Stray Cat just had kittens. Questions

sarthur2 said:

They are on target to weigh about one pound apiece at four weeks old. They appear to be doing quite well!

They will not need a litter box until they begin solids somewhere between 4 and 5 weks old.

They have about two more weeks to go, so mom should take care of it until then. Relax in the meantime. They are doing great with mom!

Kudos to you!

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Thank you @sarthur2  . It has been very nerve wracking getting to this place of relaxation with Claire and her kittens, but very rewarding also. I think the fun is just beginning with those two...LOL

Checkers said:

 
And their noses look like they've been into the blush or the lipstick.  What are you up to, @Jeapa507  ???

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@Handsome Kitty  I swear I did not make those kittens up...LOL.... I am not sure what my camera is doing, but it is highlighting those colors. 

Jeapa, I just love your photos, they have really inspired me to try and do the same. I want to capture these sweet moments and keep them forever. Perhaps you would consider making these pictures into a calender for your grandchildren.  All your hard work, patience, love and kindness have made it possible for these little creatures to blossom and thrive. "Goodness and mercy shall follow you"---because you by your actions make it so. 

Please keep the pictures coming. They bring joy to anyone who looks at them.

There should be a cuteness warning in this thread. Oh my gosh, they are adorable.

old possum said:

 
Jeapa, I just love your photos, they have really inspired me to try and do the same. I want to capture these sweet moments and keep them forever. Perhaps you would consider making these pictures into a calender for your grandchildren.  All your hard work, patience, love and kindness have made it possible for these little creatures to blossom and thrive. "Goodness and mercy shall follow you"---because you by your actions make it so. 

Please keep the pictures coming. They bring joy to anyone who looks at them.

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Thank you @old possum   for your kind words.

How is Sheeba and kittens doing? I have been waiting for an update on them. I am betting you are going to have a whole lot of fun with her bundles of joy!!

blueyedgirl5946 said:

There should be a cuteness warning in this thread. Oh my gosh, they are adorable.

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Thank you for your kind words @blueyedgirl5946  . It is so heart warming for me to see these two doing so well. I knew nothing about taking care of kittens, thank God Claire is such a good mamma!

And thank God for the resources and advice received from this site.

Those two cuties will definitely be climbing out of their box soon!

Jeapa507 said:

Thank you for your kind words @blueyedgirl5946
 . It is so heart warming for me to see these two doing so well. I knew nothing about taking care of kittens, thank God Claire is such a good mamma!

And thank God for the resources and advice received from this site.

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You are welcome. We are glad you are enjoying the site.

@sarthur2  @Handsome Kitty  @Checkers        Ok I want to post a few more photos and give another update. This morning as I suspected little calico came out of the box. I think it may have been her first time because she was cautious at first. Orange boy just looked on, but stayed put right at the opening...lol...

I have started luring mom out of the room for a few minutes everyday so I can handle and weigh the kittens without any worry of mom getting upset. I have noticed that the average daily weight gain is usually .3 oz or .4 oz with the occasional .5 oz , so 8.5g - 14.5g. Is this much variance normal? I have seen outher posts with kittens in much larger litters gaining 20g in a day. Do smaller litters create a situation where mom produces gradually less milk? Will Claire's milk production vary based on how much the kittens are eating?

I ask these questions because Claire was laying on her back this morning playing with little calico and her milk looked much less then 2 days ago. I wonder if it just appeared that way because she was laying on her back all stretched out? She doesn't really let me touch her stomach, but 2 days ago I could see more puffiness to the areas around her nipples. It could be that the kittens had just eaten before I came in also. I have decided to increase Claire's amount of daily KMR. I had been giving her a small bowl 2 times a day. Today I will add another bowl mid day. I worry about the milk going bad because it is quite warm in the room.  Claire doesn't always drink all that I give her, but she usually drinks for a minute when I first bring it in.

Yesterdays weights

Calico- 10.4 0z = .5 oz gain in 48hrs

Orange- 11.7 oz = .70z gain in 48hrs

I am probably just over thinking things like I always do, and I should just relax as these two are gaining and do act perfectly healthy.

Todays photo shoot:


Hey look at me when I am playing with you!


This smells interesting.


Where are you going? 


So thats where you go every time you leave the nest.


This is fun mom.


Ha ha I get to eat in peace cause brother is being a chicken butt....lol


Claire's nipples this morning.

Their weight gain is good and Claire and the babies appear healthy.

I love that they are beginning to explore! Your pictures are awesome!

If Claire did not have enough milk they would not be gaining steadily. What generally happens is that the mammary glands that are being used continue to produce milk, while those that are not in use will begin to dry up. That sounds like what is happening here.

Each kitten is different. One of my kittens has always been a huge eater, yet is one of my smaller kittens. Another is a big eater, and began heading to the crunchy bowl at three weeks, but is going to be a very large cat, yet is very slim. I think weight gain and size vary and yours are doing fine! They will transition to mush themselves before long!

sarthur2 said:

Their weight gain is good and Claire and the babies appear healthy.

I love that they are beginning to explore! Your pictures are awesome!

If Claire did not have enough milk they would not be gaining steadily. What generally happens is that the mammary glands that are being used continue to produce milk, while those that are not in use will begin to dry up. That sounds like what is happening here.

