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Raising kittens is certainly expensive, far more costly than spaying. Something people often don't realise, and you've only just begun
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The Name is Cat, or mollismama
- Thread starter mollismama
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- #42
Oh I have heard stories. my significant other has raised kittens and he is laughing at me too! It really is cheaper to spay. Plus even if I had not planned on doing it before I would be now. He just keeps saying "You just wait and see, it's going to be loads of fun", all the while he has a sarcastic grin on his face. He is going o help me too, so I am not in it alone when it comes to d day (as long as he is not at work).
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It is fun, and cute and sweet. It's also a full time job, can be heartbreaking when things go wrong and hard to let kittens go. Males often fall pretty hard too, so I expect these kittens will have your partner wrapped around their paws.
Perhaps you can look into fostering for a shelter afterwards though, they're always in need of people to take care of pregnant mums who are dumped and you'll have some experience behind you
Perhaps you can look into fostering for a shelter afterwards though, they're always in need of people to take care of pregnant mums who are dumped and you'll have some experience behind you
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- #44
I have been preparing for some heart break. My partner is a cat lover so I know that he is going to have fun. I recently decided to be a stay at home mom so I will be here all the time with the kittens.
I have volunteered and fostered for our local shelter before. It really is fun, also it has helped me learn to not become too attached when I know an animal will be leaving me. Although, i have a feeling I will be their go to person after Molli`s kittens are gone. I have homes for 3 of them already and am planning on keeping one myself, with plans to have it fixed looong before it goes into its first heat!
Molli is still pregnant as of now. She stretches out on her side to sleep. Right now I can see the babies moving they are all the way from her hips to below her shoulder and I saw one kick her next to her spine a bit ago. She is packed full of kittens. I'm a little nervous about how many may be in there :/
Also a quick question for you. I noticed in another post you said something about the mother's milk bags... do they drop before she has the kittens? Her nipples are very elongated and pink but I still see no signs of milk and that does make me wonder if she will be able to produce the milk they need.
I have volunteered and fostered for our local shelter before. It really is fun, also it has helped me learn to not become too attached when I know an animal will be leaving me. Although, i have a feeling I will be their go to person after Molli`s kittens are gone. I have homes for 3 of them already and am planning on keeping one myself, with plans to have it fixed looong before it goes into its first heat!
Molli is still pregnant as of now. She stretches out on her side to sleep. Right now I can see the babies moving they are all the way from her hips to below her shoulder and I saw one kick her next to her spine a bit ago. She is packed full of kittens. I'm a little nervous about how many may be in there :/
Also a quick question for you. I noticed in another post you said something about the mother's milk bags... do they drop before she has the kittens? Her nipples are very elongated and pink but I still see no signs of milk and that does make me wonder if she will be able to produce the milk they need.
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Some cats you will notice milk before some it will drop after they give birth. I wouldn't worry yet. I have had two fosters who had HUGE pregnant bellies. One had 7 but the other only had 3 in there.
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They can bag up a week before, days before or even after birthing. As to whether she'll have enough milk is just a wait & see thing, it's supply and demand so as long as the kittens are latching on well it's generally ok
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- #47
Ok thank you for the info. I got some kmr just in case something happens. Hopefully it will not be needed at all. My daughter is in the bedroom with me spending a little bit of time with Molli. She just made the comment she looks skinny. Sure enough, she does. She didn't look that way earlier today. I believe she has dropped!
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Sounds like they've dropped, know you know if won't be much longer
Just following to see how Molli is progressing. Sounds like it will be soon!
This just occurred to me so I thought I would put it out there: how old are your kids? Just something to keep in mind that if they are quite young Molli may not tolerate them being around for the labor/near the kittens at first. It sounds like your daughter at least is very bonded to Molli so that obviously helps, just make sure you explain to her in advance the 'kitten rules.' That, she's not to go in the room or handle the kittens without you present and that if Molli gets upset it's okay because that's how Momma's are when they are protecting their young (and whatever other rules suit your household and your kids developmental ages).
