Preparing for kittens =D

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gibbly

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Ok, well I am seriously done arguing about it, I have done my fair share of rescuing I have bottle fed countless kittens, I have fostered ect., I think shelters are jokes, cats sit in cages and are allowed to get sick because there is no quaruntining, shelters are "over populated" because so many shelters are so picky about who they adopt to, and most of those people are honest, well meaning people where as just as many horrible, mean animal abusers are adopted animals on a daily basis. Or people who "rescue" feral cats, because rest assured I can garuntee you those cats were doing perfectly fine until humans came along and took them away from everything they know.

lets face it, there were cats running about LONG before humans decided that a cat out on the street was "abuse" or that cats who have been taking care of themselves for hundreds of thousands of years can no longer take care of themselves. Or people who created cats like Himalayans or persians who have muzzles so unnaturally short that they can't even breathe, and that their teeth don't even fit into their heads right THAT, in my mind is abuse, but people think it is "pretty"

having a litter of kittens is not the end of the world, never has been, never will be. Simple

I won't even go into the ins and outs of how having cats/kittens around has basically kept me from doing something ridiculously stupid over the last 10 or so years due to severe depression and bi-polar, because honestly it's no one's business, so sure, continue to bash me and try to "convert" me, and continue to recieve the same answer over and over, or accept it and suck it up, get over it, move on, I really don't care, the choice is yours.
 

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Just feeding a cat and providing protection greatly increases the number of kittens conceived and how many survive to breeding age. Without human intervention, there wouldn't be any overpopulation problem. We caused the problem; we should try to fix it, and we have an obligation to do so as humanely as possible. I'm sorry you had depression problems and glad your kitties helped you through it, but just as many rescuers (who DO rescue cats from a horrible death every day, not those who are doing "just fine") become depressed because of the problems caused by too many cats.

yes, one cat having one litter isn't the end of the world, but if every cat owner allowed their cats to breed. . .yeah, that would be pretty bad. Ever read historical books (like the Anne of Green Gables series) where cats are mentioned? Drowning kittens was considered normal and necessary before spay/neuter was available. I think spay/neuter is much better.

I'm not expecting to "convert" you. Just explaining why nobody's saying "yay kittens!". And of course other people read this, too, and it may help somebody else :).
 
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missymotus

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I have several little spots set up for the birth (not that she'll use any xD) but as far as confining her goes, we have no "small" rooms in which to do so, added to the fact that she spazzes when she's locked up,
She should choose a space once she's ready for birth, and will likely be ok with being in her own room as her focus will just be on the little ones. You need to be responsible and keep her indoors now as she's nearing her due date, it doesn't matter what she wants - you are the owner.
but I'm sure everybody here knows that O3O cats also mate on average of 100 times per hour or some such number
Never seen a cat mate 100 times per hour. And since you brought up Persians, well bred Persians can breathe they have large open nasal passages, the cats are also tested for inheritable conditions - what tests have your cats had done? That could be why you've lost some when being spayed, due to a genetic fault. 

Do you get blood work done before spaying to ensure the cats are healthy?
 

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but I'm sure everybody here knows that O3O cats also mate on average of 100 times per hour or some such number, where they get the energy, I'll never know u_u
Gibbly I am curious: do you have a source where you are getting this information? I do a lot of research and so much of what I have read and experienced through my own work is so contradictory. I would really be interested in reading some of the sources you have used. It may help me to better understand your position. In return I would be happy to cite my own sources outside of personal experience. 
As I've said, I have had cats die as a result of being spayed, one of which was a bottle baby who I went through hell and back just to keep alive, and so I was quite fond of her, she was tiny, so I got her spayed at a year old, she died several weeks later due to a severe infection, the pain she went through with that was far worse than having kittens ever would have been, because when the vet told me it was best just to put her down after over three weeks of strong anti-biotics. I swore to never again risk that with one of my cats, tom or queen, if I wouldn't nueter myself, I wouldn't nueter my cat.