Each kitten is different. One of my kittens has always been a huge eater, yet is one of my smaller kittens. Another is a big eater, and began heading to the crunchy bowl at three weeks, but is going to be a very large cat, yet is very slim. I think weight gain and size vary and yours are doing fine! They will transition to mush themselves before long!

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Thank you @sarthur2  for once again reassuring me. I don't know why I can't just relax. This whole experience has been eye opening and a bit of a roller coaster. My husband told me last night it is probably because my hormones are so out of whack after my surgery...lol... he might be right.

I am so attached to these kittens and Claire that I worry over them like they were my human babies. 

I think your worry is completely normal. The stray cat I took in had a textbook pregnancy, delivery, and nursing experience, and the four kittens have always been healthy, but it is in our nature to worry and fret over a pet we love and their helpless, dependent babies. I checked mine constantly, and noted every developmental milestone. Then I worried about everyone's spays and neuters, and those went fine too. So that's why we have a forum for asking questions and commiserating!

I would rather see you concerned than not. Cats can't talk, so we have to figure things out when they are stressed or unwell. And it's far from an exact science!

Claire and her kittens are your responsibility, and one you take seriously. That's a very good approach!

I thought I had solved the litter box issue, but this morning I found Claire had pooped outside the box again. Thanks to @sarthur2    for the advice on using the pee pads under the boxes, as it was very easy to clean up! 

Her poop was much better formed so it was not an issue of loose stool this time.Claire did cover it by somehow folding the pad over ...smart cat. It does appear that she had her butt half in the box and half out, as there was some poop stuck to the opening of the box.

I still have both boxes, one covered and one open, both have 3 high sides. I am using the Arm & Hammer clumping, with no crystals. She has done fine for a little over a week so I am clueless as to what I should try now.  She seems to use both boxes and I have found both urine and poop in each one so there doesn't seem to be a preference.

Any suggestions? 

Maybe she just didn't get there in time. Sounds like she was aiming for the box.

I agree. I think she is trying, so I would just give her time and leave things as they are.

Handsome Kitty said:

 
Maybe she just didn't get there in time. Sounds like she was aiming for the box.

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sarthur2 said:

I agree. I think she is trying, so I would just give her time and leave things as they are.

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Ok. Thanks you two. 

I'll wait and see what happens. There are so many different cat litters, deodorizers, boxes, ect..... it makes it hard to know what is best. I have read so many threads on litter and also issues people have had. It makes my head spin sometimes.

I just want to figure out what works best for Claire, but I guess with her being used to going outdoors this is still new to her so I will just be patient and see if it improves, like you said.

 ...  I found Claire had pooped outside the box again... Any suggestions?

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I agree with the others, @Jeapa507.  I'd leave it a while longer. I think she'll sort it out when she's used to the litter boxes.  My old ginger boy got it right MOST of the time, but certainly needed a bigger box.  His intentions were always good. He just couldn't get used to the idea that by standing in the box it didn't always mean what he excreted landed in the box. So paper or plastic, or both, around the box was always helpful.  

If she is happy going into a covered box, and it seems she is, then I guess the chances of her missing are much slimmer.

Claire is looking very well fed and healthy - although the popular nipple looks a bit red, unless it's just your pink-favouring Nikon. She is taking to domestication well, and I'm sure before much longer will be a princess who knows she has you at her beck and call! 

Checkers said:

 
I agree with the others, @Jeapa507.  I'd leave it a while longer. I think she'll sort it out when she's used to the litter boxes.  My old ginger boy got it right MOST of the time, but certainly needed a bigger box.  His intentions were always good. He just couldn't get used to the idea that by standing in the box it didn't always mean what he excreted landed in the box. So paper or plastic, or both, around the box was always helpful.  

If she is happy going into a covered box, and it seems she is, then I guess the chances of her missing are much slimmer.

Claire is looking very well fed and healthy - although the popular nipple looks a bit red, unless it's just your pink-favouring Nikon. She is taking to domestication well, and I'm sure before much longer will be a princess who knows she has you at her beck and call! 

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Thank you for your advice @Checkers   That pinker/reddish nipple is the favorite nipple and I do think it is looking a little sore. I asked my son to rub some oil on it because I don't think Claire is ready for me to rub her belly yet. I still can't figure out why my Nikon highlights the pink colors so much. My iphone does not do this so I know it is the Nikon.

My hubby was laying on the floor in the spare bedroom petting Claire and the kittens came out and were crawling all over him. Claire was soaking up the attention and seemed much more at ease with my hubby. She let him pick up the kittens without much worry at all. She is sweet with me, but you can definitely see a difference when she interacts with my son and hubby. I really think she has a preference for men. I am ok with this. I have no idea what might have happened to her in the past and she has come a long way with me.

You can get some udder cream for her sore nipple.

   That pinker/reddish nipple is the favorite nipple and I do think it is looking a little sore...

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@sarthur2   and @Handsome Kitty, could @Jeapa507  prevent the kittens from using that nipple somehow, and force them to use other nipples?  Could she put some safe but unpleasant-tasting oil on it and/or constantly move the kittens to other nipples?  

The udder cream sounds great. I'm just thinking about avoiding further use of that nipple until it's healed.