Raising kittens to adulthood with mom

sterlingthecat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2015
Messages
41
Purraise
5
Location
Upstate New York
HI guys. I have been stalking this website recently and found everything so helpful! I recently took in a stray who, of course, is pregnant. She went to the vet early on, and is about a year old. Because of the area I live in, I am not comfortable giving away the kittens. There are too many barn cats and outdoor cats here, and most people don't have the money to spay and neuter their pets. Mama and the kittens will be spayed and neutered and vaccinated by me when they are of age. 

Since giving away the kittens is not a real option right now, I am hoping to find some information and tips on raising them all together. I already have two fixed male cats, from the shelter, 4 and 10 years old. 

Is there anything to look out for, like sibling aggression or competition? Has anyone actually done this before? She is due early/mid august, so I want time to prepare but can not find any information on doing this. 

Thanks for any help, and pictures! 

 
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,995
Purraise
10,642
Location
Sweden
 
HI guys. I have been stalking this website recently and found everything so helpful! I recently took in a stray who, of course, is pregnant. She went to the vet early on, and is about a year old. Because of the area I live in, I am not comfortable giving away the kittens. There are too many barn cats and outdoor cats here, and most people don't have the money to spay and neuter their pets. Mama and the kittens will be spayed and neutered and vaccinated by me when they are of age. 

Since giving away the kittens is not a real option right now, I am hoping to find some information and tips on raising them all together. I already have two fixed male cats, from the shelter, 4 and 10 years old. 

Is there anything to look out for, like sibling aggression or competition? Has anyone actually done this before? She is due early/mid august, so I want time to prepare but can not find any information on doing this. 

Thanks for any help, and pictures! 
Wow, you will get a quite herd of cats, unless she has a very little litter...

I dont think there will be much problems between the siblings.  Siblings are usually natural pals.   And it shouldnt be problems with the adult neutered residents either.

What you CAN get a problem with, is when kittens are about 10-15 weeks, and its time to "reject" them.  The mom may become hostile to them...   But if they take the clue, and let her be for a period, after a while she will probably accept them back as her now young but adult friends instead.   As long as they dont expect to be able to nurse anytime they fancy it.

ps.   Are the residents good friends with the high preg?  If so, its even possible they will be co-moms...

If not, be sure to separate them already before the delivery.   The mom shall not be stressed nor disturbed.

And you have right.  Do not just give away them.  Most people think, what is for free, is practically worthless.  Not even mentioning, "kittens for free to a good home" is nam nam for predators, like sellers of experiment animals, or dog sparring, or  food for snakes.    Whatever you do, take a minimum of 20 dollars, as this is a common payment for experiment animals...  This way, you are killing off this market.

A tip may be, you spay the young cat, and demand refund of the money...   And or, you ask for a donation in the cats name, to a worthy cause you both agree on.  For example, Doctors without boundaries or some church group.   In the cats name, so it will be almost anonymous from the adopter - the only connection is by his new cat.
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,986
Purraise
17,676
Location
Sunny Florida
Hello and welcome!

I applaud you for taking mama in and planning to spay and neuter everyone when the time comes. I am glad you have strong feelings about not giving your kittens away where you live. I don't blame you one bit!

I myself took in a pregnant stray in late winter. She delivered four healthy kittens in March. They are almost 6 months old now. You can see mom and one of the kittens in my avatar.

I had mom spayed when her kittens were eight weeks old because she was beginning her heat cycles again. I had all four kittens fixed at 12 weeks. I am keeping the whole family and they all get along great! They play fight, but they are all friends and they all love mom and she loves them.

They nursed her until a couple of weeks ago (I don't think she had any milk but it was for comfort), and now she walks away if they try. She plays with them and chases them and still licks them. She has taught them wonderful manners.

I believe that you are doing a noble thing and that your kittens and cats will all get along and do well! Family bonds can be very strong!

Good luck and keep us posted! :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

sterlingthecat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2015
Messages
41
Purraise
5
Location
Upstate New York
Hi guys and thanks for all the information. It put my mind at ease. Now its time for an update and some questions! 

