Question: Stray pregnant cat...

[Maddy McCall]

A stray cat has chosen my brother as her new owner. When she arrived a couple of weeks ago, we noticed that she ate as if each meal was her last.

It became evident soon thereafter that she is pregnant. Her belly is huge but the rest of her is normal size. She isn't a fat cat, just a pregger cat. :-)

My brother will have her fixed after the kittens arrive.

She is quite large now. We have no way to know how long she had been pregnant when she selected him as her new owner.

Can you guys give me some hints as to what to expect? My brother and I are "dog people" so we've not been through this before.

How can we know when the birth of the kittens is near? What do we need to do for her so that she has a nice place to have them?

The mom cat is sweet as she can be, but she refuses to go in the house, choosing instead to stay in the garage.

Any advice is appreciated.

[Roon]

1. Hook mama up...

with a box lined with towels or some other soft material. Make sure she is aware of it and put it close to where she hangs out in the garage. It does have to be kinda hidden and secure if she is going to have her kittens in it.

[1monster]

5. One of my cats had kittens last night. About two weeks ago, I lined a

box with quilt batting and a towel over that and let her know it was there.

Yesterday, she was more lethargic than usual and wanted more attention than usual. Since she was so big that she was waddling back and forth when she walked, I figured that birth was near.

I showed (and put her into) the box several times during the course of the day.

This morning, my son woke me up to say that Mithrandir had given birth to five kittens three grey, one tortoiseshell, one dead) during the night IN THE BOX.

Cats are very smart animals.

Give her a lined box in a quiet part of the garage. She'll understand, and if it makes her feel secure, she will use it.

[Maddy McCall]

15. Thanks for the advice....

I called him and he put a nice box in the garage, and lined it with towels. I will tell him to start helping her get used to it. I bet we will have kittens by the end of the week!

I can't wait. I will keep one, and he has already found several people who want the others. :-)

[Mz Pip]

2. Put a box

in the garage for her with towels for her to nest in.There probably won't be much for you to do. She'll take care if it. If she's really feral, she may disappear and have her kittens where you can't find them

Domesticating feral kittens can be done. They need to get used to being handled and played with.

I had 3 litters of feral kittens that I rescued 5 years ago. I kept 2 of them and they are the sweetest cats to me bt are not particuarly friendly with strangers.

MzPip
:dem:

[ronnykmarshall]

9. My cats are from feral parents.

Luckily they had a loving and caring foster mom that took care of not only them but their mama.

[Sporadicus]

3. I Had a Feral Cat Show Up at My Property

when I lived in the country. She had access to an old, breezy outbuilding that I used for storage. When she had her kittens, she dropped them down a rolled-up carpet. I noticed that she was 'skinny' one day and started looking for the kittens, then heard the pitiable mewling of newborns. I got them all out as she watched fretfully. I still have three 4th-generation descendants from that litter :-)

[jukes]

4. sequester her

in the garage. if she's gone wild enough, she won't have those kittens in the garage willingly, & if she has them outside, they are in danger.

she'll cry & make a fuss @ 1st, but it's safest to lock her down till she delivers.

cats prefer their food & water in separate locations. unlike dogs, they tend to think of them as different functions.

the advice on the obscured, lined box is absolutely correct.

[MuseRider]

6. I have nothing to add except

AHhhhhhhh baby kitties! Good for you and your brother. Have fun. Mama sounds sweet and it sounds like she knows she has hit the jackpot.

[Maddy McCall]

7. Thanks, everyone.

I will share your advice with my brother. He has named the cat Bee, as in "Aunt Bee." Funny, because I had NOTHING to do with the naming of the cat, and look at my signature.

One more question: Is it safe to give her catnip while she's preggers? I bought some for her, and gave her a small amount, and she rolled in it and nosed it, and ate a little. She loved it, but I don't want to do anything that will harm the kittens.

Thanks again for the great advice! :-)

[burrowowl]

30. I know of no studies

saying that catnip causes lower birth weights.
Give her some chives if she likes it too.

