Heartwarming TikTok Shows Cat Mama Accepting Orphan Kitten
A recent TikTok video featuring a cat named Mama Skunk has captured the hearts of millions, showcasing her unexpected yet tender acceptance of an orphaned kitten. The clip, shared by user @emookitkats in August 2023, depicts Mama Skunk nurturing a small orange kitten that is clearly not one of her own black and white babies. Her instinctive reaction to care for the newcomer has resonated with viewers, resulting in over 3.3 million views and 585,300 likes.
In the video, as Mama Skunk feeds her kittens, her owner playfully presents the orange kitten, asking, “What do you think about this one? She doesn’t look like one of yours. Can she be part of yours?” Without hesitation, Mama Skunk begins to groom and feed the little one, demonstrating a remarkable maternal instinct. The caption accompanying the post celebrates her role as a “step-mom,” joining the ranks of other beloved cat mothers, such as Harriette and Moggy.
Understanding Maternal Instincts in Cats
According to Dr. Carly Fox, a senior veterinarian at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, it is not uncommon for mother cats to accept additional kittens, a behavior known as alloparenting. She explains that maternal instincts are often driven by hormonal changes, which can lead a cat to care for an unrelated kitten. “Caring for newborns is often hormonally based, so it’s likely that this plays a strong role in this instinct,” Dr. Fox states.
Fostering orphaned kittens can also enhance the survival rate of the other kittens in the litter. The sounds made by neonatal kittens can trigger a strong response in mothers, increasing the likelihood that they will accept an additional baby. Dr. Liza Cahn, a veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance, notes that while cats can identify their biological offspring primarily through smell, their nurturing instincts often extend to orphaned kittens as well.
Dr. Cahn emphasizes that as long as the mother is healthy and resources are adequate, fostering an orphaned kitten typically does not pose risks. She describes the significant benefits for the orphaned kitten, which include receiving essential nutrients, warmth, and social interaction, all crucial for healthy development.
Best Practices for Introducing Kittens
Before introducing an orphaned kitten to a mother cat, Dr. Peter Rakestraw of TelaVets.com advises that it is vital to warm the kitten. Chilled kittens struggle to digest milk, making it essential to ensure they are comfortable. He recommends rubbing the orphaned kitten with the mother’s bedding to familiarize it with her scent before placing it nearby during a calm moment of nursing.
Dr. Rakestraw notes, “Most moms will sniff, lick, and just get on with caring for the new baby right away. If the queen growls, hisses, or tries to push the kitten away, take the kitten out and try again later.” He also advises introducing multiple kittens slowly to avoid overwhelming the mother.
The video of Mama Skunk has sparked numerous reactions on social media, with users expressing their admiration for her maternal instincts. One commenter, Holly Carter, remarked, “Mama Skunk: I’m keeping this, I don’t have one this color,” while another user noted the remarkable nature of feline behavior, stating, “Imagine if you just gave birth to twins, and someone just drops a third random baby off with you…and cats are just like, oh cool, I got this!”
As the video continues to circulate online, it serves as a poignant reminder of the nurturing instincts present in animals, highlighting the beautiful connections that can form, even among those that are not biologically related.
