Wwyd?

sunfairie

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OK My brothers cat had a litter and we said we would take two. SIL is preggers and she wants nothing to do with the litter box and she is calling me already to come get the kittens. The will be 6 weeks this Tuesday.


SIL also works full time and has my two nephews, so I am worried they are not getting enough human attention with the exception of my nephews getting a hold of them here and there and probably terrorizing them (I love my nephews bu they are rough and tough boys).


She said they are eating solids now and pooping everywhere. She told my mom they are pooping on the floor and said she told my brother to clean it up because she would not.


She said she has seen them nurse once, but they are up and moving and running around. Her mamma cat wants out of the room where she has been keeping the kittens and is scratching the carpet up while she is at work to get out (she keeps her in a room with the kittens while she is at work).

I am worried when I get them here they are going to have bad littler box habits (I mean not have litter box etiquette at all) and Pumpkin is doing so well with her littler box, I am hoping she can teach her brothers when they come.

Should I just go get them now and be assured they are OK (attention, interaction, and good TLC) or just not worry and let them be with their mamma cat for another week or so?

wwyd?
 

mom of 4

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Could you volunteer to take all of them on a temporary basis?

Mom needs time to train in the ways of being a good cat. You could work on socializing them. And they would be away from the terrors of unsupervised children.
Another 6 weeks with mom would be better.
 
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sunfairie

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yes.... I know that 12 weeks is ideal for taking the kittens, but I just do not see this happening now with my SIL. She said ok at first to waiting 12 weeks but her patience is fading fast. I do not think I can take all 4 kittens the mamma cat and my new Pumpkin.. I would be stretched too thin...
 

sadieandziggy

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Wasn't Pumpkin quite young when you got her anyway (she's a cutie by the way) Perhaps you SIL isn't giving thm enough access to litter, or it's not being changed enough - trust me, I'm scooping mine 3-4 times a day and changing every 3 days with 4 kittens and an adult using one box. If the boys are rowdy and the litter box is near their usual play area then the kittens may be too frightened to use it. Or the kittens may not like the texture of the litter she uses.

Perhaps the two of you could comprimise at 8 weeks. That way they should be fully weaned - if not fully then almost - and hopefully using the litter box.

TortieBaby has just given her kittens up at 6 weeks so hopefully she'll post soon.
 
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sunfairie

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Originally Posted by sadieandziggy

Wasn't Pumpkin quite young when you got her anyway (she's a cutie by the way) Perhaps you SIL isn't giving thm enough access to litter, or it's not being changed enough - trust me, I'm scooping mine 3-4 times a day and changing every 3 days with 4 kittens and an adult using one box. If the boys are rowdy and the litter box is near their usual play area then the kittens may be too frightened to use it. Or the kittens may not like the texture of the litter she uses.

Perhaps the two of you could comprimise at 8 weeks. That way they should be fully weaned - if not fully then almost - and hopefully using the litter box.

TortieBaby has just given her kittens up at 6 weeks so hopefully she'll post soon.
Yes she was but a totally different situation..did not know the people other than the live down the street....she was not being fed and was infested with fleas..I did save her..


the litter box is by the play room at my brother's so that makes sense..

let's see if tortiebaby posts and her wisdom

thank you
 

xxtashaxx

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torties kittens were orphand so sometimes it is best to let them go that little bit early so they can bond with there new forever owners. seen as they didnt have a mother in the first place it dosnt make to much of a difference.
if she wants them gone and isnt going to wait untill there old enough , then if you dont take them she may ask someone else to insead, its a shame you couldnt take them all and mum on for a few weeks , but seen as you are taken 2 together it will be a little easier on the kittens then just taking 1.
with the litter box , make sure they are in a small room (bathroom?) with thee food , water and litter tray, after feedings put them in the litter box and do the scratching motion , do this when they wake up or when you see them sniffing or circuling and look like they want to go. good luck.
 

