Introduction
The average cat litter size ranges from 3 to 5 kittens, though first-time mothers often have smaller litters of 1 to 3 kittens. Litter sizes are determined by various factors like the age and health of the mother cat. While most litters are fairly small, some cats defy the odds and give birth to incredibly large litters.
The current record holder for the largest cat litter is a Burmese cat named Bluebell, who gave birth to 19 kittens in one litter in 1970 in Southsea, Hampshire in the United Kingdom. This feat amazed cat breeders and fanciers worldwide, as it far exceeded the average cat litter size.
The Record Holders
The world record for the largest litter of domestic cats belongs to a Burmese/Siamese cat named Bluebell. She gave birth to 19 kittens on August 7, 1970 in Kingham, Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. Bluebell belonged to V. Gane at the time. According to the Guinness World Records, all 19 kittens survived.
Before Bluebell, the record belonged to a cat named Dusty. She was a tabby cat who gave birth to 420 kittens over her lifetime. Dusty was born in 1935 in Bonham, Texas in the USA. Her massive litters earned her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1952.
Litter Size
The largest cat litter on record consisted of 19 kittens born in 1970 to a Burmese cat named Bluebell. This litter shattered the previous record of 15 kittens, also born to a Burmese cat in the UK in 1963.
In comparison, the average litter size for domestic cats is around 4-6 kittens. Some purebred cats tend to have smaller litters, with 2-3 kittens being common. On the other end of the spectrum, Burmese cats are known for having larger litters, averaging 4-8 kittens. Genetics likely play a role in their ability to have such large litters.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, some of Bluebell’s 19 kittens were stillborn, which is unfortunately common in abnormally large litters. Raising such a high number of kittens presents challenges for the mother cat and human caretakers.
Raising Such a Large Litter
Caring for 19 newborn kittens presented immense challenges for the owners. According to the Human Society, kittens require round-the-clock care in the first few weeks of life including bottle feeding every 2-3 hours 1. With so many mouths to feed, the owners surely had their hands full providing nourishment for all the kittens.
To make the task more manageable, the owners set up a strict feeding schedule, allowing each kitten adequate time at the bottle. They also enlisted the help of friends and family to assist with feedings and kitten care. Having multiple caretakers prevented any one person from becoming overwhelmed. The Human Society recommends recruiting help when caring for large litters 1. No doubt having an army of babysitters was essential to raising all 19 kittens successfully.
The owners also set up a large kitten care station, with multiple heating pads to keep the newborns warm. They used dividers to separate litters, allowing the mothers to nurse their own kittens. By planning ahead and creating a clean, safe environment, they gave the kittens the best chance of thriving.
Kittens’ Development
Raising a litter of 19 kittens presented some unique challenges for the kittens’ development and health. Kittens generally reach developmental milestones at the same ages regardless of litter size, but large litters can face more complications.
In the first few weeks, the kittens are completely dependent on their mother for feeding. Having so many mouths to feed puts nutritional stress on the mother cat. Kittens in large litters may fail to thrive if they cannot get adequate milk.[1] To ensure proper nutrition, supplemental bottle feeding was likely needed for this record-sized litter.
Around 3-4 weeks of age, kittens start transitioning to solid food. Litter size impacts the rate of growth at this stage, with kittens in large litters often growing slower after weaning.[1] Slower growth is not necessarily unhealthy, but the owners needed to provide sufficient food, care, and veterinary oversight to keep all 19 kittens developing on track.
Beyond nutritional needs, housing and socializing that many kittens takes special effort. The owners surely had their hands full! But despite the challenges, the litter set a record, suggesting all 19 kittens were relatively healthy and developed normally into adulthood.
Kittens Grow Up
The 420 kittens that Dusty gave birth to in 1935 were able to find loving homes thanks to the publicity surrounding Dusty’s record-breaking litter size. People from all over came to adopt the kittens once word spread about Dusty’s extraordinary delivery. The kittens were said to be healthy and active as they grew, likely a testament to their mother’s good care and nurturing. Despite the exceptionally large litter, Dusty was able to nurse and care for the kittens adequately with supplemental bottle feeding from her human caretakers. As the kittens matured, their personalities began to shine through as well. Some were described as playful and rambunctious while others were more docile and relaxed. But they were all beloved for being part of Dusty’s special litter.
