Why is my new mom cat less affectionate and playful after delivery?

Hello. Unfortunately, this is not a friendly family group. Cats do not often form strong bonds with their offspring & she may be feeling a little threatened by having them around as they get older. It may be a good idea to either find homes for the kittens, or consider spaying the mother cat. This may alleviate some of her anxiety. Hopefully, things will even out for her soon. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I don't think you are doing anything wrong! I think it's somewhat common for cats to act very differently in a shelter situation than at home. Sometimes this means that a cat will be fearful or aggressive in the shelter but sweet in a home situation, but it can also mean that a cat seems more affectionate when stressed. Kittens also tend to be more affectionate and tolerant than older cats, so her increased age might be playing a role as well. You may want to try to find another way to spend time with her (like playing or brushing) rather than trying to hold her or snuggle with her.

She is likely to become more protective when the new born kittens arrive and it is unlikely she will become more accepting of the older kittens at this stage. Ensure she has a quiet area to have the new kittens undisturbed y other cats (including her previous offspring)

It could just be that she isn't quite sure what to do. Just make sure she has plenty of food and water and a litter box available, as well as a comfortable place to put the kittens. If she isn't eating, seems lethargic, or has a rectal temperature over 103 or under 100, then she should be evaluated by a veterinarian to see what could be going on.

It's very possible that she is feeling motherly towards the other cat's kittens because of the hormones associated with her recent pregnancy - it's hard to say if she thinks they are hers or not, but it sounds like she enjoys mothering them and spending time with them. I would not worry about this causing her to be depressed - actually, it's likely to be a good thing for her and may help her to get over the loss of her own kittens more easily. As long as the other cat doesn't mind, it should be fine to allow her to spend time with the kittens and mother them if she wants to.

Hello, yes kittens can have nursing behaviors that include seeking more attention from you and nursing her kitten. However, keep a close eye on her and make sure she is not continuing to have more contractions without being able to produce another kitten. Most frequently, cats will have multiple kittens at birth, not a single one. If you suspect she is not able to deliver the rest of her kittens, then you should consider having her evaluated by her primary care veterinarian for a possible dystocia. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Yes, this is normal. All momma cats are different in the amount that they will allow the kittens to nurse. Most kittens will nurse as long as mom will allow it. It is comforting to both parties. The behavior will not likely be changed by the operations for the kittens. If mom is getting spayed as well, she may not let them nurse anymore. There is no harm in the nursing behavior unless you start to notice an area starts to look red, swollen or chafed. If mom is also getting spayed, that does change things. The kittens should not be allowed to nurse or exhibit any type of that behavior as they could compromise the incision. They cannot lick at any of the incisions! I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.