Second time Mama Kitty living outside

paintey

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So I have a gray tabby and white queen named Joker who looks to be about a month or to from giving birth. This is her second litter. The first litter contained two black kittens that died in a week because Joker lives outside and the people I live with don't want her inside. I am not all too experienced in caring for pregnant cats and I'm not sure what to do. I'm going tomorrow to get her some kitten food to eat and some KMR to have as well. Any tips? I'll try to update as often as possible le and I will see about putting up a picture of my sweet kitty
 

caringforcats

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Well first, when you get KMR, don't get hartz. Is there any place you could put her - a garage, a shed, something? So she can be in a safe place to have her kittens? Either @sarthur2  or Handsome Kitty will reply with more information and suggestions later. If she really is a month or two away from giving birth - it's not too late to spay her. 
 
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paintey

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Well, I know Hartz isn't the best so I'll look for something else. I will set up several boxes outside for her, but if she doesn't nest in those she'll probably go under my house(I am in a mobile home). Also, I know she isn't human but I imagine she loves her kits like we do kids so I don't want to abort them. Thank you so much though![emoji]128518[/emoji]
 
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paintey

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Thank you! I will set up boxes but she will most likely nest in a safe place under my porch!
 

Sarthur2

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First of all, how much is she showing? Cat pregnancy averages about 65 days, so between 9 and 10 weeks. Are her nipples pink yet?

Is she living inside now with you?

It's wonderful that you want to care for her, but she and her litter will be better off inside. Can you keep her inside if you care for her?

She needs kitten chow and wet food, and yes, she will need to be spayed after this litter. Will you be able to do that and also find homes for the kittens?
 

handsome kitty

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As @caringforcats said,the mother and kittens will do better inside, otherwise if you can keep them in garage or shed - it must be warm enough for the kittens.  they cannot regulate their body temp for the first 3 weeks.  One forumist used a large dog crate covered with a tarp to contain the mother and kittens. It would need space for a bed, litter box and food and water. A cat tree for some vertical space would be nice. If you decide to take care of the cat and kittens, it is a 12 week minimum commitment.

It may not be too late to do a spay/abortion depending on how far along she i.  I am not sure how you fell about that.  But is is an option  You would need to check w/ the vet.

the mother will need lots of food and nourishment now and while she is nursing.  And fresh water.
Thank you! I will set up boxes but she will most likely nest in a safe place under my porch!
How safe is this?  Are there many feral cats or other predators  in the neighborhood.  I only ask because a few TCS members have crawled under porches to bring litters out and put them somewhere safer.
 
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paintey

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I live out in the country but due to my father's "tom cat stay away-inator" (a warning shot fired in the air by a pellet gun), my cat is safe. The area under my porch is insulated and weather proof. She should be fine as I keep an eye on her at all times. @sarthur2 I cannot afford to spay her. My parents don't care about Joker and I just don't have the money. I cannot move her inside without my parents' nonexistent consent. Joker is roughly 4 to 5 inches in girth and has firm, dark pinkish colored nipples.
 

Sarthur2

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You need to discuss spaying her with your parents because she will live a miserable life having litter after litter after litter.

And the kittens will need homes and spaying and neutering themselves, hopefully by the responsible people who you give them to.

I understand that you are trying to do right for this mama cat during this pregnancy, but it will never end if she is not spayed.
 
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paintey

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I understand, but her kittens tend to be either stillborn or die soon after and I can care for any kittens that may not be adopted. Most kittens our cats have end up living happy lives out in our woods. Not only that, but Joker had her mother become infertile soona after having Joker and Joker was in her mother's second litter. This will be my cat's second litter so I'm hoping the same thing will happen. It is doubtful that she will have any more kittens after this though. Her brother is extremely territorial and fends off most toms(he is infertile). Thank you all for the help! I am so tired though so I'll get on tomorrow and put up a picture of Joker and her humongous belly![emoji]128514[/emoji]
 
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paintey

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Joker won't let me get a picture but she is huge today!mi can see one little bump on her belly!!! So excited![emoji]128516[/emoji]
 

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I know you are excited about the kittens.  Did you know Joker is likely to live longer if she is spayed?

There are more reasons to spay Joker than to prevent pregnancies.  I copied the following from the spay/neuter article at the top of this forum.

The Benefits of Spaying a Female


Spaying your female cat will prevent unwanted litters. That is the fundamental issue, because if your cat gives birth, you are the one faced with the task of finding new homes for the kittens.

Here are some added benefits to spaying your female cat:

Prevent tumors and infections of the ovaries and uterus.

Greatly decrease the risk for mammary cancer.

Spaying a cat before she goes into her first heat is best, but even spaying at a later age will dramatically decrease the risk of mammary cancer.

Avoid the hassle of a female cat in heat.

Cats in heat can be very vocal and will attract a great many male cats. If you think you can wait out the heat cycle, you're in for a surprise. If the cat does not mate, she will keep going into heat every few weeks.
 
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paintey

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I will talk to my parents about it. They don't want any more kittens so I imagine the idea of her having kittens every year will make them want to get her spayed. I'll start working at my aunt's place to save up for spaying Joker. But enough sad and serious stuff! I really want to put a picture up so I'll go get one right now!!!
 
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paintey

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I went out to feed Joker this morning and I noticed she looks a lot skinnier which leads me to believe she may have had her kittens. But I think it is way too early... Your opinions?
 

Sarthur2

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Well, you thought she still had s month to go, so she either miscarried or had kittens. If she had kittens, didn't you think they would be under your porch? Have you checked?

Also, are her mammary glands full of milk?
 
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Sarthur2

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So did you determine if she's actually had her kittens and where? Or was it just her belly dropping in preparation for birth?
 
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