The consequences of differences in litter size for the nursing cat and her kittens

Seventy‐one litters of kittens (mean litter size 4.4) were studied from birth to eight weeks of age in order to measure kitten growth and maternal body condition. Few sex differences in growth occur; male and female kittens place a similar burden on their lactating mother. A mother's weight (non‐pregnant, non‐lactating) interacts with litter size to determine the fate of her growing kittens. A large litter places a burden on both the mother and on the kittens, whose growth is affected; small mothers with large litters are particularly at risk. An acceleration in kitten growth occurs at about 32 days as the kittens take more solid food. This change in growth rate is more marked in large litters. Kittens of light mothers and kittens in large litters are weaned at a lower weight, and kittens of light mothers are weaned earlier. Our results indicate that, under poor environmental conditions, large litters would be less successful than small litters; kitten growth and survival would be affected and providing milk for a large litter would have a detrimental effect on the mother's health. The cost of lactation appears to have been a major evolutionary factor in determining mean litter size.