Are you curious why a mother cat often carries her kittens to you after giving birth? Does it mean she no longer wants them, or that she’s “giving them” to her human caregiver? Is it because she trusts us so much? After raising cats for a while, you’ll realize that’s not actually the case—there are actually several other reasons behind this behavior!
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The Cat Wants You to Help Take Care of the Kittens
Taking care of kittens is no easy task, and the mother cat can get completely exhausted. As the kittens grow day by day, their appetite increases, and the mother cat has to nurse them and clean their bodies, keeping her constantly busy. She doesn’t get enough sleep, can’t eat properly, and hardly has time to play. Seeing that you regularly provide her with food and water, she may assume you could help care for her kittens too.I’ve also encountered a situation where a mother cat brought her kittens over to me. One day, my cat “Dami” carried a kitten to the area where I keep her toys, then pawed at the toys and looked at me. That’s when I realized she wanted me to help make a more comfortable nest for the kitten, or watch over it while she went out to hunt or explore.
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The Mother Cat Thinks They’re Your Kittens
Cats have a peculiar way of perceiving the world. In their eyes, you might have a special relationship with them, so they may believe the kittens are somehow connected to you. As a result, she brings her kittens to you, almost as if completing a handover ritual, “returning” her little ones to you.
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The Mother Cat Isn’t Producing Enough Milk
As the kittens grow, their appetite increases. If the mother cat can’t produce enough milk, she becomes anxious. She may carry her kittens around you, especially when you’re eating, hoping you might provide extra food or find a solution. Watching her hungry little ones, she feels stressed and helpless, sending you a clear SOS signal.
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The Mother Cat Thinks Your Place Is Safe
Safety is a big deal in a cat’s world. Even minor changes at home don’t escape their notice. For example, if a new pet or piece of furniture appears, introducing unfamiliar smells, the mother cat may become nervous. She searches the house and eventually notices that your spot is relatively quiet and stable, so she brings her kittens there. In her mind, it seems like a good place for her babies to stay safe—not necessarily because she trusts you 100%.
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The Kittens Might Be Sick
A mother cat knows she can’t cure her kittens’ illnesses. Seeing them in pain makes her anxious. She may think you have the ability to help, since you often provide food and take them to the vet. She carefully carries her sick kitten to you, eyes full of helplessness, hoping you can do something to make it better. At this point, you must take the kitten seriously. If the mother cat feels the kitten’s chances of survival are slim, she might even resort to eating it.
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To Share Joy or Show Off
Cats love to show off when they catch a mouse or learn a new skill, and giving birth to kittens is no different. The mother cat is proud in her little world, and she sees you as part of her family. With her adorable little ones, she naturally wants to share the joy. She carefully carries a kitten to you, places it down gently, and then sits nearby, eyes sparkling, as if saying: “Look at my little cutie—aren’t they adorable?”
What do you think a mother cat is trying to communicate when she carries her kittens to you?
