Feral Cat with Kittens (HELP)

lillian toole

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 5, 2015
Messages
9
Purraise
1
So the story is...

My parents house was sold about 2 weeks ago and they moved to a different state. The house they sold is getting torn down now and there was a feral cat that we have always fed that had brand new babies. I moved to a different area and couldn't stand the thought of the babies getting bulldozed over. So i caught the momma and the 4 babies (whose eyes weren't even open yet) and moved them into my guest room. The momma doesn't like being inside and has messed the carpet up in the guest room from scratching at it trying to get out. I put the kittens in a pack n play in the same room and she still feeds them but when she isn't feeding them she is hiding. When I go in there to change the litter or feed her she freaks out and stops nursing. I don't know what to do with her or if I should let her outside.

When she isn't in the pack n play with the babies I pick them up and love on them for a few minutes a day even though they hiss at me. I just pet them and talk to them until they stop hissing and then pet them a little while longer and put them back. How can I get them to stop hissing? They just started opening their eyes.

What do I do?
 

nansiludie

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2014
Messages
2,171
Purraise
1,213
Okay, you're doing a good thing for them, you're a kind person to take them in. Yes, she is afraid of you and she will hide but as long as she is feeding them and caring for them please keep her with them. How old are the kittens? Also, you'll want to have her spayed before you turn her back outdoors. As for the babies try to bring them food if they're old enough to eat it, no chunks, only small soft foods, like turkey baby food, or small bits of chicken. Please check to be sure the baby food doesn't have any garlic or onions in it.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

lillian toole

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 5, 2015
Messages
9
Purraise
1
The babies are only 2 weeks old if that! I don't think they are ready to be on any kind of food yet.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

lillian toole

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 5, 2015
Messages
9
Purraise
1
maybe 3 weeks but I'm not sure. They are just now opening their eyes. Should I keep socializing with the kittens?
 

nansiludie

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2014
Messages
2,171
Purraise
1,213
Okay, yes, still very young. They'll need their mother for at least 5 more weeks, yes hold them a little but not too much, as it might stress their mother, she won't abandon them like birds or anything but she may try to hide them somewhere else.
 

Norachan

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
May 27, 2013
Messages
32,668
Purraise
32,854
Location
Mount Fuji, Japan
Hi Lillian,

Welcome to The Cat Site. Thank you for trying to help these kittens, you're doing the right thing. Keep petting them, talking to them and playing with them daily. They're hissing at you now because they're not used to it, but over time they'll relax and start to enjoy your company. They're very lucky to have been picked up so early, it will take a few weeks but they'll soon become much friendlier.

Are you able to touch the mother cat at all? It is possible to get her used to you as well but whatever you do, please don't let her outside yet. She'll just take off and try to get back to her old neighbourhood and may get lost or injured on the way. Start calling around now and find a vet that is used to working with feral cats who can spay her. If you can't touch her you might need to trap her to get her to the vet. Some vets have their own traps that they can lend you for this. If not, try and find a group that does TNR in your area and borrow one form them.

If possible wait until the kittens are weaned, at about 8 ~ 10 weeks old before you spay her.

Are you planning on keeping Mama Cat? 

You can get her used to people by leaving a radio on with the sound turned low in her room. This will get her used to the sound of voices. Before you go into her room talk to her from outside the door to let her know you are coming in. Move slowly and keep talking to her softly all the time you are in there so she doesn't get scared.

Above all, keep petting the kittens.

Let us know how it goes.
 

feralvr

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
18,474
Purraise
689
Location
Northwest Indiana
You really have two issues going on here, do you not!!!! One needing help with caring for the kittens and making sure they are nursing, and Two; A feral mom cat and needing advice on how to manage her.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking them in. :hugs: :hugs: You saved their lives. I would start making calls to al of your local humane societies and get the kittens lined up for adoption when they are eight weeks old. Most shelter/humane societies will also help you with dewormings, and kitten care information too. After the kittens are weaned at 8 weeks, then already have the vet appointment to have momma cat spayed. You cannot let her outside from your house, though, because that is not her familiar territory and she will take off looking for it and who knows what will happen to her then. If you plan to keep her, GREAT!!!!! and work with her GREAT!!! :cross: Socializing a feral cat is the most rewarding process and they make such loving, loyal kitties once they trust you completely. It takes time and I will post an article below on steps to follow to do so. IF you can't keep her indoors, then we can help you make the transition to outdoors in your yard properly and that takes time too. OR you can try to find a feral cat foster organization to take her on where she would be cared for in a sanctuary or foster home.

