It’s not easy to deal with the loss of a kitten but it’s important to act appropriately. When it comes to handling a dead kitten, your actions will play a role in the overall development of the litter. It’s essential to take your time and understand what your options are in this situation. The first question to ask is, should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?
Yes, it’s recommended to remove a dead kitten from the litter. In the wild, a mother cat would relocate its litter and/or eat the dead kitten. Otherwise, decomposition can harm the other kittens leading to multiple deaths or illness.
This is why as a cat owner, you should look to remove the dead kitten safely from the litter. It’s the right decision for everyone involved.
Key factors include:
- Decomposition
- Health of the Litter
- Location of the Litter
Most mother cats will already be in tune with the negative effects of a dead kitten on the other kittens. This is something they are genetically trained to do and that is what their actions would show in the wild.
Since you are not dealing with a wild cat, you will have to take action.
This is when asking “Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?” is a nice starting point. It will help ease you into the process while making sure the right steps are taken.
This article is going to look at a few reasons for removing the cat when asking “Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?” and why it is the right thing to do.
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Reasons to Remove a Dead Kitten From The Litter
1. Decomposition
The main reason to remove a dead kitten from the litter has to do with decomposition.
A lifeless kitten is going to naturally decompose. This is a fact of life and that is why it’s important to avoid the decomposition to take where the other healthy kittens are.
This can lead to bacteria-related concerns along with potential infections upon interaction with the dead kitten. As a result, most mother cats will attempt to eat the dead kitten to get them out of the way.
In general, mother cats are already aware of the negative effects of a dead kitten in their litter. This is why they are genetically coded to act in the manner they do.
For those asking “Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?” you are going to want to get in front of this. There is no reason for the dead kitten to be eaten as long as you are taking action.
2. Increased Risk of Infection and Health Issues
There is a natural increase in infections when a dead kitten remains near the litter.
These health issues can be avoided as long as you remove the dead kitten safely. Letting things continue as they are is not the right way to go.
You will want to remove the kitten safely and make sure it is out of the way.
For those asking “Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?” this is one of the major issues with leaving a dead kitten near the mother cat.
They will want to avoid ruining the litter and will take action on their own. This is why you will want to act as soon as you can!
3. Prevents Consumption of the Dead Kitten
This is a fact you will have to come to terms with.
The mother cat isn’t going to grieve over the dead kitten. Instead, she is going to try to eat the dead kitten to preserve the others as a way to protect those who are living.
By removing the dead kitten, you are going to ensure it doesn’t get consumed.
When asking “Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?”, this is one of the reasons most cat owners have to act fast.
If you wait too long, the mother cat will do her duty.
Related Questions
1. Should I Let My Cat See Her Dead Kitten?
Yes, it is recommended to let a mother cat see her dead kitten. If the mother cat doesn’t see her dead kitten, she may continue to look for it and remain uneasy. This acts as closure and allows her to focus on the healthy kittens in her litter.
2. What Do Mother Cats Do With Dead Kittens?
In the wild, mother cats will consume their dead kittens to preserve the health of their litter. Some will move the litter to help protect the other kittens.
Final Thoughts
“Should I remove a dead kitten from the litter?”
It’s recommended to immediately remove a dead kitten from the litter. This will ensure the mother cat doesn’t eat the dead kitten as a way to preserve her litter.
However, do make sure the mother cat knows her kitten has passed away or she will continue to look for it.
Here is more on cats – calming down a male cat, dealing with a kitten that is about to die, cats that make bird-line noises, and finding a quality scratching post for cats.