Do you think cats have feelings?

**Jenn** · #1 May 27th, 2010, 10:14 AM

I mean I know they don't like humans but do you think they do even a little? Our little cat was pregnant and we found a dead kitten she hid when Ian moved the furniture to vacuum. It was not full term and most likely stillborn. I actually cried it was so sad. Do you think she was sad too? I hate to think this little kitten died and she didn't care. Probably just the mother in me, especially after my cousin's baby daughter died a few weeks ago. Just too sad I guess.

♥Ashley♥ · #2 May 27th, 2010, 10:30 AM

I dont know, I would lean more towards yes. Because they still have the motherly feeling I would think because they know they give birth and then nurse, ya know? So they know its their baby.

Thats so sad

Oriyan · #3 May 27th, 2010, 10:49 AM

They know -- When my cat Sasha abandoned her first litter, whenever she heard the little one crying in the house, she was at the window, looking so sad and pathetic. (this was before i rehabilitated her). When she had her second litter, i found them and took them in, and got her to come in too. In the four hours she was away from her kittens, she was looking all over for them, crying. They just know. Once she was reunited with them, she lived in my house for 12 weeks. During those 12 weeks, a completely feral born cat who never let me touch her, started to trust people. Now, I can pick her up, pet her, and she sleeps in our bed at night.

Cats have feelings. And they "just know".

**Jenn** · #4 May 27th, 2010, 11:06 AM

I'm glad to read that, thank you. Now the question is, is there more somewhere?

I find it a little hard to believe she only had the one.

~*sierra*~ · #5 May 27th, 2010, 11:26 AM

aww thats sad. and i'm sure she was sad too

Trannyfromtheuk · #6 May 27th, 2010, 11:31 AM

Id like to beleive most animals have feelings.
Is there a chance she could still be pregnant?
I dont know how Animal pregnancys work...

**Jenn** · #7 May 27th, 2010, 11:39 AM

I was wondering that too, not sure. I would *think* once one is born the rest would follow but maybe not?

Trannyfromtheuk · #8 May 27th, 2010, 11:46 AM

I found this My female cat gave birth to a still born kitten ... - JustAnswer not sure if it can be of any help though x

.Brandi. · #9 May 27th, 2010, 12:11 PM

I think cats have feelings. But I also believe, like some women who have babies, just don't have any interest in them. Some women have a baby and just don't really care. VERY few, but they're out there! I don't see animals as any different than us. They hurt and feel and get emotions too....I believe they do!

**Jenn** · #10 May 27th, 2010, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *ETanny*

I found this My female cat gave birth to a still born kitten ... - JustAnswer not sure if it can be of any help though x

This actually helped a lot thank you! Its definitely something I'll have dh keep an eye one (the kids and I are at my parents house for a while). This is what concerned me when we suspected pregnancy in the first place. She's a tiny cat, still looks like a kitten even though she's almost 11 years old. Her Mom was the same way and had a very tough time delivering her kittens. She ultimtely needed vet help--a c-section--and almost died. Unfortunately because her kittens were born this way she didn't see them as hers and didn't care for them. 2 ended up dying and dh saved Maizy by staying up with her around the clock for several days spoon feeding her. I don't want to see Maizy go through the same thing her Mother did delivering.

Angelaosaurus-rex · #11 May 27th, 2010, 01:58 PM

how sad.

~*Bethy*~ · #12 May 27th, 2010, 02:30 PM

yes they do having feelings

Ive seen mares mourn the loss of their foals before, to where they dont eat or sleep. You have to REALLY keep an eye on them to make sure they're getting the proper nutrients they should!! I hope shes doing better!!

Mars · #13 May 27th, 2010, 03:08 PM

Very sad. I think she felt sad too and probably pined over her baby.

ShannonMVT · #14 May 27th, 2010, 06:53 PM

I think cats (and other animals) have feelings.

We had cows when I was a kid and one of them had twin calves that were either stillborn or died after birth. The cow just kept mooing for so long and nudging them trying to get them up, it was so so sad.

LadyGamer · #15 May 27th, 2010, 09:51 PM

I know my cat has motherly feelings and emotions towards her daughters even though she doesn't like them. Mae is the mother of my other two (she actually had a stillborn too... and... I wasn't around for it, but I heard she did something not so pleasant). Whenever one of the other cats get hurt, she is ALWAYS the first one there and checks up on them and mothers them until they're better and then she starts hating them again

Its actually really sweet.

LadyGamer · #16 May 27th, 2010, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by **Jenn**

I'm glad to read that, thank you. Now the question is, is there more somewhere?

I find it a little hard to believe she only had the one.

My cat has had two litters. One of one kitten and one of two kittens (one which didn't survive

), so it is completely possible to just be the only one.

**jessie** · #17 May 28th, 2010, 01:15 AM

It's an interesting question, that I personally think has an answer of yes and no. Animal feeling cannot directly be compared to human feelings. When a woman loses her baby, she mourns the loss of future. No first steps, birthdays, graduations, grandkids, ect. An animal does not mourn in that same way. I think the closest human emotion would be confusion, when an animal loses her offspring.

The maternal instinct is so instinctual in an animal. Even if she has never given birth before or even seen a baby, she knows exactly what to do to care for her young ones. When she responds to a dead baby, and that baby does not respond back, I think there is a deep sense of confusion.

If left alone, the mother will make several and frequent attempts to rouse the baby. These attempts become less and less frequent, as the baby continues to not respond. Usually, within a couple hours, all attempts cease. So yes, there is definitely a feeling of loss and confusion, but I don't think the cat mourns for a very long period.

Just out of interest, as you probably all know, baby dairy calves are removed from their mothers not long after birth and reared artificially so their mothers can be milked. There have been studies regard what is the 'best' time to perform this separation, based on the dam's behavioral responses and cortisol levels (stress hormone). The least stress occurs if the calf is removed immediately... ie. the dam is not even allowed to clean off or lick her own calf. The longer the calf is left with his mother and allowed to nurse before removal, the greater the stress response of the mother. I think that goes to show that a mother bonds very quickly and strongly to her offspring.

alicenwonderland · #18 May 28th, 2010, 02:00 AM

I think kitties have feelings. I know my kitty remembers for a weeks on end, and is anxious, if i've left her for too long while on vacation. Very clingy.

this is very sad. I bet she still has the rest of the litter inside her. Each kitten comes in its own little sack, so just because she delivered one, doesn't mean the other's aren't still in there. I would watch her though. See if she doesn't start looking sick.

LisanAndy · #19 May 28th, 2010, 03:41 AM

I totally think they have feelings. My cat knows when I'm mad or happy with him just by the LOOK on my face. I'm so sorry

**Jenn** · #20 May 28th, 2010, 04:42 AM

Thank you everyone. I told dh to keep an eye on her. She stays upstairs almost all the time so it shouldn't be too hard. The funny thing with Maizy is that she is always my first clue that I'm pregnant. With every single pregnancy she becomes attached at my hip and doesn't leave me alone from about 10DPO to about 6 weeks. She was the reason I tested early with Lila.