Will Momma Cat Feed The Foster Baby or Not? How Does a Momma Cat Feed Her Babies?

How does a Momma cat feed her babies? During the first four weeks of life, a kitten requires mother’s milk to thrive. The mother’s body prepares for delivery, and this may include stopping to eat altogether. If the mother cat is ill, she may not be able to produce enough milk to care for her babies or may even reject them altogether. In these cases, it is best to help her nurse the babies by feeding them with a bottle.

It is also important to understand that momma cats are not necessarily aggressive during this time. The protective instincts of mothers are triggered by hormones and a cat that feels threatened is likely to kill her babies. As a result, you may have to take over feeding until the kittens are old enough to handle solid food. In general, moms will leave their babies for a period of time while they nurse or take care of other aspects of the cat’s life.

Initially, the mother cat will gently stimulate the kittens after birth by licking them. While they need a little stimulation to breathe, the mother cat will also lick the anal glands. Ideally, kittens will nurse one to two hours. If a kitten isn’t nursing, you can rub its nipple to stimulate digestion. Once the kitten is old enough to move around independently, they will not need assistance passing waste.