The cat does not accept kittens. Why and what to do?

First of all, it is worth understanding that cats do not do this because of some kind of depravity or spoilage. During pregnancy, childbirth and feeding the offspring, the instincts control the cat, and if the cat tries to get rid of the newborns, then some kind of failure has occurred. As a rule, everything can be adjusted.

The cat is sick and bad

Refusal of kittens, feeding and licking can be associated with difficult childbirth and poor health of the cat. If the animal is in pain, it will focus on itself and not on the kittens. Perhaps everything can be adjusted with competent veterinary care. Sometimes kittens are also abandoned by very young cats, who, both physically and psychologically, are simply not ready for motherhood.

Kittens are not viable

Very often, the reason for the refusal of a cat from kittens is that for some reason she considers the offspring to be unviable. Moreover, the cat can repel some of the quite healthy, but weakened kittens, especially if the litter is large. Thus, she, instinctively realizing that she will not be able to feed everyone, weeds out the weakest who will require too much attention.

Due to human intervention

Incorrect and untimely human intervention in the process of childbirth can lead to the rejection of offspring. When trying to move a cat and kittens, re-lay the litter in the nest, when a bright light is directed at a cat or its offspring, the balance of smells is disturbed, and the cat rejects kittens that have a human smell on them. Bright light can frighten the animal and also lead to the abandonment of offspring. Applying the scent of a cat to kittens by wetting them with her milk or secretions and a quiet, darkened nest can help in such a situation.

For any reason, the cat’s refusal from their kittens, the owners have about an hour and a half to resolve the issue of feeding newborns. For artificial feeding, you will have to purchase a cat’s milk substitute and special bottles at the pharmacy.

Kittens need food on average every 2 hours around the clock. After each feeding, it is necessary to massage the tummies of newborns, since they themselves still do not know how to go to the toilet.

At the same time, in the nest where the kittens are kept, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of 38-39 degrees with the help of heating pads, trying not to overheat or overcool the babies. Usually, the milk that has arrived disturbs the cat, and slowly, one by one, applying babies to her nipples, it will be possible to establish natural feeding.