[TexasBushwhacker]

8. Okay, here ya go

If she is noticeably large, she will probably give birth in the next 3 weeks. She's probably comfortable in the garage because it's more quiet and private for her, so give her an enclosed soft place for her to have her kittens and take care of them. A good sized corrugated cardboard box with one side cut down to 5-6" or so to let mom step in but keep the kittens from wandering out. Put old towels and such in the bottom of the box to make it comfy. Put her into the box whenever you get the chance, and she's soon get the idea that it's a good place for her to have her kittens.

When she's going into labor, you may notice some mucus on her backside. If someone is present to watch her have the kittens she probably won't mind. She will have kitten, placenta, kitten, placenta and so on. She will lick the kittens all over and she will eat the placentas. If a newborn wanders away from mom, just pick it up and put it by her belly. It will find a nipple to nurse from and that's pretty much all the kittens will do for the first few days.

There's good info here:

http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=1&cat=1366

Consult with your vet, but the mom cat should probably be fixed no later than 8 weeks after the kittens are born. If you wait longer than that, she'll probably get pregnant again. The kittens should be weaned and ready for adoption at that point. If they are still nursing, the spaying will make the mom's milk dry up. 8 weeks is a good time to adopt out the kittens as well. If you take them to the animal shelter too early (before they can live on solid food only) they will be put to sleep.

Last but not least, even though y'all are "dog people" be prepared to FALL IN LOVE! Once the kittens are up and around a bit, handle them a lot. It helps them to get used to humans, to bond with them and they'll make better pets.

[aquart]

23. Personally, I was raised by an airedale. Her name was Chippie.

I have never understood a distinction between dog people and cat people. I'm an animal people. I have cats for convenience in a tiny apartment. But my neighbor has a dog I adore and vice versa may I add. I love the dogs in my neighborhood, especially the sappy, eager puppies. And there has never been a better being than a black Lab.

The first thing a dog person needs to know about cats is that most things cat haters tell you is a lie. Cats do need people. Cats do love. Deeply. Passionately. And they mourn. Rhonda, the Siamese who liked the family to watch her give birth? When my stepdad died, she would carry his glove around the house every night, crying for him.

My sister's cat, HeShe, so named because he was rescued from a drain where rats had been gnawing the screaming kitten and his sex wasn't possible to discern, would BLEED when Sara went out of town on a buying trip, he was that dependent on the one who had nursed him.

Cats don't love you because you're master. They love you because you're family. Do cats have families? Someday I will tell you about the cat who desperately wanted to come inside, but her mother was too frightened, even though she was ill, so the cat stayed outside with her mother until she died, and came in the day after. Or the young mother who went insane when the pound gassed her kittens. Or ..... anyway, they do have families, crushes, preferences, and opinions.

[aquart]

10. IS she feral? Or a dumpee?

Can you pet her?

Does she appear to be healthy? Eyes clear? Coat shiny?

Socializing kittens means handling them. As early as possible. EVEN IF THEY BITE YOU. I just mention that.

But be on the lookout for health problems. A street cat has the opportunity to pick up horrible diseases. And worms. Parasites. Some of these can kill the kittens. Or make them very unhappy. Ask your vet or a cat person for instructions on worming. Everybody will be much happier.

A cat my mom was feeding brought her kittens into the house. She was riddled with parasites and would have died within days if we hadn't gotten her to a vet. We confined the kittens to a bathroom (that's where the biting came in) and worked hard on handling them until they they purred. There are ways to touch kittens they like a lot. You might want to google Tellington Touch.

[Maddy McCall]

11. I don't think she is feral...she looked like she had been cared for...

when she arrived. Yes, you can pet her, hold her, play with her. She even follows us around. She is a very sweet cat. My guess is that she is probably not even a year old. Very clear eyes, beautiful fluffy, calico coat, purrs when held.

I will advise my brother to get her to the vet. When she first approached him, he didn't know if she was passing through, or if she had selected him as his owner. She's been with him now for two weeks, so it looks like it's her home now. :-)

[jukes]

12. that's great!

your bro is a good guy! catnip will not affect the kittens, so let her have some more.

[Maddy McCall]

13. Thanks, jukes.

We enjoy watching her play in the catnip. When she's stoned on catnip, she is oblivious to the world around her. :-)

[aquart]

24. But DON'T give catnip to the kittens. At least 6 months old.

[aquart]

16. Dumpee. NOT feral. She'll be moving in after the kids are born.

Poor child, thrown into the street, raped, dealing with the consequences.

This means you'll be able to get close to the kittens very early. Do it. And feed her lovely healthy treats. Does she like turkey? Get her to eat from your hand. She's clearly a house cat.

If she doesn't look ill, I wouldn't trap her and take her to the vet till much later. You don't know what the trauma might do. You have a lot of work to do on earning trust. She's had her heart broken and her faith betrayed, after all.

Just feed her, love her, leave her alone. And praise the kittens. Tell her how smart and beautiful she is to have such smart and beautiful kittens. Since she isn't feral, she might insist you be there for the birth. I had one cat who refused to let a kitten out of the womb until everyone in the house was assembled to watch. She would howl thru the house, calling us. She once jumped out of the box in the middle of labor and went upstairs to hound someone out of the bathroom in order that all should be properly present.

[Maddy McCall]

20. What a nice post!

I will tell my brother all of your advice, and urge him to follow it.

He will definitely take her to the vet after the kittens are here. He is on a very limited disability income, so for him to obligate himself to a pregnant cat is a huge deal for him.

I love the story about the mom kitty of yours summoning everyone to watch her give birth. I am hoping that my brother's cat doesn't start giving birth until after school hours, because I want my son to be a part of it. It will be his first experience of watching baby anythings come into the world. :-)

[aquart]

21. If he has income problems?

Get in touch with rescue groups in your area. They'll have certificates for spaying discounts. This is commonly done with rescued animals. In fact, start locating the rescuers now. Not only do they have huge experience at their disposal, they can give you help and advice with placing the kittens, and some, not all mind you, may have a few supplies on hand that could help.

My sister has been a rescuer for decades and she is a freaking pharmacy. She is also skilled with hydrating, giving medication, that kind of thing. She knows how to give a cat a fleabath that doesn't make it insane (no running water). There will be people like that in your neighborhood. Find them. Tell them you are taking responsibility for the animal but you have limitations and concerns. If one can't help, get a referral to another.

[spooky3]

22. Here are a few more thoughts...

from someone who's done a lot of fostering.

Do you or your brother know of an animal welfare organization nearby? They may be willing and able to help Good Samaritans. Also, my vet charged me half price for taking care of foster animals (he charged the usual price for my own pets, of course).

The mom may ignore the box with the towels until just before she's ready to give birth. That doesn't mean she won't use it; she may just be waiting for the right time. I've had several mom's do this. I would just show it to her but would not pick her up and put her in it.

Since she's clearly not feral, she may want to come in the house once she's ready to have the kittens. Sometimes you can tell from the position of the bulge in mom's bellies--just before they're ready to deliver the bulge moves much lower, closer to the tail.

Some moms have really appreciated having you nearby when they are giving birth, but there really isn't anything to do unless unusual problems arise.

Some moms, even tame ones, abandon their kittens because they don't know what to do, so be sure the garage door is closed if she gives birth out there. She should not leave the kittens for more than a few minutes at a time. They need her for warmth and food. Be sure she has plenty of food and water, and a litter box nearby.

You can buy mom's milk substitute at pet food stores, as a backup, in case she can't feed all of them. However, this is expensive, and feeding newborns with a tiny bottle is a bit difficult.

It's very kind of you and your brother to help this poor abandoned mom.

[burrowowl]

31. I had a friend who had a female Great Dane

a girl friend of his was appartmentless and landed at his place with 3 kittens whose mother had died. She had moved in during the night and was bottle feeding them. The next morning, as they were eating breakfast, he saw the Dane go across the room with 3 tails sticking out of its mouth and going behind the sofa. He jumped up and ran after the dog, behind the sofa the dog had made a 'nest' and was depositing the kittens. They could approach the kittens at feeding times with the bottles and laying the bottles on the dog. The kittens grew up with a very large superiority complex.

[Zomby Woof]

14. that cat should get plenty of ham!

And it looks like you survived last weekend. ;-)

[davsand]

17. Congrats on the impending arrival!

A couple of things about the Mom to be:

Keep all closets and cabinets well closed until those kittens are born. Mom cats sometimes surprise you with where they go to have a litter of kittens.

The birthing box needs to be either covered or else in a dark place. Mom cats typically look for a dark place to have kittens simply because those newborn kitten eyes are not open yet but still sensitive to light.

I don't know if you've done it or not already, but DO put Mom cat on a good kitten food NOW so she'll have adequate nutrition for those babies. Keep her on it while she's nursing, and make sure she has as much to eat and drink as she wants.

Enjoy those new babies--they are a real hoot. Be prepared, however, you have now become Dog AND cat people!


Laura

[skygazer]

18. Give her space when they're born

Many cats, even well domesticated ones, get quite nervous if you get close to or handle their kittens too much, particularly when they're newborn. They will often move them if they get spooked about it, sometimes with tragic results (we had a cat who moved them into the crawl space in the ceiling - one kitten slipped down into the wall and we had to cut a hole in the wall to rescue him. He was fine, luckily).

Once their eyes open and they're moving around, he can handle them more which they'll need to be socialized. As for mom, let her take her own time about entering the house. She sounds like a nice cat. Probably with time, she'll learn to trust him.

[jukes]

19. perhaps i'm wrong

but i think i'm hearing some very bad advice.

am NOT in the mood for a flame war. seriously.


this cat needs to be sequestered in a safe environment. if allowed to choose her own nest, you won't see these kittens until she's ready to ween, about 6 weeks.

and you'll never see them all.

the most frequent predator is the sire. LISTEN UP FOLKS! male cats will raid the nest in order to drive the mother back into estrus & to remove potential rivals.

there are many more dangers out there, too many to list. lure her into the garage & quietly shut the door. have it prepped w/ a suitable nest area. place her food & water AWAY from the nest. visit & play w/ her lots until she births, then stay back; she'll let you know when she's ready for viewing.

O/C, you shd check the nest from a respectful distance after she's done to be sure there are no problems.

[davsand]

25. Tom cats can be lethal to kittens, you are right.

It is sad, but quite true that male cats are sometimes deadly to kittens. I've had Momcats that go nuts if ANY cat comes around--not just a male.

It was always our rule of thumb not to handle kittens until they had their eyes open. They are amazingly tough, but not able to stand up to much handling. Additionally, you are quite correct that some Mom cats will move kittens that are being too closely watched/ touched by humans. Remember, cats are carnivores/hunters and that does play a role in how they behave with offspring.

I've had cats that loved for us to admire the kittens and I've had cats that just wanted to be left alone. You just have to respect what they want and accept it as part of the cat human interaction. No matter how well meaning you are, they have no way to tell that except by following where they lead.

Good call on the advice, IMO.


Laura

[jukes]

26. thanks

for the prop. i raised an abandoned kitten 1ce. had to teach him to suckle, fed every 2 hours for a week. stim'd his genetalia & rectum w/ a warm cloth to teach him to void. had to "burp" him after feeding; little bitty thing on my shoulder tapping him gently on the back w/ two fingers till he wd bring forth a mighty belch! had to nibble at his ears & throat to teach him to groom himself.

extremely rewarding experience. he's a huge longhair orange tabby now. wd be my alpha, but he's too intellectual to crave power.

[MuseRider]

27. I have done that too,

it is pretty cool but very time consuming. I had a mother abandon one outside my apartment. Once he was old enough a friend took him and he lived for years. I have also raised squirrels and lots of abandoned rabbits, a hazzard of working at a zoo, everyone brings em in. I used the web between my thumb and first finger because he would not take a bottle, I can remember it hurt a lot after a while.

[jukes]

28. you're pretty amazing, musey

:pals:

posted you a link on the avatar back in the worm thread,

[MuseRider]

29. NOT!

Just someone who like lots of different stuff. Master of none you see. It sounds like you live a bit like I do although you have probably mastered something. I stick with my stuff and try to do just about anything that presents itself, mostly badly but hey, you never know til you try. Also I am old enough to have done a lot of things. I answered your worm thread.