IF and only if something medical were to come up and they need be, then yes there would be no question I would spay/nueter my cat to save their lives.
It is true that sometimes kittens die after being spayed, but it is rarely because of the surgery itself. I have been through that before as well (the kittens had an underlying infection) and died shortly after surgery. I am sorry you had a similar experience. 

However, the point of spaying is not the pain factor (pain of surgery vs. pain of labor), but because it is the only way to control the pet population. I understand you live on a farm and barn cats are a part of life for you, but certainly you can understand how for the average person and the average cat the surgery is a very positive thing. I am afraid others will read this post and jump to the conclusion that to spay a cat is too risky.  Since we are all in agreement of how easy it is for a female to become pregnant (even if we don't agree on the 'when) perhaps you could help spread the word that, in most situations, spaying is the best course of action, even if you do not feel that it is in your particular situation. 
 I think shelters are jokes, cats sit in cages and are allowed to get sick because there is no quaruntining, shelters are "over populated" because so many shelters are so picky about who they adopt to, and most of those people are honest, well meaning people where as just as many horrible, mean animal abusers are adopted animals on a daily basis. Or people who "rescue" feral cats, because rest assured I can garuntee you those cats were doing perfectly fine until humans came along and took them away from everything they know.
A lot of people who "rescue" feral's simply trap them, have them fixed, and then release them. They are better off living the life they know but at least that way they aren't continuing to reproduce. It's usually the cats who are not feral and but are rather "strays" or that were abandoned that are taken into homes. And I agree, there are a lot of bad shelters out there. But, there are a lot of good ones too. If more animals were spayed/neutered then we could eliminate the need for shelters altogether! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibbly  


having a litter of kittens is not the end of the world, never has been, never will be. Simple

No. One litter is not the end of the world. Rather, it is the cumulative nature that a litter brings with it that becomes problematic. If a cat has five kittens and each of those has five kittens and each of those has five kittens, well, you see how it quickly spirals out of control. Will Emry's litter have that effect? It depends on if you choose to have them fixed or if they go to homes that do so. If Emry and all the kittens are fixed (which was your plan in the beginning) then agreed the impact is much more manageable. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibbly  

I won't even go into the ins and outs of how having cats/kittens around has basically kept me from doing something ridiculously stupid over the last 10 or so years due to severe depression and bi-polar, because honestly it's no one's business, so sure, continue to bash me and try to "convert" me, and continue to recieve the same answer over and over, or accept it and suck it up, get over it, move on, I really don't care, the choice is yours.

I very much identify with you here. I struggle with a panic disorder and feline energy is often the only thing that makes me feel better and helps me stay in control. It is not my intention to convert you- you have made it clear that is not an option and I just have to respect that. However, I do want to understand your viewpoint better. And, I hope that by doing so, we can all work together and spread the word that in almost all situations spaying/neutering is in the best interest of the person, the cat, and the community. Just because you have chosen differently doesn't mean you would advocate that every cat remain unaltered does it? 

Here's hoping for more productive conversations in the future.  
 

orientalslave

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but there is a huge  beef cattle farm not far off who are always needing cats, as well as other places.

...
What on earth is happening to them?  A cat should live 10 years or more, I'm sure the cattle farm isn't getting bigger given all the problems with feed prices and so on.  It sounds like for some probably unpleasent reason they are having very short lives. 
 
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gibbly

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EB24 lets see if i can't answer all this xD been awake for 5 minutes doncha know? lol

"Gibbly I am curious: do you have a source where you are getting this information? I do a lot of research and so much of what I have read and experienced through my own work is so contradictory. I would really be interested in reading some of the sources you have used. It may help me to better understand your position. In return I would be happy to cite my own sources outside of personal experience."

I read it somewhere once, I cannot remember where, and also my own personal observations, is that especially if there are other toms in the area, the tom who got there first will do his best to mate as many times as possible in the shortest time available (the most I ever observed was the couple mating inbetween 2 and 3 times every 2 minutes for over 6 hours x_x ) it may be different for a tom who is indoors as with breeders who have a queen all to themselves, but with outdoor cats I've noticed it's...fast and furious *trollface*...yeah, that was horrible u_u.