tarasgirl06

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Kittens need to be with their mothers AT LEAST 8 weeks to be weaned; 12 weeks would be much better, for socialization. If there is any danger to the kittens and/or the mother cat from the kids, the kittens and mother cat need to be removed from that house at once. Their safety should be the first priority!!! It sounds like everyone would greatly benefit from humane education, learning about cats from the word go as from how you describe the situation with cats being getting pregnant repeatedly, no one even knows the basics i.e., spaying and neutering is a MUST and that cats and kittens need quiet, serene, calm surroundings, kind, compassionate, loving treatment, and places they feel safe and protected from harm. TCS has a wealth of information and perhaps everyone would benefit from reading up on cats a lot more! I am praying all the cats will be okay.
 
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sunfairie

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Originally Posted by Tarasgirl06

Kittens need to be with their mothers AT LEAST 8 weeks to be weaned; 12 weeks would be much better, for socialization. If there is any danger to the kittens and/or the mother cat from the kids, the kittens and mother cat need to be removed from that house at once. Their safety should be the first priority!!! It sounds like everyone would greatly benefit from humane education, learning about cats from the word go as from how you describe the situation with cats being getting pregnant repeatedly, no one even knows the basics i.e., spaying and neutering is a MUST and that cats and kittens need quiet, serene, calm surroundings, kind, compassionate, loving treatment, and places they feel safe and protected from harm. TCS has a wealth of information and perhaps everyone would benefit from reading up on cats a lot more! I am praying all the cats will be okay.
I am nottrying to take offense here to your post.
I am aware of the humane needs of the kittens hence hy I posted. I just rescued a kitten from sure fate of un healthy living conditions.

That said..I am graetful for your passion to educate and insist on high standards for cat care and humane living...

This mamma cat is well loved. She was a stray rescued by my brother and turned indoor cat but he did not get her fixed..so he did fail there...but they love her and she is a very lovable cat. This is her only litter ( I do not recall saying she has had more than one litter
) and will be her last because they are going to get her fixed. They just never anticipated her getting out, but during construction of their home she found a way out.
Luckily she came back.

I do not feel there is danger to the mamma cat just worry about the babies by the handling by the boys; not that any intentional harm would come by any means.

My SIL does not want all the kittens, true, but she loves the mamma cat. She has alays made time for the mamma cat, she just cannot handle 4 kittens and her two boys.
She lets them out to play but I know they are not getting the one on one like I am giving Pumpkin or being shown the litter box and how to use liek I am also doing..

hth
 

goldenkitty45

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If you have a spare bedroom I'd go get mom and kittens and bring them all in the house and confine them so they are trained. You can't expect a bunch of little kittens running around the house to be instantly potty trained.

The mom probably wants out cause she's in heat or gonna be and if she gets outside she WILL get pregnant. Are they willing to help contribute some money to get mom spayed?

If not, and you can't, then keep everyone together till the kittens are 10-12 weeks old and then take the mom to the shelter if you can't find her a home that will spay her.
 

sadieandziggy

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I think everyone is missing the point here:

1. The Sister-In-Law is pregnant and so cannot handle the cat litter

2. The SIL is keeping the momma cat and will be getting her fixed

3. The SIL is finding it difficult to handle pregnancy with kitten care and her two sons at the same time and so Traci just wants an idea of if it will be okay if she were to take the kittens early.


My answer - Wait until 8 weeks. Help out your SIL if she lives close enough i.e - human socialisation, litter training, litter cleaning (Get your brother on board too) Suggest products like that stuff you put in the litter tray to attract the kittens to it. Just explain the reasons for not being able to take them at 6 weeks - Important learning form momma cat is to be done. Pumpkin is not old enough yet to teach them

Good Luck
 
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sunfairie

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THANK YOU Sadieandziggy!!!
Whew..finally...
muchos gracias!!!!
 

