A mother cat might bite her kittens for several reasons, sometimes involving the possibility of her eating them. One primary reason is that a kitten may have congenital defects or be underdeveloped. In such cases, the mother cat might indeed eat the kitten. Another contributing factor can be human scent on the kittens, or a lack of strong maternal instincts in the mother cat.
When a mother cat detects that a kitten is deformed, she may eat it. This is a harsh reality of natural selection; survival of the fittest. Deformed kittens have a low chance of survival in the wild. The mother cat might eat the weak kitten to replenish her own nutrition and then focus on caring for healthier offspring. Another scenario is if a kitten dies at or shortly after birth. Typically, mother cats will remove the deceased kitten from the nest, but some might consume them.
Following the birth of her kittens, some people, out of curiosity or concern, might handle the kittens frequently. When this occurs, the kittens acquire human scent. The mother cat may perceive this unfamiliar scent as a threat. This human scent can confuse her and make it difficult to identify her own offspring, potentially leading her to consume them. Loud noises, excessive disturbances around the nesting area, or frequent handling of the kittens can also make a mother cat feel insecure, potentially causing her to eat her young. The mother cat may perceive danger and act aggressively.
Most mother cats exhibit strong maternal instincts after giving birth, providing excellent care for their kittens. However, a small percentage of mother cats may not develop these maternal instincts. This lack of maternal instinct may mean they don’t view the kittens as their own, and they fail to provide proper care. This is more likely to occur with first-time mothers. Understanding a mother cat's behavior and creating a safe and undisturbed environment is crucial for the well-being of both mother and kittens. Proper kitten care from birth can avoid any such incidents.