"It is true that sometimes kittens die after being spayed, but it is rarely because of the surgery itself. I have been through that before as well (the kittens had an underlying infection) and died shortly after surgery. I am sorry you had a similar experience.

However, the point of spaying is not the pain factor (pain of surgery vs. pain of labor), but because it is the only way to control the pet population. I understand you live on a farm and barn cats are a part of life for you, but certainly you can understand how for the average person and the average cat the surgery is a very positive thing. I am afraid others will read this post and jump to the conclusion that to spay a cat is too risky. Since we are all in agreement of how easy it is for a female to become pregnant (even if we don't agree on the 'when) perhaps you could help spread the word that, in most situations, spaying is the best course of action, even if you do not feel that it is in your particular situation."

There are some situations in which I would gladly spay and nueter, as I said if one of my cats lives were in danger and they NEEDED to be spayed then I would

I'll give you another example, my grandfathers brother (who has since passed away) and his wife lived in a little 25 foot trailor, they from what I understand over 200 cats IN that little trailor, also from what I understand (having never seen them myself) those cats were so badly inbred they were literally being born with two and three legs or being born with NO eyes, extra nostrils ect. all of those cats were taken and put down, because I even offered to take any kittens that would need bottle fed and they said that I wouldn't have even wanted to look at them because they were so wierd looking. that's a situation in which I would have spayed or nuetered.

"No. One litter is not the end of the world. Rather, it is the cumulative nature that a litter brings with it that becomes problematic. If a cat has five kittens and each of those has five kittens and each of those has five kittens, well, you see how it quickly spirals out of control. Will Emry's litter have that effect? It depends on if you choose to have them fixed or if they go to homes that do so. If Emry and all the kittens are fixed (which was your plan in the beginning) then agreed the impact is much more manageable."

Emry's litter will be rehomed as I do not have the room for more cats at the moment, (even though I've already told myself if she has a tortie/calico who turns out longhaired or a ginger and white kitten, I'll be hard pressed NOT to keep it xD) I do not plan on rehoming them until three-four months of age simply because I do not believe in rehoming very young kittens, as I said in an earlier post, little baby kittens (5 and 6 weeks) tend to be a "cute" novelity, IF I've got the money when I manage to get onto the low cost spay and neuter clinic I will take mother and babies in at the same time, if not then I will require that their new caretakers (hate the word "owner") do so.

I know very well how fast cats can breed, but honestly (and I am not saying they CAN'T)  it's been my experience that outdoor cats don't breed that fast, only having 1 litter a year (again none of my cats has ever had more than one litter a year) but I'm not saying they don't

"I very much identify with you here. I struggle with a panic disorder and feline energy is often the only thing that makes me feel better and helps me stay in control. It is not my intention to convert you- you have made it clear that is not an option and I just have to respect that. However, I do want to understand your viewpoint better. And, I hope that by doing so, we can all work together and spread the word that in almost all situations spaying/neutering is in the best interest of the person, the cat, and the community. Just because you have chosen differently doesn't mean you would advocate that every cat remain unaltered does it?

Here's hoping for more productive conversations in the future."

No, no it doesn't, those who spay and neuter, good for you, really, you're doing what you think is best and taking your pets best interest at heart, but as far as I can concerned, so am I, I like to say that there is no right or wrong, just like there is no right or wrong with raising kids, there is no right or wrong with raising pets.

I'm really a very nice person once you get to know me and don't tick me off right off the bat lol.