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I feel a little like your SIL. I was only being a kind person to allow a pregnant stray to give birth in my basement. I am EXTREMELY allergic to cats! These kittens are now 5 1/2 weeks old and they are running all over the bathroom and foyer in the basement. Even though I am living on allergy meds and asthma inhalers, I can't imagine these kittens being ready to leave their mom. However, I am going to allow at least two of them to leave when they are 8 weeks old. They will both go to the same home.
My kittens have been using the litter box well for at least a week. I'm not sure all of them cover it yet (I think mom is still doing that for them). Like sadieandziggy said, we also have to scoop the litter 3-4 times a day. Usually as soon as we scoop one of them goes again. They don't like dirty litter. I also have 2 boys (ages 11 and 6) who I am encouraging to visit with these cats since I am unable to stay in the room with them for long. I do think that these kittens, like your SIL's kittens, will have a much better life even without their mom at eight weeks than stuck in my basement. I encourage you to take a kitten (or two
) at eight weeks.
 

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I think 6 weeks is too young. Offer to visit and clean up the kitten room a few times a week. Bring over a few of the kitten litterboxes with low sides to sit where the kittens are going on the floor. Ask your brother to help out with kitten chores. Maybe even offer to babysit the nephews to take some of the load off SIL?

I would also worry about illness. Has Pumpkin had vaccinations? Will the kittens get vaccinated at 8 weeks before you bring them home?

If they will wait another 2-4 weeks, you will have nicer cats when they grow up. If you must bring them home at 6 weeks, please weigh them daily. Most kittens are still nursing at that age.
 
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sunfairie

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thanks you guys...offering to come help my SIL is a great idea ( duh! to me!) but I think I am too late she called today and left me a message said please come get them now because she cannot stand it any more.

SO let me see if I can help her out and compromise to let my kittens stay if I do some work..
Yes my brother needs a kick in the pants to get some more help...
 
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sunfairie

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Originally Posted by Beckiboo



I would also worry about illness. Has Pumpkin had vaccinations? Will the kittens get vaccinated at 8 weeks before you bring them home?

oh yes Pumpkin has had her first shots..I plan to care for the other to just the same they will go to the vet and get what they need...
 

beckiboo

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Sunfairie, we can all only do the best we can do. If you SIL can't keep the kittens, you will bring them home.
They will have a good home with you.
 

sadieandziggy

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Hey Traci, (Had to put things straight in my previous post - things were getting off track)

Just wondered how many kittens there were. I know you are only having two, so what is happening to the others? - Not mum of course. Just wonderd if your SIL is trying to get them to the new owners early too? She needs to be careful in that case. You've had experience with a young kitten already, the other owner/s may be getting it for a kid or something. Perhaps if you really HAVE to take your two early then would she hold on to the other/s til 10weeks, or at least 8weeks.

Has the toilet training improved at all over the last few days?
 

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Here's the way that I see it .. and I don't mean to be harsh. I understand the situation and you sister in laws frustrations.. However, to me, the breeder of the kittens --- and whether or not it was intentional I would consider the mother cats owner the breeder --- has a responsibility to give these kittens the best chance at a good life that they can. I wouldn't want to risk kittens having behaviorial issues that could have bearing over the outcomes of their lives over an additional 2-4 weeks of important social development.
I am sure that the mother, and the kittens that you are taking will be well cared for .. but I cannot help but worry over the ultimate fate of their littermates.
I hope that your sister in law can get additional help with caring for the kittens so that it is not such an overwhelming task. It's unfortunate and I hope that all goes well with the kittens you are adopting.
 
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sunfairie

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They are home with me today. I talked to my SIL and helped her all week and she agree'd to today.

She has actually decided on keeping one of the babies and then has one left to adopt. She feels much better though not having my two boys in addition to the other two babies and the mamma.
I know everyone is safe and will go to a good home. She even had them litterbox trained for me.
SO a little love and support and eduction goes along way..ty everyone..

....now go look at my new 7 (in 3 days)week old babies...they are doing great and Pumpkin is so happy to have some brothers to boss around
 
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