- Joined
- Aug 22, 2014
- Messages
- 21
- Purraise
- 1
First of all, I apologize if this is a redundant post... I am new to this forum and frankly haven't the time to read through all 150 pages of threads. :/
I am going to try to be as detailed as possible, but first my question so you wonderful people know how to help me please. I need to know the best way to proceed with 4 kittens regarding timing of and what to do with weaning, taming, etc.
About a month ago a cat showed up in my back yard and was stalking birds on my bird feeder in broad daylight. She looked so pitiful and hungry I started putting food out for her that day. She began coming every night and eating every speck of food I would give her. After about a week of letting her eat I started trying to acclimate her to my presence by being outside for her when she came for food. Within that second week she was allowing me to touch her while she was eating. Please don't misunderstand, she is feral in every sense, she was just more hungry than afraid. During that second week I realized that she was heavily pregnant and little more than a kitten herself (probably 6-8 months old). My neighborhood is no place for kittens, and so I decided the best course of action for both Annie and her unborn kittens was to bring them in. I was able to trap her and gave her the spare room with a large dog crate cave, which she avoids, litter box (which she took to like she's always had one), and a nest box lined with soft cloth for her to give birth in. During the week in the house I made little to no progress in taming her, in fact we backtracked A LOT. I know this is the result of her being upset about being trapped. She hid from me and only came out one time to eat in front of me but was skittish in the extreme while she did.
The day after that milestone, 4 beautiful kittens arrived. Annie hisses if I get close, but doesn't object to me being in the room. The kittens are 5 days old as of today (8/22/14). All of them appear healthy and well fed. What do I do from here? I've never had kittens before so I don't know the process. I'll tell you what I've found in extensive online research and please tell me where I go astray from what is best for the kittens and advise me on what to add or modify from my "agenda."
Weeks 1-2 I plan to be mostly absent other than housekeeping things and a look without touching in the nest box to check up. I have switched Annie to kitten food to help her and the babes' nutrition.
Week 3 begin minimal handling for 5 minutes or so per kitten in the room with mom hopefully if she can refrain from hissing. (Is there a risk of Annie abandoning them as a result of stress and scent contamination from me?)
Week 4- begin handling kittens outside the room for longer periods perhaps 20 minutes each and begin exposure to a kitten formula/moistened kitten kibble gruel. Expose kittens to handling by other people besides myself (adult friends and family of course).
Week 5- extend out of room visits to 30 minutes twice a day and continue offering gruel mixture. Additional exposure to other people
Week 6- Spay Annie (TNR style) and release 24-48 hours later outside (my blinds would testify to her hatred of being kept inside). Yes I will continue to feed and care for her outside . Move the kittens into a higher traffic area of the house in the extra large dog crate to acclimate them to the household activities. During this phase I will extend the handling every day to ensure socialization. (Is this too early? Too late?). At this time I will release any kittens to their new homes if they already have one.
I will be keeping 1-2 of them, have already found a home for 1 and am looking for a home for 1-2 more. I will find them good homes. All will be spayed or neutered.
Sorry it's so wordy, but I think it's easiest to give accurate advice if you understand the situation. Thank you in advance! I have no experience with this and no one to call for advice. I really appreciate anything you can tell me whether it's to tell me I'm headed in the right direction or I need to completely rethink my plan. Just FYI, a shelter is not an option. I have been told unequivocally that they will be put down if I bring them there.
I am going to try to be as detailed as possible, but first my question so you wonderful people know how to help me please. I need to know the best way to proceed with 4 kittens regarding timing of and what to do with weaning, taming, etc.
About a month ago a cat showed up in my back yard and was stalking birds on my bird feeder in broad daylight. She looked so pitiful and hungry I started putting food out for her that day. She began coming every night and eating every speck of food I would give her. After about a week of letting her eat I started trying to acclimate her to my presence by being outside for her when she came for food. Within that second week she was allowing me to touch her while she was eating. Please don't misunderstand, she is feral in every sense, she was just more hungry than afraid. During that second week I realized that she was heavily pregnant and little more than a kitten herself (probably 6-8 months old). My neighborhood is no place for kittens, and so I decided the best course of action for both Annie and her unborn kittens was to bring them in. I was able to trap her and gave her the spare room with a large dog crate cave, which she avoids, litter box (which she took to like she's always had one), and a nest box lined with soft cloth for her to give birth in. During the week in the house I made little to no progress in taming her, in fact we backtracked A LOT. I know this is the result of her being upset about being trapped. She hid from me and only came out one time to eat in front of me but was skittish in the extreme while she did.
The day after that milestone, 4 beautiful kittens arrived. Annie hisses if I get close, but doesn't object to me being in the room. The kittens are 5 days old as of today (8/22/14). All of them appear healthy and well fed. What do I do from here? I've never had kittens before so I don't know the process. I'll tell you what I've found in extensive online research and please tell me where I go astray from what is best for the kittens and advise me on what to add or modify from my "agenda."
Weeks 1-2 I plan to be mostly absent other than housekeeping things and a look without touching in the nest box to check up. I have switched Annie to kitten food to help her and the babes' nutrition.
Week 3 begin minimal handling for 5 minutes or so per kitten in the room with mom hopefully if she can refrain from hissing. (Is there a risk of Annie abandoning them as a result of stress and scent contamination from me?)
Week 4- begin handling kittens outside the room for longer periods perhaps 20 minutes each and begin exposure to a kitten formula/moistened kitten kibble gruel. Expose kittens to handling by other people besides myself (adult friends and family of course).
Week 5- extend out of room visits to 30 minutes twice a day and continue offering gruel mixture. Additional exposure to other people
Week 6- Spay Annie (TNR style) and release 24-48 hours later outside (my blinds would testify to her hatred of being kept inside). Yes I will continue to feed and care for her outside . Move the kittens into a higher traffic area of the house in the extra large dog crate to acclimate them to the household activities. During this phase I will extend the handling every day to ensure socialization. (Is this too early? Too late?). At this time I will release any kittens to their new homes if they already have one.
I will be keeping 1-2 of them, have already found a home for 1 and am looking for a home for 1-2 more. I will find them good homes. All will be spayed or neutered.
Sorry it's so wordy, but I think it's easiest to give accurate advice if you understand the situation. Thank you in advance! I have no experience with this and no one to call for advice. I really appreciate anything you can tell me whether it's to tell me I'm headed in the right direction or I need to completely rethink my plan. Just FYI, a shelter is not an option. I have been told unequivocally that they will be put down if I bring them there.