My pregnant cat saga

I used to post here (The Cat Site; not this forum) quite often, but life, new job, etc. got in the way and my online activities slowed way down.  So, I'm not really new here, but I've been away awhile.

My job takes me to different places, and one month ago (to the day) I brought a pregnant stray home with me. I couldn't leave her where she was; she had obviously been dumped. She was very thin, and hungry, and was a total angel on the 500 mile car ride back home.

I have 5 cats of my own at home (and a dog), so I put here in my basement so she could give birth in peace. I took her to my vet as  soon as I could, and she is FeLV/FIV negative. They didn't vaccinate or deworrm her since she was so soon to giving birth.  I thought about having her spayed right then, but since I thought she was going to have the kittens soon, I just couldn't do it.

Last Thursday night she gave birth to six healthy kittens. I plan on keeping the mother cat - if I can do five cats, six shouldn't be a problem - right?

My mother is planning on taking one of the kittens. I have called some no-kill shelters and they told me to call them back to get on the waiting list with the kittens.

When should I take mother and babies to the vet for the first time? They are all healthy and gaining weight nicely. Mama is still too thin, IMO, but not dangerously so. I feed her all the canned she can eat.

When can I get mama spayed? I don't want to interfere with her nursing.

How am I ever going to be able to give up those kittens? I want to keep them all and I know that people having 10/11 cats isn't that unusual, but I travel for work and even though my SO is a big animal lover too, I don't think it is fair when we both work.  I am a bit strict on "rules" for my kittens (must be neutered/ spayed, no declawing, indoor only, wet food only preferred) that I may scare off people who may want a kitten and that is why I feel a shelter might do better with this.

Two white with black spots, two tabby and whites, two mostly black with white faces/paws. Mama is black.

Alot of info and alot of questions

Your vet should really have dewormed her so she does not pass them to her kittens. Strongid is very safe for mother and babies. I'm assuming she has no fleas...  If everyone is healthy and gaining, no need to take them in til they are 8 weeks old for their first shots/ deworming. Most mamas are thin because of the strain of feeding 6 other beings.

Most vets will not spay until her milk production has stopped. So, I wouldn't even book it til all six are weaned. ( 8 - 10 weeks) It may take a good 2 weeks before her milk production has dried up.

If you find good homes, you shouldn't mind giving them up. They are going to be well loved and cared for. Your rules are good ones, however I must disagree with feeding all wet food. In my opinion, cats need to crunch kibble to help keep their teeth clean and healthy. Some cats will get severe diarrhea with wet food only. Again, JMO.

Levi68 said:

 
Alot of info and alot of questions

Your vet should really have dewormed her so she does not pass them to her kittens. Strongid is very safe for mother and babies. I'm assuming she has no fleas...  If everyone is healthy and gaining, no need to take them in til they are 8 weeks old for their first shots/ deworming. Most mamas are thin because of the strain of feeding 6 other beings.

Most vets will not spay until her milk production has stopped. So, I wouldn't even book it til all six are weaned. ( 8 - 10 weeks) It may take a good 2 weeks before her milk production has dried up.

If you find good homes, you shouldn't mind giving them up. They are going to be well loved and cared for. Your rules are good ones, however I must disagree with feeding all wet food. In my opinion, cats need to crunch kibble to help keep their teeth clean and healthy. Some cats will get severe diarrhea with wet food only. Again, JMO.

Click to expand...

Even if I do find enough good homes, I will mind giving them up. I have attachment issues; especially with felines (that's how I ended up with 5 cats ).

One of the tabbies has opened one eye as of this am! 

When should I expect them to start using a litter box? Mama is taking care of that now, but I'd like to have a box ready for them (of course, they are in a half a dog crate now, and not getting around).

I suspect my vet didn't deworm since I didn't bring in a stool sample. I cleaned her box and thought she'd go again but didn't before the vet appt.

