Mother cat doesn't want to leave her kittens to eat, drink, or use litter box

raisondetre · Mar 30, 2015

Background story before we get to the issue - I found mama outside of my work about a month ago. As I have taken in two strays before, I didn't mind caring for a third. She didn't seem like she was outside long, maybe a few days, before I took her in. That's when I noticed it, she was pregnant and I figured that's probably why she was put out.

She's been a great cat and I have been feeding her kitten food throughout her pregnancy, which she loved over everything else. Well, she ended up having her kittens yesterday afternoon and not in the nesting box I set up. I was sadly at work at the time and she ended up having them in the corner of the spare bedroom. They seemed to be a few hours old by the time I came home.

She had four of them and all seemed to be healthy and lively. I moved them to the box and she followed, and that's where they've all been since. The only problem is that she hasn't used the litter box and she'll only eat when hold the bowl in front of her. She will leave the box for my attention or to eat really quick, but as soon as she hears their cries, she runs back and sometimes brings the food with her.

I don't want her to become dehydrated, but I also don't want to put the water bowl in the box with the kittens. Everything is set up near the box, but she seems too worried to leave at times.

Another problem is sometimes she becomes restless and tries to get up to move, but then ends up laying on her kittens or steps on them. I'm new to all of this and I want them to be cared for properly and thrive. I've been so worried that I have not slept yet.

StefanZ · Mar 30, 2015

Raisondetre said:
Background story before we get to the issue - I found mama outside of my work about a month ago. As I have taken in two strays before, I didn't mind caring for a third. She didn't seem like she was outside long, maybe a few days, before I took her in. That's when I noticed it, she was pregnant and I figured that's probably why she was put out.

She's been a great cat and I have been feeding her kitten food throughout her pregnancy, which she loved over everything else. Well, she ended up having her kittens yesterday afternoon and not in the nesting box I set up. I was sadly at work at the time and she ended up having them in the corner of the spare bedroom. They seemed to be a few hours old by the time I came home.

She had four of them and all seemed to be healthy and lively. I moved them to the box and she followed, and that's where they've all been since. The only problem is that she hasn't used the litter box and she'll only eat when hold the bowl in front of her. She will leave the box for my attention or to eat really quick, but as soon as she hears their cries, she runs back and sometimes brings the food with her.

I don't want her to become dehydrated, but I also don't want to put the water bowl in the box with the kittens. Everything is set up near the box, but she seems too worried to leave at times.

Another problem is sometimes she becomes restless and tries to get up to move, but then ends up laying on her kittens or steps on them. I'm new to all of this and I want them to be cared for properly and thrive. I've been so worried that ri

2 excellent mommas!

How is it, does she dare more if you are near, and minding her children?   Or it may even be the other way around, she prefers to be more alone?...

Anywhays, I think there is not much to do. Leave food, water litter nearby - the litter in the other corner then food and water.

When she is matured, she will go out and get it.

In the nature moms must do it themselves, they arent helped with it. So they are with the kittens as long they can, but somewhat later on, willy-nilly, they must leave some.

She ate surely the placentas, so many arent hungry the first day.

If you want to give her water, you can surely give it as she is. In a bottle (yes like a baby), or with a spoon.

She is apparently an excellent mom, you dont need to watch her the whole time. You may sleep some.   Have a matterass nearby if you so wish.

The only addition is you may weight them kittens every day, to see if they gain properly, about 10g a day, or more, is good. May be somewhat lesser if they are smallish from the beginning.   Have an electronic scale measuring in grammes, its easiest. They dont need to cost much, and you may surely lend one from some neigbour if so is.

Good luck!

Sarthur2 · Mar 30, 2015

It sounds like she will calm down & begin to normalize her eating, drinking & litter box use as soon as she is ready. My stray cat's kittens are just now 2 weeks old, and Mama Kitty did the same thing with not wanting to leave the nest, but within a day or two she returned more to normal. Just remember that they need rest after giving birth, the same as people do. And her appetite will return, because nursing is hard work too, and goes around the clock! It's better that she is with the kittens all of the time rather than leaving them too much. Do you have a heating pad to put under the blankets on low for the kittens? They cannot regulate their body temperature for a good 3 weeks. It sounds like she is a great mother cat, as is mine. My four kittens are very plump from the nursing. Good luck to you, and congratulations!

raisondetre · Mar 30, 2015

She is starting to eat more today, but still has not used the litter box. Any time she sees me, she gets up and starts brushing up against me, more like she wants me there. I feel bad because she's a big baby and very social, but I have to keep her locked in the spare room away from the other two cats. I don't worry about our male cat too much (he's fixed by the way), he's timid and curious. It's the other female that seemed to be aggressive toward mama kitty when she was pregnant, so I don't want her that way with the kittens.

