Newborn kittens

[mdsqt106]

Our cat just had a five litter of kittens three days ago. One died at birth so now there is only four. Me and my sister have been taking turns watching the mother and kittens carefully. We noticed that there is one kitten that seems to be pushed out of the group and often doesn't get to drink milk but the really weird thing was that today the mother picked the baby up by the scruff and carried it over about 3 feet away from the others to behind a bookcase after a little while she just left it and went back to the other kittens. What could she be doing?

[blue eyes ;)]

i think its a weak one that shes rejecting.you will have to feed it with a small syringe to ensure it gets fed.

[helsbels666]

Yeah sounds like the runt of the litter. It sounds cruel to us but its nature to them. They reject the weak one so as to concentrate on the healthy ones and keep resources where they will be of value. Poor little kitty. Plenty of TLC is required i think!

[jersey2471]

Hate to say it but you might not be able to save it. My dog did the same thing and despite my best efforts and the vets, the pup was unable to be saved. Don't get your hopes up.

[Catso]

The mother is doing what's natural and abandoning it. If you bring it back, she'll probably continue to suckle it (if it gets a chance) but she isn't going to make sure it gets a fair share, things just don't work like that. You could try removing 1 or 2 of the others, temporarily, to make more room for it, but don't overdo it, as they soon get cold.

This happened to us once, we tried all sorts to save it, extra food, making sure it got a share of her milk. But after all this, it never gained any weight and eventually died. You sickly kitten may well have internal problems, especially if one has already dies.

As previous ABers, sorry, but don't get too attached to it.