Can a spayed cat develop maternal interest in a little kitten?

Question

3 weeks ago, I brought home a 2 day old kitten. His eyes were still closed at that time. I also have another cat, a 5 year old female ragdoll cat who was spayed 4 years ago. Initially, my older cat, Tammy, was rather stressed by the "intruder" and was not eating well for a few days and often hide somewhere away from the screaming kitten. However, after the little kitten opened his eyes and started walking about at about 2 weeks, my older cat started to exhibit strange behaviours towards the new kitten. She started to lick the kitten, especially the ears, whenever she got the chance and most shocking of all, I saw her lick his genitals and when he starts to pee, she drank it all up!!! Eewwww... I argued with my wife, saying that some maternal instinct probably kicked in but she says spayed cats can't develop maternal instincts coz no hormone production or whatever. What could be going on?

Answer 1

Cats are intelligent creatures and it sounds like she is displaying maternal behaviour.

Women who've had hysterectomies and their ovaries removed are still capable of caring for small children aren't they? Why should it be any different for your kitty.

She sounds like a rockin' chick who is taking on a new sense of responsibility in developing this caring relationship with your kitten!

Good for her!

Answer 2

Oh,yes they can show maternal instinct,just like a woman who has had a hysterectomy can! I have seen it many times in both dogs and cats,and even in an intact male beagle,who happened to belong to me! He would nuzzle baby kittens ,lick them,and roll over as if he wanted to nurse them! I have even heard of spayed female dogs and cats producing milk when in the presence of orphaned pups or kittens.I had a neutered male cat and two spayed female cats who exhibited this behavior toward kittens,so yes,it does happen!

Answer 3

The short answer is yes.

We've had lots of cats, many of them fixed and some of the best "mothers" were fixed, they would take care of the kittens even when the real mother didn't seem to want to have anything to do with her own kittens.

If a woman has a hysterectomy, does that mean she couldn't be a loving, caring mother to an orphan? ;)