Please help re: Mother and 2.5 week old kittens

loustiner

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We "rescued" a stray cat and her 4 babies from under our deck.  Momma was a stray that hung out for a while before she had her babies.  Anyway, we've been trying to socialize the babies this last couple of nights by taking them out of the box for about 20 minutes and getting them used to us.  Now, all of a sudden, Mom wants to move the babies.  And she wants to move them to the MIDDLE of our bedroom!  Not under a bed, not in a drawer, in the worst possible spot in our room.  My husband tends to get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and he pays NO attention to where he's going.  I'm really concerned that he might step on one of the kittens.  I've tried moving them from our bathroom to our closet but she continues to move them.  I blocked them all off and shut the door and she wants to tear up the carpet (which is only a few months old) and get out with at least one baby. 

Does anybody have any advice?????

Thanks in advance!!!
 

riccadawn

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Mamas moving kittens is pretty standard behavior. Do you have somewhere you could shut them off and give them their own room? I've heard of people keeping them in a closet or a spare bedroom or a bathroom. Just anywhere you can keep them that they'll be safe and have everything they need in one room.
 

StefanZ

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Or you might perhaps have some light on, so your Dearest sees where he places his big feet.   :)

Good luck!
 

eb24

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Originally Posted by loustiner  

  I blocked them all off and shut the door and she wants to tear up the carpet (which is only a few months old) and get out with at least one baby. 

Does anybody have any advice?????

Thanks in advance!!!
I buy this tape at the pet store that is used to put on the ends of couches or other pieces of furniture to prevent scratching. It is sticky on one side and smooth on the other and they don't like the feel on their claws. I line that tape underneath the door between my bedroom and living room to prevent Mom's from ripping up the carpet. It comes in packaged strips or a larger roll- either works well. You could also try stuffing a towel or other object underneath the door but I have found the persistent Momma will just find a way to pull it all the way through and keep up her quest to dig herself out. . 

This behavior is normal and instinctual. Closing her off is the best thing you can do. Eventually she will get past this stage. 

If this doesn't work I have to side with OrientalSlave- Husband relocation! 
 

jadetom

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My Female cat did that for agess! 

we did have her in the hall way with a plank of laminate wood across so the kittens couldnt get out but she kept puttin them under our duvet and under the bed.

she also tried opening the door to get in and scratch at the door to get in. eventually we moved her into our room she was fine she didnt move her babies again. it was like she was afraid they were going to get hurt. My partner nearly stepped on the kittens hundreds of times so we made a big box for them to stay in untill they could see. Maybe try doing what i did she might just be scared that her babies will get hurt. 
 
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loustiner

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Thanks for the advice.  Unfortunately, we live in a small 3 bedroom house with four of our own cats, a dog and 2 kids...making it very hard to find her the perfect spot! 

My original post was at about 1:30 in the morning and I was sooo tired and needed to get this taken care of immediately.  It seemed as though she wanted us to be near them, or her.  So, I blocked off an area between my side of the bed and the wall and put the box in there.  She immediately took them out of the box but left them in the blocked off area.  It's been a couple of days and she...and the kittens...seem to be very happy where they are!  :) 

Let's just hope she keeps them there for the next three weeks!
 

StefanZ

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I suspect she wants to look and see. This possibility to see around and flee if necessary (and this way, gain some extra safety) is more important for her than having a cozy nice nest.

Good luck!
 
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