This is a common question for new cat owners or people thinking about getting a cat. It’s normal to be concerned about disrupting the bond between a mother cat and her kittens. The good news is that mother cats do not disown their kittens if humans touch them. However, there are some important things to keep in mind when handling newborn kittens to avoid stressing out the mother cat.
In the first few weeks of life, kittens rely entirely on their mother for food, warmth, protection, and proper development. Mother cats are very protective of their young during this fragile time. They may hiss, growl, or even act aggressive to perceived threats, including humans. For this reason, it’s best not to touch kittens until they reach 3-4 weeks of age when their eyes open and they begin exploring their environment.
When can you touch newborn kittens?
Kittens are born deaf and blind, completely dependent on their mother. For the first 1-2 weeks, they should only be handled by their mother who takes care of their needs. Newborn kittens cannot even regulate their own body temperature, so they rely on snuggling up to their mom and litter mates to stay warm.
Around 2 weeks of age, their eyes will open and their ears will start to function. At 3-4 weeks old, kittens will become more mobile and begin to interact with their environment. This is the best time to start handling kittens in a gentle way so they can get used to human touch.
It’s best to let the mother cat initiate any kittens’ first interactions with humans. Some cats are very protective and may need more time before allowing handling of their babies. Give the mother cat breaks away from the nest so she doesn’t feel the need to be on duty 24/7.
How to touch newborn kittens
When kittens reach the appropriate age for handling, there are some things you can do to help make it a positive experience:
- Wash hands before and after touching kittens to prevent spreading germs
- Sit down and interact with kittens in the nest or a small confined space, not an open area
- Pet the kitten gently while supporting its whole body
- If the kitten seems stressed, return it to the nest immediately
- Keep handling sessions short (5-10 minutes) to avoid overstimulation
- Make sure kittens stay warm and return to mother for nursing soon after
It’s normal for kittens to cry and protest being held initially. But with gentle handling, they will get used to human touch and bond with their new owners.
Will mothers reject handled kittens?
A common myth is that cats will reject or even harm kittens if they smell human scent on them. In reality, a mother cat will not abandon her kittens if they have been handled. She can distinguish her offspring from stray kittens, recognizing their appearance and sounds.
A mother cat’s maternal instincts and bond with her kittens are very strong. Unless she is unable to nurse or care for them herself, she will continue looking after handled kittens the same as before. Some signs she’s still attentive even if kittens have been touched:
- Sleeping and nursing with kittens
- Grooming and cleaning kittens
- Being protective/aggressive if kittens are approached
As long as human handling is gentle and minimal in the first weeks, the mother cat will not reject or harm handled kittens.
When to avoid touching kittens
While mother cats will not disown their kittens if touched, there are some situations where handling newborns can cause issues:
- Kittens younger than 2 weeks old – their immune systems are underdeveloped and handling could expose them to illnesses before vaccines.
- Mother cat is anxious or aggressive – she may need more time to be comfortable with humans near her nest.
- Kittens appear distressed – crying, shaking, or breathing rapidly are signs they need a break.
- Ill or injured kittens – handling could worsen their condition without proper treatment.
It’s also wise to wash hands before and after touching animals to prevent transmitting diseases between species. Kittens younger than 6 weeks old are the most vulnerable.
While cats don’t abandon handled kittens, it’s still important to follow some basic guidelines to ensure the kittens’ health and not overly stress the mother. Gentle handling when the kittens reach 3-4 weeks is key.
How mother cats care for kittens
To better understand why cat mothers don’t disown their kittens, let’s take a look at how mother cats care for their young:
Pregnancy:
Cats are pregnant for approximately 9 weeks. In the final weeks the mother will start nesting – finding a quiet, safe space to give birth. Mother cats should be provided with a nesting box, bedding, and minimal disturbances in the last days of pregnancy.
Giving Birth:
Cats typically give birth to a litter of 4-6 kittens. The mother will sever the umbilical cord and eat the afterbirth immediately after each kitten is born. She will clean and nurse the kittens right away.
First Weeks of Life:
For the first 1-2 weeks, kittens are completely helpless. They cannot even regulate their body temperature or eliminate waste without stimulation from mom. The mother stays with her kittens constantly, only leaving briefly to eat and use the litterbox. Kittens nurse every 1-2 hours.
Transition Period:
Around 3-4 weeks, kittens will start crawling around, playing with litter mates, and exploring their environment. They begin weaning at 4 weeks but continue nursing another 4-6 weeks. The mother cat brings prey to start teaching hunting skills.
