Weaning Question?

I am a bout to start weaning Gem's kittens (4weeks), but the trouble is she freaks out if the kittens get out of the box.  She doesn't know what to do, she is unable to pick them up and take them back into the box. (She was found in a bin and had no mother to teach her).  According to my literature' it says to give them a little bit of kitten food and then to place them in the litter tray.  If I do this she will get really stressed.  What shall I do?  Shall I wait until she gets used to them getting in and out of the box or just carry on and let her get used to this new routine?  Any ad vice - thanks, Justine

I think most simply let the nature take its course.  Here, when they begin to search outside, they will  themselves begin try on moms food.  As most moms do gets kitten food, the problem solves itself.

Anyway, you helping on the way isnt necessary bad, but if it gets the mom stressed and nervous, this is a "dead end".  As you yourself notice.

It sounds like the walls of the nest are too high?  Kittens cant go out, and mom cant bear them in?

It is good to confine the kittens when you want them confined, but when it is time for them to begin go out...    Perhaps you can make part of the wall foldable up and down?

Hope you were helped by this response.  

Good luck!

I never found any need to deliberately wean kittens - they start exploring, explore mum's food by walking in it, clean themselves and decide to continue eating.  I also found she litter trained them, but there will be accidents with kittens as they often realise they need to go Right Now - not in 10 seconds - and you get a tiny puddle or bit of poo.  So, don't put them on the best carpet!

Can you give her a much bigger box, with room for her food?  She will have to start letting them run around, it will reach the point where she can't stop them!  But for now a bigger box might help.

I keep my kittens in a large pen, with mums food and litter tray. They just follow their mum and start eating when they are ready, usually around 4 weeks and also use the litter tray on their own.

They should already be able to get in and out of the box/bed themselves.