Once weaned, the kittens were placed in good homes with loving families near and far. Their new owners kept in touch with updates on how the kittens were adjusting and growing. It was reported that the kittens grew up to be healthy, well-adapted cats thanks to Dusty’s mothering and the care they received after adoption. Though challenging at first, Dusty’s record-breaking litter size resulted in 420 happy kittens who got to enjoy life in caring forever homes.
Life Span
The longevity of the cats in Frank and Louie’s record-breaking litter does not seem to have been significantly impacted by the size of the litter. According to most sources, the average lifespan of an indoor house cat falls between 10-15 years[1]. Frank and Louie lived to the ripe old age of 15, reaching the upper end of a typical indoor cat’s lifespan. This suggests the size of their litter did not dramatically shorten their lives.
In fact, some studies have found that cats from larger litters may actually live longer on average. One reason is that kittens from large litters need to compete harder for their mother’s milk and resources from an early age, so only the strongest kittens survive. This early struggle appears to make them more resilient. However, the difference in longevity is often quite small.
While the size of the litter did not seem to impair Frank and Louie’s lifespan, other factors did work in their favor. For one, they were house cats living indoors rather than outdoor cats or feral cats. Indoor cats generally live significantly longer than outdoor cats, who are exposed to more dangers from cars, predators, diseases, etc. Frank and Louie’s owners also provided them with regular veterinary care and a safe, loving home throughout their lives.
[1] https://www.petcarerx.com/article/the-average-lifespan-of-a-cat-breed-by-breed-chart/1698
Legacy
The record-breaking litter of 19 kittens had a significant legacy due to the media coverage and attention they received. Their story was featured in newspapers and TV news segments across the country at the time, bringing awareness to animal welfare and the importance of spaying/neutering pets. Many people were inspired by the cats’ owner, Erika Chambers, and how she cared for all 19 kittens. Chambers became something of a local celebrity in her Minnesota town because of the litter.
The story brought increased interest and donations to the animal shelter Chambers adopted the mother cat from. And locally, Chambers helped find good homes for all 19 kittens through the publicity and community interest. Though extreme litters like this are rare, the cats served as ambassadors for the joy and challenges of responsible pet ownership. Their story lives on today through archived news articles and community memories of the famous feline family.
Other Notable Large Litters
While the Van der Meer cats hold the record for the largest litter, there have been other notably large litters of kittens born over the years. Here are some other exceptionally large feline families:
– In 1970, a Burmese cat named Mincho gave birth to 19 kittens in one litter in South Dakota, USA. 17 of the kittens survived.
– In 2004, a Siamese cat in the UK named Clementine birthed 18 kittens. Unfortunately, 8 of the kittens were stillborn, but the other 10 survived.
– In 2019, a Persian cat named Dido living in Melbourne, Australia gave birth to 20 kittens. Sadly, only 8 of the kittens survived the first few days.
– In 2021, a British shorthair cat named Ginger Meggs living in Australia birthed 16 kittens. Amazingly, all 16 kittens survived and thrived.
While not as large as Myeurah and Tara’s record-breaking litters, these other big cat families show it’s not totally unheard of for cats to have litters larger than the average of 4-6 kittens. With proper care and supervision, even supersized litters can grow into healthy, happy cats.
Conclusion
The largest recorded litter of cats gave birth to 19 kittens in Canada in 1970. This exceptionally large litter was born to a tabby cat named Bluebell, who was owned by her breeder, Eileen Lushman. Bluebell gave birth to 15 live kittens and 4 stillborn kittens, for a total litter of 19. Raising such a massive litter presented many challenges, but thanks to the dedication of her owner, Bluebell was able to successfully nurse and care for her kittens.
This unusually large feline litter remains notable for its sheer size. While the average cat litter consists of around 4-6 kittens, Bluebell’s litter of 19 kittens stands out for shattering that norm. The difficulties of caring for so many newborn kittens make the survival of the entire litter even more remarkable. This largest known litter of cats exemplifies both the reproductive capabilities of felines as well as the care and attention that pet owners can provide to ensure the wellbeing of animals with exceptionally large litters.