A 17 year old who doesn't really know how to take care of 'feral' cat!

lilycattheferal

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Hey guys my cat that has adopted me back in December is now pregnant. I was going to get her fixed back in March but she was gone for 12 days and had to leave the country to go on vacation. Came back and she looked pregnant, so I waited awhile and sure enough she is. I WILL get here fixed and keep Lily(the momma cat). She was gone March 25-April 1st so I'm guessing she is 40+days along? I have never really had a cat before. I don't really know what to do. I keep her outside during the day since I have school and keep her inside in the afternoon and night. She eats a lot, and sleeps every minute of the day. She stays in my room since I have birds, but my dog comes inside my room sometimes and cuddles with Lily. Now last Sunday and today I saw and felt the kitties inside of her. I only put my hand on her gently cause I don't want to hurt her. She was a dump cause she was so friendly from the very start but fond of me more than anyone. Any tips for me will be helpful and I will keep on updating.

~Maddie (:

Also how far do think she is along?  
 

StefanZ

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As she is allowed to be outside, you cant know when she did mated, so dont count too much on this your vacation. They say you can feel the kittens move 2 weeks before delivery, so it should be about 7-8 week now.  You must "play this waiting game" you too, take the queue-ticket there, please!   :)

Why cant you have her inside daytime too?    Now when she is high preg she surely wants to be inside, even if she otherwise wants to roam some.

Keep reading, reporting, and asking!

Welcome Maddie to our Forums!

Good luck!
 

eb24

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The first thing you need to do is bring her inside full time. You don't want to risk her having her babies outside where you can't find them. Also, after she delivers she can go back into heat within a matter of days. If you let her out she WILL end up pregnant again. So, from now until she is spayed she has to be indoors only and you need to take extra precautions to make sure she can't sneak out when you aren't looking. 

Next, can you see/feel the babies moving yet? As a general rule once you can you are about 2 weeks away from delivery. That can vary some but if you aren't feeling them yet then there is a pretty good chance you are still a few weeks away. Since she has been outside I would probably get her in to the vet in the next few days so that they can 1) palpate her stomach and confirm she is pregnant (if you really want to know how many ask for an ultrasound but don't let them do an x-ray as it can harm the developing kittens) and 2) de-worm her and make sure she is free of fleas. If she has either of these conditions now then the babies will contract them and it can be very life threatening. Better to just head it off now. 

Aside from getting her into the vet and bringing her inside permanently the other main things you need to do right now are make a nesting box and prepare your birthing kit. A good nesting box is one that has high sides. Put down several layers of towels/blankets to make it soft and comfy, and cover the top with a sheet or a towel to give her privacy. Also, place the box somewhere that is relatively dark and quiet where she can have her privacy. She may not show any interest in the box until she gets closer to delivering, but you can try and ensure that she will use it when the time comes by blocking off inviting areas that you don't want her to go. Under the bed, under a dresser, or in a corner of a closet are all common ones. Do your best to make these inaccessible/uninviting.

You can read more about birthing kits at http://www.thecatsite.com/t/80724/all-about-pregnancy-labor-delivery-in-cats . There is also a current thread going on the subject: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/257943/items-needed-for-a-birth . Finally, You can also do a search for specific questions that you may have. I just did a general search for threads discussing "birthing boxes." Some of these may help: http://www.thecatsite.com/newsearch?search=Birthing+Box

Other thoughts/things to do:  

- Take the time to read through old threads. Sometimes following what other people have gone through can give you a good idea of what is to come. And, old threads can answer questions you didn't even know you had!

- Until the kittens are completely weaned she needs constant access to as much good quality dry kitten food as she wants (make sure it's a kitten formula as she needs the extra calories). Also, make sure you are timed feeding her wet food, at least twice a day (though I usually do 3-4 times a day). 

- She needs to be completely separate from any other pets in the house. In general, confining a Queen to just one room is ideal. Move all of her things into there and set up the birthing box. This will allow her the privacy and safety that she needs, and minimizes her ability to get outside. It also makes it much easier to block off areas you don't want her to go and for kitten proofing later on. 

I know it's a lot but unfortunately bringing a litter of kittens into the world is very time consuming and very expensive. If you don't think it's something you can feasibly handle then you may want to consider relinquishing her to a shelter. It's clear that you love her very much but you always need to be asking yourself the question of if her current situation is in her best interest. If you can devote the time and the money then we will all be here to support you, but if you don't feel like you can then it's something you really need to think about. I don't know your living situation or how involved your parents are, I'm just basing this solely on your age. I know when I was 17 this is not something I could have undertaken because I wouldn't have had the finances and my parents never would have allowed a cat indoors full time. Making this determination is something only you and your family can do, I'm just putting it out there for consideration.

Another middle ground option is contacting a shelter and seeing if they will let you "foster" the kittens. In doing so they would be responsible for all her veterinary care while you took care of everything else and provided the home. When the time comes they would re-home the kittens and get the adoption fee. It can actually work out really well and helps both you and the shelter.

Continue to ask questions in this thread as they come up (it's much easier for people to offer advice if they can look back at what the situation is and see what you have already been advised on). 

Good luck and welcome to TCS! 
 
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lilycattheferal

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Yes I can see and feel her kittens since last Sunday! It's really exciting. I can't have her roaming around the house since she kills birds outside and I have birds in the house. She loves to hide under my bed or snuggle with me. My mom won't let me keep her inside all day even though I keep on telling to get a litter box, I know a couple of ways to train her since a read a couple of forums. Mom said wait until after she haves them in my room. She won't listen :/. The biggest problem is that it has been raining for the past 3 days and won't stop. I know if Lily has them outside they more than likely die. I'm gone between 7am-2pm and Lily and I stay inside in my room the rest of the time with her. But it is the weekend so she can stay inside all day now. :D Hopefully she will have them this weekend. 
What I found strange last night is that her body was 'trembling', I don't know if this is a sign of labor. I have been feeding her well and change her water 2 a day. I put box with semi-new beach towels that don't have any strings that are loose. Also for the past couple of days she been looking under my bed, clawing at paper on my shelves, jumping in my drawers, in my closet non-stop, and sleeps on the windowsill. I will my hardest to upload pictures as soon as possible.

~Maddie
 
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lilycattheferal

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Also my mom buys all the cat food and what not. Mom is a vegan and I'm a pescetarian and we LOVE animals. We have more than enough to pay for all of the expenses! So the family support is fine it's just that my mom is very stubborn.

~Maddie
 

StefanZ

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These tremblings may be some sort of precontractions. Common enough, a way of the body to prepare itself.  Or how exactly do you mean?

About mom, you must talk her over.  Ask her to read this our thread!  Perhaps even register in her own name!   :)    The high preg MUST be inside now!

About the birds. Of course you must protect the birds too... So you must get a routine when they arent together both free...  Or they shall be in separated rooms.

Chances are pretty good she wont hunt them anyway. She, like dogs, do understand they do belong to the family, they arent supposed to be hunting prey. Perhaps no 100% safety, accidents are too easy to happen, but pretty good security anyway, if you train her some.

I know examples of when the cat is tolerating familys rabbits, or even is good pal with them, but is hunting wild rabbits outside.  There are surely similiar examples with birds.

Good luck!
 

eb24

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These tremblings may be some sort of precontractions. Common enough, a way of the body to prepare itself.  Or how exactly do you mean?

About mom, you must talk her over.  Ask her to read this our thread!  Perhaps even register in her own name!   :)    The high preg MUST be inside now!

Good luck!
I totally agree with everything Stefan said. The signs she's exhibiting are common nesting behaviors and signs of pre contractions. She MUST be brought inside now and MUST stay inside until after she is spayed. Why is it not possible to just confine her to your bedroom? It seems that is what you are doing when you are home, so why is it any different when you are away?

Please, encourage your Mom to look through this thread. If you send me a PM (private message) I would be more than happy to make myself available to speak to your Mom privately, whether via email or over the phone. I don't often throw my credentials on TCS (other than in a joking manner) but I have a law degree and have fostered over 30 pregnant cats and kittens. I have done significant amounts of research on feline pregnancy, labor, and delivery, as well as have ample personal experience. And, this research has not just been in general online forums, but in highly respected veterinary journals (that I have free access too through my Alumni status at a very high ranking University). Hopefully knowing this will make her more receptive to communication as I do legitimately know what I am talking about. If she is willing to listen and offer due consideration on the matter I, in turn, will offer some fabulous tips on getting into college if that is a path you are interested in pursuing. 

Everything else you do is going to be for nothing if she continues to be let outside. Get creative and do the legwork you need to to get your Mom to listen. Don't just ask her once she gets home from work and is exhausted. Wait until you can both sit down and have a real discussion on the issue. Print off this thread and any other articles that you have found helpful to help make your case on why she needs to be indoors. If you both care about animals the way you claim to then there is no other option than to bring her indoors, regardless of the inconvenience. Advocating for one who cannot advocate for themselves is the difference between being an adult and being a child- show her that you are a mature adult and that you are thinking of needs outside of your own! 
 

kcmama

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Hi..my cat kc gave birth today she had the same trembles about 8-9 days ago..also i felt her kittys move for over3 weeks..every cats different i wish i could help more but i looked at every site i found n ask every question there is and my experience was totaly the opposite of what i prepared for...lol...but i can say when the time came she let me kno way ahead of time just watch for the signs..
 
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lilycattheferal

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Well thank you everyone! (: I will try to talk to her again about the issue. Lily doesn't really hide under the bed anymore and won't leave my side. But if I can't convince her I will do what EB24 said. Also for the first time she licked me and is getting really affectionate. 

I went to Walmart and there was some backpacks with a kitten on a leash so I talked to them. They said they found her yesterday while walking over a bridge, but her and her siblings where in a refrigerator. Sadly though she was the only kitten alive. Thanks to the backpackers she was saved and didn't die because someone closed the fridge on them and put them under a bridge. Anyhow Lily is doing wonderful so far and seems to be taking her pregnancy pretty well.

~Maddie
 
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lilycattheferal

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I just woke up, 7:40am United States Eastern Time. I heard little squeals! She had 1 when I was sleeping. She is under the bed but away from the middle of the bed! She seems to be doing well. :D

~Maddie

I'll keep posting if anymore come. Oh a second kitten came! They are both breathing and Lily is eating the cord and licking her kits. I'm so glad that she had them in my room and not outside. (:
 
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lilycattheferal

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A third one came another dark brown/black at 8:35am!

~Maddie 
 
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lilycattheferal

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First one: Orange, time: Unknown (was sleeping)\

2nd: Dark Brown/Black, time: 7:40 (right when I looked under the bed)

3rd: Dark Brown/Black Boots, time: 8:35am

4th: Orange Lighter, time: 8:51

No other kittens, going to Petsmart and getting stuff for Lily and Kittens! (:

~Maddie
 

StefanZ

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God solved the issue with your mom!  NOW she surely cant deny what both we, you AND the God wills!

A tip is you do weigh them every day at the same time. A kitchen / mail scale weighting in grammes, easiest if electronical.  They dont need to cost much.   Or you can borrow one.

Weighint them every day is often the easiest way to notice oncoming problems.  And indirectly, know it is going on well.  If they raise on every day - good, as simple as that.

Good luck!
 
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lilycattheferal

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Thank you, I do have a weigher (: I just have to get her and her kittens out from under the bed. I tired earlier but she just toke them right back under the bed. 

~Maddie

Pictures coming soon.(whenever she stops hiding) 
 

StefanZ

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You must be quick with the weighing.  :)  Take them one and one, where mom sees and hears, so she knows nothing bad is happening with her child, and weigh quickly. At most a half minute apiece.   :)

Good luck!
 
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lilycattheferal

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I just did (:

Light Orange: 125.68grams

Brown/Black (Boots): 118.29

Orange: 133.08

Black/Brown (Tiger): 129.38

Are these healthy kittens? I mean the correct weigh for them? 

~Maddie

Thank you everyone for helping this far! I would've never been able to do this without you guys.
 

StefanZ

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Well done!

the weights sounds reasonable, and very good ones. Surely no prematures, I would guess they are healthy and have got a excellent start in the life.

I see you DO have an electronical scale!   You can round up the decimales into nearest gram, if you wish.  It is not THAt touchy.   :)

Good luck!
 

eb24

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Wow those are great weights. Looks like you have a healthy bunch!

Now she has to stay inside. As Stefan said, she solved that debate for you! 


If you can reach the kittens and pull them out she will surely follow. But, the only way to keep her from going back under the bed is to block it off completely. If you can't do that than that will most likely be where she stays. at least try to block enough so that she stays close enough to the edge that you can check on them. 

Glad to hear they are all doing well. 
 
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