How far along is she?

I am hoping someone has an estimate of how far along this feral cat is in her pregnancy (I am pretty positive she is pregnant). I am trying so hard to find someone to take her until she has her kittens & they're weaned. I would like to know how long I have to find someone. Here are some pictures:

I can't really tell.

Do you know when her nipples changed color?   Usually day 21.

Seeing kittens move 2-3 weeks before delivery.

Thank you for looking after her.  She is a lucky cat.

@sarthur2  

She looks pretty heavily pregnant in the last picture, but may have a couple weeks left. Really hard to tell for sure in a picture.

Is that a nesting box you have set up for her? Can you put her in your garage if you cannot find someone to take her? She will need to be spayed after she weans her kittens.

She also looks very young, barely a year old herself, if that. She looks sweet. Does she let you pet her? She needs lots of wet food to make good milk for her kittens.

Handsome Kitty said:

 
I can't really tell.

Do you know when her nipples changed color?   Usually day 21.

Seeing kittens move 2-3 weeks before delivery.

Thank you for looking after her.  She is a lucky cat.

@sarthur2  

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@Handsome Kitty  I'm not sure when they changed, unfortunately. And of course, I love caring for her. I just hope I can help her and her soon to be born kittens.

sarthur2 said:

She looks pretty heavily pregnant in the last picture, but may have a couple weeks left. Really hard to tell for sure in a picture.

Is that a nesting box you have set up for her? Can you put her in your garage if you cannot find someone to take her? She will need to be spayed after she weans her kittens.

She also looks very young, barely a year old herself, if that. She looks sweet. Does she let you pet her? She needs lots of wet food to make good milk for her kittens.

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@sarthur2  Yes, I have two nesting boxes out there. One is the igloo you see, but she probably won't use that one because it's too close to the feeding area. She has another in the way back of the backyard and I covered it with some plants. I can't put her in my garage because I'm unable to access it from my house (it's detached and only opens from the garage door), but I might be able to use my friend's garage (she will most likely say no though). She is very young, for sure. I tried to catch her around late July last year when she was a kitten. She is far too young to have kittens. :/ She won't let me pet her, but she will meow at me when I bring her food so I think she trusts me a little bit. I think she's going to have the kittens next door because she hangs out there a lot... unfortunately, the kittens born in that yard always have a bad fate (those people are heartless, to put it lightly). She really needs to have her kittens in my yard. Do you know how I can make the nesting boxes more appealing? Thank you!

I may care for a pregnant feral cat until she has her babies & until they are weaned. I might not even be able to trap her, but I figured if I do, I might as well see if I am even up for it. I have never had experience with pregnant cats, let alone a feral one. I am worried she will be so stressed out she will not nurse her babies. If that is a possibility, I cannot help her because there is no way I could bottle-feed them every 2-3 hours. If I am able to (still seeing if I can do this), I will keep her in the garage and care for her every day. I need to know the best way to reduce her stress. I am planning on keeping her for about 8 weeks (until her kittens are completely weaned), having her spayed, and releasing her back to where she was. When she is in labor, how can I make sure she and the babies are okay without stressing her out? Or should I just leave her alone since she would be having them outdoors by herself anyways? After she has the kittens, I would need to weigh them, make sure they are healthy, and socialize them. How would I take them away from her without being attacked or without her rejecting them by me touching them? I have a ton of questions, I know, but I really hope someone here has the answers! I really want to help her..

kara701 said:

 
I may care for a pregnant feral cat until she has her babies & until they are weaned. I might not even be able to trap her, but I figured if I do, I might as well see if I am even up for it. I have never had experience with pregnant cats, let alone a feral one. I am worried she will be so stressed out she will not nurse her babies. If that is a possibility, I cannot help her because there is no way I could bottle-feed them every 2-3 hours. If I am able to (still seeing if I can do this), I will keep her in the garage and care for her every day. I need to know the best way to reduce her stress. I am planning on keeping her for about 8 weeks (until her kittens are completely weaned), having her spayed, and releasing her back to where she was. When she is in labor, how can I make sure she and the babies are okay without stressing her out? Or should I just leave her alone since she would be having them outdoors by herself anyways? After she has the kittens, I would need to weigh them, make sure they are healthy, and socialize them. How would I take them away from her without being attacked or without her rejecting them by me touching them? I have a ton of questions, I know, but I really hope someone here has the answers! I really want to help her..

