When can I handle the kittens

Baby Girl had her kittens on May 3. She wanted me there for the delivery and I helped her with it all. She has been a great mommy. She hasn't really wanted us to pick them up so I only pick them up to weigh them. She lets us pet the kittens just not hold them. They are almost 2 weeks old, have their eyes open (well 2 of them do, the 3rd is working on it), and they are up wobbling around on their legs. I actually tried to handle them a little a few minutes ago. Baby Girl growled and tried to take the kitten from me so I put her back in the nest. She's a very protective mommy, the kitten wasn't crying.

We handle our kittens from the day they are born. Our queens have not really objected but sometimes get a little nervous. I believe you should start handling as much as you can so they become comfortable with us humans.

That's what I thought but I didn't want to upset mommy.

I think she'll have to just get used to it. If you are just very matter of fact about it and speak to her in soothing tones, she'll be okay. It's more important that the kittens are loving and learn to be handled by humans so that they can be adopted and be great pets, not afraid.

The 2 females don't cry much anymore when I pick them up so I think they are getting used to it. The male still cries (well I swear it sounds like he screams mama) when I pick him up.

Originally Posted by cslenker

The 2 females don't cry much anymore when I pick them up so I think they are getting used to it. The male still cries (well I swear it sounds like he screams mama) when I pick him up.

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On a side note, my boy babies were always the ones to cry a lot while my girls were great babies and went with the flow.

I have one girl in Zoe's litter that screams like that too. But, since they are getting big, they should be bing handled. Maybe try giving Baby Girl a treatof something to distract her- obviously she'll care about her kitten more, but it may help. If you get the kittens when they're sleepy and not crying she may not mind as much.

Without having thought of using treats my daughter was passing them out to the cats last night and brought Baby Girl some. While Baby Girl was eating her treats my daughter picked up each kitten to cuddle. Baby Girl was just fine with it. Lol. For the ones who don't know my daughter is 17 years old (will be 18 in Sept.).

Originally Posted by cslenker

Without having thought of using treats my daughter was passing them out to the cats last night and brought Baby Girl some. While Baby Girl was eating her treats my daughter picked up each kitten to cuddle. Baby Girl was just fine with it. Lol. For the ones who don't know my daughter is 17 years old (will be 18 in Sept.).

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That's great! If that keeps working, you may end up with a chubby kitty!