I have a stray cat which had a litter of four lovely kittens.We kept it in the loft bcz it was very roomy & comfortable than our living room. But a bug male cat,which I suppose is the father of those kittens,killed all four of them . As if it is professional killer, it slashed their necks . Not even a sratch was found on any other part of the body.My cat is still upset & meows everywhere and is searching for her young ones in every nook and corner.It is such a pitiable sight. Can someone explain why the male cat did this please....i am still haunted by the sight of those dead kittens.
2007-12-11 10:34:24 · 11 answers · asked by nandha k 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Killing the kittens will bring the female right back into heat...
2007-12-11 10:43:14 · answer #1 · answered by Boxer Lover 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm very sorry for your loss. It's unusual that they were killed by a slash to their neck, as generally adult cats kill kittens with a lethal bite to the neck. He may have killed them because they are not his kittens and he didn't recognise his scent on them or the mother. Also compare the size, sound and activity of kittens with the size, sound and activity of prey. They are both small, have high-pitched voices and move with fast, erratic movements. All of these trigger hunting behaviour. If his instincts are confused, he simply may not be able to override the hunting response. Perhaps he tried to mate with the female, was rejected, and turned his anger towards the kittens?
The web article "Cats that kill kittens" has lots of information that may answer your question.
http://www.messybeast.com/kill_kit.htm
2007-12-12 09:54:12 · answer #2 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is what cats do to make females ready to mate again. I am thinking this male was NOT the father of the kittens, but a new male wanting HIS genes propagated. Infanticide is very common with lions.
Please get the female cat spayed asap. Get hold of the male cat if you can so he can be castrated. As well as preventing more unwanted additions to the cat population and protecting the cat's future health, it will help her get over the loss of the kittens (as she will no longer have a mothering instinct). It will take time with her but, as with all things, she will get over it - but do NOT risk putting her through this again. Get her spayed asap.
Chalice
2007-12-11 18:48:33 · answer #3 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its possible this male wasn't the father. Male cats (of all species) tend to kill young kittens (cubs), especially if they are not their own. Domestic cats don't do it as much, but it still happens. The male is effectively eliminating competition from other male's kittens (cubs). They want their genes to survive. You see this a lot in lions and other large cats.
I'm really sorry to had to see something like that. Unfortunately its not a very kind world out there.
2007-12-11 18:39:53 · answer #4 · answered by Audrey A 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It viewed the kittens as a threat to its territory. Cats are driven by scent - if all four kittens were toms, then the male may have seen them as encroaching on his space, and dealt with it by killing them. Family loyalties, sadly, sometimes don't count in the cat world.
2007-12-11 18:40:15 · answer #5 · answered by altaplomb 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with the first answer. I saw a show on discovery one time about lions. If a male lion took over a pride he would kill all the cubs becuase they werent of his line, this would put the females into a heat and he would breed them to pass on his line. I would think it was the same thing with this situation. Sorry you had to see something like that. Nature can be cruel sometimes
2007-12-11 18:47:25 · answer #6 · answered by its me...ok 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm so sorry to hear this, Nandha!
Unfortunately, male cats do that to kittens- which is why momma cats will not let another cat near their babies most times.
I hope you and the poor momma feel better soon. You may want to consider taking her for spaying.
Good luck!
2007-12-11 18:56:55 · answer #7 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have no idea why, but stray male cats are always like that towards kittens. They kill them any chance they get. I have no idea why. Cat's are weird sometimes. Also, if a cat has kittens, and a human touches them when they are too young, the mother will rip their heads off. I have no idea why. But I'm very sorry for you to have to see your kittens dead :(
xoxoBecca
2007-12-11 18:39:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Male cats are very teritorial and he was probaly trying to kill them for less breeding compatiotion. I think the best thing for the male cat would be trap him and fix him so he will no longer kill. Then realese him. I am so sorry for you and your cat.
2007-12-11 18:40:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Male cats do that inorder to get the female to go into another breeding cycle, therefore passing on his geneology.
2007-12-11 18:38:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