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writing

kara701 said:

 
I may care for a pregnant feral cat until she has her babies & until they are weaned. I might not even be able to trap her, but I figured if I do, I might as well see if I am even up for it. I have never had experience with pregnant cats, let alone a feral one. I am worried she will be so stressed out she will not nurse her babies. If that is a possibility, I cannot help her because there is no way I could bottle-feed them every 2-3 hours. If I am able to (still seeing if I can do this), I will keep her in the garage and care for her every day. I need to know the best way to reduce her stress. I am planning on keeping her for about 8 weeks (until her kittens are completely weaned), having her spayed, and releasing her back to where she was. When she is in labor, how can I make sure she and the babies are okay without stressing her out? Or should I just leave her alone since she would be having them outdoors by herself anyways? After she has the kittens, I would need to weigh them, make sure they are healthy, and socialize them. How would I take them away from her without being attacked or without her rejecting them by me touching them? I have a ton of questions, I know, but I really hope someone here has the answers! I really want to help her..

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Your post reminds me strongly of one of the first post back for 12 years ago, when I began to participate in cat issues online...   almost exactly the same situation.  Save we in Sweden hadnt hardly any TNR at that time, so if you wanted to help out, it was necessary to take such a semiferal home and make do what you could.    And this young woman was cooperating with some shelter, and agreed to be foster home to such a high preg...

My advices were exactly what you say: she would be hardly able to near the cat.  But the self fact of being safe from predators, mean boys, the weather. Having food and water nearby, it by itself would give her a big advantage compared to her sisters still outside...   The kittens would hopefully be easier to foster.

And had you seen?  The outcome was splendid.   The reports were, when the high preg settled down "landed", she wasnt no longer so defensive, although still being shy.  She allowed the fosterer nearer, even accepted her being near at the delivery....   And there were no real problems later when fostering the kittens....

This was a REAL eye-opener for me....   And this was repeated time and again, showing to be  practically a rule. (of course, the really highly aggressive are never given this chance).  It learned me, cats moms are alike human moms.  Its the safety and welfare of her children with is the really important, not the "freedom" as such....  When she realizes this is  the best practical chance for her children, she will copy with the situation, and cooperate, as long as you dont overstrech it...   Its not sure SHE will be socialized and fostered in the process, but chances are excellent the kittens will be.

So, if it is possible for you to have her in your flat, do so.  It will be more comfortable than the garage.  Also the risk of the mom sneaking out less...

To reduce the stress?   Try with relaxing music.  Classic harp music is best, but almost any may do.

A Feliway diffuser may be useful....

That is not strictly necessary, but if you do want to have some extra tools....

Proceed with reports and questions!

Good luck!

Okay, this is really difficult for me to decide, but is she too far along to abort? I really don't want to to that, but I found a place that is willing for spay her for only $30. What should I do?

Also, if I don't end up getting her spayed, how can I make the outside nesting boxes appealing? Thank you!

Well, this is a pro spay/neuter site, however that is your decision to make.  Cats who are far along in the pregnancy who are aborted still produce milk and morn their unborn kittens.

Outdoor nests.  She will not go into the nest until she is ready to give birth.  She doesn't want to attract other animals or dirty it before she is ready to use it.

@Handsome Kitty  Thank you! What kind of bedding is best for the nesting box? I have blankets in there right now but I've heard straw is better. Should I replace the blankets with straw?

StefanZ said:

 
Your post reminds me strongly of one of the first post back for 12 years ago, when I began to participate in cat issues online...   almost exactly the same situation.  Save we in Sweden hadnt hardly any TNR at that time, so if you wanted to help out, it was necessary to take such a semiferal home and make do what you could.    And this young woman was cooperating with some shelter, and agreed to be foster home to such a high preg...

My advices were exactly what you say: she would be hardly able to near the cat.  But the self fact of being safe from predators, mean boys, the weather. Having food and water nearby, it by itself would give her a big advantage compared to her sisters still outside...   The kittens would hopefully be easier to foster.

