My cat keeps moving her kittens under the bed – what should I do?
Cats want their litters to be safe and warm.
If you have a dog or other animal in the house, your cat may move her kits from one spot to the next to keep them safe from predators.
The Cat is herding the kittens to keep them out of the way.
They are no longer safe in their original location.
If you can’t free up some floor space for your cat, move your bedside table with its lamp and other items that might be dangerous for the kittens under it.
You can then place a couple of rugs or towels on the floor to make a safe bed for your new family!s
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Why does my cat move her kittens to the bed?
Many times cats will bring their kittens to the place they sleep, be it a box or an area that is normally off-limits.
Your cat may not like the area she has chosen to let her kittens be in.
It does not mean that she is inexperienced or does not know how to care for her young. She knows exactly what she’s doing!
It is only natural that cats want to choose the best possible place for their babies.
The nesting instinct kicks in once there are kittens, so your cat will keep moving them around until they are in the safest possible place.
This means that she will move her kittens around the house until they are in the best possible place for them to grow up.
How can I stop my cat from moving her kittens?
The most important thing you can do is to always make sure you are at home when your cat brings her kittens.
If she thinks you are not there, it will make her feel unsure about where there is more safety for her babies.
Remember that cats like to nest, which is why cats like hiding their sleeping area (which could be anywhere, not necessarily under your bed).
So let your cat know that the place where you want her to be is safe; maybe try leaving some toys or food treats in this area for this purpose.
You can place your cat’s food bowl in the same area.
If your cat is actively moving the kittens, you can try to interrupt her.
She will get frustrated and eventually give up. This may take a while so be patient and always stay calm.
If you don’t get it at first, don’t scare your cat or punish her in any way.
You can start by doing this:
First, allow your cat to go to the place where she wants the kittens to sleep and wait for your cat to go to sleep with them there.
Give her a little time to get settled. Then, very gently take the kittens away from her and put them where you want them to sleep.
You may have to do this a few times before your cat realizes she can’t move them anymore.
You don’t have to panic if your cat starts moving the kittens again. Just repeat this process until she gets used to not moving them anymore.
However, if she is moving her kittens every time you go out, you can see your vet.
She may be feeling insecure at this moment and your vet may be able to give her something that will help.
Other things to consider:
Your vet can also tell you if she’s having the kittens in the right place.
Some cats like to have their babies in high places, so they can protect them if necessary, but this is not always good for them because it may put a strain on the newborns.
You may have noticed that your cat is very vocal when she’s moving her kittens around.
This is because she is worried about her babies being in danger.
Her vocalization has a warning tone and tends to get louder and louder, especially when the danger is apparent.
This is your cue to come and move the kittens where they can be safe.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, moving the kittens around is natural for a cat.
However, the most important thing is to try to give your cat a safe and secure environment where she feels that her kittens are safe and protected.
With time, your cat will feel comfortable with her kittens in the place you prefer.
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