Agree wholeheartedly with Norachan to keep picking up the kittens and handling them. You need to watch their weight too and make sure they are thriving and growing each day. If not, you may need to supplement them with KMR. Although, feral mom's are very, very good at caring for their kittens even under this type of stressful condition and confinement. Make sure you have plenty of places for her to hide - lots of cardboard boxes will do as well. Mom will settle down once you establish a routine that she can rely on. IF you need more help on the kittens you can start a thread in this Forum: http://www.thecatsite.com/f/36/pregnant-cats-and-kitten-care if you have not already. ;)

Here are some helpful and very informative kitten care articles and instructions:
http://www.kitten-rescue.com/
http://www.kittenrescue.org/index.php/cat-care/kitten-care-handbook/

In case you need to hand feed them - Kitten Glop recipe:
http://www.hdw-inc.com/glop.htm

Socializing a feral cat:
http://www.catnipchronicles.com/may2012/laurie.htm
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/handling-feral-cats
 
Last edited:

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,646
Location
Sweden
You had got excellent advices from all the posters earlier in this thread.

I will add some advices I just wrote in another thread with a male, I think they are useful here to this ferale mom:

"A couple of tips.  Use much sounds.  Talk friendly, sing softly if you can, make crooning sympathetic noises.  This is good cat language - for example  friendly toms courting ladies do so.

Yawning is friendly.  Standing on all fours, stretching out, forwards or backwards - is friendly.   If he turns his behind to you - its friendly.  And possibly giving you a chance to sniff on his behind.

To sniff is much asked, but its enough you blew a tiny little, so he feels it alike you breathing on him being near...   Its sort of ritual for them...

This with eye contact as mentioned before.   Home cats do often so, but for homeless stirring into the eyes is more or less hostile...

The blinking...

Have a soft, relaxing music on when you arent there.  And or a Feliway adapter.   it makes him calmer, more relaxed, less fearing."

Helping a ferale mom with kittens is often easier than helping her alone.  Because cat moms are alike human moms here: the most important is the welfare of her children.  When she notices you are docile, friendly, helping her with her children, your place seems to be the best practical chance for them - she will copy and try to adapt, as long as you are respectful, cautious and careful.   Her childrens welfare is more important than "freedom".

You are surely on good way.

I too, want to tx you a lot for helping this little family.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

lillian toole

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 5, 2015
Messages
9
Purraise
1
Thanks everyone. the Momma cat literally hisses when I walk into the room. As long as she isn't in the pack and play with the kittens I can pick them up with the mom hiding. But if she's in the pack and play with them I have no chance. She's miserable being inside and I don't want to have to keep her hidden in the bed room for the rest of her life because that's our guest room. I wouldn't mind the mom being an indoor and outdoor cat and feeding her but I also don't her to attack me if I keep her inside. I have homes lined up for 3 of the 4 kittens so as long as they are people friendly I would like to keep one and have an indoor cat that will scare the mice away (i live in the country) My biggest problem is the momma cat hating me. 
 

Norachan

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
May 27, 2013
Messages
32,668
Purraise
32,854
Location
Mount Fuji, Japan
She doesn't hate you, she's just scared and worried about her babies.

Keep talking to her and playing with the kittens as much as you can. Even if she never gets tame enough to be an indoor cat, the time she spends in your house now will help her to realise that this is her new home. Once her kittens are weaned and she's been spayed you can make her a little shelter outside or in your barn or whatever and she'll keep the mice under control for you.

I have several cats that were totally wild when we first met. it took months with some of them, but they're all friendly now.

Good job on getting homes lined up for the kittens already. Just keep handling them so they'll be friendly when they get a little bigger.

You're doing great.

 

feralvr

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
18,474
Purraise
689
Location
Northwest Indiana
Mom cat does not hate you; she is terrified of you. And, that will change as the days go on. When she see you helping her and caring for her babies, she will soon learn that you are not going to harm her babies or herself. Actually, helping a feral mom cat with her babies is the quickest way to earn her trust. :nod: Please see if you can find a TNR organization in your area to take the momma cat OR if you are willing to keep her in your yard as her caretaker, after she is spayed, then steps need to be taken for her to learn her "new" territory and stick around. We can help you with that when the time comes closer. You will need a large crate or enclosure to keep her confined for a few weeks time outdoors next to your house, porch or patio so that she knows to stick around and that this is her new home and territory.

