i just wanted to say thank you for taking in this cat and taking care of herbabies when they come. I would definitely keep her inside when the delivery date comes along. Put her in a spare bedroom or bathroom that is out of the way and the dog or kids won't bother her when she delivers.
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HELP: Pregnant stray
- Thread starter rotobay
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- #42
Thanks, Kit E. Here is my current set-up but I am open to suggestions:
We have a 2 story house and have a spare bedroom downstairs with an attached bath. I put kitty's food and water in the bathroom and put her litter box (which she doesn't like to use) in the bathtub.
In the bedroom area, I set up a secluded little 'birthing bed' in the closet (it is actually a large (unused) hard plastic dog carrier with the door removed-padded with blankets and towels). Then I set up a toddler gate on the door to the bedroom which has enough room underneath for kitty to get in and out, but the dog or kids can't get in -the gate also prevents the door to the room from being inadvertantly shut, so kitty can come and go as needed.
Kitty will go in there to eat and drink, and every once in a while when she needs some downtime.....but mostly she likes to hang out with the family
She is pretty much an indoor cat now, but still goes into the backyard occasionally to sit in the sun on the patio furniture or go potty (she still doesn't like the litter box). Let me know if you guys think she will have her kittens in the room I set up for her, or if there is somehting I should change. Thanks!
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- #43
Hi Kluchetta,
Were these Elsa's kittens from a single litter or did she have 2 separate litters (if so, I didn't realize they could be impregnated by 2 different fathers).
The reason I ask is that lately we have noticed 2 tom cats in our yard--one is black and white (short hair) and the other is a longish haired calico. Could both of them have fathered this litter or does it have to be one or the other?
I'm trying to get a handle on cat genetics, but it is complex. My husband was tellling me that they have successfully cloned cats, but what puzzled scientists is that the cloned cats often have a different colored coat than the original (who was cloned), even though they have the exact same DNA
My kitty looks very similar to your Elsa...all black with big beautiful gold eyes. I really don't care what her kittens look like, but I think cat genetics is really interesting. Would love your input
Yes, Elsa's was all one litter!Originally Posted by Rotobay
Hi Kluchetta,
Were these Elsa's kittens from a single litter or did she have 2 separate litters (if so, I didn't realize they could be impregnated by 2 different fathers).
The reason I ask is that lately we have noticed 2 tom cats in our yard--one is black and white (short hair) and the other is a longish haired calico. Could both of them have fathered this litter or does it have to be one or the other?
I'm trying to get a handle on cat genetics, but it is complex. My husband was tellling me that they have successfully cloned cats, but what puzzled scientists is that the cloned cats often have a different colored coat than the original (who was cloned), even though they have the exact same DNA. I've been reading a lot about this, but it is very confusing.
My kitty looks very similar to your Elsa...all black with big beautiful gold eyes. I really don't care what her kittens look like, but I think cat genetics is really interesting. Would love your input
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- #45
Her black coat is very slimming
, but she is getting bigger every day.
black is slimming
the earmite thing is gross. Chloe had a few when I first took her to the vet after adopting her and they showed them to me under a microscope.
Oh, and I think you can have cats in the same litter that have different dads.
the earmite thing is gross. Chloe had a few when I first took her to the vet after adopting her and they showed them to me under a microscope.
Oh, and I think you can have cats in the same litter that have different dads.
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- #48
My cat really just popped out within the past week or so. It's weird tho because in some pics she doesn't look very pregnant at all. I posted the ones that made her look the biggest.
When I was pregnant, I was huge at 6 months, then plateaued and didn't gain any more weight or get any bigger. Maybe this kitty takes after me
with Pennie. I keep thinking she's almost ready, then it's another week. We're all in the same boat, and I'm checking these forums daily for updates from both of you. Looking forward to kitten threads!! With lots of pics! -Jen
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- #51
Okay no offense or anything, Gayle and theallis, but both of you are reminding me of my Mother during the 9th month of my first pregnancy (her first grandchild).
She would call daily and say "Well?? Any news?? Anything?? Are you SURE your water didn't break? " I swear it was that "hurry up, I want to see my grandchild" pressure that caused me to deliver 9 days past my due date!
But as a cat grandmother in waiting, I now understand the anxiety.
She would call daily and say "Well?? Any news?? Anything?? Are you SURE your water didn't break? " I swear it was that "hurry up, I want to see my grandchild" pressure that caused me to deliver 9 days past my due date!
But as a cat grandmother in waiting, I now understand the anxiety.
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Hehe....so i guess I shouldnt ask you too...lol....Im in the same boat, playing the waiting game with my baby....I can see those babies move in there and I know she is close, but she just doesnt want to have them darn it....lol
I haven't felt or seen movement. I've been debating whether or not I should just take her to the vet after all. I guess I'm not just antsy, but a little worried. What if they aren't alive?
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As skittish as she may be in the long run taking her to the vet will be for her own benifit, that way u know for sure how far she is and can make sure she is healthy. To your kitty....keep us posted
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- #55
Okay, now you're REALLY sounding like my worry-wart Mom. During her daily calls she would also say....'Does the doctor think it's okay that you are now 1-2-3....9 days PAST your due date? What if the placenta is no good anymore??? Couldn't this be harmful to the baby??? What if he's starving??? Maybe they should just take him by C-section!!!!."Originally Posted by GayleMG
LOL! I do feel like an expectant grandma!
I haven't felt or seen movement. I've been debating whether or not I should just take her to the vet after all. I guess I'm not just antsy, but a little worried. What if they aren't alive?:confused: It would help if I had any idea of how far along she is, but I don't.
Relax, Grandma Gayle, Rags will have her babies soon enough and everything will be just fine.
But I have to admit that it really endeared my Mom to me that she was SO anxious to be a Grandma...
if you want her to use the box... you might try the CatAttract litter or the additive. my local Petsmart carries both. it works really well for training [or re-training] a cat to a box.
my sister's cat [which adopted them in much the same way as Kitty did you] is an indoor/outdoor cat. he also potties outside, which she prefers... but he's a tom [fixed, of course!]
btw, calicos are almost always females, & the few males that do occur are almost always sterile. so if the longhaired 'calico' you saw is a tom, he's most likely not the daddy.
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- #57
Oh I didn't know that! And I honestly don't even know if the longish haired calico is even a MALE (and for all I know he could be neutered). He was big and seemed like a guy, but he ran away every time I got anywhere near him so I don't really know. I just can't wait to see what these kittens look like.
Also I watched Kitty (now called Judy
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You might try slowly switching her from "bark chips" to whatever litter you want. She's probably never used litter before & thinks your nuts wanting her to go in the house!
I'll try to calm down. I'll save the vet visit for when she really needs it, like when she can finally get her shots. BTW, does she need to wait until after the kittens are weaned or can she be vaccinated sooner? I thought maybe your vet had mentioned it.
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- #60
My vet likes to wait until the kittens are weaned. He says he will immunize her and spay her at 12 weeks. The only thing is that she HAS to stay inside where she will not be exposed to males OR any infectious diseases.
He said he would make an exception (and do it earlier) if we absolutely couldn't keep her inside all the time, but I no longer think that is going to be a problem with my kitty. SHe doesn't even WANT to venture outside any more. She used to dash for the door any time someone opened it, but now she is so comfy in the house, that if I open the door she tenatively takes a few steps out....then turns around and comes right back in.
BUT if you get mama cat spayed before the kittens are weaned, her milk will dry up and you will have to bottle feed--my vet didn't recommend that. He said its best to just keep her indoors and do it all at 12 weeks.