I can easily see why you would want your kids present for the birth (It's never good for a housecat to get pregnant just so kids can see 'the miracle of life' as there are thousands of foster cats who would kill for that spot, but, in a situation like yours where you've had some lemon luck you might as well make lemonade and use it as a teaching experience for your kids). Just remember, let Molli make the rules. Cats who feel their nest is not secure are much more likely to start den moving, which is no fun for you and dangerous for the kittens.
So, if Molli wants an audience more power to her. But, if not, try to find a way to make your kids understand, especially if they are still young and in the unable to sit still phase.
I hope this came across as something positive to consider and not "kid bashing." Sometimes tone is hard to do in posts and it's reading harsh to me so I'm adding the disclaimer that that's not my intent. One time I tried to have someone here for the labor and the Mom was very distressed- kept pacing and acting like she was trying not to have her babies. As soon as I figured it out and kicked them out the kittens popped out in quick succession. So, if your kids are there and your Mom instincts go off that something is wrong that may be the problem. I don't know if I would want a whole family watching me give birth either!
I hope it's soon!
This just occurred to me so I thought I would put it out there: how old are your kids? Just something to keep in mind that if they are quite young Molli may not tolerate them being around for the labor/near the kittens at first. It sounds like your daughter at least is very bonded to Molli so that obviously helps, just make sure you explain to her in advance the 'kitten rules.' That, she's not to go in the room or handle the kittens without you present and that if Molli gets upset it's okay because that's how Momma's are when they are protecting their young (and whatever other rules suit your household and your kids developmental ages).
I can easily see why you would want your kids present for the birth (It's never good for a housecat to get pregnant just so kids can see 'the miracle of life' as there are thousands of foster cats who would kill for that spot, but, in a situation like yours where you've had some lemon luck you might as well make lemonade and use it as a teaching experience for your kids). Just remember, let Molli make the rules. Cats who feel their nest is not secure are much more likely to start den moving, which is no fun for you and dangerous for the kittens.
So, if Molli wants an audience more power to her. But, if not, try to find a way to make your kids understand, especially if they are still young and in the unable to sit still phase.
I hope this came across as something positive to consider and not "kid bashing." Sometimes tone is hard to do in posts and it's reading harsh to me so I'm adding the disclaimer that that's not my intent. One time I tried to have someone here for the labor and the Mom was very distressed- kept pacing and acting like she was trying not to have her babies. As soon as I figured it out and kicked them out the kittens popped out in quick succession. So, if your kids are there and your Mom instincts go off that something is wrong that may be the problem. I don't know if I would want a whole family watching me give birth either!
I hope it's soon!
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- #50
Do not worry it did not come across as harsh to me at all. I am not planning on having them in the room when she gives birth. I may let them peek in every once in a while. They are 10, 8, and 5. It would be disastrous for them to be there. My two oldest are adhd and can be quite loud. I do not think Molli will want them there. They have been curious however and I have let them watch some videos on YouTube. My son is grossed out by it and my daughter thinks it's cool. I didn't let baby girl watch them as she does not know the facts of life yet.
We have a list of rules for after they are born. The main ones being: No touching or handling without me being there. Also they are not to go into my room without my permission first.
I know it will be soon, I just can't say tonight, tomorrow or even Sunday. It is very frustrating now that everything is ready. I remember being his anxious with my pregnancy
This is why advice to wait until 6 months is bad advice - some kittens are very precious. It's also quite possible to spay an escapee as soon as she comes back and if she is entire she will almost certainly be pregnant, or almost pregnant. I put it that way as cats are induced ovulators so if she comes home after a couple of days conception probably hasn't happened yet, and implantation certainly hasn't.
BTW I missed how old Molli is.
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That's what made me think of it- you had posted that two had ADHD. I can just picture them getting super excited and expressing it their natural kid ways (jumping around, loud voices, ect) which, unfortunately, is not great for Molli. I'm glad you had already thought of it and have a kid friendly plan in place.Do not worry it did not come across as harsh to me at all. I am not planning on having them in the room when she gives birth. I may let them peek in every once in a while. They are 10, 8, and 5. It would be disastrous for them to be there. My two oldest are adhd and can be quite loud. I do not think Molli will want them there. They have been curious however and I have let them watch some videos on YouTube. My son is grossed out by it and my daughter thinks it's cool. I didn't let baby girl watch them as she does not know the facts of life yet.
We have a list of rules for after they are born. The main ones being: No touching or handling without me being there. Also they are not to go into my room without my permission first.
I know it will be soon, I just can't say tonight, tomorrow or even Sunday. It is very frustrating now that everything is ready. I remember being his anxious with my pregnancy
I know there are a lot of us watching your thread that have played the waiting game many times before and know how agonizing it is- we feel for you! It sounds like she has dropped which is a good sign she's close and hopefully she will give you others. Not wanting to eat or drink or gorging herself more than normal, licking herself excessively, or doing the last minute scramble to try and find the right nesting spot are some common signs, but as I'm sure you read nothing is standard. Why don't cats ever read the manual? (Not my expression- hijacked from the genius MissyMotus).
Hopefully very soon you will have kittens and then the real fun begins!
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- #53
Molli is just now a year. I knew I could get her spayed early but I had a hard several months money wise and was not able to do it right away. Even the extra 60$ was too much at the time. I didn't think she would wind up pregnant as she is an indoor kitty. I rescued her from a woman that was not taking care of her at all. She was 3 months old then. By the time I could get her spayed the deed had been done over a month before. I knew she was pregnant and now have the means to take care of her and the babies. I couldn't come to terms with aborting. I will be taking the necessary precautions after she has he babies to make sure she doesn't get out of the house. I do not have a male here so as long as she is inside she will be safe, and as soon as the babies are weaned she will be spayed.
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- #54
They can be overly rambunctious, especially when something new and exciting is happening. I took no offense to you mentioning it at all. I half way hope that they are in school when it happens, but most likely they will not be because there is no school Monday and I don't think she will go that long.That's what made me think of it- you had posted that two had ADHD. I can just picture them getting super excited and expressing it their natural kid ways (jumping around, loud voices, ect) which, unfortunately, is not great for Molli. I'm glad you had already thought of it and have a kid friendly plan in place.
I know there are a lot of us watching your thread that have played the waiting game many times before and know how agonizing it is- we feel for you! It sounds like she has dropped which is a good sign she's close and hopefully she will give you others. Not wanting to eat or drink or gorging herself more than normal, licking herself excessively, or doing the last minute scramble to try and find the right nesting spot are some common signs, but as I'm sure you read nothing is standard. Why don't cats ever read the manual? (Not my expression- hijacked from the genius MissyMotus).
Hopefully very soon you will have kittens and then the real fun begins!
She has slowed down on her eating, before she would eat everything out of both sides of her dish. Now she is taking little nibbles here and there. But that started 2 days and still, she is pregnant UGH!!!! She sleeps non-stop, but when she does get up she is very playful with my partners dog.
Speaking of which, has anyone ever seen a dog be overly affectionate towards a pregnant cat? Buddy was so jealous at first when I brought Molli home, just since she has been pregnant he sleeps on his side behind her. It is the strangest thing to see. He almost coddles her, but he does not bug her as she allows it.
Argh!!!! They are *all* precious, some are very precocious!
Awww, sounds like he is being protective of her, keeping an eye on her, that's sweet.
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- #57
I understood
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- #58
It is sweet. I have never seen it though! Or heard of it for that matter. Maybe that is another thing I need to YouTube.
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Did you know there are low cost options for spaying? Perhaps something to look into for the kittens, the only way to ensure the cycle stops is to neuter before they leave.
You can charge that as the adoption fee, some also have people collect the kitten from the vets and pay, I'm not a big fan of that as I prefer to spread out the stresses in a young kittens life but it is an option.
You can charge that as the adoption fee, some also have people collect the kitten from the vets and pay, I'm not a big fan of that as I prefer to spread out the stresses in a young kittens life but it is an option.
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- #60
I have looked into it and here in my area there is not a low cost option. Which really does suck. That is a great idea for charging the spay or neuter as the adoption fee. The 3 people that I have lined up already are personal friends that fix all their animals. I am not letting them go til 12 weeks as I want them to have good kitty behavior and be well socialised. Maybe if I give it as an option people would me more inclined to take one since they wouldn't have to deal with the initial disruption of their work schedules and such. I want to do what's best for the kittens so I am trying to find people I know, that are responsible pet owners.
