Mother cats have a variety of ways to discipline and tell their kittens “no” without using words. Here are some of the main techniques mother cats use:
Hissing or growling
One of the most common ways mother cats reprimand their kittens is by hissing or growling at them. These vocalizations are a clear signal to the kitten that their behavior is unacceptable. The hiss or growl communicates that the kitten needs to stop what they’re doing immediately. Mother cats will often accompany the vocal correction with an angry facial expression or posture to drive the message home.
Light scruffing
Mother cats will also give their kittens a gentle nip or scruff them by the back of the neck to get them to knock off inappropriate behavior. This mimics how mother cats pick up and carry their kittens when they are very young. The light scruff serves as a physical indication to stop and also gets the kitten’s attention. Usually no harm is done, but the kitten gets a clear message that they need to cut it out.
Blocking access
When kittens are obsessively trying to nurse or bite at their mother’s tail, mother cats will often use their body to physically block access to the area. They may turn their back or gently push the kittens away with a paw or their head. This sends the signal that nursing time is over or that rough play is not acceptable.
Leaving the scene
If kittens are being particularly rambunctious or repeatedly ignoring her warnings, a mother cat may simply get up and walk away. This takes away the attention and engagement the kittens are seeking while also giving them time to calm down. Once the kittens settle, the mother will usually return and allow gentle interactions.
Temporary isolation
In rare cases when a kitten is being very aggressive or disruptive, a mother cat may completely isolate them from the litter for a brief period. She may do this by placing the kitten in another room or carrier. This isolation gets the point across that the behavior is very unacceptable and gives the kitten a chance to reflect.
Other physical disciplines mother cats may use:
- Flicking the kitten with her tail
- Gently laying on top of the kitten to restrict movement
- Lightly batting the kitten with a paw
- Briefly pinning the kitten down
Redirecting kitten behavior
In addition to disciplinary techniques, mother cats will try to redirect inappropriate kitten behavior into something more appropriate. For example, if kittens start getting too rough, she may redirect them to play with a toy instead. Or she may lead them away from an off-limits area to a place that is OK for them to explore and interact.
When discipline happens
Mother cats most often have to reprimand kittens for:
- Nursing too frequently, aggressively, or on areas that cause the mother pain
- Weaning refusal when kittens mature past nursing age but still attempt to nurse
- Rough play with littermates including biting or scratching
- Exploring prohibited areas like counters, shelves, curtains, etc.
- Being too loud or rambunctious when the mother cat is trying to rest
Kittens typically begin grazing solid food around 3-4 weeks of age and nurse less frequently. As they reach 8 weeks and up, attempts to continue nursing usually elicit discipline from the mother. Aggressive or disruptive behaviors also tend to increase as kittens become more mobile and independent, requiring moms to lay down the law more often.
Effectiveness of discipline
Mother cats generally only issue mild discipline that gets the point across without harming kittens. The goal is just to communicate boundaries and appropriate behaviors. Kittens want to please their mothers, so cat moms are usually quite effective in modifying kitten conduct when needed. With proper and timely corrections, most kittens quickly learn when their behavior crosses the line and causes mom to say no!
Conclusion
Like human parents, mother cats use a variety of disciplinary techniques to teach their kittens proper manners and deter unwanted behaviors. Light physical corrections, vocal cues, removal of attention/engagement, and redirection are common ways cat moms keep their kittens in line. With clear and consistent training from mom, kittens can grow into well-adjusted, polite members of the feline family!