you re-home them.
2007-05-10 07:54:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
i would miss the kittens, but then again i'm not a cat. but seriously no they don't miss their kittens.
2007-05-10 07:55:55 · answer #8 · answered by koifishlady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes some do! and some of them go into a deep depression if they have bounded with there kittens alot
2007-05-10 08:03:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Amber, according to experts no ! But I think that is a lie ! To me pets are people too ! Though I know it is what we have to do sometimes.
2007-05-10 08:08:32 · answer #10 · answered by lonewolf 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