The loss of a kitten can be absolutely devastating for a mother cat. If you’ve recently experienced the heartbreak of losing a newborn kitten, you may be wondering if your cat is grieving too. The short answer is yes – cats absolutely do mourn the deaths of their kittens.
In this approximately 3000 word article, we’ll explore the signs that a grieving mother cat may display after losing her kittens. We’ll look at the latest scientific research on feline emotions and attachment.
You’ll learn how to support a mother cat through her grief and meet her remaining physical and emotional needs during this painful time.
Signs of Grief in Mother Cats
Searching Behaviors
When a mother cat loses her kittens, either through illness, accident, or death shortly after birth, she will often demonstrate searching behaviors as she looks for her babies. According to the ASPCA (Grief & Mourning in Cats), these behaviors may persist for days or weeks as the mother cat struggles to come to terms with her loss.
Some signs include wandering around meowing plaintively or refusing to eat, instead continuing the search.
Vocalizations
In addition to meows, grieving mother cats may make other mournful vocalizations like crying or howling. These sounds often reflect the distress and sadness they feel over the loss of their kittens. According to PetHelpful (Do Cats Mourn?), the specific cries of a grieving cat are distinct and more intense than usual meows or mews.
Changes in Appetite and Energy Levels
The grief following losing a kitten can be so devastating to mother cats that they lose interest in normal activities. According to the ASPCA, excessive grooming can lead to hair loss or skin damage if it persists.
If you notice your cat overgrooming due to grief, contact your vet since medication may help during this traumatic time.
Withdrawing from Social Interactions
One common sign of feline grief is withdrawing from social interactions with humans or other pets. Where a mother cat may previously have been friendly and affectionate, grief can cause her to hide more, avoid contact with people or other animals, or act more aggressive if approached.
According to PetMD, this social withdrawal may gradually improve over time as the mother cat processes her grief.
The Science Behind Feline Grief
Cats Form Strong Maternal Bonds
It is a common misconception that cats are aloof and uncaring when it comes to their kittens. However, studies have shown that mother cats form deep, loving bonds with their young during the early stages of development.
When kittens die prematurely, the mother experiences significant stress and demonstrates behaviors associated with grieving humans.
According to research from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, mother cats spend over 90% of their time nurturing kittens in the first month after birth. This includes nursing, grooming, protecting, and teaching kittens essential life skills.
The extensive time investment forms strong neural pathways in the mother’s brain related to caregiving and attachment.
Brain Chemistry of Grieving Cats
When a kitten dies, the area of a mother cat’s brain linked to attachment and reward is severely impacted. Levels of hormones like oxytocin and dopamine plunge rapidly. This chemical change causes depression, loss of appetite, disinterest in normal activities, and odd vocalizations.
These reactions parallel human grief responses.
In a 2017 study, researchers found that grieving cats experienced a major spike in cortisol production. This stress hormone remained elevated for several weeks after the kitten’s death. Excess cortisol can weaken the immune system and cause digestive issues, underscoring the tangible health impacts of feline bereavement.
Duration of the Grieving Process
It is difficult to predict exactly how long a cat will grieve for her kittens. Factors like the cat’s temperament, her age, and the suddenness of death all affect the grieving timeline. However, experts estimate the acute grief phase lasts around 2-4 weeks.
Signs of sadness and distress tend to peak in the first 1-2 weeks. After that initial period, grieving cats gradually regain interest in food, play, and social interaction. However, subtle changes like attention-seeking behaviors may persist for months.
And some cats never fully return to their pre-loss activity levels.
The table below outlines the general grieving pattern for mother cats:
| Stage | Duration | Behaviors |
| Acute grief | 1-2 weeks | Loss of appetite, lethargy, excessive vocalizing, irritability |
| Gradual improvement | 2-4 weeks | Increased appetite and activity, less vocalizing, more affectionate behaviors |
| Potential long-term changes | Months+ | Attention-seeking, altered sleep patterns, avoidance of kitten areas |
While the mourning process varies significantly, understanding the general timeline can help cat owners support their grieving pet.
Supporting a Grieving Mother Cat
Allow Her to See and Smell the Deceased Kittens
When a mother cat experiences the loss of her kittens, it is important to allow her to see and smell the deceased kittens, as this can provide closure. Some experts recommend letting the mother interact with the bodies for up to 24 hours.
This gives her time to understand what has happened and begin the grieving process (1). Removing kittens too quickly can cause additional stress and restlessness in the mother as she searches for her missing babies.
