Do male cats recognise their own kittens? I am referring to domestic cats because I’m sure the question is about domestic cats. It’s impossible to find a clean and direct answer to the question and therefore it is a good question.
I think, however, that I have found the answer indirectly. Let us first remind ourselves that most domestic cats are spayed and neutered and therefore it is relatively unusual for tomcats who are domesticated to roam around looking for fertile female cats.
However, when they do the female’s practice is to offer herself up to several males one after the other. In large feral cat colonies females mate with several males in sequence and the majority of their litters contain the DNA of more than one of the male cats. Females sometimes show a preference for male cats outside of their group to avoid inbreeding.
This background information is important because each male would have observed the female cat being mated by others but he cannot know which of the kittens are his or are not his unless he recognises them by their scent or appearance. This is a consequence of how domestic cats breed and mate. To put it very crudely and bluntly it’s a kind of orgy.
In addition, whole male cats do not associate with female cats except for mating. Therefore, I conclude that the answer to the question, “Can male cats recognise their own kittens?” is No. But this might only apply in the classic cat colony scenario. If there was one male and female breeding inside someone’s home it seems hard to conclude that the male cat would not recognise his offspring. I feel confident that he would. And sometimes males are engaged in raising kittens.
It is worth noting that when male cats are neutered at about seven months or eight months of age which is the current trend they behave more like female cats in terms of sociability. Some owners prefer, it seems, to neuter their male cats later on in order for them to maintain more masculine attributes. This creates the danger of unwanted cats. I welcome anybody’s input on that observation. P.S. I have seen a male stray cat fathering kittens. This is a fluid situation.
As I said, this is a complicated question and the reference works that I have do not provide a direct answer but I think my conclusion is a reasonable one based upon the orgiastic behaviour of unsterilized domestic cats.
P.S. the reference to the possibility of male cats being able to recognise their kittens by their scent (body odour) would upset this assessment. We don’t have information on that as far as I know.
Unneutered male cats have a more masculine facial appearance compared to neutered male cats
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Male stray cat with character in his face and sadness in his eyes
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In my opinion male cats can recognize if a female cats kittens are his because my female cat just had kittens by him and he comes to the momma cat and kisses her and tbe baby’s as well he even gives the babies a bath and even watches the kittens while the mother cat walks around the house so in my opinion yes sometimes a male cat can tell especially mine hes very smart
I do believe that a male cat will recognize their off spring if both parents live in the same house hold,this video is proof of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjU49CfoU6A
Thank you for posting this video, Irish Cornaire. This is perfect. It reminds me of Grandpa Mason, a senior cat on Facebook who was rescued with severe kidney disease. Currently he is in Stage 3 Renal Disease receiving treatment for anemia and idiopathic hypercalcemia. Grandpa Mason loves kittens and treats them like a Mama Cat would, probably even better. ????
https://www.facebook.com/MasonAndKittens/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsJE8zsgDLU&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1k_DCGmOZxsRyb32adEFvFeOOP9lKqp3hpVcTjIxyuQkzm4DaI9BDhTkk
Thankye Frances for sharing the links :O)
You are so welcome. Grandpa Mason touches my heart. I just had to mention him. ?????️
In my opinion male cats can recognize if a female cats kittens are his because my female cat just had kittens by him and he comes to the momma cat and kisses her and tbe baby’s as well he even gives the babies a bath and even watches the kittens while the mother cat walks around the house so in my opinion yes sometimes a male cat can tell especially mine hes very smart
What if they don’t and the dads a stray?