And had you seen?  The outcome was splendid.   The reports were, when the high preg settled down "landed", she wasnt no longer so defensive, although still being shy.  She allowed the fosterer nearer, even accepted her being near at the delivery....   And there were no real problems later when fostering the kittens....

This was a REAL eye-opener for me....   And this was repeated time and again, showing to be  practically a rule. (of course, the really highly aggressive are never given this chance).  It learned me, cats moms are alike human moms.  Its the safety and welfare of her children with is the really important, not the "freedom" as such....  When she realizes this is  the best practical chance for her children, she will copy with the situation, and cooperate, as long as you dont overstrech it...   Its not sure SHE will be socialized and fostered in the process, but chances are excellent the kittens will be.

So, if it is possible for you to have her in your flat, do so.  It will be more comfortable than the garage.  Also the risk of the mom sneaking out less...

To reduce the stress?   Try with relaxing music.  Classic harp music is best, but almost any may do.

A Feliway diffuser may be useful....

That is not strictly necessary, but if you do want to have some extra tools....

Proceed with reports and questions!

Good luck!

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@StefanZ  Wow, that is a great story! I wonder if it could happen with me and have her become less defensive as well. I have heard of similar situations like that before, but I never really heard the outcome. [If I manage to trap her], I will attempt to earn trust, like that woman did and maybe she will allow me around for delivery too. I will see if I can put the cat into a room so she'd be more comfortable. Also, that's very interesting, I never knew that kind of music relaxes cats, but I will definitely try it, if I end up getting her. I still want to be 100% certain on two concerns: First concern was rejection. Chances are low then? Her fear won't affect her desire to feed & care for her babies? You say they are like human moms- so she will most likely not reject, then? Second concern of mine was getting attacked by her for when I needed to touch her babies. Will she most likely run away from me or would she defend her kittens? If she does begin to trust me, she may get less defensive, right, like in that woman's case? Thank you!

I'm not familiar with outdoor nests.  I know people use straw in winter to help insulate outdoor homes.

If you can trap her soon and provide her with a room without a lot of hiding places, by the time the kittens are born, she will have recognized that you are not going to hurt her.  That will make it easier to approach and handle the kittens when the time comes.

But first, set up a room with one or two boxes she can hide in.  Another one or two boxes with blankets (or straw) so she can choose her nest.  One of these can be a tote turned on its side for privacy.  A litter box or two and a nice feeding area will complete her en suite.

If the room you use has furntiure, make sure she can't hide under or behind it.  There will be no incentive for her to approach you if she can hide all the time.

Good luck.  I think you'll be fine.  Thank you so much for helping them!

kara701 said:

 
@StefanZ  Wow, that is a great story! I wonder if it could happen with me and have her become less defensive as well. I have heard of similar situations like that before, but I never really heard the outcome. [If I manage to trap her], I will attempt to earn trust, like that woman did and maybe she will allow me around for delivery too. I will see if I can put the cat into a room so she'd be more comfortable. Also, that's very interesting, I never knew that kind of music relaxes cats, but I will definitely try it, if I end up getting her. I still want to be 100% certain on two concerns: First concern was rejection. Chances are low then? Her fear won't affect her desire to feed & care for her babies? You say they are like human moms- so she will most likely not reject, then? Second concern of mine was getting attacked by her for when I needed to touch her babies. Will she most likely run away from me or would she defend her kittens? If she does begin to trust me, she may get less defensive, right, like in that woman's case? Thank you!

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Of these fears, the rejections is very very low risk for it.  Rabbits may, but hardly cats.  This is essentially a myth.   If a cat rejects the kittens, it is basically because she is a bad mother, and being in the wild, she would be a bad mother there too, neglecting them etc...  Such kittens wouldnt probably not survive in the open.

I mentioned the risk for sneaking out.  A mom will seldom voluntarily abandon her children, esp if she thinks they are in some sort of danger.  But cats may come into heat (they arent protected by lactacing), and if there is a tom nearby, she may try to sneak out...   So its safest she cant easily sneak out.