Now Orientalslave:

"What on earth is happening to them? A cat should live 10 years or more, I'm sure the cattle farm isn't getting bigger given all the problems with feed prices and so on. It sounds like for some probably unpleasent reason they are having very short lives.
"

I dunno, I don't live there O3O

alot of cats they take in are ferals/strays from the shelter who are not people friendly (we don't have a TNR group here anymore) we have a "save the feral kitty" program, but they are a joke, they don't TNR they just go around and feed feral cats.So the shelter is responsible for picking up strays/ferals

cats wonder off is all I can say, I really don't know

This cattle farm is still doing pretty good, I can't remember how many acres they got, but it's well over 2,000, and they are..what's it called? they don't feed grains and junk, the cattle are just allowed to graze, I dunno *shrug* I just know every years they look for cats, I do know they do spay/nueter though because back about 20 some years ago they had a bunch of cats and there was a rabies outbreak o3o so yeah, they keep their cat numbers smaller now
 

eb24

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibbly  


EB24 lets see if i can't answer all this xD been awake for 5 minutes doncha know? lol

I read it somewhere once, I cannot remember where, and also my own personal observations, is that especially if there are other toms in the area, the tom who got there first will do his best to mate as many times as possible in the shortest time available (the most I ever observed was the couple mating inbetween 2 and 3 times every 2 minutes for over 6 hours x_x ) it may be different for a tom who is indoors as with breeders who have a queen all to themselves, but with outdoor cats I've noticed it's...fast and furious *trollface*...yeah, that was horrible u_u.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I'm not disagreeing that Toms will mate quickly and often (although 100 times an hour seems like a high estimate), whether indoor or outdoor. I was more curious about what kinds of resources you use to get your information so that we could have a more structured discussion based on facts and not just personal opinions. 
There are some situations in which I would gladly spay and nueter, as I said if one of my cats lives were in danger and they NEEDED to be spayed then I would

I'll give you another example, my grandfathers brother (who has since passed away) and his wife lived in a little 25 foot trailor, they from what I understand over 200 cats IN that little trailor, also from what I understand (having never seen them myself) those cats were so badly inbred they were literally being born with two and three legs or being born with NO eyes, extra nostrils ect. all of those cats were taken and put down, because I even offered to take any kittens that would need bottle fed and they said that I wouldn't have even wanted to look at them because they were so wierd looking. that's a situation in which I would have spayed or nuetered.

_____________

No, no it doesn't, those who spay and neuter, good for you, really, you're doing what you think is best and taking your pets best interest at heart, but as far as I can concerned, so am I, I like to say that there is no right or wrong, just like there is no right or wrong with raising kids, there is no right or wrong with raising pets.
This is really the main point I wanted to focus on. As mentioned (and cited) before, this is a pro spay and neuter site. So, since we can agree that there are situations in which spaying is the most beneficial option for everyone, maybe you can help spread that word to new users, even if you choose not to in all cases yourself. But, clearly you are not anti spay and neuter since you plan to either have the kittens fixed or will require that their new families do so. I feel like for a lot of this you felt attacked by others and responded by taking a hard line against spaying and neutering, which may not be how you truly feel or else you wouldn't have tried to get Emry fixed and wouldn't be considering requiring the kittens to do the same. You stated that you don't have more room for cats at the moment and so are considering a very responsible course of action (which I think is awesome). I understand why you haven't fixed females in the past because of a need for more barn cats and it sounds like the numbers were controlled but now that you don't have the room you are planning to fix them- this is essentially what advocating for spay and neuter is all about. Unless there is a need for the kittens and there is space for them then both males and females should be altered. 

You say there is no right or wrong, but in the situation you described not altering the cats was clearly wrong (well, hoarding them was also wrong and a misdemeanor at the minimum in almost all States). Yes, some situations are grey but others not so much. I think it's good to have people with differing opinions because that is how we learn from each other. But, I think we can have those differing opinions while still sharing the general message that, in almost all situations having a cat fixed is the best course of action. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibbly  

Emry's litter will be rehomed as I do not have the room for more cats at the moment, (even though I've already told myself if she has a tortie/calico who turns out longhaired or a ginger and white kitten, I'll be hard pressed NOT to keep it xD) I do not plan on rehoming them until three-four months of age simply because I do not believe in rehoming very young kittens, as I said in an earlier post, little baby kittens (5 and 6 weeks) tend to be a "cute" novelity, IF I've got the money when I manage to get onto the low cost spay and neuter clinic I will take mother and babies in at the same time, if not then I will require that their new caretakers (hate the word "owner") do so.

I'm really a very nice person once you get to know me and don't tick me off right off the bat lol.

I totally agree and commend you for holding them until they are at least 12 weeks (3 months). All kittens benefit from that extra time with Mom and you make sure you get only serious adopters. I know you do have Emry's best interest and her babies best interest in mind and I think you are making the best of the situation. And, I have no doubt you are a nice person, I think you have just been reacting defensively. 

I hope you can see some validity in what I am saying and not view it as a personal attack. We can all have our opinions while still treating each other respectfully and maintaining the essence of the forum, which is pro spay and neuter. You have expressed that you do see the need for it in a variety of circumstances so I don't feel this is asking you to change your views or opinions on anything. 


How is Emry doing? Any babies yet?
 
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gibbly

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I admit that I do tend to react rather agressively if someone jumps my case first, comes from growing up in a disfunctional home, I think.

I'm not educated, I will be the first to admit that, I quit school in 10th grade due to one personal problem or another and simply could not handle the stress, I know what I know and that's about it  *nods* I've devoted nearly my entire life to studying animals (not on a professional level, ofcourse) because I (honestly) find books for be horribly mis-informed.

at anyrate, this little hoopla behind us.

Nope u_u no babies, still waiting, and she's still happily and busily eating me out of house and home xD, I'm getting pretty anxious O3o that's the way it works, the last week or so (I'd say that's really all she has left) takes forever *headdesk* I just wanna shake her and yell "pop already!"...but that might not be the worlds best idea lol (noted that while I do find it rather intertaining to jiggle the cats while they are meowing, I would never squeeze and or shake my cats violently xD)
 

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I admit that I do tend to react rather agressively if someone jumps my case first, comes from growing up in a disfunctional home, I think.

I'm not educated, I will be the first to admit that, I quit school in 10th grade due to one personal problem or another and simply could not handle the stress, I know what I know and that's about it  *nods* I've devoted nearly my entire life to studying animals (not on a professional level, ofcourse) because I (honestly) find books for be horribly mis-informed.

at anyrate, this little hoopla behind us.

Nope u_u no babies, still waiting, and she's still happily and busily eating me out of house and home xD, I'm getting pretty anxious O3o that's the way it works, the last week or so (I'd say that's really all she has left) takes forever *headdesk* I just wanna shake her and yell "pop already!"...but that might not be the worlds best idea lol (noted that while I do find it rather intertaining to jiggle the cats while they are meowing, I would never squeeze and or shake my cats violently xD)
I think it is good to move on from this and I think there were lots of mutual mistakes made. Some people's comments were rude and some of your responses were as well. So, call it a draw and let's all try to be more considerate of each other and disagree with compassion. 

I appreciate you sharing a little more about you personally, although I don't think you are uneducated, nor do I think that is necessarily a factor. I am educated (just finishing my law degree at a high ranking law school). I don't say that at all to be arrogant or to try and "one up" you, but to demonstrate that frankly it doesn't matter. I make as many mistakes as everyone else and still have a lot to learn. You will see me ask questions on here and apologize if I step out of line same as anybody else. A formal education doesn't give you street smarts and doesn't make you any more functional than anyone else. A prime example of this: My younger brother went to an Ivy league college on the East Coast. He can give you a detailed analysis of the most archaic physic concept but I swear he can't do his own laundry. Seriously, when stuff gets too dirty he takes it to Goodwill and trades it out. His book smarts don't get him anywhere in the real world, which is probably why he doesn't have a job and lives out of his truck. And that's what you have- real life experience. And, that is the best kind of experience there is. I mentioned using resources because when there is such a difference of opinion sometimes sharing an article or a website can divert the focus from the person to the material.

We are all on TCS to share and to learn. And no one, no matter how old or how educated, is ever past the point of learning and growing. I would really encourage you to use this site with an open mind. Stay true to who you are certainly, but don't just immediately shut down others because they make a contradictory point. 

And I tried never to jump on you until now but are you really going to bash my beloved books?!?!?!? You monster!!!!!!!!  I expect a graveling apology ASAP. 


