Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay, well Myrtle doesn't like dogs, as most everyone here already knows. But she's been getting MUCH better, in fact, letting him get 6 inches from her (in special circumstances). Well today, I brought the kittens out, one by one, with Myrtle locked in the room to socialize them with the dog. I've been doing this everyday for the last two weeks with no problems. All went well, two of the kits are no longer hissing at Ernie at all! But when I took the last kitten in, Myrtle moved them all under the bed. I waited a while, took her outside and held her in my lap which she enjoyed IMMENSLY, then put her kittens back in the closet. I just went to the room and found two kittens out wandering around, the other two with Myrtle, under the bed! Myrtle came out panting and grunting (which she's been doing periodically all day) PLEASE TELL ME SHE ISN'T IN HEAT!!! Would taking her outside have stimulated this for her (I did this yesterday too). I wouldn't mind her moving the kittens, but now there's a problem. I can't have these tiny babies wandering around and underfoot! Hubby works second shift and comes home late at night, he might step on one while coming in to bed (But would be very careful and probably wouldn't). Did I do something wrong? Anyone have any suggestions on how to keep the babies safer?

DestanyF

Unfortunately Myrtle could be in heat again. This happens. I would recommend a vet call. In the meantime try to keep her quiet as much as possible and definitely avoid taking her outside if you can.

Cats will put the kittens where they feel safest. Perhaps Myrtle needs to have a more closed-off space if you can think of one. She may feel that something is threatening the kittens.
-----
Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

The same thing happened to my friend. Her mother cat started moving the kittens all over hte house. We finally locked her in a spare bedroom. I believe the kittens are a week older then yours. And she started moving them around April 16th.
-----
Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

Wow, that is strange... PhAbymom suggested to me last night that she may have done it to get them used to the world outside the closet, and to encourage them to get up and move around a bit more. This makes sense to me since the bed is like a foot up off the floor, I can get under there anytime I want (she knows this 'cause I've spent hours under the bed petting her), and besides, she put them on the end, not the middle, so all you have to do is reach down and scoop one up! All she did was make it easier for them to wander around. We're rearranging our sleeping habits so we won't have to confine them, just until they get a little bigger.
I don't think I have to worry about her moving them all over the house though, I'd be very surprised if she takes them out of the room at all. I mean, the DOG is outside the bedroom and she barely comes out herself unless he's crated...

DestanyF

Maybe she didn't like being in a dark closet any more. Who knows. Cats can be strange haha.
They are getting BIG!!!
-----
Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker