This Mama Cat Refuses to Leave Her Tiniest Kitten Behind
Becoming a first time mom as a human is overwhelming for sure, but imagine being a mama cat who just welcomed an entire litter of kittens who are depending on her!
The good news? Not only was the mama cat in the video below up for the challenge, but she knew exactly which of her kittens needed her love and attention most.
@k8lynneddi & she said what about it? Of course she brought the runt #catsoftiktok#petsoftiktok#kitty#cat
next to me - leopardaudios
While sometimes, mama cats will abandon the kittens in their litter who appear to be the weakest, in this case, she was doing the opposite. Not only is she keeping her tiniest baby close to her, but she even brought her into her human's bed to be safe and warm.
It's clear that this little runt feels so attached to her mama already. Look at her snuggling up so close to her!
In an earlier video, their human shared that mama had given birth in an underwear drawer. Pretty funny, but it makes sense; it probably felt safe and comfy in there!
@k8lynneddi I looked everywhere for her too #catsoftiktok#kitten#orangecat#crazycat
original sound - K8lynn
These kitties are still brand new to the world, but it's good to know they have a mom who is taking good care of them (and a human looking out for them, too).
Related: This Precious Stray Kitten Has the Best Reaction to Sleeping Inside for the First Time
How to Identify the Runt of the Litter
Figuring out who the runt of the litter should be easy, right? It's just whoever the tiniest kitten is.
But technically speaking, there's more to the definition of the "runt" than that. As LoveToKnow Pets points out, the runt of the litter isn't just the smallest kitten, but also the weakest, indicating that they're likely going to need extra help in order to thrive.
You'll know that they're weaker than their siblings by watching out for the following signs:
- They're struggling to gain weight
- They don't seem to have as much energy as the other kittens
- They may not be making as much noise
- They may refuse to nurse or bottle feed
- They may show symptoms like diarrhea or a runny nose
This doesn't mean they're beyond saving, though. With extra care in those early weeks of their lives, these kittens truly can end up growing and living long, happy lives, even if they are a bit on the smaller side as adults.
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 9:30 AM.