Before she has landed and accepted the situation (and delivered) the risk for sneaking out is of course big.  She may be quite desperate shortly after the catching - a netted window is no much for such a cat.  They may become surprisingly agile and strong.   Although its seldom they become violent against the human.   But they may try anyting which reminds of an opening.

So, you prepare the room for her in good time.   Laying places, hiding places (cat igloo type), one or two nesting boxes.. Make sure she cant  hide somewhere you cant reach here, say under a big bed. Lay that bed on the floor instead.   Her hideys shall be such where you CAN reach her if necessary.   

Litter in one corner, food in another corner, water in third corner. A scratching post or two...  Perhaps some toys...      So she sees with even a glance its an OK place to be in.

A Feliway diffuse on if you wish.

You come in with the carrier or trap.  Let it down in the room.   If she seems to be aggreessive, you leave her in the room and trap, so she calms herself.  Have some towel on the trap, so it apperas alike a hidey hhole.   Let it be several hours, so the worst fear and aggression wears out.    See next paragraph.

If she appears calm, you  can open the  trap door, and  leave the room.   Leaven her be at least several hours, say the evening and a full night.

So she can get out at her own pace, and  search through the room during the night....   And make herself comfortable.

When you visit her, you talk much with a friendly voice, making friendly noices.   Its a natural language of cats, for example friendly courting toms do so.  While unfriendly, dominant toms are just taking what they want, doing some beating up if necessary.

You are also coming in with more food, and with changing the litter.     That moment of you coming in with more food, is somewhat of your extra trumph cards.

In a few days she should soften to your presence.

After all, she isnt stupid, she KNOWS her children do needs help, so she is eager to cooperate if and when she gets any chance.   Quite a few semiferales are even pleasing themselves in to give her children a chance...

Its thus often easier to handle a shy semiferal mom with her kittens, than the same shy semiferal being there alone...        Yes, its one of the beatutiful wonders and paradoxes of being an rescuer.

When the kittens are born, you do everything calmly, near her   nest, so she sees and hears you are careful with the kittens, and not harming them, and them not protesting.  For example, if you weigh them every day, like many rescuers do.

So, if everything is done so so, she wont never ever attack you, and allow you to normal handling of the environment and of the kittens.   She may hiss some. But these hissings are not to warn before an immediate attack, they are usually just to remind you to stay tuned: be careful human, I dont want you to do anything stupid, be sure I am on my watch..  So these hissings sounds worse than they are.   Growlings are a shade more strongly...  So dont worry before that she does growls - and that is very seldom...  I had followed literally hundreds, if not thousands of rescuers and fosterers!

OK, there ARE situations where she is aggressive.  It may be you got her too shortly before the delivery.  Or you are an occasionally minding the cat when the caretaker was out on vacation..(yes, I  remember such a one unlucky occasionally caretaker).  If so, just leave the food and change the litter, dont go near the nest....  After all, the mom usually manages just fine  on her own. "Take care of the moms needs, she will take care of the kittens".

  Have thick clothes on you and gloves, also some sort of protective googles in beginning, till you know for sure "what tune its played"...    This is very seldom needed, but if it makes YOU more calm and feeling personally more secure, its wise to have your own protections on.. After all, none of us is supposed to be a real holy saint,  we are allowed to have fears, and need our own basic security.

   If you are calm and feel yourself protected, you will send signals to her to be at ease her too.

Good luck!

I was planning on trapping her this Sunday, but it looks like I am too late. I saw her carrying a little grey newborn across the yard. I am not sure where she's keeping them.

Would it be too risky to get her spayed right now? Should I wait a few weeks? I hear they can go into heat very soon after giving birth.

At this point you must leave her be with her babies for a few weeks. She is their only chance for survival unless you can bring the whole family in, which sounds unlikely right now. If you interfere at this point it may spell doom for her kittens, who must nurse around the clock in order to survive. They absolutely cannot be without food or warmth from their mom now for several more weeks, so your plans will have to wait. Mom can be spayed later, even if she is pregnant again.

Keep us updated on her progress. Hopefully, she will bring the babies around for food when they are older and you can help socialize them. In the meantime, please feed mom generously around the clock so she can nurse well.