But seriously, if you want some good recommendations of ones I find valid and well cited send me a PM and I would be happy to share. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibbly  


Nope u_u no babies, still waiting, and she's still happily and busily eating me out of house and home xD, I'm getting pretty anxious O3o that's the way it works, the last week or so (I'd say that's really all she has left) takes forever *headdesk* I just wanna shake her and yell "pop already!"...but that might not be the worlds best idea lol (noted that while I do find it rather intertaining to jiggle the cats while they are meowing, I would never squeeze and or shake my cats violently xD)

Haha yes we don't want any shaken cat syndrome!!!!! I'm sure her wits are scrambled enough with all those hormones- don't go making it worse! 


Hopefully it's soon and not in the middle of the night! Keep us posted! 
 
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gibbly

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Waiting is deffinately the hardest part x_x

I thought she might be getting ready to go today as earlier her breathing looked a little labored for a bit, but I think that was a combination of swollen baby belly and the fact that she had eaten a bit earlier xD...*headdesk*

when she was laying on her side(she doesn't like having her belly touched) I did see that it looks like she's started to seperate the hair from her nipples, and they look rather pink, she hasn't been eating *quite* as much as she had been in one go the last couple days, which has had be worried a couple times, and she seems to keep getting bigger and smaller xD

It's still eating at the back of my mind hoping that nothing has gone wrong again, as I am rather looking forward to these little buggers, ofcourse the way I see it,if something had gone wrong, she'd probably be too far along at this point for her body to simply re-absorb them, and she'd pretty much have to deliver stillborns... I am trying not to let that worry me and just keep telling myself all will be ok and soon enough there will be tiny little babies for me to ooh and ahh over.

ofcourse I'd be worried about a possible mis-carriage even if she hadn't had the one earlier in the summer, because I'm a big worry wart, when my cousin had her kids I was worried sick something would go wrong u_u

but I think I see them moving on occasion (I have always been terrible at feeling/watching for kitten movement, it all looks like breathing to me)

I know exactly what's going to happen, I'm gonna say the heck with it and stop walking by her every ten minutes going "bbaaaabbbies?" in which she looks at me like I'm an idiot xD, and they'll be born at night when I'm least expecting it x3x
 

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I know exactly what's going to happen, I'm gonna say the heck with it and stop walking by her every ten minutes going "bbaaaabbbies?" in which she looks at me like I'm an idiot xD, and they'll be born at night when I'm least expecting it x3x
Ahahaha I do this every time too! Even though I know there won't be any, I get all excited and constantly check, which leads to constant disappointment! 

If you are starting to feel them move your within two weeks. It can be hard to tell but usually once they get going it feels like someone's playing the bongo's in there!

All you can do is be as prepared as possible (have your birthing kit ready with emergency numbers if needed). It will play out the way that it does. 

Come on Emry you can do it!!!!!!!!
 
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Now, I know I'm probably getting ahead of myself as per usual xD

BUT I think we are in the home stretch of babies within the next couple days, at the latest the end of the week.

She hasn't wanted to eat at all today (even though she acts like she wants food, then doesn't eat it *faint* stop wasting Emry x_x) and I can deffinately feel individual kittens, I have always been aweful at feeling kittens as I said before, and she has always felt hard and round (not rock hard,but pregnant belly hard lol) and  I feel them moving,one of em even kicked my pinky xD it went a bit like this "I wonder if I can fe-OOH I felt that!" xD

Oh, and I think I may have seen her have a small contraction, either that, or she burped xD

go babies go! I'm tired of waiting for y'all xD
 
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Haha that is a GREAT sign that you are feeling them move around! I don't really know medically but I would think logically if you can feel them then she is not likely to miscarry and you can at least plan on some live births (and not be so concerned about stillborns- although that still does happen now and again). Now that you know you are for sure within two weeks and that they are seemingly okay just take a deep breath and hunker down! 

It sounds like you may need to give her the tried and true lecture about clearing her plate and how money doesn't grow on trees. No dessert until you eat your dinner Emry! 
 I'm sure after she has them she will likely go back to being the hoover vacuum of food. 

