Domestic Mothers: Caring and Nurturing

Domesticated animals display strong maternal instincts, showing both care and guidance to ensure the survival of their young.  In many species, the mother is called a dam, a term commonly used for animals like dogs, horses, and cattle.

Mother cats help their kittens latch on shortly after birth but gradually wean them off nursing and transition them to solid food.  During this time, she also strengthens their bond by grooming and teaching them how to groom themselves.

Mares from protective bonds with their foals by nuzzling, licking and guiding them to nurse and graze.  They position themselves between the foal and potential threats, avoiding stepping or lying on them and gently using their teeth to groom the foal.

Since puppies are born deaf, blind, and with limited movement, the dam provides warmth and nurturing.  She guides their development through licking and grooming.  She helps them learn socialization and communication skills through interaction with her and their littermates.

Highland cows are usually gentle and friendly, but they become fiercely protective when they’re with their calves.  The mothers are never alone in raising them; the entire fold comes together to prioritise and care for the little ones.

Gentle and attentive, alpaca mothers use soft, humming sounds to bond with their cria.  While mothers will nurse standing up, encouraging their young to become independent quickly, other females, known as ‘aunties’, will help with the upbringing.

Ewes bond with their lambs through scent recognition, licking them clean at birth to imprint their unique smell.  Communicating through soft bleats, ewes nudge their lambs to nurse and ensure they are receiving essential colostrum.