Will cats reject their kittens if you touch them?

Quick Answer

It is a common myth that mother cats will reject or even harm their kittens if humans touch them. In most cases, it is perfectly safe to touch newborn kittens, as long as basic precautions are taken. The mother cat is not likely to reject or hurt the kittens just because a human touched them.

Understanding Why This Myth Exists

There are a few reasons why the myth about mother cats rejecting touched kittens developed:

• Mother cats are very protective of their young, especially in the first few weeks of life. They may become aggressive or defensive if humans approach the kittens.
• The kittens’ scent is very important to the mother cat. Human touch may transfer scents that the mother sees as unfamiliar or alarming.
• In rare cases, distressed or unsocialized mother cats may be more likely to reject or act aggressively towards handled kittens.
• Well-meaning advice to leave newborn kittens alone may have strengthened the myth over time.

So while healthy mother cats with good maternal instincts will not reject kittens due to human scent, the protective behaviors can reinforce the myth. But in most cases, rejecting or harming kittens would go completely against a mother cat’s innate bonding instincts.

When Is It Safe to Touch Newborn Kittens?

Here are some tips for handling newborn kittens safely without causing mother cat stress:

• Wait several days after birth for initial bonding between mother and kittens.
• Wash hands before and after touching kittens to remove unfamiliar scents.
• Keep handling to a minimum and only when necessary.
• Return kittens gently and quickly to the nest after handling.
• Do not disturb kittens when the mother cat is away from the nest.
• Consider using gloves or a towel to handle kittens to prevent direct scent transfer.
• Make sure the mother cat is comfortable with your presence before interacting with kittens.

Following these precautions, most mother cats will continue to readily feed and care for their kittens even if humans have touched them. It is also a good idea to socialize kittens to human touch from 2-7 weeks of age so they grow into friendly, adoptable cats.

Signs that a Mother Cat Is Rejecting or Aggressive Towards Kittens

While very rare in healthy cats with strong maternal drives, mothers may sometimes reject or act aggressively to kittens. Here are some signs:

• Refusing to nurse or feed the kittens.
• Not sleeping or resting with the kittens.
• Acting anxious, distressed, or aggressive when kittens cry.
• Moving kittens away from her to a different area.
• Hissing, growling, or swatting when kittens come near.
• Kittens seem underweight, distressed, or are not developing normally.

If you observe any of these behaviors in a mother cat, contact your veterinarian. The causes could include health issues, pain, stress, poor maternal instincts, or lack of socialization. But in most cases, rejecting kittens is very unnatural behavior for mother cats.

Reasons a Mother Cat May Reject or Harm Kittens

There are some possible reasons a mother cat may reject or act aggressively toward her kittens:

• First-time mothers (especially young cats) may lack strong maternal instincts.
• Pain or discomfort from delivery or nursing may cause irritability.
• Illness in the mother cat that causes high stress or behavioral changes.
• Lack of socialization or human handling leading to fear and distrust.
• Extreme stress, anxiety, or changes in home environment.
• Kittens with congenital or health issues can trigger rejection.
• Rare hormonal or neurological issues interfering with bonding.

In many cases, rejection of kittens reflects underlying physical or psychological issues in the mother that require veterinary guidance to resolve. But in a healthy, well-socialized mother cat, rejecting her kittens is extremely uncommon.

How to Bond Rejected Kittens with the Mother Cat

If a mother cat is displaying aggressive or rejecting behaviors toward one or more kittens, here are some tips:

• Have the mother cat and kittens examined by a vet to check for medical issues.
• Provide a secure, comfortable nesting area away from noise or household chaos.
• Gently rub a rejected kitten with a soft towel, then present it to the mother to reinforce bonding by scent.
• Try reintroducing kittens during or right after nursing, when maternal oxytocin levels are highest.
• Use pheromone diffusers or sprays to help relax the mother cat.
• If necessary, hand feed kittens formula if the mother is not nursing.
• Make sure kittens stay warm and cared for until the mother’s behavior improves.

With time, patience, and removal of stressors, most mother cats can regain normal bonding behaviors and accept previously rejected kittens. But prompt veterinary guidance is advised if rejection continues.

Protecting Kittens and Mother Cats

Here are some general tips for safe handling and care of mother cats and their kittens:

• Provide a comfortable, secure nesting area away from noise and hazards.
• Never supplement feed kittens without veterinary guidance, as overfeeding can be dangerous.
• Weigh kittens regularly to ensure adequate milk intake and growth.
• Wash hands before and after handling kittens or mother cat.
• Make sure mother cat has sufficient nutrition and access to food/water.
• Keep other household pets separate until kittens are older.
• Do not disturb the family unnecessarily, allow privacy.
• Have mother cat spayed after weaning to prevent future litters.
• Follow vet advice about vaccinations, deworming, and kitten care.

With patience and proper handling, most mother cats will thrive with their litters. But if issues arise, always seek prompt veterinary advice for the health and wellbeing of both mother and kittens.

Conclusion

While a common myth, healthy mother cats with normal maternal instincts will not reject or harm their kittens simply because humans have touched them. As long as basic precautions are taken, human scent or handling is not likely to cause kitten rejection or aggression in the vast majority of mother cats. However, any concerning behaviors from a mother cat towards her littler should be addressed by a veterinarian right away. With careful handling, bonding, and veterinary guidance, most instances of kitten rejection can be successfully resolved.