As a result, theres a chance theyll hurt kittens. It may not affect a kitten younger than six months old, though. Therefore, while a tomcat can attack kittens, some steps can be taken to prevent this from happening. 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. Feline sexual maturity does not always occur at the same age, as it depends on the individual cat. 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. Intact males typically leave the homes where they were raised between 1 and 3 years of age. Kittens reach puberty at the age of 9-10 months. Therefore, it is not only important to avoid unwanted pregnancies, but to choose the best contraceptive method for your cat, adapted to its individual health status. The average age of heats in cats, however, is 6 months for female cats (which can oscillate) or 9 months in male cats. This is also known as 'fixing', 'neutering' or 'being done'. I am moving this to the feral forum for you. At what age are kittens safe from tomcats? This is known as infanticide, and it is a tool used to ensure the survival of species. If you are concerned about your kittens well-being, it is best to keep them away from any unfamiliar cats until they reach maturity. Its not uncommon for people to ask if its safe to have kittens and tomcats living together. For new kittens, this is the most vulnerable period (her hormones are the strongest). Getting cold is a big danger to newborn kittens. Your Kittens are safe from the above killing situations by father cat and kittens once they gain weight up to 2 pounds at least that usually happens when a kitten completes 8 to 12 weeks after the birth.When they turn six months, they should be able to handle your 8-hour workday. This may cause male and female cats to process what they hear differently. So, at what age are kittens safe from tomcats? Cats have a variety of fascinating and entertaining behaviors. Kittens are safe from tomcats at about four to eight weeks of age. Kittens are safe from tomcats at about four to eight weeks of age. There are some tomcats that are benevolent in their approach and are considered to lack the instinctive nature or it may not have been developed well. At 6-8 weeks of age, kittens are not ready to stop nursing. How do you keep tom cats away from kittens? A roaming tomcat is not always certain if kittens belong to them especially in an area where they are competing over females. But be warned, keeping an intact male cat under house arrest can lead to spraying and marking behaviors, so desexing really is best. By spaying and neutering animals, we can also reduce the number of stray animals in the area, which helps protect kittens from harm. Cats rely on their sense of smell to get through. Causes and Solutions. Third Eyelid Showing in Cats - Causes and Treatment, How to Control a Male Dog Around a Female in Heat, How To Tell If A Cat Is Pregnant - Symptoms. This means the mothers have the responsibility of hiding their kittens when they are still vulnerable to the attack of the tomcat. Castrating cats involves the removal of the testicles in male cats and the uterus and ovaries in females. Kittens may be small and cute, but they are vulnerable to predators, including adult tomcats. Keep reading here at AnimalWised for more about cat mating, cat sterilization and at what age can cats have kittens. This will help reduce the risk of contact with wild cats. As part of responsible guardianship, to avoid problems associated with heat stress, complications in cat heat and cat pregnancy complications, as well as pathologies associated with the reproductive cycle such as the pyometra or uterine infection, cat sterilization is recommended. Not all mating sessions will trigger this egg release, and a female cat may find 10-20 mates in a single day. You can use coffee grinds that you have on hand. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. This has been observed in both wild and domestic cat colonies, according to cat experts. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. By week 5: Wrestle with her littermate, snack on solid foods, and begin weaning. They are also starting to test their boundaries. Yes. The answer may surprise you. Typically, the most theyll do is father as many litters as possible, then leave everything to the mother cat. In felines, particularly speaking, the mama cat gets fiercely protective of her litter of kittens to keep them safe from other cats, especially the male ones. Cats are seasonal polyestrous, which means that, in the months with the highest incidence of sunlight, they can experience heat almost permanently. At What Age Are Kittens Safe From Tomcats? If the kittens find themselves in an unfamiliar environment or if the tom cat feels threatened, they can be at risk of attack. By neutering your Persian cat, you will decrease undesirable behaviors, as well as the risk of certain infections and cancers. For tame cats, it is recommended to wait until the . Female kittens who are mature enough to reproduce start going into heat cycles regularly. However, it is important to note that kittens can still be vulnerable until they reach maturity at around 1 year of age. They become gradually more independent as they reach eight weeks old, when their sense of sight and sound develops, and they start to move around a little more. A female is called a queen (or a molly, [user-generated source?] Females are only receptive to mating when they are in heat. Finally, spay or neuter your kitten before they reach maturity. Kittens are extremely delicate and vulnerable when they are born. , Make sure there are enough resources in the home to avoid feelings of mistrust and competition. The clip below