Cat That Won't Let Newborn Kittens Suck

Newborn kittens are voracious feeders and require their mother's milk several times a day. However, at times, the mother, also known as the queen, may not let her newborn kittens suck. There could be several reasons for this, such as sickness, a huge litter or rejection. Whatever the reason, newborn kittens will be unable to survive if they are not fed, and in such cases human intervention may be necessary.

  1. Sick Mother Cat

    • A queen can develop an infection of the mammary glands known as mastitis. If you notice the infection in the initial stages, it can be controlled by applying a hot compress to the gland. This prevents the infection from spreading to other glands. However, if the infection is widespread or severe, a vet will put the queen on antibiotics. When several mammary glands are infected, the mother's refusal to feed the kittens is connected to pain avoidance. It is best to check the mammary glands every day to ensure that they are not infected. Also, keeping the nails of the newborn kittens trimmed will prevent scratches and subsequent infection of the glands.

    Sick Kittens

    • At times, a queen may not feed certain kittens in the litter. This can happen when the kittens are ill or have a life-threatening ailment. In such a case, the mother cat's natural instincts kick in, helping the healthy kittens survive. This protects the healthy kittens from contracting the illness.

    Large Litter

    • If a queen has a large litter, she may not feed the kittens, feeling she does not have sufficient milk for all of the newborns. However, this is usually apparent in the first 24 hours after the birth of the kittens. Such kittens must be hand-raised to ensure survival.

    Rejection

    • Some mother cats reject their newborns. This is usually seen in cases where the kittens are born with a genetic disorder or a physical deformity. The mother cat recognizes that the kitten will not survive and rejects. Rejection can also occur if the mother cat is a first-time mother and has no experience in nurturing and raising kittens.