Introduction
It can be alarming for cat owners when their new mother cat starts moving her kittens into a seemingly odd location like the litter box. While concerning, this behavior most often arises from a cat’s natural instincts to hide and protect vulnerable kittens. Understanding the potential reasons behind this maternal behavior can help owners respond appropriately.
Normal Kitten Care Behaviors
It’s normal for mother cats to attentively care for their newborn kittens in the first few weeks after birth. Mother cats spend most of their time nursing, grooming, and staying close to keep the kittens warm and safe. According to The Kitten Lady, mother cats should have unlimited access to kitten food and fresh water while nursing. It’s also important to monitor the mother’s health and make sure her mammary glands do not become infected.
In the first month, kittens rely completely on their mother’s milk for nutrition. They nurse frequently, stimulated by the mother’s licking. By 3-4 weeks, the mother cat will start supplementing nursing with solid food by bringing the kittens live prey. Kittens learn to eat solid food through their mother’s example. According to the Animal Humane Society, kittens can be introduced to kitten gruel around 4 weeks, but still need to nurse until 6-8 weeks old.
Reasons for the Behavior
There are a few possible reasons why a mother cat may put her kittens in the litter box:
Scent masking: Cats have a strong sense of smell, and the litter box contains many strong odors that can help mask the scent of newborn kittens from predators. Placing the kittens in the box can help conceal their scent (Source).
Instinct: In the wild, mother cats will hide their kittens in enclosed, safe spaces away from threats. The litter box, with its walls and secluded location, can trigger this instinct in domestic cats (Source).
Stress: If the mother cat feels anxious or that the area is unsafe, she may move the kittens to a new spot she perceives as more secure, like the litter box (Source). This could be triggered by too much noise or activity near her original birthing area.
Scent Masking
Some cat experts believe that one reason mother cats may put newborn kittens in the litter box is to help mask their scent from potential predators. Kittens have a very distinct odor when they are first born that could attract unwanted attention. By placing the kittens in used litter, the scent is masked and harder for predators to detect (Source 1).
The used litter contains many strong odors that can overpower the kitten’s natural scent. The mother cat likely developed this instinctual behavior over time as a protective measure. Scent masking helps conceal the presence of vulnerable newborn kittens from predators looking for an easy meal.
Some cat owners report their cats purposefully using the litter box after giving birth, even if they normally go elsewhere. The used litter provides excellent scent camouflage. That’s why it’s important not to immediately clean the litter box after a cat gives birth. Allowing some soiled litter to remain can provide that extra protection while the kittens are young.
Instinct
A mother cat’s natural instinct is to protect and shelter her kittens. In the wild, mother cats will seek out enclosed, protected spaces like holes, boxes, or dens to safely raise their young. The enclosed space helps mask the scent of the vulnerable kittens from predators and shelters them from the elements.[1]
When a domestic cat has kittens, those innate mothering behaviors and instincts remain strong. The litter box likely seems like a good surrogate den to the mother cat – it’s an enclosed, protected space filled with familiar and comforting scents. By moving the kittens into the litter box, the mother cat is following her natural instincts to keep the kittens safe and concealed.[2]
Though unusual, a mother cat placing her kittens in a litter box is simply an expression of her natural denning and protective behaviors. As the kittens grow and become more mobile, the mother cat will likely discontinue this practice.
Stress
Stress can significantly impact a mother cat’s maternal behaviors and cause her to exhibit abnormal activities. When under stress, a mother cat may struggle to properly care for her kittens. As reported by the City of Austin’s Foster Care Manual for Nursing Mothers and Their Kittens, stress can lead mother cats to become aggressive and not attend to their babies appropriately. In severe cases, the stress may even prompt extremely unnatural actions like putting the kittens in the litter box (City of Austin).
There are many potential stressors that could cause this behavior. Loud noises, constant activity in the home, introduction of other pets, harassment from other cats, or a general lack of a quiet space for the mother and kittens can all induce stress. If the mother cat feels threatened or that her kittens are unsafe, she may resort to odd defensive behaviors in an attempt to mask their scent or hide them from perceived danger.
Reducing stressors is key to curbing the behavior. Providing the mother cat with a peaceful area away from commotion and intrusions can help her feel more relaxed and secure. Consulting with a vet to rule out any medical factors is also recommended. With proper care and attention to her stress levels, the mother cat should return to normal maternal activities and keeping the kittens solely in the nesting area.
Other Causes
While scent masking and instinct are the most common reasons for this behavior, there are some less common possibilities as well. Illness or infection could potentially lead a mother cat to move her kittens to the litter box. If the mother is not feeling well, she may seek out the enclosed, private space of the litter box to keep the kittens safe. Additionally, if the kittens have developed an infection or illness, the mother may move them in an attempt to keep the other kittens from getting sick. However, this is relatively uncommon and there would likely be other symptoms present as well. Overall, while illness can’t be ruled out completely, most of the time the cause is likely scent masking or instinctual nesting behaviors.
According to this source, if illness is suspected, it’s best to monitor the mother and kittens closely and contact a veterinarian if any concerning symptoms arise.
When to Worry
While a mother cat moving her kittens to the litter box is often harmless, there are some concerning signs to watch for that indicate a potential problem:
If the kittens seem distressed, such as crying excessively or shivering, it could mean the mother is rejecting them or unable to properly care for them. Contact your veterinarian right away if the kittens seem unhealthy or are not eating.
Likewise, if the mother cat seems distressed, anxious, or is displaying unusual behaviors, it may signify an underlying issue causing her to feel the kittens are unsafe. Have her examined by a vet to rule out any medical problems.
If the litter box itself seems dirty, or if feces are sticking to the kittens’ fur, it means the box is not being cleaned frequently enough. A dirty litter box poses health risks. Be sure to scoop waste out at least once a day.
Also watch to make sure the kittens are able to get in and out of the litter box safely. If the box has high sides, the kittens could become trapped. Provide a low-sided box or ramp if needed.
Lastly, if the mother continues trying to move the kittens after a week or so, she may be experiencing undue anxiety. Consult your vet to see if any behavioral intervention is recommended.
What to Do
If your cat continues putting her kittens in the litter box, it’s best to consult your veterinarian. This unusual behavior may indicate an underlying health issue or that your cat is experiencing stress or anxiety about caring for her kittens.
Schedule an appointment with your vet so they can give your cat a full health check. Be prepared to explain when the behavior started, how often it happens, and any other relevant details. The vet will likely want to rule out any medical causes first.
If your cat receives a clean bill of health, the vet may recommend trying behavioral modifications and environmental changes to make her feel more secure. This could include providing a comfortable, private nesting area and minimizing loud noises or household chaos that disturbs her.
It’s important not to punish or scold your cat for this behavior, as that will only add more stress. Instead, be patient and try to address the root cause. But if the litter box behavior continues consistently, consult your vet again right away. Persistent displacement of kittens could signal an urgent issue requiring medical intervention.
With professional guidance, you can get to the bottom of why your cat is carrying her kittens into the litter box and help her feel safe and relaxed caring for her new family.
Summary
A cat placing her kittens in the litter box, while concerning, is often a normal behavior. Mother cats will move their kittens frequently as part of taking care of them. Placing them in the litter box helps mask their scent from predators. It may also be an instinctual behavior or a sign of stress. As long as the kittens seem healthy otherwise, it is usually not a cause for worry.
The key takeaways are:
- Cats often move kittens to hide their scent from predators
- The litter box location provides a contained space to keep them in
- It can signal stress but is usually normal maternal behavior
- Monitor the kittens’ health but don’t be overly alarmed by this behavior
Providing a secure, low-stress environment for a mother cat and kittens is ideal. But moving kittens to the litter box is typically an innate behavior, not a cause for concern. Unless other signs of trouble arise, it is part of the natural mothering process.