This period will usually only last a few days, and then she gets over the loss and moves on. This may seem a little cold, but again, it’s natural– and there’s a scientific reason behind it.

Cats that are spayed can live about five more years than non-spayed cats. That’s more time you get to spend with your cat! However, the longer a mother and her kittens are allowed to stay together, the longer this nest smell will continue to bond them together, and the stronger the bond grows. Feral cats will form large, social-familial groups; usually made of mothers, daughters, and their many kittens, as the adult males will leave for bigger territories. These groups will work together, hunting for food, as well as nursing and taking care of the kittens. Between 1 and 3 weeks of age, the kittens will change drastically. They will put on weight, become more mobile, their eyes will be open, and they will be able to hear. They will still be nursing full-time from their mother for their nutrition. Their teeth will begin to erupt, and owners can start getting them used to handle. Mom will still be very protective during this stage. In a multiple cat household, the death of a cat can lead to surviving cats showing less inhibition and a new willingness to seek attention from their owner. Cats typically do not have trouble giving birth but that doesn’t mean that problems can’t arise. If the mother had fallen ill before the birth or is experiencing birthing difficulties, this could very well result in her rejecting her offspring. Ill Kitten(s)Smell and sound are how cats recognize each other; they do not use vision to remember each other as humans do. After the kittens have been weaned at around 4 to 6 weeks, the mother cat will start to forget about her kittens. This is due to the smell changes kittens undergo as they are aging, so even the most affectionate and loving mother cat will start to forget her kittens when they start reaching 10 to 12 weeks of age and reach sexual maturity. A decrease in appetite can be seen in cats that miss their kittens, especially in one that is grieving.

In many cases, the mother cat can still smell the scent of her kittens. But when she is not around, her babies may go looking for her, even when they’re a few months old. This is a cute scene because it can lead to mother cats forming close relationships with other kittens, so they can feed each other. Although it might seem horrific for humans to be separate, mother and child, it’s not the same for kitties. That is why cats start to wean their kittens early, and by the 12 thweek, they’ll be fully ready to move on to another home. Photo by Tran Mau Tri Tam on Unsplash Is it a bad idea to separate a kitten from her mother? Think carefully about replacing a lost pet. If your cats grief is due to the loss of a canine or feline companion, dont rush to find a replacement. Give your cat time to grieve and adjust to the loss. Introduction of a new pet may add more stress to an already stressful situation. Don’t use that the kitten has been abandoned, a mother cat is likely to leave behind her kittens whenever she has to feed herself or use the litter box. Stay there to make sure the kittens are safe. But once you feel your instinct is correct, then act accordingly. 2. Stable The KittenWhat happens if they leave their mamma cat before they are weaned? Here are some of the most likely problems. Prone to illness Never take cats or kittens to an animal shelter. Many shelters still kill the majority of cats they impound