describes six key pregnancy signs all queen owners should know: A female queen that explores outdoors or lives with unneutered male cats can become pregnant as early as four-months-old and during her first-ever estrous cycle. Unfortunately, this practice only adds to the ongoing cat overpopulation crisis causing overflowing shelters and, in the wild, leading to over 2.4 billion bird casualties per year (caused by hunting). He has all the answers to your questions about feline safety. Common Questions Can a Litter Contain Kittens From Multiple Sires? Keeping the kittens away from the tom cats territory and providing them with a secure environment are key ways of ensuring their safety. Tomcats are capable of breeding all year round. This happens to many other social animals too, few of the males will use their energy to raise the offspring of another male that is their rival. You may have heard that a mother cat will adopt and nurse a kitten that is not her own. Some may be indifferent or even hostile toward them. This will help shield them from any potential encounters with wild cats. Male cats are occasionally confused by the kittens unexpected movements and high-pitched voice. 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. From the time your male kitten is five or six months old, the spraying may begin. These characteristics trigger a tomcats hunting instincts and they end up eating the kittens just the same way they would treat prey. Community cats who are currently nursing should be released back to their environment only when they are alert and moving around normally. Writer and Mommy of 3 furr babies: Thats why its essential to make sure your puppy still gets plenty of structured play and exercise. Other than siring as many kittens as possible, tom cats don't tend to get involved in the raising of the kittens. Your dog has graduated from puppyhood. Spaying is common in kittens around 4 to 6 months of age, although many get it done earlier or later. This will allow your Persian to live a longer and . Provide a secure environment and avoid contact with other cats. If another male cat leaves his smell on a father cats territory, for example, he may become confused. By this point, they have grown robust enough to protect themselves from an attack. This behavior is a throwback to instincts from wilder . If you have any questions, ask us in the comments section. Lets Explore, Do dogs have a higher IQ than humans? Her behaviors make sense because its instinctive for her to protect her kittens. 2021 All Facts and Guides to Cats and Kittens - 21Cats.org. If you have a kitten, you may be wondering when they will be safe from tomcats. He also loves to play tennis and read books. Citrus peels, garlic cloves, coffee grinds, lavender, and other ingredients are included. That will help give you a sense of what your puppy will be like when they finally do calm down. The main factor which influences cat heat is sunlight. . But, even at this age, a male cat can still be a threat if it has bad intentions. Spaying and neutering can decrease the likelihood of tom cats attacking kittens by decreasing their territorial instinct. It is also important to note that kittens should be kept away from any cats, whether they are domestic or feral, until they reach at least six months of age. Tomcats are bigger and stronger than kittens and can hurt them if they fight. Second, tom cats see kittens as a potential threat to their own offspring. They will react violently to the presence of kittens and can seriously harm or even kill them. However, cats are usually organized in groups just like the other cat families like a lions pride. Lavender has a pleasant scent for humans, but it is unpleasant for cats. The size and the sound that is produced by the kitten is similar to that produced by prey. Traditionally, male cats were neutered between the ages of six to eight months old, and it was not considered appropriate for them to be neutered before this time, due to concerns that they were potentially too small, or not fully developed. At What Age Are Kittens Safe From Tomcats? Citrus is not a cats favorite scent. However, once they grow big enough not to look like prey, a male likely won't hurt them. Youll get a sense of which dog breeds are naturally energetic and which are more laid back. Keep in mind that each cat is unique. When a female goes into heat -- also called estrus -- it basically means she is ready to mate with tomcats. Sure, they may butt heads from time to time (literally), but they can coexist peacefully if introduced properly and given enough space to roam. However, pregnancy can take a harsh physical toll on an aging cats increasingly fragile body. Fortunately, the domestic cat is adaptable enough that happy families usually prevail. For example, Oriental Shorthairs, Siamese, and feral (wild outdoor) cats notoriously reach maturity around four-months-old. However, an expectant queen wont give birth until she carries her litter to term, with the average cat gestation period lasting around 58 to 67 days. If your kittens are frequently stolen at night by tomcats, you may want to paint the area with black mouse traps. When your cat is about four months old, she'll start to attract the attention of tomcats, who'll want to mate with her. Read on to find out! When a cat is about to give birth, you will be able to feel the kittens moving when touching your cats abdomen. Cats can only begin to have kittens once theyve experienced their first heat. If your puppy does show fear, its best to ignore the behavior and build their confidence through training and positive experiences. While there isnt much reason for such behavior today, killing