Our cat is giving birth to her first litter and she is not eating the placenta. Is this a problem?

Question

I have heard that eating the placenta is what makes her mommy's milk drop to her t***s. Also is the immune part of her milk going to be ok if she doesn't eat it?

Answer 1

When i had a tabby/calicoes cat, she gave birth to her first litter and didn't lactate at all. for some reason she just couldn't. so what i had to do was feed them myself. they have the kitten formulas in pet stores along with the bottles and such. although, the cats don't really like you to touch their young at such a young age, but she was a forgiving cat. if that ends up no being your case, don't worry, it's her first litter. just monitor her and the kittens and they'll be just fine.

Answer 2

She should l**k the babies clean and that afterbirth should be enough - they don't always eat the rest of it.  If she's not l*****g the babies clean, don't clean them for her, she needs to do this to bond with them and accept them - she should do it eventually.

Answer 3

no, forget what you heard, its not true.

Answer 4

It's not a problem...I have never heard of that before.

Here is some info I found:

"The placenta isn't needed for her to get things out of it. It's fine if she eats it, fine if she doesn't."

It was anther yahoo answers thing.  I would think that she would be ok either way

Answer 5

Eating the placenta replaces some of the nutrients a momcat loses during birthing, but she doesn't have to if she doesn't want to; I'm sure you have kept her well-fed during her pregnancy.  And she should be able to nurse just fine; it's the kneading and sucking by the babies that lets her body know what to do.  Her milk will be fine as long as she has plenty of meaty food. Relax, aunty!  

Answer 6

It's fine if she doesn't eat it, not all cats do. Her milk should still come in and it will contain all the nutrients and passive immunity the kittens need.