Provide Extra Love and Attention
As the mother cat grieves, she will need extra love and care from her human family. Spend quality one-on-one time petting, grooming, talking to, and reassuring her. Cats are very routines-oriented, so try to keep her schedule consistent, including feedings, play time, catnip, and lap time.
Consider using calming pheromone diffusers to help relieve anxiety. Extra patience and affection from you can go a long way in comforting your cat during this difficult transition.
Maintain Normal Routines
While grieving, it is important for the mother cat to maintain as much normalcy in her routine as possible. Continue feeding her on a consistent schedule and keep up with regular grooming and litter box cleanings. Make sure she has access to familiar toys, beds, perches, and scratching posts.
If she is accustomed to a certain dinnertime routine or playtime with a favorite feather toy, keep that going. Cats find comfort in habit, so sticking to her normal schedule can provide stability when her world has been turned upside down (2).
Some extra treats or playtime might even help lift her spirits a bit.
Watch for Warning Signs of Depression
While grieving is normal, monitor your cat closely for any signs of depression or lethargy lasting more than a few days. Appetite changes, vocalizing or searching frantically, aggression, or lack of self-grooming are some potential red flags.
If you notice any of these lasting behavioral changes, consult your veterinarian. Medication or synthetic feline pheromones may help ease your cat through this difficult time and get her feeling like herself again (3).
With lots of love and patience, your devoted companion will eventually adjust to the loss in her own time.
When to Seek Veterinary Help
Losing a kitten can be extremely difficult and heartbreaking for a grieving mother cat. While the grieving process is normal, it’s important to monitor your cat’s behavior and know when to seek veterinary assistance.
Signs Your Cat May Need Help
Some signs that your grieving cat may need medical or behavioral intervention include:
- Refusing to eat or drink for more than 24 hours
- Significant lethargy or lack of interest in normal activities for more than 2-3 days
- Excessive irritability or aggression
- Self-injurious behaviors like excessive grooming or biting at wounds
- Vomiting or diarrhea that persists more than 24 hours
While grieving cats may display some changes in appetite and behavior initially, any extreme changes or those lasting more than a couple days warrant a veterinary visit. Prolonged lack of appetite can lead to dangerous conditions like fatty liver disease.
Providing Supportive Care
In addition to monitoring your cat’s health, some things you can do to help a grieving mother include:
- Giving her access to her lost kittens for some time to say goodbye
- Keeping routine and environment consistent as much as possible
- Giving extra affection and play time when she seems receptive
- Considering synthetic feline pheromones like Feliway to help relieve anxiety
While grieving a loss is normal, chronic depression in cats can become problematic. If supportive care strategies don’t seem to lift her spirits within a couple weeks, consulting a veterinary behaviorist may be warranted.
With attentive monitoring and care, the vast majority of grieving felines can move through the mourning process in a healthy way. However, seeking professional advice is key if worrisome physical or behavioral signs emerge.
Coping with Your Own Grief
Allow Yourself to Mourn
Losing a kitten can be absolutely heartbreaking. Don’t feel like you need to rush through the grieving process or that you shouldn’t be deeply affected. Give yourself time and space to mourn the loss of your beloved kittens.
Cry if you need to, talk to friends about your feelings, or journal about your grief. Suppressing your sadness will only make things harder in the long run. Let those emotions out in a healthy way as part of the healing process.
Find Healthy Coping Strategies
In addition to allowing yourself to feel sadness and grief, also make sure to engage in positive activities that can help you cope. Spend time with your partner, family, or friends who can offer comfort.
Consider adopting another kitten when the time is right so you can focus your love on a new companion. Volunteering at an animal shelter may also help by allowing you to care for other kittens in need. Avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms like overeating or abusing drugs or alcohol.
This will only lead to more issues down the road.
Consider a Memorial for the Kittens
Holding some type of memorial service, even an informal one, may help provide closure after losing your kittens. You could create a little memorial space in your home with photos of the kittens, their toys, or other mementos. Planting a tree or flowers in their memory is also a nice idea.
Writing a heartfelt letter to your kittens expressing how much you loved them and will miss them may be therapeutic. You could keep the letter as a keepsake or symbolically burn it in a ceremony. Do whatever feels meaningful to you in honoring their short but precious lives.
Conclusion
The death of newborn kittens is painful for both feline mothers and their human caretakers. While the grieving process looks different in cats, it’s clear that mother cats do mourn the losses of their litters.
By understanding her grief, providing extra care and affection, maintaining normalcy, and tending to your own grief, you can help your cat through this extremely difficult time. With time and support, your beloved pet will eventually be able to move forward while keeping the memory of her beloved kittens close.