I plan on keeping the kittens with mama until  10 weeks (I'd prefer 12).

The mother cat is doing a great job, but she really wants to come upstairs. She sneaks (waits at the top of the stairs when I open the door) and once she is up she gives my cats a good hiss but she is a very mellow cat (still under a year old herself).

I've had them start as early as 3 weeks and as late as 6 weeks. 4/5 weeks the norm. Don't use clumping litter as they seem to want to eat it at first. Give them a low sided box for easy access. Put some of mamas pee in and place them in front so they can smell it. Do this several times a day or if you see them searching for a place to go. It's easier if they are kept in a smaller space so the litter is close by. They tend to want to hide behind something to go if given the chance . Pick up any poop on floor and put it in litter so they will b attracted to it.

Kittens normally start being able to urinate and defecate on their own at around 3 weeks. Their mother usually continues to take care of that for the most part   until they start eating solids.   (but in that in-between period ,  they may  occasionally pee  on their blankets,  so you will have to watch out for that and change bedding as needed  Some cat moms are a lot more diligent  than others about cleaning and "pottying" the kittens.   

 Definitely by the time they are 4 weeks,  I  would   provide at least one  litterbox  for them.   You need something with low sides that is very easy for a small kitten to get in and out of.  ( for example the  cardboard trays that cans of cat food come in,   or a baking pan with low sides)     At the same age   some kittens may start to take an interest in some wet cat food ( kitten food  or a food that is for all life stages) .  Other kittens do not start eating for another couple weeks and it is OK if they wait. 

   In this time while they are learning,  you will need to be very vigilant   The kittens should definitely not be running all over the house.  they need to be confined to one room. and you could set up multiple litterboxes so they are always near one. Try to clean up messes ASAP  and thoroughly , using an enzyme based cleaner to break down any of the odor.    Wash soiled bedding with bleach in water as warm as the fabric willl allow.   When you clean up a mess ,   when they are first learning,  you could put a little piece of poop, or a small piece of paper towel soaked in the urine,  into the litterbox so they smell that is where it belongs.   

Spend as much time as you can with the kittens & watch them carefully and if you see one wander over to a corner and start sniffing around like they are planning to go potty ,  pick him up and put him gently in the litterbox to see if he wiill use it.  give lots of praise after he does .

 Hopefully they will catch on pretty quick.

  You can soon switch to boxes with slightly taller sides. 

BTW it is best for very young kittens under about 8 weeks not to use clumping cat litter because  of the risk they may eat it.and it could clump together inside them.   ( Like human babies, kittens explore things with their mouths . )   To start with you can use wood pellets or the old fashioned clay litter or shredded paper  until they get past that stage.  then I switch to clumping litter.

Re the de-worming:   you can deworm the kittens as young as 3 weeks using pyrantel pamoate  ( Strongid)  then repeat 2 wks later.       Then do a second round maybe around 8 weeks. Treat the mom at the same times you do the kittens.

Thanks! The babies are now three weeks old and the cutest things ever! All are getting so big already. They are starting to be aware and play with each other; it is so fun to watch!

I called and they are on the waiting list to get into a really good no-kill shelter when they are weaned (a shelter I got one of our other cats from, actually). Cats are kept in rooms with siblings and other cats their age, rather than cages. They have no problems adopting out kittens, and they kittens will be fixed, vaccinated, and chipped before they let them go to their new homes. I will be so sad to see them go - I know I'll cry for a week, at least.

I did get dewormer from my vet and mom and babies have been given one round, more to go, until 8 weeks old.

I've got clay litter and cat food boxes (that cans come in) for litter on hand.

I know I will be able to see the one my mother picks out grow up, but one of the kittens I've quickly become attached to (although I love them all); she's got the sweetest little face and kind eyes.

Is having seven cats crazy?

If you got an illness that needed all 7 cats to be treated with a fairly expensive drug could you afford the vet bills?  If not then 7 cats is crazy.