Why does my cat keep following me after giving birth? (Taking Right Measures)

The birth of kittens is a significant event in the life of a mother cat (queen). It can often trigger a range of behaviors driven by maternal instincts. One such behavior that many cat owners encounter is the mother cat’s constant following.

You may find your cat shadowing your every move, which can be both endearing and occasionally overwhelming. Try to understand why your cat keeps following you after giving birth. This behavior is rooted in the cat’s desire to protect her precious kittens and ensure their safety. Let’s explore the full details underneath.

Is it Normal Behavior of Mother Cats to Follow Me After Giving Birth?

Yes, it is entirely normal for mother cats to exhibit different behavior patterns after giving birth. One common behavior is a heightened sense of protectiveness and attachment to their kittens. This maternal instinct drives them to stay close to you.

The mother cat is looking for warmth, nourishment, and protection during the vulnerable early weeks. It is not uncommon for a mother cat to follow her human caregivers. This can be attributed to her seeking a secure and familiar environment for her kittens.

She may perceive you as a source of safety and support. In such cases, it is essential to provide her with the comfort and reassurance she needs. However, it is important to remember that every cat is unique, and individual personalities can vary.

How to Provide a Comfortable and Stress-Free Environment for a Cat After Birth?

Creating a comfortable and stress-free environment for a cat after giving birth is crucial for her. It will give her well-being and that of her kittens. You can follow some steps and make your queen cat comfortable. Let’s check out the steps.

Quiet and Secluded Space: Provide a quiet, secluded, and safe area for the mother cat and her kittens. A separate room or a cozy corner with minimal disturbances is ideal. They will feel less stressed in this kind of situation.

Clean and Comfortable Nest: Ensure the mother cat has a clean and comfortable nesting area with soft bedding. You can take into use blankets or towels. The mother ca and her babies will take rest here. They always love clean spaces.  

Food and Water: Place food and water nearby. Make it easily accessible to the mother without having to leave her kittens for an extended period. They might be following you because you will provide her food and water.

Litter Box: Have a litter box nearby to encourage proper hygiene. Use unscented, clumping litter for easy maintenance. Mother cat and her kittens need to be clean all the time. It is your duty to ensure these things.

Dim Lighting: Keep the lighting in the room dim to create a calm atmosphere. Avoid loud noises or sudden disruptions. New born kitten will fear light and loud noises. Try to keep them safe using dim light on their room.

Respect Her Space: It is essential to monitor the mother and her kittens. But you should also respect her privacy. Minimize handling the kittens during the first few weeks. Excessive human interference can stress her.

Regular Check-ups: Ensure the mother receives regular veterinary check-ups to monitor her health and address any concerns promptly. Otherwise, extended health issues for cats can be deadly for them and a sad story for you.

Provide Love and Attention: Offer gentle affection and reassurance to the mother cat. Let her know she is safe and supported. You are her human and she wants all the care and attention from you. You need to give her some love and attention from time to time.

How to Address Excessive Following Behavior in a Cat After Giving Birth?

Excessive following behavior in a mother cat after giving birth can be attributed to her natural instincts and the need to protect her kittens. If you find this behavior overwhelming or disruptive, there are steps you can take to address it.

Provide Adequate Space: Ensure that the mother cat and her kittens have a quiet, comfortable, and secure space. A separate room with a cozy nesting area can help her feel safe.

Respect Her Needs: While it’s important to monitor the mother and her kittens, respect her need for privacy and bonding time with her offspring. Minimize unnecessary disruptions.

Establish a Routine: Establish a routine that includes feeding, cleaning, and playtime for the mother cat. Predictable schedules can help reduce anxiety and excessive following.

Socialization: Gradually reintroduce socialization with the mother cat. Spend quality time with her, engage in gentle play, and provide affection. This can help her feel more secure and less anxious.

Offer Distractions: Provide toys and interactive activities to keep the mother cat mentally and physically engaged. This can divert her attention away from constant following.

Spaying: After the kittens are weaned, consider spaying the mother cat. This can help reduce her maternal instincts and the following behavior.

How to Communicate with Your Cat and Understand Their Behavior?

