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PlayFair8888

(3 posts)

71. Our experience

Thu Jul 18, 2013, 01:06 PM

Jul 2013

Our experience has been that once the weening process starts, it is like a switch is thrown in the mamma cat's brain. No longer does she brood over the kittens, in fact, she usually wants to get as far away from them as possible. Now don't misunderstand, she is never mean to them, she just views them as other cats. The kittens, on the other hand, still want to nurse and pester the mamma to death. Breeders usually have a way of separating the mamma from the kittens. Some have other areas were they keep them. Some have large crates where they can keep the mother so the kittens can't get to her. The problem you are facing is if there is no way for Nikita to get away from the kittens, Nikita won't have a minutes peace and that is what she needs right now. Personally, I would suggest that you don't put them together. The idea of a cat "family" may seem charming, but it isn't reality. In a very short time, the mother stops viewing them as "her" kittens.

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Hey Cat-Savvy Du'ers -- For the Love of a Cat named Nikita -- a continuation (Part 3) UPDATE [View all] Samantha Jul 2013 OP

what a great post, especially tonight. thankyou! Kali Jul 2013 #1

Cat servant! Samantha Jul 2013 #2

I am so glad I live all the way across the country Kali Jul 2013 #3

The problem is I really want to keep them all Samantha Jul 2013 #4

thank you for this!! KT2000 Jul 2013 #5

I can never develop a plan of action because Nikita always has her own plan Samantha Jul 2013 #7

Awww, you're a grandma! Congratulations! protect our future Jul 2013 #6

I believe Nikita sees the situation as quite the opposite Samantha Jul 2013 #19

what a wonderful story. i'm a crazy cat lady too. trueblue2007 Jul 2013 #8

Thank you trueblue2007 -- amd that's a funny story you have of your own! Samantha Jul 2013 #10

Is there a group near where you live that avebury Jul 2013 #9

There are many homeless animals here as well Samantha Jul 2013 #11

I am lucky that I could funnel my through the avebury Jul 2013 #12

Thank you for that information Samantha Jul 2013 #13

I would handle the kittens a lot. hay rick Jul 2013 #21

Well, I guess if you could get thru that, I can manage this Samantha Jul 2013 #24

Do you happen to know at what age a female must be before she becomes pregnant? Samantha Jul 2013 #35

I am not sure of the age but it is pretty young. avebury Jul 2013 #36

The kittens were 7 weeks old Sunday (yesterday) Samantha Jul 2013 #37

It can be really hard to determine the sex of kittens. avebury Jul 2013 #38

That would be fine and thank you Samantha Jul 2013 #41

I just caught a break at work. avebury Jul 2013 #42

Thank you so much for this update and the pictures! Tuesday Afternoon Jul 2013 #14

Thank you so much Samantha Jul 2013 #15

Recommend! KoKo Jul 2013 #16

Thank you, KoKo Samantha Jul 2013 #17

Loved reading it all..and it's a BRIGHT LIGHT...to read it ... KoKo Jul 2013 #26

What a surprise! BrotherIvan Jul 2013 #18

You were one of the people that really gave me a lot of moral support when I was coping Samantha Jul 2013 #23

Thanks so much for the kind words BrotherIvan Jul 2013 #27

I am going to write you tomorrow about this scenario Samantha Jul 2013 #31

Here is one question Samantha Jul 2013 #40

Great question BrotherIvan Jul 2013 #43

Today and tomorrow are going to be very rough days for me and the kids Samantha Jul 2013 #44

Yes, that box will be enough for them for now BrotherIvan Jul 2013 #45

Could you take a look at my post 54 and tell me what you think? n/t leaving soon Samantha Jul 2013 #56

I suspect that you and Nikita have the same sense of humor. protect our future Jul 2013 #20

I have kind of thought we have some quirks in common Samantha Jul 2013 #87

Thanks for the update. Good luck finding them good homes. n/t Fla Dem Jul 2013 #22

Awww! They're adorable!! RavensChick Jul 2013 #25

We are neighbors -- I am in College Park Samantha Jul 2013 #29

my cat chloe used to follow us on dog walks hopemountain Jul 2013 #28

Hey,hopemountain, your cat chloe is special Samantha Jul 2013 #30

Kicking and recommending... love_katz Jul 2013 #32

Well, I see from your screen name that I have a chance of appealing to your good nature Samantha Jul 2013 #33

