Queen moved kittens

Hi everyone
I live over here in Mallorca, the weather is warming up. One of my cats has had kittens (two weeks ago). Three have survived (one died at one week old - very sad). This morning she moved the kittens up onto a mezzanine level (where we keep all our books etc). She put the kits on the wooden floor between a bookcase and a glass ornament unit (it is generally the warmest place in the house, but we do not have heating here). We took the box, she has been in with them, up there but I am very concerned that as they are beginning to get a little more adventurous they will fall down the stairs - easily done! She does not want them in the box anymore - do you think she may feel it's a bit too warm now? She was born feral and survived outside with her brothers, until she had the kittens. We took her in as we felt it beneficial to the kits whilst they were so vulnerable, but now I wonder if we should let her and them outside. She seems fairly happy in doors although she likes to be let out occasionally. We don't usually have the animals in the house here as we live in the country, surrounded by fields and they all have continuous fleas/ticks etc etc. Not nice in the house!!
So I just need some advice really, as it is the first time I have experienced kittens. We don't have a suitable room with no traffic.
thank you.

Hello and welcome to TCS.
It is very important that while these kittens are young to socialize them with humans or they will be feral, too. There is just a short window to socialize kittens born to a feral Mom....
Also, the Mom kitty can very easily get pregnant again, even while she is still nursing. Getting pregnant again this soon is not healthy for her or the future kittens, many problems can arise.

Kittens can and do get pregnant as young as 4 months old, so the sooner you can have them spayed and neutered the better.

Feral Momma cats are very protective of their little babies. Is there a closet you could possibly put a box into, maybe with the door cracked open just a little, to allow her to go and feed them, but still feel private and secure for her babies?

Oh and thank you for taking this Momma cat into your home and giving her the comfort of keeping her babies safe.

Originally Posted by surfingdevil

I am very concerned that as they are beginning to get a little more adventurous they will fall down the stairs - easily done! She does not want them in the box anymore - do you think she may feel it's a bit too warm now? She was born feral and survived outside with her brothers, until she had the kittens. We took her in as we felt it beneficial to the kits whilst they were so vulnerable, but now I wonder if we should let her and them outside. She seems fairly happy in doors although she likes to be let out occasionally. We don't usually have the animals in the house here as we live in the country, surrounded by fields and they all have continuous fleas/ticks etc etc. Not nice in the house!!
So I just need some advice really, as it is the first time I have experienced kittens. We don't have a suitable room with no traffic.
thank you.

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Taking them in has the big extra advantage you are breaking off the chain of being ferale. Now they will be home raised cat. (dont forget to play with them a lot, do handle them etc).
Believe me, Gods Mother and the Jesus child are happy at your helping them, them smiling at you now. (Im born in a catholic country, almost like you live in now)

Good she does accepts to be indoors. It is quite common with semiferal moms. They are precisely like human moms. The good of their children is more important than "freedom". When they do realize being with this peculiar but friendly humans is the best practical chance for their children - they do accept and copy.

BUT. Im sure you had not spayed / neutered her yet? She may get in heat anyday now. And when in heat, she wants out. You do of course understand what will happen... There are also dangers of being hit by a car ot taken by free going dogs, when she isnt as cautious as usual - being in heat.
So, dont let her go out!

And do plan on spaying her. Im sure there are veterinarians on Mallorca?
Most vets will probably want to wait she has weaned the kittens (they no longer eating mother milk). But if necessary it can be done already now,
They can proceed to nurse in 24 hours, as long the operation wound was not throuh the breasts.


Moms moving the kittens is not unusual. It may be the box was too warm as you say. Can you make a box not so warm?
It may be she feels a little more safe there on this mezzanine. Feeling of safety is important for most moms, so also the cat moms.


Good luck!



Ps. Welcome to the Forums,
and please, keep us updated!

Originally Posted by surfingdevil

I wonder if we should let her and them outside.

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Oh no! Small kitties are very easy to socialize into home cats. Even if their semiferal momma is there, as long as she feels safe at the whole.
And you can surely find them good homes if you dont want to adopt them yourself. It shouldnt be difficult Keep them with siblings and mom at least 10 weeks.
How to find a good new home we can talk later.

It is usually possible to socialize older semiferales too - but it is almost always more difficult.
So the best and easiest chance is to take them when they are very young.
Next best - if they are sick, they know they are sick, you are helping them, and they do know you are helping them. This too can go fairly easy and quick.

Otherwise - time, patience, love - much love and much patience - it usually goes well, although it may take time. Perhaps a year.


So. THIS mom. With any luck you can perhaps socialize her too. Her being with you, seeing you are friendly to her children, and the kittens accepting you as grandma and grandpa.

But if you see it seems too difficult, or to takes too long time - yes, you CAN consider to release her. Spay her, it is important. Than you can release her. She is used to live outside, she has already survived the most difficult, she will manage. And being neutered - she may even live a good live even as homeless.


Good luck!

Great advice Stefan...
I actually have a feral Mom and her kittens (who are now 8 years old now)
Mom kitty transitioned fairly easy inside the house and of course her kittens have known nothing but inside life.

Thanx Pami and StefanZ, great advice for me.
I want to get the mother spayed but need the money beforehand. Yes we have a vet surgery not too far from us. But at €70 a pop, it is a lot for me. I have just started working for the summer so hopefully I can afford it very soon. The surgery may do it and let me pay later, because it is a small town people are like that here, very trusting.
I think we are going to keep an eye on things here and when we feel we cannot cope much and the kittens are much bigger we will get the family outside as the weather is changing for the summer now so they won't get cold. However, I want to make sure they are all ok first, they are terribly sweet and it has been a treat of an experience.
The feral cat situation on this island is unbelievable. Unfortunately there are thousands and no-one gets them spayed. I think there used to be a government programme for it but that seems to have stopped whilst everyone has tightened their purse strings. If I had a stash of money I would open up a sanctuary for dogs and cats and other animals - that would be great but alas a dream for now. The sanctuary's that are on the Island are overun and have no money. We have many visiting cats from kilometres away, checking out each others territories. One of our semi-feral's went missing for month and reappeared again, much to the happiness of my son.
Thank you again for the suggestions/advice, I will take it on board and do the best I can. I will be in touch if possible with an update soon. x

Right.

You cant help them all (unless in special positions or so).

But you can always help someone.

And here you are, and you do have this someone in your house.


Good luck!

Hi all
Just an update to let you know that Jess the mum and her three babies are doing well. They have started mooching about now, but when we tried to move them off the Mezannine Jess went crazy and freaked out, trying to pick them up and take them back, she is not interested in boxes either. So we blocked every hole/gap and staircase so that the kits can't fall and hurt themselves (or worse). Jess can climb down easliy enough though. She seems much happier there. Soon they will move outside as the weather is fine now over here and there they will live with Jess's siblings. Jess is being spade before hand and the vet said we can pay whenever we can, no rush - which is great.
thanks for the previous feedback, it has been an interesting learning experience.

Originally Posted by surfingdevil

Soon they will move outside as the weather is fine now over here and there they will live with Jess's siblings.

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Yeah. But still, if you can find people who want to adopt the kittens and give them good homes - this would be the best... That would be a story with a real happy end.


Good luck!

Originally Posted by StefanZ

Yeah. But still, if you can find people who want to adopt the kittens and give them good homes - this would be the best... That would be a story with a real happy end.


Good luck!

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yes it would be for the best. I am going to start asking around this week, we will see what happens.

Originally Posted by surfingdevil

yes it would be for the best. I am going to start asking around this week, we will see what happens.

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If you hope to find them homes, it is good if they are tame and friedly with people. Much easier to find them homes.

But if you think they will live as homeless - it is better they arent too tame. It is best for the homeless to be at least a little shy and not trusting people - lesser risk for evil people... As evil illdoers do exist...

But as you ARE planning to try and find them homes - begin also with handling the kittens, playing with them. etc.
Mom will surely allow this, as long you are doing it respectfully.

By the way. Most cats prefer to have a cat companion (or a cat friendly dog).
So try to talk them over into taking two at once. OR if you know people with a friendly cat or cat friendly dog - suggest them to take in a companion for their resident.
IF some of your cat owning friends is willing to help, but unsure about a shy, almost semiferal kitten (many people are) - tell them it is much easier to foster a shy semiferale having already a friendly cat.


Good luck!

Originally Posted by StefanZ

By the way. Most cats prefer to have a cat companion (or a cat friendly dog).
So try to talk them over into taking two at once. OR if you know people with a friendly cat or cat friendly dog - suggest them to take in a companion for their resident.

Click to expand...

Or if you turn this around - it is usually easier to have two cats who are friendly with each other, than only one cat.
So it should be a good argument for you!

If they kittens arent really socialized - and the new owner not so knowleable - I would perhaps recommend one of yours together with a friendly resident as first choice.

IF they are well socialized - it doesnt matter much with combination to pick - them in pair or with a friendly resident, cat or possibly dog.