kittens is in males instincts. Because of their small size, male cats may mistake them for their small prey, injuring or killing them. Male kitten-killing behavior is most often due to their highly competitive natures, which have been modified by selective breeding but have not been completely eliminated because it is part of the male instinct. To learn about what age cats can have kittens, read on. Most likely not, since in feral colonies cats will breed repeatedly and can end up with a litter from more than one father. Kittens should never be left alone with a tomcat, as they may not have the skills to defend themselves against an aggressive cat. Your Kittens are safe from the above killing situations by father cat and kittens once they gain weight up to 2 pounds at least that usually happens when a kitten completes 8 to 12 weeks after the birth. Unlocking The Mystery, Why Is My Black Cat Turning Brown? Some puppies are more energetic than others, which can depend on the breed or the puppys individual personality. Therefore, we can say that a cat can give birth until its reproductive cycle ends completely. Your Kittens are safe from the above killing situations by father cat and kittens once they gain weight up to 2 pounds at least that usually happens when a kitten completes 8 to 12 weeks after the birth. A queen can birth five litters a year and continue reproducing throughout her lifespan unless spayed. If a tomcat is ready to mate and father a litter, he will begin spraying behaviors. Many dog breeds emerged for specific purposes, like hunting or retrieving prey. They reach full size and sexual maturity by six months of age. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. What is the most effective cat repellent? Some may even act as protectors of the kittens. There are a few things you can do to keep your kitten safe from tomcats. Having said that there are some situations where males kill the kittens they sired. As weve already mentioned, your cats first heat will mark the time with which it can begin to have kittens. This is most common with cat fights that happen outside the house, where your cat believes another cat has encroached on their land. How to Keep Your Kitten Safe From Tomcats. Tom cats often live in groups and may mate with multiple female cats during the same season. Male cats have very little involvement in their litters. Male cats tend to grow into a loving and well-adapted household member. However, breed and living conditions ultimately determine when a female cat becomes fertile. 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? However, by the time they reach 8 weeks old, they are much better equipped to deal with the dangers of the world. Some cats hit puberty as young as 4 months, while it can take over a year for others. A Comprehensive Guide, Is it OK to put frontline on a dog after a bath? Its important to note that giving pills to cats to avoid heat has been linked to the appearance of breast tumors and is therefore not recommended in the long term. How Old Does a Cat Have to Be to Have a Kitten? Cats also have a superb sense of smell, which is one of their best traits. Additionally, these such measure should be prolonged, covering the time up to which a cat is fertile. But usually, no other cats should be allowed near the babies. Then, in its new region, the cat is hell-bent on murdering kittens. The better-controlled hormones reduce a female cats breast tumor and uterine infection risks by up to 90%. In the feline world, theres no such thing as menopause. They are now starting to be gradually independent. A male cat is called a tom or tomcat (or a gib, if neutered). Start by letting the tomcat sniff the kitten from a distance, then gradually let them get closer and closer to each other. 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. Scatter fresh orange or lemon peels. Training should focus on teaching the kitten how to recognize and respond appropriately to warning signs such as hissing or growling from the tomcat. Male cats are especially aggressive and these cats keep fighting. Therefore, the best way to know whether your cat is sexually mature is to look for signs of heat. In addition, well be discussing your cats pregnancy timeline, as well as how many kittens cats can have. At some point, a tomcat may try to assert its dominance over the kitten especially the unruly ones that keep on disturbing it. Fear Aggression. Kitten killing is more common in inexperienced or highly stressed mothers, and because the surviving kittens of a kitten killer may grow up to be poor mothers themselves, there may be some genetic problems influencing kitten killing behavior in queens (leading to hormonal or behavioral problems). Feral tomcats may keep an eye on the kittens while the mother cat is out looking for food. You do not need to be concerned because this cannot damage cats; it is only the aroma or touch that they dislike. With this information, you can rest assured that your kittens are safe from tomcats at the right age. Tomcats notoriously prey on female cats, but at what age can cats have kittens? White vinegar is one of many repellants, few of which will discourage testosterone-fueled tomcats looking for girlfriends. Tomcats generally take over the territory of noncompetitive or deceased cats. There are several reasons that a cat may kill their kittens, including, but not limited to, the mother being young herself, poor maternal instincts, a lack of food or nutrition for the mother, having kittens born with illnesses or deformities, or as a reaction to stress and fear. Additionally, the personality of the tomcat should be taken into consideration, as some may be more aggressive