First time with kittens need alittle help

So my cat had kittens this morning.. I've been doing research prior but still alittle unclear about a few things. Am I able to help the smallest one nurse? Or not touch them at all?? She won't allow the boy cat(dad) near them. I have two large(80) pound dogs should I move her to a more secure place? She just had them in her little cat cubby tower thing in the living room so I'm not sure what to do... Answer on any of the questions would be great. Thanks so much :-)

Animalwoman823 said:

So my cat had kittens this morning.. I've been doing research prior but still alittle unclear about a few things. Am I able to help the smallest one nurse? Or not touch them at all?? She won't allow the boy cat(dad) near them. I have two large(80) pound dogs should I move her to a more secure place? She just had them in her little cat cubby tower thing in the living room so I'm not sure what to do... Answer on any of the questions would be great. Thanks so much :-)

Click to expand...

Yes, you can help the smallest if you see it is necessary. How you see? Easiest by weighting them every day at the same time, in grammes.  Thus, you can touch them as long as you do it respectfully, so she sees it, and are quick.   Yes, best to separate the male from her, especially as she doesnt want him near. Do it. (It happens they ARE best friends and he helps her, but so is not here).

Roughly the same with these dogs. Even if big dogs are often surprising friendly with cats, and are known to be uncles/aunts to quite small kittens - why risk anything?

Mom must be non stressed!  Obey the mom!  Take care of the mom, and she will take care of the kittens... (unless you must help the runts).  How big are the kittens in grammes??

So, if you do have any other useful place to separate her in, do it.  The bathroom?

Having two big dogs, you do perhaps have a big dog crate?  This can be used too, if you dont have any suitable other extra room.

Here comes a link to a thread with some great explanations, and some links, provided by our excellent advisor EB24: 

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/258871/help-needed-for-first-timer#post_3351250

Continue to read on, and come with reports and follow up questions!

Good luck!

  Welcome to our Forums!

I agree with Stefan totally.

Remove the dad and the dogs at once. Confine mom and kittens to one small room. The bathroom is a good suggestion.  Even a walk in closet can work if you have one.  If not, a bedroom.

I would not take any action with the kittens today beyond weighing them.  Weigh them again at the same time tomorrow.  If they are all gaining, everything is fine.  Remember, one kitten has to be the smallest kitten.  It is okay if he is the smallest as long as he is gaining at a normal rate.  Normal at this age is a minimum of 4-5 ounces per day. The very first day they might gain less than this- say 2-3 ounces- and that is okay.  At around a week the gain will slow down a bit and 3-4 ounces a day is acceptable. They might gain as much as 7-9 ounces sometimes and that is healthy and great, but not necessary.

If they do not gain or even lose an ounce or two one day, that is not cause for panic.  However, when they don't gain or (very bad) lose for more than one day that is bad and requires intervention.

Sp basically, for now, I'd let the smallest one do his thing.  Tomorrow, if he hasn't gained, it is time to interfere.

Originally Posted by tulosai  

  Normal at this age is a minimum of 4-5 ounces per day. The very first day they might gain less than this- say 2-3 ounces- and that is okay.  At around a week the gain will slow down a bit and 3-4 ounces a day is acceptable. They might gain as much as 7-9 ounces sometimes and that is healthy and great, but not necessary.

Click to expand...

Tulosai. Im not sure if we talk about the same ounces.  Isnt 1 ounce = 1 OZ = 28-30 grammes?

Measuring in grammes, the rule of thumb for gaining is 10+ grammes a day...   A little later it will surely often be a fully "ounce" a day or even more, 30+ grammes.

Otherwise Im very happy you Tulosai so often do agree with me.  As I understand, you are very knowleable with small kittens and their moms.

Good luck!

StefanZ said:

Tulosai. Im not sure if we talk about the same ounces.  Isnt 1 ounce = 1 OZ = 28-30 grammes?

Measuring in grammes, the rule of thumb for gaining is 10+ grammes a day...   A little later it will surely often be a fully "ounce" a day or even more, 30+ grammes.

Otherwise Im very happy you Tulosai so often do agree with me.  As I understand, you are very knowleable with small kittens and their moms.

Good luck!

Click to expand...

OMG.  I have been talking in fractions of ounces and not realizing it.  I clearly need a math course.  

I mean that the kittens should be gaining .3-.4 of an ounce a day Sometimes they can gain up to .9 ounces is what i meant. Mine usually don't gain a whole ounce a day while I measure daily (once they reach 2 pounds I start measuring every other day).  I have a scale and just read off it and have been explaining it wrong .  Thanks for the correction!!!