Why would a mother cat reject her kitten?

Answer by  mmn (369)

A mother cat may reject a kitten if it has a health problem or anatomical defect. She may also reject one or more if she cannot make enough milk for the litter. Unlike other animals, cats generally do not reject kittens if they have been handled by humans.

Answer by  and1lpfan (356)

Typically the only reason a mother cat would reject a kitten in the litter is if the kitten is sick, or is the runt of the litter. I would suggest taking the kitten to the vet.

Answer by  b841b (66)

Mother cats will sometimes weed out the litter of kittens that may not be as healthy as the others or have some kind of physical defect.

Answer by  jems (194)

Usually if a mother cat rejects one of her kittens, it is an indication that something is wrong with the kitten and she does not expect it to survive.

Answer by  joem (21)

My understanding is that mother cats typically react this way when they sense that something is wrong with the new born babies. A friend who had this problem with her cat talked with the Vet. They told her this is to protect the other cats and herself from disease or cries from the sick cat that may alert predators.

Answer by  Zoe (2369)

There are probably multiple reasons why it can happen but I know it tends to happen if someone other than the mother touches that kitten too early on, or if someone expresses disapproval of that specific kitten. I'm not sure how a mother can tell you disapprove of the kitten but I know that happens.

Answer by  lilfatmeow (2)

it means the kitten is the spawn of satan and will probroly bite the hell out of your ankles