How soon can a feral cat get pregnant after having kittens?
You may have heard that female cats cannot get pregnant as long as they are still nursing kittens. Unfortunately, this not true. Most cats will have an estrus cycle (heat cycle) about 4 weeks after weaning their kittens if it is still the breeding season.
How many litters can a feral cat have in a year?
Reproduction in feral cats is similar to that of domestic cats. On average, females have two litters per year with the first in spring and the second in late summer or early autumn. However, litters can be born in any month with litter sizes ranging from 2 to 7.
Is it normal for mother cat to leave her kittens in the wild?
The website Feral Change, which is focused on sharing information about feral cats that you might find in the wild, says it is normal for a mother cat to leave her kittens in the wild for hours at a time.
Why does a mother cat act weird after giving birth?
Cats are mammals and the urge to care for young is very strong in most mammals, and instinct takes over in this normal process. However, there are some nutritional issues that can lead to a mother cat acting weird after giving birth.
When does a mother cat lick her kittens?
If the kittens seem to be in danger, such as they are in a field that is going to be mowed or a neighborhood dog is sniffing around, remove the kittens and try to reunite them with their mother. Most of the time, as Vet Info says, a mother cat will aggressively lick her newborn kittens right after birth.
What should I do if my mother cat gave birth?
Perhaps a cupboard or closet that is cleared out, or a box in an out of the way corner would be a good spot to prepare for the mother cat before she gives birth, and to keep the kittens afterward. That would also give you a good vantage point to observe the mother cat behavior towards kittens after giving birth.
Can a feral cat lead you to her kittens?
As is most often the case with feral cats, you’ll need to keep a sharp eye on the mother. Chances are, she has no trust of humans, and she will never willingly lead you to her kitten. Instead, watch her. Take note of areas that she frequents most.
Is it bad for a cat to have kittens after giving birth?
This is potentially dangerous both for female cats and for her kittens. Several repeat pregnancies with only short periods between giving birth can harm a cat’s health. Bearing kittens, giving birth, and nursing them can exhaust a cat’s physical resources, leaving her malnourished and exhausted.
Is it OK to take care of a pregnant feral cat?
A pregnant feral cat is perfectly capable of taking care of itself and its babies. Why make this distinction? Because it is generally a bad idea to try to care for a pregnant feral cat. Feral cats are already leery of humans and adding babies to the mix could turn violent.
The website Feral Change, which is focused on sharing information about feral cats that you might find in the wild, says it is normal for a mother cat to leave her kittens in the wild for hours at a time.