New question! Moving the kitties!

First of all I appreciate everyone's help! I have gotten so much useful information especially from Stefan, shunra and maekaw. Hope I spelled those right

Anyway momma cat hasn't moved the kittens out of the box since last Saturday. Now it's starting to get really gross. I want to clean it but I still have only touched the kittens not picked them up except returning the one she left behind once. Is it okay that her box is dirty? How can I change it without her getting mad? She isn't mean but sometimes she will growl or hiss when I get near. If I go by the box when she is not near is will run to it fast and cover the kittens with her body. Other times she will let me look and pet them all.

And the white ones still have no color on their face or paws!

Oh and how soon might she go into heat again after giving birth? Today she is moaning at the garage door a lot

brooke86 said:

First of all I appreciate everyone's help! I have gotten so much useful information especially from Stefan, shunra and maekaw. Hope I spelled those right

Anyway momma cat hasn't moved the kittens out of the box since last Saturday. Now it's starting to get really gross. I want to clean it but I still have only touched the kittens not picked them up except returning the one she left behind once. Is it okay that her box is dirty? How can I change it without her getting mad? She isn't mean but sometimes she will growl or hiss when I get near. If I go by the box when she is not near is will run to it fast and cover the kittens with her body. Other times she will let me look and pet them all.

And the white ones still have no color on their face or paws!

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I'm glad we have been able to help.

Re the box.    Since you said sometimes she will let you come near and pet the kittens,  you might have a chance at those times.  

  I would have another box ready and clean,  move it right next to the old box. 

Also get a clean cloth ( fleece, towel, flannel sheet etc.) and drape that over the side of the old box.  The idea is to try not to get it totally dirty right away,  but try to let it absorb some scent of her and the kittens,  for a day or so.

 Then the next time she is in a friendly mood and allows you to pet her and the kittens,  start gently but quickly putting the kittens in the other box.   Make sure she can see  you are not taking them far away.   Move that cloth to the new box so that it will still smell like them.

Then you can have a chance to clean the old box  ( or just toss it out  if it is a cardboard box and too soiled ).  

 But.... you might first try an intermediate step , of when she is letting you sit by the box and pet her and kittens ,  try picking one up--- but just hold it in your palm right next to her,    I mean literally even with the kitten touching her,   and talk to her soothingly . then put the kitten down again very soon.    it may be only a few seconds. 

 This can start to de-sensitize a queen who is still learning to trust you.

I would definitely avoid approaching the box when she is not there.   because you don't want to let the mama cat think you are doing anything " behind her back" ,  and might harm or steal the kittens.

brooke86 said:

Oh and how soon might she go into heat again after giving birth? Today she is moaning at the garage door a lot

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Cats have been known to go into heat within days after giving birth!

It's more common that it doesn't happen until later when the kittens are weaned or in the process of weaning   but unfortunately  it is   not at all rare that a cat can go in heat and mate soon after giving birth. and get pregnant again!    Which is not good for her or for the kittens ( either litter) .

&  it is also a risk that she runs off looking for mates and gets hit by a car or something. Or that she gets chased a long way away by a bunch of toms and gets lost.    

 So  you are going to have to be very very vigilant to keep her inside until she can be spayed when the kittens are weaned.