Maine Coon Auntie ‘Nursing' Kittens Who Aren't Hers Proves It Takes a Village

Raising kittens is not easy, regardless of whether you're their mama or the human trying to care for them. There are going to be times when a break is very much necessary, and that's totally fine! We shouldn't expect a new mom to be 100% on all the time!

Luckily, one Maine Coon has it covered. Her sister just had kittens, and she needed a break. Auntie knew that, and she decided to take matters into her own paws, snatching up her new kittens with ease! She's even letting them nurse:

@villainousfelines

Another day, another mama nursing a baby that isn't hers. It takes a village and I am grateful for ours! #cats#mainecoonkittens#orphanedkittens#fypシ#mainecoonsoftiktok

original sound - Villainous Felines

The Villainous Felines might have a slightly intimidating name, but they're as sweet as can be. All of these cats love each other so much, and apparently, this kind of thing happens all the time. Every single cat makes sure those babies feel loved and cared for, even if they're not theirs.

That's exactly how this should be. The kittens grow up with lots of different helping hands, and that will make it so they're not freaked out if they get to their forever home and find that there are other, older cats there.

Related: Rare Blue-Eyed Maine Coon Looks Like an Ocean Princess

The cat in this video actually has her own kittens, which is what makes this so silly. Her own kittens are trying to nurse, and then there are just a couple of random cousins in the mix, trying to steal some milk! When they're all done with their meals, they love to play together:

@villainousfelines

#party#partyanimals#cats#catparty#fypシ

sonido original - REGGASCAREDCR BY BCB

I've never seen so much fluff in one place! How amazing is it to have so many cute kittens? They won't be there for long, so I know their human caretaker is soaking in all of this sweetness while she can.

Is It Okay For Cats to Nurse Kittens Who Aren't Theirs?

These cats are all familiar with each other. They're one big family, and at any given time, more than one of these cats is lactating at a time. It really makes caring for the gaggles of kittens easier!

It's totally fine for a cat to nurse kittens who aren't hers. It's actually pretty common, especially with cats who have bigger litters. It's also very helpful: if your cat rejects her kittens, they may still be able to nurse with another cat! Before you allow another cat to nurse kittens who aren't hers, make sure she's:

• Fully vaccinated.
• In good health.
• Preferably, familiar with the kittens and their mothers, which will help prevent fighting.

Luckily, this auntie checks every single box! Thank goodness!

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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM.