Will A Feral Cat Abandon Kittens That Are Touched By Humans?

Whoa!!! NOT TRUE!!! I am a very experienced veterinary technician and NO feral cats will not abandon their kittens if touched by humans! Cats are very instinctual and protective, however, they will not abandon their babies. A mother cat is very protective of her kitties and knows where she wants them to be. So, if per say, you were to pick them up and move them, she may very likely move them either back where they were, or somewhere else she deems safe. She may also become irritated with you and growl, hiss, or swat at the thought of her kitties in danger so be careful if the cat is truly feral. You must gain the trust of feral cats in most cases if they will not approach you and some are just not approachable at all depending on their life experiences or personality. Offer food and water. NOT MILK as cats are lactose intolerant (hence the diarrhoea it gives them). The best thing you could do for all the kitties is gather them up and take them to your local vet. Mom should be spayed as a non-spayed female leads to many ovarian issues and also outdoor cats may have many health issues. If you plan to keep them or find them homes have them checked for parasites (worms such as round and tape), fel-V (feline leukaemia) which can be fatal, and FIV (kitty hiv) which a cat live a normal healthy life with. All are contagious to other cats. Fel-V and FIV are not zoonotic (specie specific diseases) but parasites are. Fel-V is contactable though saliva, blood, sneezing etc. and should not live with another not infected cat. However, FIV cats can live with other cats if they get along. It is transmittable mostly through fights that draw blood and sex with other infected cats (same with Fel-v). It can be risky housing FIV cats together, but not really a huge risk. On another note, there are some animals that will abandon their little ones if humans interfere. I am pretty sure rabbits (lagamorphs) are one. So, if you come across baby bunnies, it is best to leave them be and enjoy them from a distance. If a baby bird falls out of its nest, go ahead and put it back in, if you can reach, the mother will come back.
Hope this has shed some new light for you and helped a little. I am open to criticism and corrcetions if you should find research showing my advice is wrong. However, I am worked with animals for seven years in a few different states.
Best,
La Gata

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I am sorry to tell you that with the cat being feral it will be very wary of humans, if the mother smells human scent on her kittens she will abandon them as this is a threat to her security. This is the case throughout the animal world, which is why experts say if you come across a young animal, you should leave it alone as the mother will return, and if human scent is present the mother will abandon. Maybe you could adopt the kittens into your family, or take them to a shelter who could find a home for them. Hope this has helped and good luck with the kittens.

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