My inlaws have an outside cat who was just recently pregnant. We noticed yesterday that she was skinny again so we started looking for the kittens. We searched the garage where she is fed and has a litter box and down in the barn and wehre she was hanging out lately. Butno luck no kittens. We figured she just had them yesterday or the day before. After abotu and hour or so of seraching we stopped and then I heard my father in law yell my name. We found a kittenn laying on the ground in the garage with no head. I guess my question is, is this normal for a first time mother? pLease help.
-
Too many ads? Join our community of cat lovers now to reduce ads by 90%! Click here to join for free!
1st time litter please help........
- Thread starter 2badkitties
- Start Date
Yes, sometimes first time mothers become overwhelmed or frightened and react by harming the kittens. It may have been you and your in-laws searching for the kittens that has made her anxious and upset, as, if she fully trusted you, I believe she would have had them in or near the garage, where humans go.
As she is nursing the kittens, you need to feed her a good quality kitten food, as she needs the extra calories. If you can find the kittens when they're around 7 weeks old, bring them inside to be socialised with humans - this will make it much easier for you to find homes for them when they're about 9-10 weeks old. You can get mumcat spayed at that time.
As she is nursing the kittens, you need to feed her a good quality kitten food, as she needs the extra calories. If you can find the kittens when they're around 7 weeks old, bring them inside to be socialised with humans - this will make it much easier for you to find homes for them when they're about 9-10 weeks old. You can get mumcat spayed at that time.
If the cat is outside it could have been another animal that got the kitten. Weasals are known to destroy an entire litter of kittens.
Opossums will kill kittens also.... actually my boyfriend's dad told me he once saw a opossum kill and eat an adult cat.
------------
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #6
Thank you all for your input. I dont think we upset her looking for them. She is such a lovealbe cat and just wants all the attention and is at your feet ALL THE TIME. could she only have had 1 kitten. If not ther ehas to be more of them in the garage. He has had cats in the past have tons of kittens and nothing had ever gotten in there and harmed them. This just upsets me. It was hard seeing the teenie tiny kitten on the ground.
I know, it's always upsetting seeing a kitten like that.
It's possible she only had one kitten but this would be quite unusual. How is she acting now? Is she friendly or keeping her distance? If she's acting friendly, you could say to her, "Show me your babies. Where are you babies? Where are the kittens?", in a friendly voice. I know it sounds stupid but it can work sometimes.
It's possible she only had one kitten but this would be quite unusual. How is she acting now? Is she friendly or keeping her distance? If she's acting friendly, you could say to her, "Show me your babies. Where are you babies? Where are the kittens?", in a friendly voice. I know it sounds stupid but it can work sometimes.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #8
she is still very friendly. Kept following us around last night at our feet purring and everything. We kept saying that to her last night but she was like whatever. I hope we find them.
If this is an outdoor cat, its likely that she may be infected with one of the big viruses and may have passed it on to the kits, or that her kittens were born sickly. If this is the case, its common for her to eat them, bury them and/or abandon them. Does she see the vet regularly? Is she vaccinated? Do you have a problem with coyotes or raccoons where you're located? She could also have detected a predator and left them, especially as she has never had a litter before (and this should be her last!).
I would recommend having her combo-tested and spayed. If you're in the US and need help trapping her (I know its not uncommon for outside cats to haaaatttte going into a carrier, in which case it is safer to use a human, live trap and then transfer to a carrier) and getting ahold of free/low-cost spay services, send me a PM
It will be safer for her to not be having litter upon litter and its better for the community to not add to the already large population of unwanted kitties. I know she's n outside cat...one of the things we rescuers are starting to do for stray, feral, barn and outdoor cats is to trap them, spay or neuter them, and vaccinate/test when funds allow and simply let them back to the outside territory their used to and keep an eye on them (as you're obviously doing with this kitty!). This is called TNR, or trap, neuter, return.
If you need any help or advice, drop me a PM! Good luck!
I would recommend having her combo-tested and spayed. If you're in the US and need help trapping her (I know its not uncommon for outside cats to haaaatttte going into a carrier, in which case it is safer to use a human, live trap and then transfer to a carrier) and getting ahold of free/low-cost spay services, send me a PM
If you need any help or advice, drop me a PM! Good luck!
If you can,just keep an eye on her and watch where she goes,and quietly follow her. She should eventually lead you to them,if there are anymore.Originally Posted by 2BadKitties
Thank you all for your input. I dont think we upset her looking for them. She is such a lovealbe cat and just wants all the attention and is at your feet ALL THE TIME. could she only have had 1 kitten. If not ther ehas to be more of them in the garage. He has had cats in the past have tons of kittens and nothing had ever gotten in there and harmed them. This just upsets me. It was hard seeing the teenie tiny kitten on the ground.
