We did it...and now, a few transition questions

Hello everyone,

My wife and I have successfully raised five kittens from a feral mom (Stripey) and now, after seven weeks, four of them are off to a wonderful house with eight kids while they wait to be adopted.  I'm very allergic to them so here is not the right place despite the fact we've had a wonderful (and quite stressful at times) time caring for them.  My questions though, aren't with the four that are leaving....they will be fine, I am sure.  We are keeping the fifth (Hank), who has a wobble.  We've taken him to the vet and they didn't find any problems, he just has issues with his left rear leg.  Once he gets going he's a rocket, but don't ask him to jump (he can hop) or change directions.  Anyway, he will be going to my inlaws in three weeks.  My first question is, with all his brothers and sisters gone, what do we do with him to keep him from being sad?  Second, Stripey, although I'm sure still feral, lets us groom her, feed her, pet her, and even pick her up (doesn't like it but doesn't try to hurt us) will be staying with us as an indoor/outdoor cat.  Once we get her fixed, we will keep her and Hank in the catio (in the garage) until Hank goes to the inlaws at the end of the month.  Stripey will be transitioned to the new shed and outdoors.  We have no idea if this plan will work or the risks we are taking.  Ultimately, we would like Hank to be happy and not lonely, Stripey to stick around and let us put her in for the night in the shed (with outdoor catio).

What are our odds?  We're on pins and needles right now.....

The plan seems sound and OK.   The only you must look up with is, as she isnt spayed as yet, she will surely try and get out if she comes in heat and smells a tom nearby.   Which they do. (this is why so many "happen" to get out when they "happen" to be in heat.

  If it happens, you shall go to the vets as soon her heat is over, and spay...  Or better still, spay her now as soon you can reasonably arrange it.

What you descibe of Stripey, doesnt sound as feral any more.  She is surely still shy to strangers, and isnt not fond of being carried.  But it is not a sign of a ex semferal, it is sooner a sign of a shy cat.   My oldest resident, today 13, home bred indoors only, is shy.   He has learned me a lot about behavior of shy cats...

And thus gave me the idea / insight, the behavior of most fostered ex semiferales isnt because they are ex-semiferales, but because they are shy...

Hank does miss of course his siblings. He has his mom left yes?   Try to be extra mommy with him you too, play as much as you can.  Have radio on, so he hears interesting sounds...

It is wise if the inlaws do have a companion for him. Another cat or a friendly dog.

You've covered all the bases. - with one exception. Get Strippey spayed ASAP! She will end up pregnant again, especially if she's going outside.

I am really impressed with all you hard work and perseverance. Allergies can make things like this so much more difficult, so kudos to you for taking this on so well.

The kitten might be lonely and a companion may help. If your in-laws will be home a lot, that might not be necessary as they wil be his companions.

All in all, I say good plan and good job!

Yes, Stripey will probably be spayed late this week or early next week.  Believe me, the Toms are around on a daily basis - it's like a kitty Sybaris around here.  We are going to keep her confined with Hank until the end of the month until the shed and home is built.  She has bonded so well with my wife (or maybe the other way around) that we will do what we can to make sure she stays around.

Hank will be going to a home with other cats and dogs so he will have company as he grows up.  It just won't be with kittens her own age. 

We were told not to become attached to them.....

Yeah. Good but useless advice. How can you help not becoming attached?!!

Glad you are on the ball with this. Those are lucky kitties!

Just an update.  We are going to keep two of the kittens - Hank is going to go to our inlaws and the other will stay with us and Stripey.  We are sending away the three that are the best with people to give them the best opportunity to be adopted.  The one staying seems to be a little clingy to Stripey and it's probably because we haven't put the time in to socialize with her.  That will change.

They will live outside in a new shed with a catio attached.  I realize it isn't inside, but it is the next best thing as I am allergic.  Lastly, Stripey will be spayed on Friday.  I hope she doesn't hate us after that - she ate out of my hand today and put her paws on my legs.  I really wish we knew what was ahead of us but I want to thank you all at the site for your positive vibes and wealth of knowledge. 

She won't hate you.  She may be a little miffed for a bit but once she recuperates, she'll have a safe home, food and a warm place to lay her head.  She will not hate you!

Good job!

I realize that this may need to go into a new forum but I think we have a problem.  We dropped three kittens with the boarding family and now have only two in the catio.  Stripey (Mom) is eating everything - gourging herself.  We have reason to believe she may be nursing the remaining kittens as they are no longer eating regular food (like they had up until today) and she has had to get up twice since we took the others away to stop the kittens from nursing.  We are finding homes for the other two (we decided not to keep the one) but not for a couple of days.

She has a lot of diarrhea and then just replenishes.  We did have her stool tested for worms about a week ago and came back negative.  My question is, can she harm herself (she is also getting spayed on Friday!) by eating too much?  We're really stressing out because we don't know for sure if this is a reaction from removing her kittens or the remaining kittens asking for too much?

We're trying to feed the kittens but they just walk away.  We've separated them while eating but Stripey just sits and meows until we let her in to finish the meal the kittens didn't even touch. 

I suppose we could just let it all happen naturally, but we're concerned for her well-being.

Our neuter/spay vets say the mama cats should be done nursing for 2 weeks before getting spayed or it can cause problems, so I don't usually make their appointments until the last kitten is adopted out  I don't do artificial weaning generally, I don't really have the room to separate mamas and their babies plus it would break my heart.  Once is enough, the time of adoption.  My babies have been spayed and eat solid food but they still nurse too, mostly at night.   The whole family is going to Petco this weekend, even though mama cannot be adopted until she has been spayed.   Well, they could PRE-adopt if they wanted but wouldn't get her until after her spay.  I expect the kittens will be adopted this weekend or early next week.  Photo taken about 5 minutes ago.

CatsinMyHat.  She could be reacting to the changes in her life.  She has a steady supply of food now and may be taking advantage of it in case it disappears.

I would feed her a set amount two (maybe three) times a day and let it go at that.  She may be one of those cats who overeat, so you want to develop healthy habits now.  Taking the kittens is going to be stressful, no matter when it happens.  If you plan is working, it's a good plan...