It typically takes a cat mother about a month to forget about the kittens that were taken away, especially if she was still nursing them. During the nursing period, a mother cat is incredibly protective of her kittens and will naturally feel distressed when they are separated. Ideally, keeping one kitten can help ease the mother cat's sorrow, but if that is not possible, providing comfort and support is crucial to help her gradually move on.
After about a month, a mother cat's memory of her kittens tends to fade. In the wild, it’s a natural process for mother cats to eventually drive their kittens away once they reach a certain age. This is part of the natural cycle of life, and therefore, the mother cat does not dwell on their absence for too long. While the kittens born to a mother cat may eventually need to be rehomed, they are not meant to stay by her side indefinitely. Some mother cats may experience significant mood fluctuations after their kittens are gone, while others may seem to recover within a couple of days. Typically, you will find that mother cats that have a strong reaction are usually those whose kittens were young and still nursing. On the other hand, cats whose kittens were older and no longer nursing tend to adjust much faster.
How to Comfort a Mother Cat After Her Kittens are Gone
1. Provide Ample Food and Water: Even though the mother cat may have lost her appetite, it’s crucial to ensure she has enough food and water available. Offering her favorite foods may encourage her to eat, and this can also serve as a distraction. If she refuses to eat for an extended period, it can negatively affect her health, so you may have to use other methods to encourage feeding.
2. Offer Companionship and Comfort: A mother cat that has lost her kittens will undoubtedly feel very sad. During this time, she needs her owner's companionship the most. You don't necessarily need to do a lot or say much, but simply being present and showing her that you are there for her can make a big difference.