Why does a cat bite its kittens?

The birth of offspring for cats is a very stressful moment, as well as the birth activity itself. Probably, in this case, women can understand animals, because giving birth to a child is also not a small stress. For this reason, many cats change their behavior and character after the birth of kittens. You can often notice how a newly mummy mom drags kittens by the scruff of his neck, bites or even hits with his hind legs, forcing the babies to squeak. As a rule, the owners, having caught such a picture, begin to think that something is wrong with the animal, and they sound the alarm. However, in fact, not always biting your own offspring indicates the presence of aggression in a cat.

Bites, then educates

Newly made mother cats immediately after birth face a rather difficult and serious task. In a very short time they need to teach their kids everything that they can do. This is necessary in the first place so that kittens can continue to live independently. After all, the survival instinct in animals is much more developed, and, therefore, the acquired skills will allow them to live in any conditions.

There is no reason for concern if a cat bites its kittens lightly without leaving any painful marks on their skin. Most often, cats bite offspring until the kitten makes a loud squeak. After this, the cat, as a rule, lets the baby go, taking into account that he understood the lesson.

Biting as a way to calm kittens and protect

If we compare the psychology of representatives of the cat family and the psychology of people, then, of course, we can say that they are completely different. However, some fairly striking similarities can be noted in our behavior. For example, cats, like humans, have their own methods of raising kittens, as well as protecting and protecting them from danger.

If people try to calm unbelted babies by slightly slapping them in the pope, then the cat performs approximately the same action by biting the kitten in the scruff. A cat-mother may well get angry, and thus punish a baby who suddenly became cheerful and rushes around the house, noticing anything in its path. Sometimes adult cats also repulse kittens who are in a playful mood and do not allow their mother to relax and replenish their strength.

Often cats bite their offspring by scruff of their neck, preventing them from getting out of the box or other specially equipped place for them. This usually happens if the cat believes that it is too early for the kids to roam around the apartment. A mother-cat can bite and even angrily hiss if she sees that the kittens have gone to the balcony or to another dangerous place, in her opinion.

Do not worry if you witness a cat grabbing a kitten by the scruff of the neck, dragging it somewhere, and then letting it go. Most likely, she does not at all strive to inflict any harm on him, but, on the contrary, tries to protect him in this way. Sometimes, in an attempt to protect his kitten from the perceived danger, the cat can harm the baby by taking his teeth carelessly. As a rule, this happens the first time, over time, a young mother learns to do it right.

Hunting training

For many, it becomes a surprise for a cat to behave while it teaches kids to hunt. Moreover, people do not always understand that what is happening is just a lesson that does not carry any danger. As a rule, during such classes, a cat-mother can catch a kitten with her front paws, hold it pretty tight, and start to beat him with her hind legs.At the same time, the cat bites and licks the baby in order, in addition, it can also purr, making it clear to the kitten that he is doing everything right. From the outside, this behavior may seem very strange. In fact, a cat mom just shows her kids how to grab a victim and then suppress it. These skills can be useful to young cats also in order to further defend their territory. Over time, it will be possible to notice that the kittens begin to practice the learned techniques on each other.

Later, when the kittens become more adult, and will already move around the apartment, it will be possible to observe new lessons, which will include the pursuit skills and hunting jumps. Here, mom will show by her own example how to carefully track the victim, sneak, and then attack. It is possible that the victims will be households. Well, then, kittens will also work out the knowledge gained, both on each other and on mom.

Trained to the tray

Many smart cats also immediately instill their kittens and skills of walking on demand in a strictly designated place, that is, in the tray. In this case, it will also be possible to observe biting or pawing in the event that the kitten does not want to understand mom.

Games or not?

When do bites reflect aggression?

It’s not difficult to understand that a cat-mother is aggressive towards her kittens. While learning to play games, in spite of nibbling, the cat remains gentle and affectionate sweat towards offspring, it periodically licks and caresses them. Biting, as a rule, is very neat and does not leave marks on the body. If you notice that the cat constantly leaves painful marks from bites or claws on the skin of the kittens, then most likely there is a problem. In addition, in the case of aggression, the cat usually constantly hisses at the kittens.