Mama instincts kicking in

kashmyre · Nov 9, 2006

First, a big hello to everyone

and an even bigger thank-you to all the information you guys (gals) provide on your site. I have been a frequent visitor and have been helped out a lot. Now for my question: We have a preg mama, at least we are pretty sure she is preg. By our estimations she is about 61/2 to 7 weeks along with the babes due around Nov. 24. Yesterday she started making "calling" sounds like in heat, but without any other signs. The funny thing is, she only "calls" to our 3 month old kitten. Angel (mama) then proceeds to clean her like there is no tomorrow. The reason I say this is strange is because up until this she has SEVERELY disliked Kricket (the kitten). Now she doesn't let the kitten out of her sight and watches, calls, and cleans her constantly. The other reason we don't think it is heat is because whenever Spider (our male and proud papa) goes near her she attacks him. Any comments would greatly appreciated.

gayef · Nov 9, 2006

*smile* My queen does the same thing ... only with her favorite toy, a ripped-up, straggly looking thing we affectionately refer to as "Octopus Baby". *LOL*

I think her maternal instincts are kicking in and that the behavior you've described is just that.

Welcome to the site! I can't wait to hear more about you, your cats, and of course, the babies when they arrive!

tnr1 · Nov 9, 2006

Welcome kashmyre!! I think Gaye has addressed your question. However I do have a question if you do not mind. Since you are sure that Spider is the father..do you plan to have him neutered soon?? The reason I ask is that unless Spider is neutered fairly soon..there is a good chance he could get Angel pregnant again while she is still nursing her new kittens. That would truly not be recommended. So, unless you have a foolproof plan to keep Spider away from Angel until she has weaned her kittens and has been spayed, it is probably a good idea to set him up with a neuter appt. If you need a low cost clinic, let us know.

Katie

kashmyre · Nov 9, 2006

Yes we do plan on having Spider neutered just as soon as we are sure Angel is preggers. I am taking all three to the vets next week (Angel for confirmation and "pre-natal" check, Kricket (kitten) for her shots, and Spider just because I hate to leave anyone out (lol - just a wellness check and appt. for neutering). No worries; we are VERY responsible pet owners. Both of my dogs are neutered and chipped, kitties are all vac. up to date, Cockatoo has the run of the house and the guinea pig eats better then most people!!! I thank you both for replying to my question. We were just a little concerned because we've been anticipating this for quite a while. (We waited until Angel was over a year to mate her). Here's hoping that I'll be a "grannie" soon...

edie1955 · Nov 9, 2006

wow you must be really excited. sorry to jsut barge in here but i am new to all this and have a few questions i hope someone can answer.
we have a cat that has been coming around the yard where i work for the past almost 2 months. she came with a flea collar and is extremely affectionate and friendly which led us to believe that she was lost but no one responded to the fliers we posted. anyway this monday when i went in to work i discovered her in a makeshift house that perhaps either the cleaning crew or watchman made and lo and behold there were 5 newborn kittens. we immediately brought the mother and kittens into the vestibule, and thats where she has been staying ever since. we gave her a new clean box, keep fresh water and food for her at all times and she seems to be doing whatever it is mommy cats are supposed to. she cleans them and nurses them, and they are getting chubbier and more active.
we contacted the north shore animal league and they told us that they would take the kittens once they reach the age of 8 weeks (or 2 pounds which ever comes first), so at least we know of a place that will take them.
my question (s) is (are) 1: is there anything else we should be looking for to make sure both mom and babies are ok? we had put a litter box in the vestibule but the mother wont use it, so i dont know if she is urinating, but she could be when she goes out (we keep the door ajar so she can come and go freely (needless to say my boss is not too happy).
is it possible for her to get pregnant right away now? how long after giving birth should we wait to have her fixed? we tried to get the mobile spay and neuter van to come but they said since she isnt a stray ( i guess they meant feral) they couldnt (or wouldnt) do anything.
and 3rd: how upset is the mommy going to be when we take her babies away from her, it breaks my heart to think she is going to be devestated although i know we will be doing the right thing, giving them a chance at a good home and loving family.
thank you for any help you can give me
edie1955

