{"id":482,"date":"2020-09-23T12:01:50","date_gmt":"2020-09-23T12:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/?p=482"},"modified":"2020-09-23T12:01:50","modified_gmt":"2020-09-23T12:01:50","slug":"what-happens-if-you-take-a-kitten-from-its-mother-too-early","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/what-happens-if-you-take-a-kitten-from-its-mother-too-early\/","title":{"rendered":"What happens if you take a kitten from its mother too early?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Just like humans, kittens rely heavily on their moms.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0If you didn\u2019t know this already, kittens are supposed to stay with their mothers for at least 8 weeks.\u00a0 12-16 weeks is preferable if it is possible to wait that long.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, depending on how young they are when they get separated, it can be extremely hard for them to survive and grow up to become well-adjusted cats \u2013 even when they have you to take care of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/what-happens-if-you-take-a-kitten-from-its-mother-too-early\/#When_kittens_are_separated_from_their_mom_too_early\" title=\"When kittens are separated from their mom too early\">When kittens are separated from their mom too early<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/what-happens-if-you-take-a-kitten-from-its-mother-too-early\/#Does_my_cat_think_Im_their_mother\" title=\"Does my cat think I\u2019m their mother?\">Does my cat think I\u2019m their mother?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/what-happens-if-you-take-a-kitten-from-its-mother-too-early\/#Do_kittens_miss_their_mom\" title=\"Do kittens miss their mom?\">Do kittens miss their mom?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/what-happens-if-you-take-a-kitten-from-its-mother-too-early\/#How_long_do_mother_cats_produce_milk\" title=\"How long do mother cats produce milk?\">How long do mother cats produce milk?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_kittens_are_separated_from_their_mom_too_early\"><\/span>When kittens are separated from their mom too early<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Kittens who are separated from their moms too early, either due to the mom\u2019s untimely death, abandonment, or an over-eager adoption, are deprived of the vital nutrients they need that they can only get from their mother\u2019s milk.\u00a0This is especially true for less than two months old kittens.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0If this is the case, the best thing you can do for the kitten is to find a mama cat who is willing to them in. If this isn\u2019t possible, the kitten must be bottle-fed with milk specifically designed for kittens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>It must be noted that any other kind of milk \u2013 including cow milk \u2013 is not suitable for kittens because most cats are actually lactose intolerant.&nbsp; Still, even with the right kind of formula milk, it pales in comparison to what mama cat has to offer.&nbsp; Kittens fed with mostly or only formula milk may not get enough antibodies they may get otherwise.&nbsp; This will stunt their growth and potentially be more prone to illness.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not all about the nutrients they\u2019re missing out on though.\u00a0 As pet owners, having a well-adjusted cat is key to having a great home life.\u00a0 Same as how our parents were our first teachers in life, kittens depend on their moms to be their teachers.\u00a0 Mama cats (and their littermates) teach their kittens how the world works and how they should behave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kitten Care : When Can Kittens Leave Their Mom?\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QeBId140YfE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kittens who didn\u2019t grow up with their mom or siblings won\u2019t know when they\u2019re taking things too far.&nbsp; What may feel like just playing for them could be bloody scratches and bites for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Early socialization that kittens can understand is very vital.&nbsp; The reason why they just <strong>won\u2019t learn the social skills<\/strong> from you two simply don\u2019t speak the same language to begin with.&nbsp; If a kitten loses their mom too early, they may develop poor learning skills.&nbsp; This is especially true for kittens who have been separated from their moms or siblings in the first two weeks of their lives.&nbsp; Cats who haven\u2019t been properly socialized at an early age may become shy or even fearful of other animals \u2013 including humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other than lacking some basic cat life skills, like how to clean themselves and how to use the litter box, kittens taken away from their moms too early may develop inappropriate behaviors like suckling on pillows or blankets.&nbsp; This is a typical sign that a cat was weaned too early.&nbsp; While not usually life threatening, unless if the cat ingests whatever it is they\u2019re suckling, it can be annoying.&nbsp; If you notice that your cat is compulsively suckling, best call a vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[crp]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_my_cat_think_Im_their_mother\"><\/span><strong>Does my cat think I\u2019m their mother?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While we can\u2019t be 100% sure what your cat thinks, it probably does not think you\u2019re the being that birthed it into this world.&nbsp; Don\u2019t fret, this doesn\u2019t mean they don\u2019t love you.&nbsp; In fact, cats can show us that they do respect us and appreciate us the same way they would their biological moms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, cats are very independent creatures.&nbsp; The memes you see online are true.&nbsp; They don\u2019t think we own them, they think we\u2019re equals \u2013 who they emotionally manipulate to take care of them.&nbsp; But let\u2019s be real, who could resist their cuteness?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_kittens_miss_their_mom\"><\/span><strong>Do kittens miss their mom?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cats are born to become independent from their moms one day.&nbsp; They\u2019re not pack animals like dogs are.&nbsp; Given enough time apart, mama cats and her <a href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/how-long-do-kittens-cry-for-their-mother\/\">kittens will forget each other.&nbsp; But, for the first few days apart from their moms and siblings, kittens will cry<\/a> out of loneliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Give your <a href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/do-kittens-need-human-interaction\/\">kittens the attention and stimulation they need<\/a>, and soon, they\u2019ll be able to acclimate to their new home and life. Pro tip is to actually adopt two littermates if you are able.&nbsp; They\u2019ll be able to amuse each and keep each other company while you\u2019re away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_do_mother_cats_produce_milk\"><\/span><strong>How long do mother cats produce milk?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mama cats can keep producing milk to up to 12 weeks.&nbsp; All this time, her kittens will try to nurse her, but she\u2019ll actually start weaning her kittens from week 8.&nbsp; Please have a chat with your vet about the nutritional needs of your mama cat while her body goes through the process of providing food for her babies.&nbsp; Your vet may recommend you to give your cat a fatter and more protein rich diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kittens depend on their moms for not only nutrition, but also to be their teacher.&nbsp; Mama Cats teach their young how do basic cat things like how to groom themselves, and social behaviors like how to make friends and how what\u2019s the right amount of aggression when playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/What-happens-if-you-take-a-kitten-away-from-its-mother-too-early_-pinterest-cover-01-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-484\"\/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Just like humans, kittens rely heavily on their moms.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0If you didn\u2019t know this already, kittens are supposed to stay with their mothers for at least 8 weeks.\u00a0 12-16 weeks<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":483,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[8],"tags":[24],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v16.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What happens if you take a kitten from its mother too early? 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