I have a heating pad set to one side of the box underneath the blankets. I'm always checking to make sure it's not too hot for them.

Sarthur2 · Mar 30, 2015

It sounds like all is well. I have my stray mama (whom I plan to spay and keep after the kittens are weaned) in a spare bedroom as well, due to my other cat. My mama cat is also very social & loving with me, but never leaves her babies for very long, often stretching out next to the nesting box when they are sleeping. They will all be coming out to play & explore when the kittens are bigger, and my other cat will have to deal with it. I'm sure your mama cat will soon use the litter pan. Do the kittens seem like they are nursing well & sleeping well? It sounds like the mama cat is very happy to have a home & a person! She is bonding with you & thanking you for your care! So sweet!

catwoman707 · Mar 30, 2015

Raisondetre said:
She is starting to eat more today, but still has not used the litter box. Any time she sees me, she gets up and starts brushing up against me, more like she wants me there. I feel bad because she's a big baby and very social, but I have to keep her locked in the spare room away from the other two cats. I don't worry about our male cat too much (he's fixed by the way), he's timid and curious. It's the other female that seemed to be aggressive toward mama kitty when she was pregnant, so I don't want her that way with the kittens.

I have a heating pad set to one side of the box underneath the blankets. I'm always checking to make sure it's not too hot for them.

The other cats will likely be a problem to her, she will not like them all up around her babies, I can almost guarantee it.

Especially as doting of a mom that she is!

As @StefanZ mentions, she ate the placentas and that makes her full for the day, although she would surely eat some good canned food as soon as she is ready, she will not starve herself nor dehydrate herself, infact, wait until you see how much water she will be drinking when she is in full nursing mode with lots of milk supply!

No worries with her, she is a great mom.

Be glad too, they're not all so good, which makes for alot of extra work and worry for you.

Get some rest!

reba · Mar 31, 2015

2 excellent mommas!
Hit the nail on the head there Mr. Stefan.

raisondetre · Mar 31, 2015

Yes, they seem to be nursing and sleeping just fine. She still hasn't used the litter box, other then urinating, still no bowel movement, which worries me, because now she's eating like a horse. I'm also worried if the kittens are going to the bathroom. When I went to go clean up yesterday, you could tell they all definitely had bowel movements, but today not so much. I want to make sure she's licking them like she should be.

20150331_035528.jpg

raisondetre
Mar 31, 2015

catwoman707 · Mar 31, 2015

You really won't see any baby kitten potty as mom cleans it up, until they get to be about 3 weeks old, when the amount increases mom will stop cleaning it up.

raisondetre · Apr 6, 2015

Update - It's been a week since they were born and they've seemed to be doing good. three of them have their eyes open with the exception of the fourth one. Here's something I haven't experienced with them yet - I checked on them about an hour ago and they were just fine and now when I check on them again, they all seem to be panting here and there in their sleep, or what looks like panting. It doesn't feel too hot in their box, but just to be sure I turned off the heating pad for a little bit.

Is it panting or something else? When they open their mouths it's almost like two deep breathing sounds and then they're okay for a few minutes. Like I said they weren't doing it an hour ago.

catwoman707 · Apr 6, 2015

It may very well be too warm for them.

If they have momma there they don't need any more than her.

raisondetre · Apr 6, 2015

Thank you! I just checked on them again and they all decided to move away from the part of the blanket where the heating pad is and are now sleeping together. They're not panting anymore. Scared me for a second, but thanks again.

StefanZ · Apr 6, 2015

Raisondetre said:
Thank you! I just checked on them again and they all decided to move away from the part of the blanket where the heating pad is and are now sleeping together. They're not panting anymore. Scared me for a second, but thanks again.

Good you were observant. Too chilly is a common danger, but too warm is almost as dangerous. More than one litter had perished this way.

I suspect it was cold weather where you are living, but now it begins to be somewhat warmer. And thus, time to turn down / off the heater. That is so at my place anyways.

Im happy its good and well otherwise, especielly now with the heater on much lesser intensity.

Mother cat doesn't want to leave her kittens to eat, drink, or use litter box

raisondetre

TCS Member

Thread starter

StefanZ

Advisor

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire

raisondetre

TCS Member

Thread starter

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire

catwoman707

TCS Member

reba

TCS Member

raisondetre

TCS Member

Thread starter

20150331_035528.jpg

catwoman707

TCS Member

raisondetre

TCS Member

Thread starter

catwoman707

TCS Member

raisondetre

TCS Member

Thread starter

StefanZ

Advisor

Latest Posts

Connect with us