tom cat and new born kittens

by john
(tennessee)

why does my tom cat seem to want to harm newborn kittens ?

Answer by Kate
Hi
well you have not given me a lot to go on here. I'm not sure what you mean by harm.

there is an unusual situation that occurs sometimes after a mother cat gives birth where she goes into a false heat and starts to give off the scent of a cat in heat. this drives the male cats wild with desire and when the female cat refuses them they try to mate with the kittens. this is impossible but can look like the tom is hurting the kittens as he grabs them by the neck etc.

If this is happening you need to make sure the male cat is kept away from the kittens as sometimes the kittens can get hurt.

Best wishes Kate

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