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My stray cat's kittens are gone after moving their box. What happened?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 8 months and 2 days old

A stray cat that has been around my house for a couple if months now (we gave her love and fed her) gave birth a week ago in a box inside a storage room. Today, my family decided to place the box of four kittens right outside my backyard door. In an hour or less, two kittens have gone missing. What might have happened? The momma cat isn't worried. :(

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Published on September 3rd, 2017

If the box was moved to a location that Matcha doesn't think is safe for her kittens, she may have moved them to another location that she thinks is safer. I would leave her alone and see what she does. If she has moved 2 of the kittens, she will likely move the other 2 kittens to the same locations soon. If momma isn't worried, then I'm not worried. But I would be sure that she has a safe location for her kittens before night because sometimes momma cats don't chose the best locations for their babies. Once everyone is happy with their location, I would try not to move the box. I hope that helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My cat is moving her kittens. Should I move the nesting box for her?

If you know where she wanted to move the kitten, you can take the box there for her with the kittens. If you do not know where she wanted to move them, watch her move one kitten and then you can move the box to that place, Talk to her and show her what you are doing, so she does not get upset,. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please take the time to mark this question as helpful or not as it helps us to improve on the quality of our answers to other pet owners. Thank you kindly!

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My cat moved her 4-week-old kittens. How to find the lost one?

A natural instinct of mother cats is to hide their kittens to protect them. They will keep their kittens in the safest spot they can find. If she was afraid they might be in any danger, that is likely why she moved them. She will know where that 3rd kitten is hiding. The kittens are 4 weeks old, and will start moving around more and more. Hopefully, the 3rd one should start showing up soon. Try not to disturb her too much in your search, she might become upset if her area becomes "too busy" and may move them again.

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My cat moved her kittens outside. Did she forget where they are?

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Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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Why does my cat keep moving her kittens to new hiding places?

She is trying to find a safe and quiet place to take care of them. I would suggest providing her with a box in a dark area of the home with little to no traffic. Once she feels secure, she should not try to move them as much.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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Why is my momma cat moving her kittens so often? How can I help?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! She could very well be moving the kittens- it’s quite common for them to move their kittens frequently. A hands-off approach works best. Provide access to quiet dark areas (open an empty cabinet, closets, etc). Keep an eye on her and know where she is currently nesting but don’t hover. She’ll take care of things. Hope this helps and best of luck to you and Mino!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my stray cat moving her kittens outside? Is she anxious?

How lovely of you to take in Mama to keep her warm at night! It could be she is feeling anxious having these kittens in your room where there is are people coming in and out. I would move her and her litter to a quiet room of her own your home.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat moves her kittens to high places. Is it dangerous for them?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cat and the kittens. Yes, cats will move their litters around. However, if she is placing the kittens up high, there is the potential they could fall. This is unsafe for the kittens. Try to examine the environment and see if there is any reason for your cat to feel her kittens are unsafe. Is she moving them to get them away from another cat, a dog or children in the home? Otherwise, I would move to kittens away from high ledges and try to block her access from these areas. I hope this information helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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