The only piece of advice I can think of to offer, at this time,... love_katz Jul 2013 #34

I grew up a dog person until I got my first avebury Jul 2013 #61

Beautiful babbies! Good job! GreenPartyVoter Jul 2013 #39

Aw...what a great outcome for Nikita and her kids. Sending a link to my nephew (and his girlfriend) mnhtnbb Jul 2013 #46

Thank you so much Samantha Jul 2013 #50

They are adorable! kurtzapril4 Jul 2013 #47

What a wonderful story. Thank you for taking care of life long demo Jul 2013 #48

Be Strong PlayFair8888 Jul 2013 #49

She cried all last night in the trap and it broke my heart Samantha Jul 2013 #51

So it sounds like Nikita is through surgery and doing well? LoveMyCali Jul 2013 #52

She had the surgery today. I pick her up tomorrow Samantha Jul 2013 #55

It is important to socialize the kittens to make them more adoptable. avebury Jul 2013 #58

That was a really smart move. When I talked with the avebury Jul 2013 #59

I am going soon but it is 97 degrees outside and a temperature alert is going into effect at Noon Samantha Jul 2013 #60

Do you know anybody that could loan you a dog crate that is big enough to keep her contained but avebury Jul 2013 #62

I have only a small carrier for Cheyenne and the shed is packed tight with lawn stuff Samantha Jul 2013 #63

Starting out be keeping her in the crate and the avebury Jul 2013 #64

Thank you - I have been outside now again and I know I can't release her outside for sure Samantha Jul 2013 #67

Just butting in BrotherIvan Jul 2013 #70

What do you mean butt in -- you have helped me to make it to this point Samantha Jul 2013 #72

Sounds better than expected! BrotherIvan Jul 2013 #76

Totally agree! nt avebury Jul 2013 #78

I am going to pick her up today and there is a temperative 97 degrees here in DC; heat index higher Samantha Jul 2013 #57

Looking forward to hearing how Nikita is doing. love_katz Jul 2013 #53

I pick her up after 10:00 am Thursday Samantha Jul 2013 #54

If the kittens are inside with you, put her with them! BrotherIvan Jul 2013 #65

I sent a PM to you as well BrotherIvan Jul 2013 #66

You hit on what is driving me crazy Samantha Jul 2013 #68

The big concern is the surgical wound BrotherIvan Jul 2013 #69

Keep her inside if you can. love_katz Jul 2013 #74

OK, this is how concerned I am for your fur babies. Le Taz Hot Jul 2013 #81

This advice means a lot to me Samantha Jul 2013 #82

Give them time to get used to the Le Taz Hot Jul 2013 #83

Perhaps you know the answer to this question Samantha Jul 2013 #93

For the pooping where they're not supposed to poop Le Taz Hot Jul 2013 #94

You are really quick Samantha Jul 2013 #95

Le Taz Hot is giving EXCELLENT advice BrotherIvan Jul 2013 #97

Today's shocking developments Samantha Jul 2013 #98

HA HA it's like a brothel in there! BrotherIvan Jul 2013 #99

Our experience PlayFair8888 Jul 2013 #71

Well, for right now (this day) I believe I have accidently done the right thing Samantha Jul 2013 #73

That is a great idea to keep one of the kittens as a companion avebury Jul 2013 #75

One of our neighborhood female had a litter of kittens. avebury Jul 2013 #77

We have kept a kitten PlayFair8888 Jul 2013 #79

If you love her, let her go Samantha Jul 2013 #80

Nikita has come back home Samantha Jul 2013 #84

They are all KC Jul 2013 #85

Thank you so much Samantha Jul 2013 #86

PLEASE LOOK FOR AN IMPORTANT UPDATE MONDAY OR TUESDAY Samantha Jul 2013 #88

Any news on Nikkita LoveMyCali Jul 2013 #89

Nikita is home and thriving -- she is doing very well Samantha Jul 2013 #90

I'm so glad that things seem to be working out LoveMyCali Jul 2013 #91

One person here told me her organization does this at about 14 weeks Samantha Jul 2013 #92

I will definitely donate! BrotherIvan Jul 2013 #96

THE THREAD IS UP IN GENERAL DISCUSSION Samantha Jul 2013 #100