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Hello All,

My husband and I recently adopted a cat that we thought was a stray. Well, to be more accurate, she adopted us. She just moved right in! Turns out she had a home a block away, but she was neglected (she was so skinny!), so she jumped ship. We found her family, and asked if we could adopt her, and they said yes. Then, we find out she's pregnant.

Fast forward to this morning - she just had her kittens! Five little cuties. Her previous people told us she had 2 litters in the past, first one was 2 kittens, sencond one was 1 kitten. They said she abandoned the kittens both times and they had to hand feed them.

So far, I don't think there are any signs of abandonment. She hasn't left the babies side (she started giving birth at 7 AM this morning), not even to touch the food and water I brought her.

My question is: what should I look for in terms of abandonment? We have never been through this before. We went to the vet and got the bottles and food replacer in the event she doesn't take care of these kittens, but I need to know what to look for. Should she always be with them, taking quick breaks to eat and go the bathroom? Any advice would be great!

Thanks!
Christine

P.S. She *will* be spayed as soon as she can be - the vet said at least 8 weeks.

She should be with them at first all the time except for short breaks for the litter box and food and maybe a little attention herself. If one cries, she will rush back to check them unless she can see them from where she is. She should keep them close to her, grooming and nursing them as well. Most cats curl around their kittens to keep them warm and safe. If she abandons them, it will be pretty obvious, she will leave them alone and ignore them or push them away from her. Most likely she will just leave them there alone to cry their hearts out and she won't care that they are crying. She will pretend that she has never seen them in her life and that they have nothing at all to do with her. Let us know how she is doing.
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PHWildCat/Tessa and 17 cats, 1 dog and even a hamster
Tabitha, in my heart forever.... earned her wings 6/26/05
Cat Board Monitor and Chat Host
Pet Hobbyist
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

Thanks for your response! So far, so good. She is taking short breaks away from her babies to eat and use the litter box, and as you say, for some attention herself. We are giving her lots of love and pets, talking to her constantly, telling her what a good Mommy she is.

I have another question. Despite the fact that we provided nesting boxes throughout the house, she choose to have her kittens on the rug, next to the bed. We've put keep the room extra warm, and put a blanket behind her, but I am worried by the fact that the kittens are on the rug directly. I don't care about the rug, it can easily be replaced, but I am worried that they will start going the bathroom, and it will soak into the rug and they will being lying in it. Should I move them and put some towels and newspapers under them? I have been afraid to touch them, although Munchie Mommy is certainly not bothered by my being close to them. I could feed Munchie, and quickly move them and put the towels and newspaper under them (several layers, as I saw suggested somewhere).

Should I do this? Or should I wait?

Thanks for your help!

Christine

For the first three weeks mom cat will lick the kittens around the belly and bottom areas. This will help with elimenation. At around three weeks you should set up a little box for the kittens. They will start using it between three and four weeks.
I would put the towel under the kittens just so they don't catch a chill from the floor. And that way you will be able to wash it and keep them clean. Don't be suprised if mom cat moves then around.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

Sounds like she is doing well. You might try getting one of the boxes and putting it right where she had them on top of the rug. She might like a clean bed for them by now. I have moved litters to more appropriate places many times and I usually do it when they are about 3 - 4 days old. Although once I actually moved them while Mom was giving birth, moved Mom too in mid birth. She was a feral and was giving birth on a narrow window sill in the rain. Not much she could do to me while she was in labor. She did hiss a lot though!!! But once she was in the warm dry place and her kittens were crying for her, not to mention another one coming, she stayed put. She is now tamed and a house pet. Here is Lizzie the cat just mentioned.

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PHWildCat/Tessa and 17 cats, 1 dog and even a hamster
Tabitha, in my heart forever.... earned her wings 6/26/05
Cat Board Monitor and Chat Host
Pet Hobbyist
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers