Kittens appearto be vulnerable to a ferocious felines. This establishment of territory may include killing any kittens which may have been fathered by another male cat and have the genetic makeup of the rival male. Read on to find out! Toms like most other animals of prey have strong hunting instincts and once activated are hard to be switched off. However, consult your veterinarian first before intentionally allowing your queen to become pregnant. Kittens and tomcats can be friends, but its important to keep a few things in mind. Thats why its essential to make sure your puppy still gets plenty of structured play and exercise. Their hunting instincts kick in and they may attempt to kill the kittens. Cat experts attest that this has been observed both among feral cat colonies and in a domestic setting. Kittens are wee little bundles of joy, and it's often so hard to picture them as "grown-ups." At What Age Are Kittens Safe From Tomcats? If youre wondering whether tomcats kill kittens, the answer is yes. This website is where she gets to share her knowledge and interact with other cat lovers. If youre really in on all the action from day one, youll watch in awe as they open their eyes, carefully (and sometimes not so carefully) explore the environment around them with their nose and gradually grow into those oversized paws. Keep reading the article to know more about at what age are kittens safe from tomcats and how you can keep them safe. 3. Thats eight or so months before reaching adulthood and full-size. This is how puppies start to identify where they fit in with a group. They want to protect their territory from other tom cats. Will a male cat try to mate with a pregnant cat? In the feline world, theres no such thing as menopause. While tomcats can be any breed, shape, and color, they do all share similar physical characteristics, like a large, muscular build and a broad neck. 59, 71 They have been called "outcasts" if they settle away from other male cats and "challengers" if they are peripheral to other tomcats. Kittens are usually safe to go outside and be safe from 6 months old. If either animal seems stressed or unhappy, its best to separate them and try again another day. Scientifically dubbed the ovariohysterectomy, the spaying surgery in female cats removes both the uterus (the womb) and the ovaries (the egg storage unit). . While the majority of feline aggression is focused on other felines, it can sometimes be directed toward humans. Qualifying sales earn us a small commission from Amazon. On average, male cats live for around one to two years less than female cats, much like human men and women. Its a legitimate concern, as cats can be territorial and aggressive toward each other. This is normal developmental behavior for puppies in this juvenile phase. In terms of survival, a males cat instinct is to murder his rivals litter. Read Also, Best Automatic Cat Feeder (Top 10) 10 Best Automatic Cat Water Fountain Reviews Cat not Eating or Drinking for 3 days Here are the 7 Reasons When they mark any territory as theirs, they make sure that neither a rival tomcat nor its genes, will be allowed to stay in the territory. It can be used as a border. This could lead to him neglecting or even killing the kittens in order to ensure that the female-only has his heirs. At this age, you might see bursts of puppy energy levels and continued boundary testing. Typically, the most they'll do is As a result, the male cats hunting instinct is triggered, causing them to kill their litter. Answer (1 of 7): This happened in my house several years ago. Frightened cats may exhibit aggressive behavior. Finally, dont forget that kittens grow up quickly! At what age are kittens safe from male cats? When Does a Dog Go Into Heat After Having Puppies? Kittens up to the age of four weeks are susceptible to these violent episodes because they're underdeveloped, immobile and defenceless, and no match for their far more forceful elders. Male cats are more likely to mature into affectionate and well-adjusted members of the household. When You Breathe In Your Diaphragm Does What? Tomcats also tend to spray urine around their territory, and kittens can get sick from this. Second, tomcats are usually not neutered. In addition, well be discussing your cats pregnancy timeline, as well as how many kittens cats can have. In the Western Hemisphere, the feline breeding season slowly arrives as the weather becomes warmer and the days get longer, with the mating season running from March to December. Tom cats are known for killing kittens. Neutered cats are less likely to fight with tomcats, reducing the risk of injury or death. As male cats do not take part in raising their offspring, kitten calls and the urgency conveyed in them may not have the same relevance for them as for female cats. Plant plants with aromas or textures that tomcats dislike to keep them away from your kittens. If these two criteria are met, then the kitten is safe for early neutering. While a cat's body may look fully grown by 1 year, they are still maturing. female since they are frequently in competition with other male cats, male cats have a proclivity for killing their own kittens, queen cat would most likely be protective of her babies, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X12002087, https://www.petplace.com/article/cats/pet-behavior-training/how-mother-cats-take-care-of-kittens/, Do Black Cats Shed? This can be a great time to introduce them to other tomcats. In these instances, male cats are frequently neutered to make them less aggressive to kittens. However, not all feral cats are aggressive. That could mean games of fetch, enrichment games or long walks. These characteristics trigger a tomcats hunting instincts and they end up eating the kittens just the same way they would treat prey. Kittens can be neutered as young as eight weeks and even senior cats can be neutered if they are in good health. A queen can birth five litters a year and continue reproducing throughout her lifespan unless spayed. In part, this is down to females providing food for their kittens. If a female cat, her mate, and all resulting offspring deliver two, 2.8-kitten litters a year, heres how many cats that snowballs into within the next nine years: The half-year mark for kittens is full of milestones sporting permanent teeth, growing into her lean torso, and reaching sexual maturity. During this time, they are not yet able to defend themselves from predators. Male cats do not have a set heat period, instead, once they reach sexual maturity, they are able to fertilize any female cat which they can detect is in heat. This may cause male and female cats to process what they hear differently. Other than siring as many kittens as possible, tom cats don't tend to get involved in the raising of the kittens. At this point, they are considered adults and can fend for themselves against tomcats. This involves using different types of cat deterrents that are at the same time safe for cats. Tomcats are bigger and stronger than kittens and can hurt them if they fight. From the time your male kitten is five or six months old, the spraying may begin. Many people are concerned about letting their kittens outside for fear of them being attacked by tomcats. Cats can have kittens as early as six-months-old if they hit sexual maturity by four months, most common in feral cats and certain breeds (like Siamese). All the scientific information that is available to us shows that it is not only safe to spay or neuter a kitten that young, but better. Even if the cats had been friends before, the queen cat would most likely be protective of her babies and try to keep the other cats away. Kittens are usually raised by moms or other female cats. Some puppies are more energetic than others, which can depend on the breed or the puppys individual personality. By week 1: Open her eyes, unfurl her ears, and begin crawling. This is completely FREE for you. The key is supervision and patience. The consensus in the veterinarian community is that all young cats should undergo sterilization as soon as possible unless theres a medical reason not to or a desire to breed in the future. When a new kitten is brought into the house, this type of behavior is common. Cannibalism of kittens by male cats has been documented. To stop your female cat from having kittens, she'll need to have a simple operation known as 'spaying' before she turns four months old. Its also important to note that not all male cats can protect kittens from a tomcat attack. You will go through at What age are kittens safe from tomcats and Why do cats eat their kittens after birth? Find out in this blog post! They do this for a few reasons.\n\nFirst, tom cats are territorial. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is their obligation to keep their litter safe from animals, particularly male cats. Is it safe to spay a lactating (nursing) cat? The answer to this question depends on a few factors, but in general, kittens are safe from tomcats around the age of four months. Physical deterrents include metal or plastic wires, PVC piping on your fence, and other similar items. AskMyCats.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Tomcats are usually not present to protect their offspring, though a colony male tom may drive away any intruders that may try to come in their territory mostly to protect their space rather than to secure the young ones. Spaying and neutering your pet can be an effective and cost-efficient way to reduce the risk of injury or death to unprotected kittens in your area. First of all, it is important to introduce the two gradually. Tomcats do not usually contribute to the raising of kittens but there are a few instances when some toms tend to the young ones, supply their food, and are willing to play with them. Why would a cat steal other cats kittens? Tips on Breeding and Pregnancy. Cats can only begin to have kittens once theyve experienced their first heat. Do you still have any queries related to cats or want to share some experiences with your feline friend, why don't you join us on Facebook with other cat lovers? 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