My GSD killed my kittens. Long and horrid post sorry ..

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wonkey_donkey

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I have more horsey than doggy knowledge so thought I would ask your advice on here. My cat had 3 kittens who were two days old. She was in a puppy cage with them in the kitchen. My GSD whom I have owned for 6 years was allowed in to 'see' the kittens on day 2 while the cage door was shut. She sat looking at them quietly and mummy cat, who the dog has always got on fine with, was purring and rubbing herself up to my dog through the bars. On day two I was bringing in the shopping and the GSD followed me in and again sat looking nicely at the kittens. I went out to get off the last bags and when I came back the cage door was open. The dog was still sat quietly looking. I went over to the cage and saw that all 3 kittens were covered in 'doggy slobber', I was relieved and thought she had given them all a good wash which is what she has always done with any new additions to the family in the past ie mummy cat when she was little, my sisters tiny puppy and even new chickens. One of the kittens then rolled over and I saw that his stomach was hanging out. I nearly fainted. I checked the other two and one clearly had a broken neck and the other a small cut on it's back. I heard no snapping, snarling etc from the incident and she obviously didnt try to carry them away. Mummy cat was STILL purring at the dog and didnt seem to be aware she had hurt them ?? My dad put the two really bad kittens out of their misery straight away and despite rushing the third to the vet it transpired that one also had internal damage and was PTS. I am left shocked, devestated and cannot believe what has happened. I should have put a padlock on the cage and this would never had happened. Any idea why my dog has done this please
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What a horrible thing to have happened. I am not sure why your dog has done this, I think you will just have to accept it is one of those things. You are lucky she is so good with the adult cat. At the moment we have have lots of ducklings in our garden - one of our dog ignores all the ducklings, but has hunted out and killed the moorhen chicks that hatched on our pond. In every other way, she is the kindest dog in the world - but that is dogs for you. Maybe your dog didn't intend to actually harm the kittens - but they are so small and vulnerable. Try to accept what has happened and not blame the dog too much.
 
That is so sad, poor, poor you and poor kittens. Maybe the dog just tried to retrieve them and didn't realise the damage she was doing? You must be gutted.
My lurcher had a feral kitten that I was feeding here but luckily it survived. It was so traumatic, though.
(((hugs)))
 
Oh dear, poor you, poor kittens and poor mum cat. It's more than possible the dog didn't mean to hurt them. At 2 days old the kits would be very fragile and if she tried to lick and clean them she could easily have opened up the area where the umbilical cord was attached. Even the mum cats themselves can open this area up with over zealous cleaning. She may have only pawed at them gently to cause those other injuries. If she had meant harm she would probably have eaten them or had one in her mouth at least.

If the cat has more kittens I'd try and keep them in a completely seperate room until they are able to at least run and only introduce the dog daily under supervision.
 
Oh god Im so sorry, by the sounds of it if there was no snarling etc he may have just been trying to play with them or investigate, not realising how delicate they were.
 
Thanks. No don't blame her at all - only blame myself for not keeping the cat/kittens in a stable or something. I'm hoping she didnt mean to harm them too. Think the dog knew something was wrong when we were all rushing about after it happened as GSD's are very switched on to peoples emotions. Sad all round really - mum cat keeps looking for her babies which breaks your heart.
 
Ditto everyone else, I think she was trying to move them/have a play and diddnt knwo she would hurt them.
A bitch I had as a child hated cats,but learned to get along with the one we had.When the cat had kittens, GSD bitch was always pinching them form mum,washing,cuddling even trying to feed them.

So sorry for you. *hugs*
 
Not sure but I think you can take her to the vets to get a jab that will help her milk dry up. That might help her get over losing her babies.
 
I am very sorry to hear this. I thought that she may have tried to pick them up and carry them, not realising that she was hurting them. I think if it were nasty, there would have been growling and an mother cat hissing and creating a big noise.

It sounds like a terrible accident, so I would not been feeling horrid towards your dog.
 
Are you dog and cat very close? I know it sounds strange cat and dog being close but it does happen

If so it could have simply been jelousy!

Your dog could have wanted to get close to your cat and didn't like the kittens.

Or possibly if you have been spending alot of time with mum and kittens then the dog might have been jelous that you wern't paying as much attention to it!

Sorry for you loss! it really sound horrific!
 
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Are you dog and cat very close? I know it sounds strange cat and dog being close but it does happen

If so it could have simply been jelousy!

Your dog could have wanted to get close to your cat and didn't like the kittens.

Or possibly if you have been spending alot of time with mum and kittens then the dog might have been jelous that you wern't paying as much attention to it!

Sorry for you loss! it really sound horrific!

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I was going to say the same
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I really am so sorry to hear of this tho, (((hugs))) to you-xx
 
oh I'm sorry to read this and I really feel for you and your cat. I too agree though that your dog did not intend to kill them. If she had they would have been found in a worse state than they were if she had acted aggressively. I am no animal behaviour expert as it were but I'm probably closer to animals than people to be honest.
She probably acted out of instinct and their mewing which we as humans may not have heard ( since they were only a few days old) may have prompted her to think they needed mothering. It's amazing how many dogs will act in this way even allowing kittens to suckle and nuzzle etc.
It is just a very sad and tragic accident and I'm glad you don't blame your dog in any way as she simply did not know what she was doing and that her actions and strong jaw and teeth would easily cut through the kittens thin skin and bulging bellies. She may have tried to scruff them as dogs and cats do but unfortunately her clumsiness had tragic consequences.
As for the mum her milk glands will soon dry up due to lack of use. Although she may well pine for them over the next few days as her hormones will tell her she still has kittens so keep a close eye on her and give her plenty of hugs.
hugs ((( )))
Cazx
 
this is going to sound daft, but are you sure it was the dog. i once had a cat who killed her litter, she made an awful mess of the kittens.

xx
 
You could well be right. I have considered this too but it was all the dog slobber on the kittens that perhaps gave it away. Suppose I will never really know what exactly happened. Appriciate all your replies folks - many thanks.
 
oh poor you. This is the second story about dogs killing kittens i have heard today.
my friends little cat had 3 kittens. they have an alsation and a little white cross breed. The kittens were living in the conservatory and the dogs in the kitchen, but as it was so hot, the kittens were left the conservatory door open (they were about 2 weeks old). The alsation was locked in the kitchen but can open doors.
She killed two of them, but just by playing with them and being generally rough with them, but i dont think she meant to hurt them.
Dont feel bad about it. these things happen x
 
How awful for you and the poor kittens and mother cat.

It doesn't sound as if your GSD meant any harm to the kittens, but what a terrible thing to happen.

feeling a little tearful here for the mother cat.
[[[hugs]]]
 
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