Orphaned Kittens:
If something happens to the mother, kittens have very little chance of survival before 4 weeks of age. Without the mother’s care and feeding, most will not live. Orphans require immediate bottle feeding every 2-3 hours by human caregivers.
As you can see, mother cats form an extremely strong maternal bond with their kittens in the first weeks of life. Unless seriously ill or injured, they will not abandon their offspring during this vulnerable stage.
Signs of kitten abandonment
While it’s rare, some situations can cause a mother cat to leave or ignore her kittens:
- Extreme stress – An extremely anxious or fearful mother cat may abandon the entire litter.
- Illness – Life-threatening conditions like fever in the mother may prevent her from caring for kittens.
- Weak or injured kitten – The mother may abandon only a kitten she senses is going to die.
- Too young – Rarely, a first-time mother may abandon a litter born prematurely.
- Too large of a litter – Mother cat is overwhelmed trying to care for too many kittens.
- Human interference – Constantly disturbing nesting area could cause abandonment.
Signs a mother cat has rejected her kittens:
- Not nursing or grooming kittens
- Moving kittens out of the nest
- Hisses/swats when kittens try to nurse
- Kittens seem underweight, dehydrated, or ill
- No milk production when kittens try to nurse
If you suspect kitten abandonment, contact your vet right away. The kittens need immediate care and bottle feeding to survive. Make sure you allow the mother cat to recover from any illness or stress before reintroducing her to the kittens.
With prompt intervention by caring humans, kitten abandonment does not have to be fatal. But human handling alone will not cause a mother to abandon healthy kittens she has bonded with.
Helping the mother raise healthy kittens
While a mother cat doesn’t need much assistance raising her kittens, there are some ways you can help promote health and bonding:
- Provide a safe, comfortable nesting area away from noise and other pets.
- Ensure the mother cat has plenty of quality food and fresh water daily.
- Provide a litter box in close proximity to the nest.
- Give the mother cat breaks from the kittens occasionally.
- Make first introductions to kittens gradual so mom stays comfortable.
- Only permit gentle handling of kittens starting at 3-4 weeks old.
- Avoid stressing mother cat by giving her space when nesting and nursing.
By 4-6 weeks, the mother cat will be weaning kittens and encouraging independence through play and bringing prey. As the kittens grow, they will need proper nutrition, socialization, vet care, and eventual placement into loving homes.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about mother cats and their kittens:
Why does a mother cat move her kittens?
It’s natural for a mother cat to relocate her kittens during the first weeks of life. She may move them farther from disturbances or to a place she feels is safer. Moving the kittens close together is how she huddles with them for warmth. It’s only cause for concern if she is taking them out of the nest to abandon.
Do kittens need help urinating/defecating?
For the first few weeks, the mother cat stimulates kittens to urinate and defecate by licking their bottoms. Kittens don’t have the instinctive ability to eliminate on their own right away without this maternal stimulation.
Is it okay to touch kittens to put on ID collars?
The best time to put lightweight collars on kittens for identification is around 5-6 weeks old when they are more mobile. The collars should have a breakaway clasp for safety. Avoid attaching collars earlier since kittens are growing rapidly.
Can handling by humans too much make kittens bad tempered?
Yes, too much handling especially before kittens are 3 weeks old can make them fearful or prone to biting/scratching. Gentle handling starting no earlier than 2-3 weeks helps kittens become comfortable with human touch. Limit handling to 15 minutes or less per session.
How long until kittens can walk on their own?
Kittens usually start trying to walk on their own around 3-4 weeks old. They begin crawling or wobbling around the nest at 2-3 weeks. Initially they appear quite uncoordinated and clumsy but improve dramatically in the following weeks.
Conclusion
It is a common myth that mother cats will reject or harm their kittens if they have been touched by humans. In reality, cats form a strong maternal bond with their young and will continue caring for them even if they have been handled.
Mother cats should not be disturbed in the first two weeks after the kittens are born since this is such a fragile stage. But once the kittens reach 3-4 weeks old, gentle handling of no more than 10-15 minutes can help socialize them to human touch. As long as the mother cat appears comfortable and attentive, she will not disown her kittens. Limit handling if the mother cat shows any signs of aggression or the kittens seem distressed.
With proper care for the mother and kittens, there is no need to worry about a mother cat abandoning her young due to human scent or touch. A normal mother will continue to nurse, groom, and protect handled kittens. Understanding the mother cat’s protective behaviors can help new owners feel confident in integrating the kittens into the household.