Effective communication with your cat and understanding their behavior is essential for building a strong bond and meeting their needs. Pay attention to your cat’s body language. The position of their ears, tail, and whiskers can convey their mood and feelings.

A relaxed cat with an upright tail is usually content, while a puffed-up tail or flattened ears can indicate fear or aggression. Cats use a variety of vocalizations to communicate, including meowing, purring, and hissing. Learn to recognize the different sounds and their meanings.

For example, a short meow can indicate a greeting, while a long, plaintive meow may signal hunger. Avoid direct, prolonged eye contact, as it can be seen as a threat. Slow blinking, on the other hand, is a sign of trust and affection.

Cats often enjoy gentle petting and grooming. Pay attention to their body language to determine their comfort level. Some cats have specific areas they prefer to be touched, while others may have boundaries.

Engage in interactive play with toys to strengthen your bond. Cats enjoy hunting and pouncing activities, which mimic their natural instincts. Establish a consistent daily routine for feeding, play, and quiet time. Cats thrive on predictability, and routine can reduce stress.

Cats need their own space to retreat when they need privacy or alone time. Provide cozy hideaways or elevated perches for them to escape to. Observe your cat’s behavior over time to learn their preferences, habits, and any changes that may indicate health issues. Sudden changes in behavior can be a sign of distress or illness.

Is Regular Checkup Necessary for a Cat After Giving Birth?

Yes, regular checkups are essential for a cat after giving birth. These postpartum checkups are also known as postnatal exams. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of both the mother cat (queen) and her kittens. Let’s check out why it is necessary.

Monitoring the Mother’s Health: Giving birth is a physically demanding process. It is essential to monitor the mother’s recovery. A postpartum checkup allows the veterinarian to assess her overall health to ensure there are no complications or infections.

Kitten Health: A veterinarian can examine the kittens to ensure they are healthy and thriving. They can assess their weight, check for any congenital issues, and provide guidance on proper care and nutrition.

Vaccinations: Depending on the timing of the pregnancy and the mother’s vaccination history. The veterinarian may recommend vaccinations to protect the mother and kittens from diseases.

Parasite Control: Kittens are particularly vulnerable to parasites. A postnatal checkup can include deworming and flea control measures to safeguard their health.

Nutritional Guidance: The mother cat’s nutritional needs change during and after pregnancy. A veterinarian can provide guidance on the appropriate diet to support her recovery and milk production.

Behavioral Concerns: If the mother cat is displaying unusual behavior or experiencing excessive stress, a veterinarian can offer advice on addressing behavioral issues.

Spaying: Discuss with your veterinarian the timing for spaying the mother cat after weaning her kittens. Spaying can prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce maternal instincts, which may help alleviate excessive following behavior.

How Can I Stop the Following by the Cat After Giving Birth?

Follow behavior by a mother cat (queen) after giving birth is often due to her natural maternal instincts. It can be challenging to completely stop this behavior. You need to ensure the mother cat and her kittens have a quiet, safe, and comfortable space.

A separate room with a cozy nesting area can help her feel secure. Respect the mother cat’s need for privacy and bonding time with her kittens. Minimize unnecessary disruptions in the nesting area.

Establish a daily routine that includes feeding, cleaning, and playtime for the mother cat. Predictable schedules can help reduce anxiety and excessive following. Gradually reintroduce socialization with the mother cat.

Spend quality time with her, engage in gentle play, and provide affection. This can help her feel more secure and less anxious. Provide toys and interactive activities to keep the mother cat mentally and physically engaged. This can divert her attention away from constant following.

After the kittens are weaned, consider spaying the mother cat. This can help reduce her maternal instincts and the following behavior. It is also important to remember that some degree of following behavior is normal and essential for the mother cat.

Conclusion

A mother cat’s constant following after giving birth is a testament to her strong maternal instincts. She follows you to ensure the safety and well-being of her kittens. She wants to reassurance and security. While this behavior can be intense, it’s a normal aspect of feline motherhood.

Try to provide a secure and comfortable environment for the mother cat and her kittens. Remember that it is a temporary phase. The kittens will grow and become more independent. The mother cat’s following behavior is likely to decrease.