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Why do feral cats hide their kittens outside?

Why do feral cats hide their kittens outside?

Feral cats or outdoor cats hide their kittens to protect them from predators. Like puppies, kittens are born blind and deaf, relying solely on their mother to keep them safe. An outdoor cat will pick a spot that is difficult to find and/or get to in order to minimize any danger to her kittens from predators.

Is it normal for cats to have kittens outside?

Often times, a cat will have kittens outside, even if the cat spends a lot of time in the home. Inside/outside cats still sometimes have their kittens outside. If your cat had kittens outside, this post can help you understand why it happened and how to help her. Cat Had Kittens – Why Does She Hide Them?

Is the mother cat good at hiding her kittens?

Unfortunately, cats are very, very good at hiding their kitties, so you have to rely on three basic methods, all relying on the mother. As is most often the case with feral cats, you’ll need to keep a sharp eye on the mother.

Where do you find a cat with kittens?

As stated earlier the most likely areas to find kittens will be in structures like sheds or under porches, in crawl spaces, or in barns. Just note the quietest spot and begin searching there. If your cat had kittens or the neighborhood cat isn’t feral, just homeless, you might be able to simply follow her back to her kittens.

Are there any outside cats in the United States?

Cats roam outside in most neighborhoods in the United States. Some are pets whose owners let or put them outside, but many are community cats who may be feral or one-time pets now stray, lost or abandoned.

Feral cats or outdoor cats hide their kittens to protect them from predators. Like puppies, kittens are born blind and deaf, relying solely on their mother to keep them safe. An outdoor cat will pick a spot that is difficult to find and/or get to in order to minimize any danger to her kittens from predators.

What kind of cats live outside the House?

These cats include community cats—friendly stray or abandoned cats as well as feral (unsocialized) cats—and owned cats let outside to roam and reproduce. Tens of millions of unowned cats live outdoors and usually rely on people to provide them with food and shelter.

Unfortunately, cats are very, very good at hiding their kitties, so you have to rely on three basic methods, all relying on the mother. As is most often the case with feral cats, you’ll need to keep a sharp eye on the mother.

Is it OK to leave a feral cat with her kittens?

We have also learned that just as it is best not to intervene with baby birds or bunnies, it is best to leave feral kittens with their mothers in their outdoor homes until the kittens are no longer nursing. Keeping a feral mother cat in the shelter for an extended period is inhumane and misguided.

Do you need a cat carrier for a feral cat?

You want the cat to stay used to the carrier.” For feral or stray cats that may not be familiar with cat carriers, your veterinarian may ask you bring them in a trap. “At the vet, the cat should receive basic vaccinations and be spayed or neutered if she or he isn’t already,” Phillips says.

Is there such thing as a female feral cat?

Feral Surprise: Believe it or not, many female feral cats are very well groomed, just like many wild cats are. However, there are some characteristic traits of older and/or male feral cats: Male feral cats that are well-fed tend to be large and muscular, as they develop these muscles fighting rival feral cats.

We have also learned that just as it is best not to intervene with baby birds or bunnies, it is best to leave feral kittens with their mothers in their outdoor homes until the kittens are no longer nursing. Keeping a feral mother cat in the shelter for an extended period is inhumane and misguided.

Feral Surprise: Believe it or not, many female feral cats are very well groomed, just like many wild cats are. However, there are some characteristic traits of older and/or male feral cats: Male feral cats that are well-fed tend to be large and muscular, as they develop these muscles fighting rival feral cats.

Is it OK to bring a community cat into a shelter?

The only reason to bring a community cat into a shelter is to spay or neuter her and then return her to her outdoor home. We have also learned that just as it is best not to intervene with baby birds or bunnies, it is best to leave feral kittens with their mothers in their outdoor homes until the kittens are no longer nursing.