In Praise of Mother Cats

Mama cat and her two kittens – this gorgeous trio of a mother cat and her kittens was rescued by the WLPA

They are called ‘queens’ for a reason!

With Mother’s Day coming up in May, I thought it was fitting to write about mother cats!

For those of us who are volunteers in cat rescue, mother cats have a special place in our hearts. We get to witness first-hand how much effort a female cat goes to in order to raise her young. Unlike some animals that are independent almost straight after birth, newborn kittens cannot see or hear very well. A kitten’s digestive system doesn’t kick in immediately either, so the mother will have to encourage elimination by licking her kittens’ tiny abdomens and bottoms. Their vulnerability means a mother cat not only has to nurse her young (which can be anywhere between two to twelve kittens per litter!) but she has to protect them as well. After mating, the male tomcat does not stay around to help the female cat (although her own sister, mother or even another female cat might). In fact, undesexed male cats are a danger to a nursing female. A tomcat might kill her present litter in order to impregnate her with his own offspring.

The cat has played an important role in human civilisation and we betray the species when we leave them on the streets to fend for themselves

When her kittens are older, the mother cat becomes their teacher: showing them how to bury their waste and how to hunt.

This sounds like wild animals in nature, but it’s important to remember that the domestic cat is not in its natural environment when it’s living as a stray on the street. In The Divine Feline: A Chic Cat Lady’s Guide to Woman’s Best Friend, I explain that the ancestor of the domestic cat is the African Wildcat. The Ancient Egyptians enticed that animal out of the wild to protect their grain stores from mice and rats. In return, the farmers fed the cats with extra food. An ability to store grain is what transformed the human race from nomadic tribes into farmers. Cats on ships also stopped transported goods from being eaten by vermin, which then allowed nations to trade with each other. The cat has played an important role in human civilisation and we betray the species when we leave them on the streets to fend for themselves.

In the cities, there is simply is not enough food for a mother cat to provide for herself and her kittens. She and her offspring are constantly in danger from not only predators but also pest exterminators, motor vehicles and cruel people. That’s why animal charities take mother cats and their kittens off the street and find proper homes for them.

I would recommend that people who wish to adopt a pair of cats, adopt a juvenile cat and a kitten or an adult cat and a kitten

But here lies the constant problem that cat charities have: The kittens are usually adopted out fairly easily, but then the charity is left with the mother cat who is usually young herself – from six months to four years old on average. (As I mentioned earlier, life on the streets is hard for a cat. While our indoor companions might live 15-20 years, a street cat that lives to four or five years of age is lucky).

In the past, people thought of cats as solitary creatures so they would adopt just one per family. Now it’s become much more common to adopt a pair of kittens so that the animals have a companion.

Having done this myself with my gorgeous cats, Gardenia and Lilac, I’m going to make a heartfelt proposal. I suggest that people adopting cats stagger the ages of the cats wherever possible. Adopting two cats together is a wonderful idea, and while it was lovely to watch Gardenia and Lilac grow up, when they both hit old age at the same time, things became more difficult. I loved them and took excellent care of them, but having two elderly cats at the same time, and then losing them within a few months of each other, was hard on me emotionally and also financially.

I would recommend that people who wish to adopt a pair of cats, adopt a juvenile cat and a kitten or an adult cat and a kitten. Often cats adopted from the same shelter or foster carer are already familiar with each other, and what more lovely pair could you adopt than a mother cat and one of her kittens? Not only are they related and bonded but in a mother cat you will have an instant babysitter and teacher for your kitten (kittens can get themselves into all sorts of trouble, just like a toddler – see my blog post on this Cat or Kitten?).

You’ll also be giving a home to a cat that might not find a forever home otherwise.

People worry that a mother cat won’t let them near her kitten. That might be true when the kittens are still in their very helpless state and dependent on her for their wellbeing. But once the kitten is older, this won’t be a problem. Just as with any animal, if you are kind to the mother and kitten and look after them, they will both bond with you and return the affection.

For more information on how to adopt a mother and kitten pair, contact your local cat charity.

You can read more about cat behaviour and how to help the cat world in The Divine Feline: A Chic Cat Lady’s Guide To Woman’s Best Friend.

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