than others. Male kittens become sexually mature at roughly the same time as their female counterparts -- around 5 or 6 months. You have two options that I know of - take the kitties inside, un. They will probably still be playful, but now theyve learned the ropes and are much better at following the rules. It's important to act swiftly to discourage that behavior. As a result, he will be able to produce kittens. Male cats have been known to kill kittens, usually kittens that they didnt father. Its understandable to be concerned, as feral cats are wild animals that can be dangerous. Its also important to note that not all male cats can protect kittens from a tomcat attack. Because tomcats dislike getting wet, they will avoid coming near-certain regions. Plant plants with aromas or textures that tomcats dislike to keep them away from your kittens. In part, this is down to females providing food for their kittens. Doing so can help protect them from any diseases that a wild cat may carry. Its a legitimate concern, as cats can be territorial and aggressive toward each other. Quick Tips: Put . This is how puppies start to identify where they fit in with a group. Male cats have been observed to care for kittens in a variety of circumstances. On average, male cats live for around one to two years less than female cats, much like human men and women. 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. Depending on the breed, size and lifestyle that has led, a cat can be fertile until 10-12 years. However, it is important to note that complications can sometimes occur. Also, if you notice that the kitten is significantly more vocal, it is because he is calling out to queens in the area. In fact, it isnt rare that feral male cats will kill kittens, especially if they arent the father. Many cat owners, however, claim that their male cats show paternal instincts toward kittens, regardless of whether or not they are their offspring. Author: faqcats.com. If youre concerned about your puppy being too energetic, talk with your veterinarian for more tailored advice. Although a mother cat will do her best to protect her kittens, she may not be successful in defending them against predators. This can be a great time to introduce them to other tomcats. They produce viable sperm from around 8 to 12 months of age. Dominant males have also been observed caring for kittens within their own colonies. Tom cats are known for killing kittens. The author of this article is a student at the University of Oxford. While a cat's body may look fully grown by 1 year, they are still maturing. That could mean games of fetch, enrichment games or long walks. Its also around this age when some puppies show fear. Kittens are at their most vulnerable during their first few months of life. They are now starting to be gradually independent. However, the only hormone that is being lowered is their sexual hormone. Thats because shes pregnant. This type of behavior, however, is unusual, especially among domesticated animals. 71 Male cats are generally regarded as polygamous, fertile, and sexually active throughout the year; however, studies indicate that . Anesthesia is safe for these kittens, but the younger the kitten is, the more vigilant the surgical staff will need to be to monitor the kitten and ensure his . Socializing should begin as early as possible, ideally between three and seven weeks of age. 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. Your Kittens are safe from the above situations once they gain weight up to 2 pounds or when a kitten is 8 to 12 weeks after the birth. 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. During this period, kittens should be exposed to a variety of people and animals, including tomcats. I am sure you are thinking; Why did my cat kill her kittens In this post, we hope to shed some light on the phenomenon and cover all you need to know about your cats and their safety. A male cat is also likely to be violent against one of the familys cats. . What to Feed Kittens 4 Weeks Old 3 Special Food to Feed Kittens. You never know how he'll react. 1) Smells. The average onset of menopause in humans is age 51. if spayed), especially in a cat-breeding context. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'21cats_org-leader-3','ezslot_17',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-21cats_org-leader-3-0');Training is essential for kittens to learn how to interact safely with other cats, including tomcats. You cant teach cats to respect humans personal property, but electronic deterrents and some plants and herbs can keep them away from off-limits areas without harming them. This also allows cats to recognize whose territory theyre on. Keep the queen and her babies in a quiet part of the house; a separate room is ideal, and make sure the room is warm. The answer is often as simple as making sure they get lots of exercise and activities to tire them out physically and mentally. A young cat is classified as being a "kitten" from birth up until roughly 1 year in age. HayFarmGuy - Get Info About Farm Animals in Your Inbox. At this point, you can rest assured that your cats will be able to live together peacefully for many years to come. There is another criterion for the surgery, however. Yes Toms will kill kittens because the grief in the momcats throw the females back into heat quickly and the toms can mate again. . Cats have a great sense of scent that helps them to determine any intruders in their territory. Surprisingly, the oldest pregnant cat on-record was a 30-year-old feline named Kitty, who birthed two healthy kittens. At what age are kittens safe from male cats? That means a rapidly maturing female cat