Kittens- can they nurse from my other cat?

Question

I have 2 sister cats and they both had a litter of kittens. Due 1 week apart, the first litter were born 1 week early and the mother Lola loved them and cared for them but they were small & weak and all 5 died.

2 weeks after the birth, the other mum had her 6. They are now almost 3 weeks old. Lola was spayed last week (and still has her collar on & stitches) however she has started to 'love' her sisters kittens and frequently takes a couple off into a corner for a wash & cuddle, and now has started jumping into their home (a large open suitcase) and cuddling down with all 6 , and they nurse off her as though she is their mother. The mother doesn't seem to mind...but when she see's Lola with them she does walk away- she doesn't join them. However she is caring well for her kittens, but as they have got older she spends more time away from them (she will go off for 2-3 hours at a time now)

Is this okay do you think? Also, is it possible Lola has milk for them to drink or has it been too long since her kittens- she didn't feed her kittens for very long and it was probably 3-4 weeks since her feeding her own, to having these (plus she has been spayed) so do you think the kittens just nurse for comfort from her, like a baby on a dummy/pacifier?

Thanks

Answer 1

This is common with sister cats- and if you look it up you'll find that the larger felines do this too- it gives mom a break-  so it is okay- does Lola still have enlarged mammary glands?  it is possible for her to start producing milk again if the t***s are manipulated and stimulated by the kittens - you can check for yourself to see if there is anything coming out of them- also it is normal that mom takes a break from kittens for a couple hours at a time- I think the concern would be if mom doesn't feed them at all-

Answer 2

If all of the kitties are happy with it, it's just fine! It's actually really cool that they are all ok with it....that doesn't happen often. Sometimes, the "wet nurse kitty" will reject any kitten that isn't her own, and may kill them.  So, yes, they are fine. =)  Also, it is totally normal that the mom cat goes off for a few hours at a time. The kittens are getting older, and her instincts are telling her that it's ok to leave them. Don't worry, she will come back and nurse them when she feels it's time.  I think you are doing a great job, and those cats are lucky to have someone that is so concerned!!  GL! =)

Answer 3

It was close enough in time between the births that Lola should have enough milk to continue feeding the babies as long as they need to. If they don't nurse from the actual mother her milk could possibly dry up? For Lola to be away from the kittens for 2 or 3 hours at a time isn't unusual at all. However if the kittens seem to be losing weight and either mom will feed them you might have to buy what they call "mother's milk replacer" once the kittens get teeth they can begin eating regular pet food.I usually buy a canned cat food that says it's for kittens for a few months then switch to regular cat food and dry food.

Answer 4

Are Lola's teats swollen before feedings? That should be a good indication of whether she's lactating. I think the kittens will be fine as long as they are getting fed, no matter who's feeding them.

I am obligated to point out that unless you are a professional breeder (even then it is debateable), it is extremely irresponsible to not spay and neuter your pets. The shelters are filled to the brim with kitttens who need homes and the streets are filled with ferrell cats because of irresponsible pet owners.  

Answer 5

This is no problem at all.  I had 2 female (sisters) cats that both had a litter of kittens within a week of each other, unfortunately the ones kittens were all dead.  So they shared the live ones, which was great cause the one that birthed the live ones wasn't a very good mother, their mother actually had a litter the month before and she was feeding them too!  So 3 cats were sharing about 10 kittens.  They all lived a good long life.