I had been away for a few days, and had someone watching my cats. Apparently Victoria had two kitten on the first of the month, both of whom did not make it :( We are not sure what happened since no one was home. On the third, one kitten was found with mom and is still doing ok! He looks just like her!  

I am starting to get concerned with the little guys weight. Today he will be 10 days old, and weights 169 grams or 5.9 oz.  He weighted 158 grams on the night of the 10th. He is nursing, but his mommy is very worried about the other cats (she won't let one even look at her), and defending him and their territory. Any noise outside my bedroom and she is on high alert and hissing at the door, while interrupting any nursing. The baby is clean, warm, and sleepy. I am going out to get a syringe and try to see if he will take any extra goats milk. Its a powdered supplement from the pet store. I don't have a microwave, how can I get the goats milk to the right temperature? 

I am worried i am starting to see some wobble in the kitten, since Victoria was vaccinated while pregnant. 


 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

sterlingthecat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2015
Messages
41
Purraise
5
Location
Upstate New York
Of course as I type this, they are settled down and nursing away!

I just got this picture. Do his eyes look normal? They have been slowly opening for 3 days, but I'm still worried.

 
 

handsome kitty

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
6,193
Purraise
1,062
Location
Newark CA
You are right to be concerned.  the kitten should be gaining 6-10 grams a day minimum.

Do you know how to feed the kitten?  Tummy down, head up - like when she is nursing from mom.  Put a drop or two in the side of the mouth.  Wait for the kitten to swallow, take a breath and repeat.  You can warm up the goats milk by using hot water to make it, or putting a small dish of it in a larger dish of hot water to keep it warm while you are feeding the kitten.  Make sure the milk is warm and not too hot.  You will need to burp the kitten.  then put with mom and hopefully she will take care of the cleaning and stuff.

You will need to use a syringe 1 -2 ml since a nursing kitten will not take a bottle.

Is it possible to keep all the other cats away from the room where the mom and kitten are?
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,986
Purraise
17,676
Location
Sunny Florida
I think supplementing is a good idea. He definitely needs to gain weight!

Just warm the water on the stove that you plan to mix with the powdered goat's milk, and make sure it's not too hot before you give it. Test it on your own tongue first.

Do you know how to feed? Tummy down, head up, side of the mouth, one or two drops at a time, let the kitten swallow, breathe, and go again. I would give him as much as he wants, but try for a minimum of 2 mL every 2-3 hours. Mom will stimulate him and he can nurse in between.

The wobbles may be from weakness due to needing more food, but ten-day-old kittens are also wobbly in general when moving about.

I would keep the other cats away right now to the greatest extent possible. Mama cats are fiercely protective of their babies, and now is not the time for introductions and making friends. Plenty of time for that later.

Let us know how it goes.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

sterlingthecat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2015
Messages
41
Purraise
5
Location
Upstate New York
Thanks for the quick replies. They are locked in my bedroom, but mom wants out after a few hours. She will have to get used to it. I am having a hard time locating kmr, but should get it soon. 
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,986
Purraise
17,676
Location
Sunny Florida
Goat's milk is fine in the meantime. And mama can go out of the bedroom but baby can't, and your other cats need to stay out. If mama wants to have a look around the house it's okay, as long as she returns to baby and it does not cause a problem with your other cats.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,995
Purraise
10,642
Location
Sweden
 
Hi guys and thanks for all the information. It put my mind at ease. Now its time for an update and some questions! 

I had been away for a few days, and had someone watching my cats. Apparently Victoria had two kitten on the first of the month, both of whom did not make it :( We are not sure what happened since no one was home. On the third, one kitten was found with mom and is still doing ok! He looks just like her!  

I am starting to get concerned with the little guys weight. Today he will be 10 days old, and weights 169 grams or 5.9 oz.  He weighted 158 grams on the night of the 10th. He is nursing, but his mommy is very worried about the other cats (she won't let one even look at her), and defending him and their territory. Any noise outside my bedroom and she is on high alert and hissing at the door, while interrupting any nursing. The baby is clean, warm, and sleepy. I am going out to get a syringe and try to see if he will take any extra goats milk. Its a powdered supplement from the pet store. I don't have a microwave, how can I get the goats milk to the right temperature

I am worried i am starting to see some wobble in the kitten, since Victoria was vaccinated while pregnant. 
The classic to warm up milk in in a water bath.  Ie have a bigger container with water in, hot but not boiling,  and the smaller container with milk ) goat milk, inside...

