The 9th of May is Mother's Day – in effect, a day of bonding. Our pets, of course, are quite oblivious to this. But they, too, develop a strong bond with their mother during the first weeks of their life. Just how this happens is summarised for the most popular pets by the experts at the Fressnapf specialist retail chain

Most animals with whom we share our homes are mammals. For this reason alone, an animal mother has a special role. But she assumes this, and more, quite instinctively in parenting her brood and preparing them for life.

Cat mums: It takes some six months from birth until the kittens let go their mother to fend for themselves in the world. Until that time, the feline mum protects and cares for her offspring – provided she's mature enough to take on the role of mother. Before giving birth, she seeks out a quiet, safe place where she can spend the first days with her new-born kittens. After about two weeks, the tiny cats become more inquisitive – they can now see to explore their "nest" and the still small world around them. That's a sign for their mother to start egging them on a bit. She might move to a new location with them where they can move around more freely. Over time, her offspring become more and more independent and after roughly two months, they're no longer being given their mother's milk. By this time mum's beginning to teach them useful stuff as well as life's essentials: she parents them in personal hygiene, cleanliness with their surroundings and playfully teaches them the art of hunting. That's why cat kiddies shouldn't be separated from their mum before the twelfth week.

Dog mummies: The little canine whelps fare in much the same way as the kittens: they, too, come into the world blind and deaf at first and need the care and protection of their mother. She suckles her offspring several times daily, gives them the necessary "warmth of the nest" and sees to the hygiene of their immediate surroundings. It's almost three weeks before the pups take their first steps. Slowly but surely, their circle of discovery widens. Then mother starts playfully teaching her whelps typical dog behaviour. Her "wee ones” become "socialised" and learn to get on with one another. They also learn to relate to humans and possibly with other house pets. During this period they let go their mother and become independent. Whelps should be allowed to stay with mum for at least eight to ten weeks before they're introduced to their new home.

Rabbit mothers: Baby bunnies also enter the world as blind little "stay-at-homes". Their daily routine, however, normally differs somewhat to that of cats and dogs. Mummy rabbit suckles her little ones once or twice a day then departs the nest if she has enough space. But first, she makes sure the nest is kept clean. When the babies become more active they, too, learn how life functions within the rabbit colony – with the help of their mother.

Incidentally: hares, by contrast, are no stay-at-homes and will "fly the nest" by seeking out their own hidey-hole immediately after birth. But even they are suckled by their mum for about a month – mostly at night, as with rabbits, to avoid their offspring attracting the attentions of predators. Then mother hare leaves her young behind once more.


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Feline mother-love Cats can be quite devoted mothers. But dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs also develop a strong bond with their young during the first weeks and months. Photo: Fressnapf /Ulrike Schanz (Photos may only be reproduced with permission and in connection with editorial text. High-resolution photos can be requested from the Fressnapf press office.)