How many do you think she's having? I need a new picture so I can make my wager!
 
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She finally ate a bit earlier, not much, but some, and she's being super, super loving..which isn't "unusual" for her on given days, some days she is, some days she's "beh, leave me alone" but she's busy ping ponging all over the place, and rubbing on the walls, earlier I told her she needed to wait until the babies were born to give them brain damage xD, make it hard to walk too =3 lol

I felt two kittens (I think xD) one one each side, so I bet there will be atleast two, but I know from experience that there can be more hiding in there o3o had a cat once that looked like she'd have 4 at most...she had 7 ;_;(good news is all were born live and all survived, I think it helped that momma was part maine coon, but shorthaired)

anyway

I hope it's not more than 3 (even though more than three would be more kitty fun xD) but 2-3 is a good sized litter for a first time momma me thinks.

I will try to get a picture if I remember when my dad comes by again sometime next week, so I can use his phone, I HAD a camera, but I think one of the cats threw it away, literally I think it got knocked into the trashcan and thrown away because I can't find it anywhere x_x, I should have thought about taking a pic of her belly the last time he was here.

there will deffinately be kitten pics though.

I did want to check, IF she has them on the back porch, (which is on the second floor and is screened in) I'm afraid it'll be too cold at night for them (since it gets down in the 50's here at night now) when is a good time to move them, I was thinking of waiting 2 or 3 days so that way to make sure she is good and bonded to them, or should I wait longer/move them sooner.

it does still get in the 70's during the day, but the night is what I am worried about
 

missymotus

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It really would be best to confine her indoors before she has the kittens, she may not take kindly to having her kittens moved after birth so it's easier to do it before they come. I wouldn't be leaving them out in the cold for 2-3 days. 

3 is a good sized litter, less can be an issue as mum may not stay interested.
 
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eb24

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It really would be best to confine her indoors before she has the kittens, she may not take kindly to having her kittens moved after birth so it's easier to do it before they come. I wouldn't be leaving them out in the cold for 2-3 days. 
Agreed I would try to get her inside and settled before she has them. If you just can't and she has them outside I wouldn't wait long to move them. Is there a closet or somewhere else that's dark and quiet where she can have some privacy? Even a bathroom would work. If you have to move them just do it as quickly as possible and confine her as much as possible. After the move give her some quiet time with them to settle in and just check on her every few hours. Most Moms bond to their babies quickly so I am less concerned about that. More concerned that the move will cause her stress and if she has too much space and feels too exposed she will be very anxious. Oftentimes that leads to den moves which can be dangerous for the kittens. 
 
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gibbly

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Well, I'm convinced at this point she's just messing with me xD "I'm not gonna have these until the last possible minute, just because you want me to!" u_u

Ofcourse when things could muck up, they do, early this morning about 3am I got up to upstairs to go to the bathroom, and she was laying right at the top of the stairs and there's no light, and my foot ran into her x_x it wasn't hard, but it was enough to make her move, I just hope to gosh I didn't hit her belly..she's acting ok this morning and wanted food (again) just a bit ago, and she's not mad at me, so..But still, now I'm going to worry even more than I already have been! *headdesk*

atleast the kittens are still moving, there are deffinately two atleast, one felt like it was doing a little dance on one side, the other felt like this funky tapping o3o
 
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gibbly

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UPDATE!!!! =D =D =D.......-3-

and there's still no babies xD but she CAN'T have that much longer to go, I guess my estimate of her going next week will most likely be right

getting impatient here lol
 
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gibbly

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STILL now babies u_u so signs of up-coming labor, nu'in! *screams* she deffinately looks like the kittens have dropped (for realz this time xD) and she seems to be starting to nest, she's been casually going around poking her nose into the nooks and crannies of the house, investigating boxes ect. and she is breathing slightly faster than normal, oh, and the kittens have been moving like crazy for the last two days, other than that, pfft nothing, I'm going out of me mind!

I do have some babies to destract me though, I had a litter of baby fancy mice born last night, even though they are meant as feeders, so that's something lol
 
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