It shall be body temp...

Re the nervous momma, do you have a Feliway diffuser?   Calming music may also help.   And of course, be sure she is not disturbed by the others, as far as its possible, as she apparently dont trusts them...

Later on it will be good they make friends, with the kitten too, but now its too early.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,995
Purraise
10,642
Location
Sweden
 
Thanks for the quick replies. They are locked in my bedroom, but mom wants out after a few hours. She will have to get used to it. I am having a hard time locating kmr, but should get it soon. 
as SArthur said, goat milk is fine.  It may be discussed if its better than the best brands of kmr, but its surely better than the to avoid brands of kmr...

Exactly what brand of kmr are you wainting for?

If you by any chance can get raw goat milk, fresh or frozen, its even better.  Although may be difficult to find, and may also be pricey if bought in a fashionable shop...
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

sterlingthecat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2015
Messages
41
Purraise
5
Location
Upstate New York
Thank you stefanz, sarthur2, and handsome kitty. I will make sure to keep the other cats away. I am looking for PetAG KMR step 1, theres a little pet store that will order it if they can I just need to go back. They do have frozen goats milk, I think its primal brand. Water bath is a good idea, obviously i've never had to warm anything up :) 

I have been leaving on netflix, as music drives me crazy, so its not totally silent. Mommy and baby are sleeping now. She likes to bring him into the kitchen overnight, and my boys love sleeping with/on me. But they will adjust. 
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,986
Purraise
17,676
Location
Sunny Florida
The frozen goat's milk would also work well.

Kittens thrive on goat's milk.

Let us know how he takes the supplementing. Have you fed him yet?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

sterlingthecat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2015
Messages
41
Purraise
5
Location
Upstate New York
There were only 1 ml droppers at the store. He ate maybe half a ml. and has gone back to nursing. Mama cat is much more relaxed now and is letting him nurse for longer. She knocks him off when she grooms her belly or him. Im going to keep offering the goats milk every few hours.  
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,986
Purraise
17,676
Location
Sunny Florida
It would be much easier to get the drops in him if you pick up a 1 or 2 mL syringe. They are tiny, and much easier to use than a dropper.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #16

sterlingthecat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2015
Messages
41
Purraise
5
Location
Upstate New York
I will check the other stores, but there was only a 10 ml syringe at rite aid. I am happy to report that he now has a huge belly, and is alternating between nursing and sleeping. He is now 175 grams, gained 6 grams in 4 hours! 
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,986
Purraise
17,676
Location
Sunny Florida
That is fantastic news! Just what he needs. Hopefully this trend will continue :).
 

handsome kitty

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
6,193
Purraise
1,062
Location
Newark CA
 
I will check the other stores, but there was only a 10 ml syringe at rite aid. I am happy to report that he now has a huge belly, and is alternating between nursing and sleeping. He is now 175 grams, gained 6 grams in 4 hours! 
Ask a pharmacist for one or your vet.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #19

sterlingthecat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2015
Messages
41
Purraise
5
Location
Upstate New York
I am hoping she just had too much space to protect. According to the vet she is at least a year old, so its more than likely she had a litter or two outdoors. She takes very good care of cleaning the kitten, just gets distracted easily. 
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #20

sterlingthecat

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2015
Messages
41
Purraise
5
Location
Upstate New York
HI guys. Wanted to give you a morning update. In the past 24 hours, the little kitten gained 18 grams!! He's now at 187 grams! I was only able to get him to eat another 1 ml of goats milk, so all that weight is due to Victoria being a very good mommy. She got very anxious once it got dark out last night. She hid him, and started guarding the closed door. I checked a few times last night and she did spend time with him. 

I am hoping you may be able to tell me if he really is a boy. This is the best I could get by myself. 

 
Top