Behavior of Stray Momma Cat
By Mandie
@mandiesue (16)
United States
August 14, 2016 8:47pm CST
We have a lot of stray cats in our neighborhood. I've been feeding a female cat (that was probably recently abandoned) because she was pregnant and had 5 kittens about three weeks ago. I've seen stray mother cats and this one acts like no other mamma cat I've cared for.
She started bringing us one cat, just bring the kitten when she wanted food. Then leaing it on our porch. At first we thought she only had one, as she left the cat for 2 days on our porch. My son then found her other cats, in our neighbors shed. So we put the kitten back. Now it's gotten so bad she'll bring 1-2 kittens, usually different ones, she then eat and leave them on our porch. These cats are only 2 weeks old, not old enough to go anywhere themselves or to take care for themselves. I don't understand why she's doing this. They stay on our porch screeching until we put them back in the neighbors shed. The mom cat doesn't come for any she leaves on our porch and usually leaves them crying. The few mother cats I've cared for have never packed their kittens around and left them alone. Has anyone ever seen a cat do this or had this experience, or have an opinion about why she does this? Is she just a bad mom? I have four indoor cats so I can't take in anymore cats or I would.
3 people like this
2 responses
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
15 Aug 16
Sometimes the feral cats in our area will abandon kittens that are sickly. I think the mama's know when their kits are not going to make it, so they leave them to let nature run its course.
But she could just be a bad mom.
Ooooor maybe she's leaving them as a gift. You know, asking you to take care of her babies?
1 person likes this
@Jackalyn (7558)
• Oxford, England
15 Aug 16
It sounds to me like she thinks she has found a good home for her kittens and is in a muddled way trying to make sure they are fed. Perhaps she thinks this is their best chance of survival?