Gave birth this morning.....

Thus far we have had three kittens....this is from a stray that my mother captured to have fixed and she was pregnant by then...She opted to have them in my mothers garage....and a racoon was being a bit nosey so we moved them to my house.....Where I have her in a box actually it was a beand new covered litter box that had never been used that she seemed to feel more comfortable in......clean towels, clean litter box (even though it is a cardboard one until I go get another one tonight!) and kitten food dry and canned for mom......My cat is beyond frustrated with me as he is being separated until I can determine her state of health and they get older but my question is how do I know if and when she had all her kittens? Moving her I know was not the best but the racoon was being relentless and she was tired...so I got rid of him with a broom while he hissed at me and moved her.......I did not put a heating pad in with her because she is keeping them warm but should I? Any advice would be wonderful.......please?

and when will the mother be interested in eating or drinking? I assume tomorrow maybe since today was so traumatic? Eh..help?

Salem didn't start eating again till the day after she had her kittens. I think that's why they eat the placenta after they give birth: so they'll have the nutrition they'll need till they're able to eat again..

Did you look around where momma cat had her babies, to see if there were any more?? I'm assuming she had them all in one spot, and hopefully the racoon didn't get to any of them..

I really don't think you'll need a heating pad as long as they're inside.

I wish I had more advice to offer, but I'm new to this kitten thing myself. You're doing a wonderful thing by rescuing Momma & the babies, and providing a safe place for them. I don't think you can do more than you already have, and Momma cat will take care of the babies on her own. I would just keep checking on them to make sure they're doing okay, and if there are any problems, contact a vet..

Good luck, and kudos to you for taking them in!

~KK~

Meeko didnt eat or drink when she had Yoshi and she felt hard so I took her to the Vet and she was clogged. It was all Constipation. Coco ate when we thought she was done. But the dead came 12 hours later. She ate alot of food. I think it depends on the Cat.

Thanks you guys.....
I did get them all.......
My mom knew there were two.....
And saw the third one being born......
So I snatched them and her.....
I put a sock full of warm rice next to the kittens.....
I am just trying to give her some time to recoup even though I keep going in there and snooping.....
I wish I knew for sure she was done.....
I assume she is.....
That part makes me nervous......
You all are making me feel better though......
Thank you!!!!!

All I can say as far as her being finished is that it was VERY obvious to me when Ms Friskers was done -- she stopped looked so anxious and kind of settled in with her kittens to nurse them, and then fell asleep.

Usually, there isnt much more than an hour between kittens. Of course there are exceptions, especially if there are stillborns. And sometimes a mom will stop labor if she is nervous or feels threatened... as in a stalking racoon

Will she let you feel her tummy? Although it still might be hard to tell. Organs have a funny way of imitating kittens when you're not a vet

But I guess you shouldnt be surprised if you wake up tomorrow and there are more...

My last foster cat ate the night she had her kittens, but I also dont let them eat the placentas if I can help it (for stinky litter reasons). Sometimes though, the moms are just too tired to bother getting up. I'm sure she will be famished tomorrow though! Nursing cats eat even more than pregnant cats!

Sounds like you have done your homework already (with the warm rice sock and feeding mom kitten food) and are doing a wonderful job. The only thing I might add is that you might want to start interacting with the kittens if mom isnt too nervous. Dont take them out of mom's sight, but early socialization is good for them, especially if mom is feral or stray.

Good luck with your new brood and congratulations!

She lets me touch her kittens....She is really an angel....she is purring..and worn out which I guess is normal? I am a worry wort because she isn't eating or drinking but she is letting them nurse........I will see tomorrow....food is there.....I got her Innova Evo Kitten which is supposed to rock since I can feel her little bones...Grrr...and we are doing wet food too.....so everthing is there when she wants it....But she isn't moving really.....I guess that is ok?

She's probably just fine, but all tuckered out. If she's super skinny, labor was probably a bit extra hard on her. I'd just make sure to leave her some wet food and dry food, and if you happen to have KMR or another milk substitute, maybe a little dish of that. (You seem so uber prepared, I was thinking you might.)

Do you know cats well enough to tell what "kind" of purring it is -- cats will purr when they're happy, but also when they're sick or in pain. I can't really describe the difference between the two very well, other than to say it's a bit intuitive. If she's ouchy-purring, there may still be kittens to come, as that might indicate she's still in labor.

If it's just normal purring, I'd guess she's done and just purring to her kittens.

I would say that's she's done by now, and all tuckered out - especially if she had to fight off a racoon to protect herself and the babies. Giving birth is hard work..

She'll probably eat like a pig tomorrow morning. If she's not eating by tomorrow night, then I would be concerned. But I'm sure she's just too tired right now to eat. Try not to worry..

~KK~

Heya guys....
Update:
This morning we had three kittens.
No mom to be found so I might move her into my bathroom which is smaller but confinement seems to freak her out so I gave her a room...and I am almost afraid to move her again....
When I tried to get her out from behind the bed she just pee's so she is scared but they are hungry.....
I guess I am tired....
She is eating...
Was miffed off at me in a huge way....
Tried to eat me....
So I assume she is better. =)
I preservered and finally got her back in with her babies and rubbing on her to where she could see I have no desire to eat her.....
and really would wish she'd not desire to eat me....
MY cat is having a dog as it is over her being there....
This morning was not a good morning!

Hope it gets better soon!! Hang in there!

I am a worry wart so we just went to the vet tonight......
I have a FeLV free mom, two boys and one girl.....
Mom is simply tired......
First litter and she is young....
One of my little boys isn't up to wrestling with the other two for a drink so I might have to work with him but I am hopeful. =)
But that is my update.....