juliekit · Nov 9, 2006

Originally Posted by edie1955

wow you must be really excited. sorry to jsut barge in here but i am new to all this and have a few questions i hope someone can answer.
we have a cat that has been coming around the yard where i work for the past almost 2 months. she came with a flea collar and is extremely affectionate and friendly which led us to believe that she was lost but no one responded to the fliers we posted. anyway this monday when i went in to work i discovered her in a makeshift house that perhaps either the cleaning crew or watchman made and lo and behold there were 5 newborn kittens. we immediately brought the mother and kittens into the vestibule, and thats where she has been staying ever since. we gave her a new clean box, keep fresh water and food for her at all times and she seems to be doing whatever it is mommy cats are supposed to. she cleans them and nurses them, and they are getting chubbier and more active.
we contacted the north shore animal league and they told us that they would take the kittens once they reach the age of 8 weeks (or 2 pounds which ever comes first), so at least we know of a place that will take them.
my question (s) is (are) 1: is there anything else we should be looking for to make sure both mom and babies are ok? we had put a litter box in the vestibule but the mother wont use it, so i dont know if she is urinating, but she could be when she goes out (we keep the door ajar so she can come and go freely (needless to say my boss is not too happy).
is it possible for her to get pregnant right away now? how long after giving birth should we wait to have her fixed? we tried to get the mobile spay and neuter van to come but they said since she isnt a stray ( i guess they meant feral) they couldnt (or wouldnt) do anything.
and 3rd: how upset is the mommy going to be when we take her babies away from her, it breaks my heart to think she is going to be devestated although i know we will be doing the right thing, giving them a chance at a good home and loving family.
thank you for any help you can give me
edie1955

I think you will get better results if you post on a seperate thread

I will say one thing though, momma can get pregnant as soon as 2 weeks after giving birth so she cannot go outside at ALL, not even for half a second.

If you want to start your own thread i'll be more than happy to help

tnr1 · Nov 9, 2006

Originally Posted by kashmyre

Yes we do plan on having Spider neutered just as soon as we are sure Angel is preggers. I am taking all three to the vets next week (Angel for confirmation and "pre-natal" check, Kricket (kitten) for her shots, and Spider just because I hate to leave anyone out (lol - just a wellness check and appt. for neutering). No worries; we are VERY responsible pet owners. Both of my dogs are neutered and chipped, kitties are all vac. up to date, Cockatoo has the run of the house and the guinea pig eats better then most people!!! I thank you both for replying to my question. We were just a little concerned because we've been anticipating this for quite a while. (We waited until Angel was over a year to mate her). Here's hoping that I'll be a "grannie" soon...

Kashmyre...since cats are induced ovulators...I would definately have your male fixed the moment you confirm that Angel is pregnant. If Kricket is a female...she could become pregnant as early as 4 months of age and since it can take a month for a male to no longer carry active sperm...I would be setting up his neuter sooner rather than later. I would also recommend checking with your vet regarding the earliest date you could have Kricket fixed. I would also recommend that if you confirm Angel's pregnancy that you provide her with a room where she can have her kittens without Spider or Kricket being able to disturb her.

Katie

tnr1 · Nov 9, 2006

we immediately brought the mother and kittens into the vestibule, and thats where she has been staying ever since. we gave her a new clean box, keep fresh water and food for her at all times and she seems to be doing whatever it is mommy cats are supposed to. she cleans them and nurses them, and they are getting chubbier and more active.
we contacted the north shore animal league and they told us that they would take the kittens once they reach the age of 8 weeks (or 2 pounds which ever comes first), so at least we know of a place that will take them.
my question (s) is (are) 1: is there anything else we should be looking for to make sure both mom and babies are ok? we had put a litter box in the vestibule but the mother wont use it, so i dont know if she is urinating, but she could be when she goes out (we keep the door ajar so she can come and go freely (needless to say my boss is not too happy).
is it possible for her to get pregnant right away now? how long after giving birth should we wait to have her fixed? we tried to get the mobile spay and neuter van to come but they said since she isnt a stray ( i guess they meant feral) they couldnt (or wouldnt) do anything.
and 3rd: how upset is the mommy going to be when we take her babies away from her, it breaks my heart to think she is going to be devestated although i know we will be doing the right thing, giving them a chance at a good home and loving family.
thank you for any help you can give me
edie1955

Edie...welcome to TCS.....you need to keep this cat indoors only from now until she is spayed. Cats can become pregnant within a few days of giving birth and it is unwise for a cat to carry litters so close to each other. If she was a stray..she may not be familiar with a litterbox....get a flat pan and put some store bought potting soil over it...this will be closer to what she may be familiar with outdoors. Over time, you can gradually add litter (although we would recommend that you do not use clumping litter until her kittens are weaned) and less of the potting soil.

We recommend spaying this cat once the kittens reach the age of 10-12 weeks (that is when they should be placed into new homes). If however you are concerned that she may have become pregnant again...you can actually spay her now. At the feral cat clinic I have volunteered at...we have spayed nursing mothers. I realize you are concerned about how this mother cat will react once her kittens are placed..but if the kittens are placed when they are 10-12 weeks...that would be around they same time they would naturally leave to start their own lives. The most important thing you can do right now is to ensure that mom cat does not get outside again until she has been spayed.

Katie

Mama instincts kicking in

kashmyre

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gayef

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tnr1

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kashmyre

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edie1955

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juliekit

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tnr1

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tnr1

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