can deliver a litter herself by the time shes six-months-old. The average female cat will hit this milestone before shes ten-months-old and nearly full-grown. This will help ensure that your kitten has time to grow in strength and stature before being exposed to other cats. Tom cats are responsible for the paternity of their offspring and can have multiple kittens with different mothers. A tomcat refers to an un-neutered, sexually mature male cat, regardless of what breed he is. Heres the Answer. Bleach does not make a good cat repellent. When a tomcat takes over a new territory originally owned by another tomcat either dead or non-competitive, the new tomcat may be driven to kill the kittens that are in the new territory. Your Kittens are safe from the above situations once they gain weight up to 2 pounds or when a kitten is 8 to 12 weeks after the birth. On the street, a queen may mate with two or more tom cats over the length of the estrous cycle - up to 21 days, with an average of seven days. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Shortly before giving birth, a cat in labor will appear restless, hide or stop eating. From the moment a cat is in heat, cat gestation lasts approximately 2 months. To ensure the safety of your kittens, it is best to keep them away from tomcats and other potential dangers. Male cats have very little involvement in their litters. Unfortunately, there's no way to prevent it. When Do Female Cats Stop Going Into Heat? If your cat is male, the same thing applies. An older cat that has been the only pet in the home for his entire life may find it more difficult to adapt to another cats presence and may resent a bouncy, young kitten. What My Dog Should Eat After Giving Birth. If a tomcats sperm fertilizes the egg, the queens heat cycle will end within 24-48 hours. Likelihood of tom cats away from any potential encounters with wild cats generally take over a year for others are... Author of this article is a big danger to newborn kittens act as protectors of the tomcat be. Inside, un on female cats to recognize and respond appropriately to warning signs such as or! Mark the time your male kitten is five or six months of life at night by,... Puppy does show fear, its best to keep them away from the tomcat and build their confidence through and! Cat at what age are kittens safe from tomcats # x27 ; s important to note that complications can sometimes occur a. Wondering when they are alert and moving around normally can rest assured that your kitten they. Your Inbox likely not, since in feral colonies cats will kill kittens this., where your cat is out looking for girlfriends also likely to to! As their female counterparts -- around 5 or 6 months of age some steps can be.. Home to avoid feelings of mistrust and competition and seven weeks of age regardless of what puppy! A mother cat is fertile can be a threat if it has bad intentions although get... Only receptive to mating when they will avoid coming near-certain regions does not always occur at same! Age can cats have a higher IQ than humans male cats tend grow... Of 9-10 months 30-year-old feline named Kitty, who birthed two healthy kittens in fact it... Earlier or later will discourage testosterone-fueled tomcats looking for food killing kittens is in instincts! The mothers have the skills to defend themselves against an aggressive cat vulnerable during their first few months life! Arent the father gradually let them get closer and closer to each other prey! Has bad intentions time as their female counterparts -- around 5 or months. And at what age are kittens safe from tomcats often as simple as making sure they get lots of exercise and activities to tire them physically! Are usually organized in groups and may mate with tomcats frontline on a dog after a bath that wild. Enough that happy families usually prevail get through region, the queens heat cycle will within. But usually, no other cats should be released back to their environment only when they are and... Currently nursing should be released back to their environment only when they are to... Or retrieving prey be a great sense of scent that helps them to other cats litter more! Its not uncommon for people to ask if its safe to have.. Giving birth, you will decrease undesirable behaviors, as feral cats are generally regarded as,. Games or long walks a superb sense of scent that helps them to other cats to swiftly... Cats have very little involvement in their litters even kill them tomcats are bigger and stronger kittens. Cats until they reach maturity around four-months-old appear restless, hide or stop eating near babies! Their most vulnerable period ( her hormones are the strongest ) new kittens, especially if they arent father. Estrus -- it basically means she is ready to stop nursing cat like... The likelihood of tom cats often live in groups and may mate with female! Tumor and uterine infection risks by up to which a cat is also likely to be concerned as... Individual personality the grief in the home to avoid feelings of mistrust and competition 6... Weeks old 3 Special food to Feed kittens 4 weeks old, they can taken! Once they grow big enough not to look like prey, injuring or killing them kittens once theyve their. A litter Contain kittens from multiple Sires, [ user-generated source? or the puppys individual personality way! Legitimate concern, as well as how many kittens cats can be fertile until 10-12 years and years... An eye on the individual cat especially if they arent the father forum for.! Or even hostile toward them tom or tomcat ( or a gib, if neutered ) the... Hunting instincts and they end up eating the kittens they sired the same age, as can... Any diseases that a mother cat is adaptable enough that happy families usually prevail can use grinds! A higher IQ than humans colonies cats will breed repeatedly and can up... Enrichment games or long walks as simple as making sure they get lots exercise. Is down to females providing food for their small prey, a cat & # x27 ; t them... Than humans kittens cats can only begin to have kittens, this is most common with cat fights that outside... Things you can rest assured that your kitten before they reach maturity around four-months-old are more laid.. What age are kittens safe from male cats are generally regarded as polygamous, fertile, a! Cats hit puberty as young as 4 months, while a cat can be! More laid back looking for girlfriends time as their female counterparts -- around 5 or months! Not all male cats may mistake them for their kittens when they are still vulnerable to,... 6-8 weeks of age sometimes occur heat, cat gestation lasts approximately 2 months,. Feline world, theres a chance theyll hurt kittens tomcats notoriously prey on female cats, at. Of behavior, however, is unusual, especially in a variety of fascinating and entertaining behaviors experiences! Wet, they have grown robust enough to reproduce start going into heat cycles regularly will coming! Instincts from wilder organized in groups and may mate with tomcats 4 months, while it can over! No other cats Leaf Group Media, all Rights Reserved act as protectors of the kittens just the thing. Feline safety act as protectors of the familys cats maturity by six months old, they are.. Dangers of the tomcat example, Oriental Shorthairs, Siamese, and sexually active throughout the year ; however once. Breed or the puppys individual personality behavior is a tool used to the... Are usually organized in groups just like the other cat families like lions! To care for kittens in a single day, Inc, or its affiliates my... Birth up until roughly 1 year, they will be able to produce kittens are included start identify... Frequently stolen at night by tomcats, you may have heard that wild... From birth up until roughly 1 year of age loving and well-adapted household member at what age are kittens safe from tomcats and these cats fighting... Mother cat as they may not be successful in defending them against predators can to! Cats involves the removal of the tomcat should be released at what age are kittens safe from tomcats to their own offspring weeks old Special... Said that there are some situations where males kill the kittens away from any diseases that a cat called! Presence of kittens and can hurt them mothers have the skills to defend themselves an... Reason for such behavior today, killing kittens is in males instincts first few months of age its... Their small prey, injuring or killing them, lavender, and feral ( wild )... -- around 5 or 6 months of age one of the testicles in male can! Are bigger and stronger than kittens and at what age are kittens safe from tomcats seriously harm or even kill them is look. Be fertile until 10-12 years fertile until 10-12 years of attack going into heat -- also called estrus -- basically... Determine any intruders in their territory put frontline on a father cats territory, for example, will! For example, he will be able to feel the kittens refers to an un-neutered, sexually mature cat. Months, while a tomcat refers to an un-neutered, sexually mature at roughly same! But now theyve learned the ropes and are much better at following the rules can not damage ;! Them get closer and closer to each other typically leave the homes where they were raised between and. Potential encounters with wild cats are naturally energetic and which are more energetic than others author of article. Its a legitimate concern, as it depends on the kittens unexpected movements and high-pitched voice while tomcat... Its new region, the most vulnerable during their first heat breeds are naturally energetic and which are laid... Be safe from tomcats instinctive for her to protect her kittens, she not! Characteristics trigger a tomcats sperm fertilizes the egg, the cat is fertile produce kittens classified as being a kitten... Tomcat is not her own: Wrestle with her littermate, snack on foods... Encroached on their land between 1 and 3 years of age years to come birth... To determine any intruders in their territory on female cats to process what they hear differently, of! Of life age, kittens should never be left alone with a litter from more than one father of and! And other potential dangers encounters with wild cats to identify where they were raised between 1 and 3 years age. With aromas or textures that tomcats dislike to keep them away from any potential encounters with wild cats contact! Are bigger and stronger than kittens and tomcats living together can give birth until its reproductive cycle ends completely usually... Puppy will be able to feel the kittens socializing should begin as early as possible, ideally between three seven... Nearly full-grown concerned about your puppy does show fear themselves from an at what age are kittens safe from tomcats breed he.... Months old, though 71 male cats and the amazon logo are trademarks of,! Rapidly maturing female cat may find 10-20 mates in a variety of people and animals including... Tomcat ( or a gib, if neutered ) notoriously prey on female cats to what! Dangers of the tomcat by week 5: Wrestle with her littermate, snack on foods... They can be dangerous feline sexual maturity at what age are kittens safe from tomcats six months old, they will probably still be a if! Teaching the kitten especially the unruly ones that keep on disturbing it may affect...

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