It is quite common for mother cats to carry their kittens away and hide them from people. This is a natural instinct, so every cat owner should understand why it happens and know how to deal with the situation if their cat shows this behavior.
Cats are naturally cautious animals. Combined with a mother’s instinct to protect herself and her litter – just like their wild ancestors – a mother cat becomes highly alert after giving birth. She may even be wary of her owner. As a result, she often moves and hides her kittens, especially those under one month of age. So, why do mother cats hide their kittens, and what should you do when this happens?
1. WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN A MOTHER CAT HIDES HER KITTENS?
When a mother cat hides her kittens, she gently grips a kitten by the scruff of its neck with her mouth and carries it to a safer location. This is completely normal behavior and is considered a natural maternal instinct. A mother cat will move her kittens whenever she senses danger or believes their current environment is unsafe.
Image of a mother cat carrying her kitten
2. WHY DO MOTHER CATS HIDE THEIR KITTENS?
– The main reason is that the mother cat does not feel safe. Whenever she senses a threat to her kittens, she will move them to another place. She will do everything she can to protect them until they are old enough to care for themselves.
– Other common reasons include:
+ The nesting area has unpleasant odors, is damp, dirty, or uncomfortable.
+ The bedding materials are not soft enough, making the nest uncomfortable, so she looks for a better place.
+ The nest is located too high. She prefers moving the kittens to a lower, safer location to prevent them from crawling away and falling.
Image of a mother cat carrying her kitten
+ Cats prefer a flat nesting surface. Using old clothes or worn-out cushions can create an uneven surface, which many cats dislike.
+ The owner checks the nest too often or frequently cuddles and handles the kittens, causing the mother cat to feel stressed and insecure.
+ Food and water are not sufficiently available near the nesting area. The mother cat may move her kittens to a place where food is easier to access.
Therefore, during pregnancy, nursing, or after giving birth, owners should pay close attention to these factors. Identifying potential problems early will help prevent the mother cat from relocating her kittens, making cleaning and daily care much easier.
3. WHERE DO MOTHER CATS USUALLY HIDE THEIR KITTENS?
Inside the house, a mother cat may hide her kittens anywhere she considers quiet, private, and safe, such as:
– Behind the refrigerator, Inside a wardrobe or closet, Under the washing machine, In a basket of dirty laundry, Inside an unused cardboard box, Under the bed, Under a parked car, Under a desk, Any dark, secluded place, etc.
If you notice that your cat is carrying her kittens away, try to locate the new nest as soon as possible. This allows you to monitor the kittens and prevent accidental injuries or health risks.
Image of a mother cat carrying her kitten
4. HOW TO HANDLE A MOTHER CAT THAT HIDES HER KITTENS
– Keep the mother cat and her kittens safely confined in a secure cage or enclosure.
– Maintain the ambient temperature between 26–28°C (78.8–82.4°F), as newborn kittens cannot regulate their body temperature well. Place the enclosure in a quiet, well-ventilated area with soft lighting.
– If confinement is not possible and you have found the mother’s hiding place, leave it undisturbed if it appears safe. Moving the kittens again may encourage the mother cat to relocate them once more.
– Keep the food and water bowls in the same location used before the mother gave birth. If she seems frightened, simply leave food and fresh water available. She will return to eat when she feels safe or when no one is nearby.
– Regularly supplement the mother cat with digestive enzymes or probiotics to support digestion, improve nutrient absorption, and strengthen her immune system during lactation.
Hiding kittens is a completely normal maternal behavior that commonly occurs after giving birth. By understanding the reasons behind this instinct and following the recommendations above, cat owners can better care for both the mother cat and her kittens while minimizing unnecessary stress for the entire litter.