I have a young calico feral girl that is VERY preggo(she looks like a little kitty blimp with stick legs). She is due sometime this week or possibly early next week. I tried to catch her Sunday and, lucky me, the trap was to small so she scooted right out. I now have the right size trap and hope to catch her today(probably this evening at feeding time) and I was wondering if anyone has experience with ferals and could give me some tips. I currently have a large cage set up in my room for her and the babies complete with litterbox, birthing box, and food/water bowls attached to the side of the cage(so they can't be knocked over or dragged around) Also what is a typical litter size for a first time mom?
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So complicated...
- Thread starter cat crazy
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It's hard to say how many she will have. First time moms yes, generally do have smaller litters, but I had a girl have 8 kittens her first time, all survived and were healthy.
I also believe strays are a little different just because they can be bred by different toms and then the number of kitten is increased.
If she's huge like you describe, I would venture a guess at 5 or 6. I am happy to see how many people take in pregnant strays and I wish you the best of luck trying to get her in the house.
I also believe strays are a little different just because they can be bred by different toms and then the number of kitten is increased.
If she's huge like you describe, I would venture a guess at 5 or 6. I am happy to see how many people take in pregnant strays and I wish you the best of luck trying to get her in the house.
Is she scared of you?
If so, when you catch her, give her some time alone in the room to adjust. Then you can try sitting with her for awhile(you can do some work while sitting
) and maybe try feeding her some wet food by hand to temp her out. I did have a nervous mom once, but her kittens were already born. After a while she got a bit more comfertable, but she was never like any of my own cats- once they're adults, they can never be tamed the way kittens are
But the kittens should be pretty tame!
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Callie (aka the kitty blimp) is totally wild, but she has greatly improved since she first showed up. Back then if she saw you she would run around the house and across the road-and wouldn't come back for several hours. Now she will look if you say her name and I can get about an inch away from her without her running away. She is about a year old(a little less I think) and with the improvements she's already made I'm hoping to eventually get her to be able to be adopted out.
Yes, when she had "landed" and realizes nobody is threating her, she will copy. Even accept this situation as the practically best for her kittens.Originally Posted by CuteKittenKat
Is she scared of you?If so, when you catch her, give her some time alone in the room to adjust. Then you can try sitting with her for awhile(you can do some work while sitting) and maybe try feeding her some wet food by hand to temp her out. I did have a nervous mom once, but her kittens were already born. After a while she got a bit more comfertable, but she was never like any of my own cats- once they're adults, they can never be tamed the way kittens areBut the kittens should be pretty tame!
Try also with nice soft talk, even little baby talk. Like a friendly, courting tom would do. (the unfriendly toms dont court much, they take what they want, with force if necessary).
For Cat moms, like for humans moms, the most important is not "freedom" but their childrens welfare. As long she feels everything is safe and OK, you will have her cooperation.
In this way, fostering the kittens of feral moms, and thus also the moms, is usually easier than fostering her non pregnant sisters...
Good luck!
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I finally caught her! She was calm during the transfer from the trap to her cage and is now snoozing on her bed. How can I tell how many days before she delivers?
Apparently she recognizes since before you are a friendly human. And as she knows she does needs some safe place for her kittens, she instictively accepts the situation - is even relieved....
This makes it of course yet easier for you...
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yes,it does make it a little easier for me. What are the first signs of early labor? She hasn't eaten today(not even canned food which she LOVES) and I read somewhere that they do that 12-24hrs. before giving birth?
That could be a sign...I've heard that's a sign, but I haven't really seen it in my moms
If she lets you feel her belly, you can see if you can feel them moving...it's an incredible feeling
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Quick update: She ate today and used the litterbox(which she insists on laying in) and she actually let me TOUCH her! I'm so happy! Anyways will update again soon
I found that with my feral kitten that by leaving him alone for the most part and trying to work him up to being handled, he started coming out of hiding more and more. It took time but he eventually started coming to us for attention. He is now a big cuddle bug.
How exciting!! =)
Glad you caught her and she is cooperating! Keep us updated on Blimp Kitty! (I laughed so hard at that)
<3<3<3
Glad you caught her and she is cooperating! Keep us updated on Blimp Kitty! (I laughed so hard at that)
<3<3<3
I bet you're getting close!
To get her out, you could try dangling a string over the ground...they can't help but want to grab it!
I've found that's helped me to get some nervous kitties out
And you can try wet food on your lap or by your lap to get her to come near you.
To get her out, you could try dangling a string over the ground...they can't help but want to grab it!
And you can try wet food on your lap or by your lap to get her to come near you.
I befriended Elsa with food. First cat food, then when she would come to me, deli turkey and yogurt. I took her to the vet, hugely pregnant, and he said "at least 2 kittens, no more than 10 days."
She had 8 kittens 21 days later! So even vets don't know. But something she might appreciate is a rug or a towel over her cage at least on a couple to three sides so she will feel more protected.
Honestly, if she's at the point where you can pick her up, you have come a very long way. Just try not to introduce too many strange people right at one time.
It's been 5 years and Elsa is an amazingly loving sweet cat! (that is spayed)
She had 8 kittens 21 days later! So even vets don't know. But something she might appreciate is a rug or a towel over her cage at least on a couple to three sides so she will feel more protected.
Honestly, if she's at the point where you can pick her up, you have come a very long way. Just try not to introduce too many strange people right at one time.
It's been 5 years and Elsa is an amazingly loving sweet cat! (that is spayed)
Right, that is a very good advice. If she doesnt have an igloo in the cage, something ON the cage is highly advisable. Especielly for semiferales, but also for homecats.
But even is she has an igloo there, these towels on the case is still a good idea.
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She has a cardboard box filled with blankets and newspapers and a bed sheet covers half of the cage to give her privacy.
I'm really excited to hear how this goes! And I agree with the person above me -- take some pictures for us!
Bless you for taking care of this momma.
Bless you for taking care of this momma.
Ooo, you're getting me all excited, now I can't wait for them to come too!
Have you thought of any names for little blimp kitty?
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Her name is Callie. I just call her Blimp Kitty because she's gotten so big. She's becoming more relaxed and now meows at me if I try to go to bed. So I am,for now, sleeping on the floor next to her cage so she doesn't meow me to death!
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