It's distressing when a mother cat seems to forget her kittens after just a few days apart. This often happens because the kittens have lost the mother's scent, which is crucial for recognition. To help a mother cat and her kittens bond again, you can try applying some of the mother's urine to the kittens. This method can effectively reintroduce them.
The primary reason for this lack of recognition is that during the separation, the kittens may have picked up foreign scents, masking the mother's familiar odor. Mother cats heavily rely on scent to identify their offspring. When that scent fades, she may no longer recognize the kittens as her own. It's a natural, albeit disheartening, occurrence, highlighting the importance of scent in feline maternal bonding. This separation disrupts the established bond, causing confusion and the apparent rejection of the kittens.
How to Reintroduce a Mother Cat to Her Kittens
Since mother cats primarily identify their kittens by scent, applying the mother's urine to the kittens can help them be recognized again. When the mother cat smells her urine on her kittens, she will often begin to accept them as her own, nurturing and nursing them. It is generally advised to keep kittens with their mothers for at least a month. This ensures the kittens get vital colostrum which helps their immune systems and general development. Keeping mother and kittens together is essential for their well-being during this critical early stage. This method enhances the kittens’ scent profile, assisting the mother in re-establishing her maternal bond. Therefore, introducing the familiar smell of the mother cat can be the key to a successful reunion between mother and her kittens. This careful approach will help reinforce the crucial link and bond between them.