Why did mother cat try to kill her 8 week old kitten?

Mother cats do not typically try to kill their 8 week old kittens. In fact, mother cats are typically very protective of their kittens and will care for them until they are old enough to be independent. There could be a few reasons why a mother cat might try to hurt her kittens, but these instances are exceedingly rare.

If you see a mother cat injuring her kitten, it is always best to err on the side of caution and reach out to a animal care professional right away.