Good that you have some homes lined up for the kittens and do make sure that they will keep the kittens indoor and get them spayed or neutered. Very important so no more kittens are born outside in the outdoors with no homes. It is a never ending cycle as you know. You are doing such a great, great job and bless you for saving them. I thank you so very much for stepping up to do so. We need LOADS more of people like you in the world. :hugs: :hugs: :hugs: Keep us posted on everything. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editing in to add: If you are giving the kittens away for free some things to consider as opposed to giving them to a humane society. Just my thoughts as I am always thinking way of the box when it comes to my efforts to keep feral cats from becoming more and more feral cats adding to the overpopulation dilemma.

Humane Society: Will interview adoptees, have contracts, kittens will receive all shots, spay/neuters, wormings, flea control, and follow-up care. People are going to humane societies actively looking to adopt kittens and willing to pay the adoption fee. Plus, if the kitten is or gets sick, the shelter will/may offer up free medication too.

Give Away; The person with the kittens is the one actively looking to place the free kittens and finds someone willing to take them in because kittens are so cute! A free kitten is not free. It ends up costing more for the person to get all the shots, dewormings, spay/neuters, and if the kitten become sick, it costs even more than if they had adopted from a shelter. The person getting the free kitten may not have the vested interest in following through with vet care and even let the kitten outdoors before it become fixed. They may be taking on the kitten as a favor as well and soon the cute kitten turns into quite an issue with potential financial concerns too.

I always prefer if at all possible to check with a shelter, humane society, or other before giving away kittens for free. Kittens are usually accepted by these societies because they usually all get adopted out by people actively looking to adopt for life quite quickly.

Of course, you are taking on so much by helping this little family and I am grateful for that. Just wanted to extend my experience with giving the kittens to an experienced humane society/other as opposed to giving them away, looking for homes, for free. Even it at all possible, contact a TNR ORGANIZATION in your area and they will get the kittens done for free for you before you give them away for free. Another option. :nod:
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

lillian toole

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 5, 2015
Messages
9
Purraise
1
Update: the kittens are just as sweet and cute as ever I try to love on them for a few minutes everyday. They are getting very playful. I don't know exactly how old they are so I don't know when they will be okay to be away from the momma.

The momma still wants out and is absolutely miserable. She is tearing up the floors in the bedroom too.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,646
Location
Sweden
Update: the kittens are just as sweet and cute as ever I try to love on them for a few minutes everyday. They are getting very playful. I don't know exactly how old they are so I don't know when they will be okay to be away from the momma.

The momma still wants out and is absolutely miserable. She is tearing up the floors in the bedroom too.
Could you put in some pics, it may help to decide their age.

And yes, if momma is apparently not suitable for fostering, nor wants it, the hot alternative is to spay her, let her recover - and let her out, ie TNR.

Tis may be done earlier than the customarey about 8 weeks - its one of the exceptions to the main rule.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

lillian toole

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 5, 2015
Messages
9
Purraise
1
Are those good pictures to tell their ages?
 
Last edited:

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,646
Location
Sweden
I would guess on about 4 weeks, max 5, the ears arent yet completely developed.

How is their walking?  Very Wobbly, no?    So give them at least yet another week of nursing...   And beginning to eat on their own & using the litter.

They must have at least 5 weeks, and began to eat on their own, to make a try to let mom go and let them be with you during your full protection addional several weeks...

As said, that is done ONLY with kittens with a ferale mom who dont accept to copy with the situation...   Most semiferales do copy, in fact.  One of the big wonderful wonders of rescuing and fostering.  But now  and they you do run into an exception, like here....
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #17

lillian toole

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 5, 2015
Messages
9
Purraise
1
The walking is still VERY wobbly. I was thinking only about 4 weeks old. I haven't tried to feed them cat food yet. I think I am going to give them two or 3 more weeks at least before I try. I would rather be safe than sorry.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,999
Purraise
10,646
Location
Sweden
 
The walking is still VERY wobbly. I was thinking only about 4 weeks old. I haven't tried to feed them cat food yet. I think I am going to give them two or 3 more weeks at least before I try. I would rather be safe than sorry.
Yes, if the mom manages to be with them, so just to wait.

I agree, I said max 5, but with these non really developed ears, AND this wobbly walking, its four surely, or even three and half...
 

nansiludie

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 14, 2014
Messages
2,171
Purraise
1,213
Yes, they are very cute and also young, please get the mother fixed before you let her back outside, thank you for caring for them. They are very cute kittens.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #20

lillian toole

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 5, 2015
Messages
9
Purraise
1
Could any one tell me when they are going to be old enough to start eating real food and using a liter box?
 
Top