Our cat recently became a Mommy.

Back in June, someone abandoned a kitty. That kitty made her way onto her back porch and into our family. We had always been dog people. I was allergic to cats as a child and still have wheezing in homes with many cats. I have had no problems with Geo, our new family member. At this point, it would be allergy shots as I am not giving up our precious baby. Several weeks after she stole our hearts, we realized she was pregnant. She meowed a lot yesterday and would not leave my side. I ended up laying with her all day and rubbing her belly. I had a feeling that labor was near and sure enough this morning, her meowing became persistent as she woke me at 3am to lay with her. Around 9 am she was persistently cleaning herself. I had created a birthing box for her in my closet, I took her to the box at 9:15 and when I checked on her at 9:30, one baby was on the way. I had read to leave her alone unless she was in distress. I periodically checked on her until 11:00. We have three beautiful kittens. Her belly is still a little swollen. It is soft and I do not feel any kittens. She is feeding all babies well. She seems tired, as to be expected. She allowed me to help clean her up about an hour ago. She could not reach some spots left behind her ears from birthing. She rolled over and wanted everything cleaned. I was happy to see that she was still her loving self. I have read other post about how many kittens were born. Our liter seems small. I wanted to make sure this is normal. Geo is small. I am leaving the door open to let her come and go as she pleases. She has not left her kittens but I believe this to be her first liter and am hoping this is normal. I am checking on her about every hour to hour and half. Just need some reassurance that I am giving her what she needs, that everything is okay and that I am doing what I should be doing and not neglecting anything. 

Congratulations. You're a Grandma!

I don't think you should be concerned with the litter size being only 3. The only concern I have is that your mommy can come and go as she chooses. I've had many scares when I was in your situation and as I go to check on my own kittens, 2 or 4 were missing. Later I found out that mommy had taken them outside around the block to a bush. I was lucky I found them since it was winter outside. Mommy moved them every so many days and I had to keep tracking them down.

I would recommend restricting her to indoors for the next 4 weeks until the kittens are big enough to walk around on their own.

Also as for food, there is specific dry kibble for kittens (and mamma) you can find at your local petstore. It help restore strength and weight to my 6 month mamma when she surprised me with a litter of 5.

Thank you for your response. I will pick up some kitty food tomorrow.

I was a little too vague on coming and going as she pleases. She is an indoor kitty. She usually has the run of the house but because she likes to hind in drawers, behind drawers, under recliners, places that seem almost impossible to find her. Her coming and going is my bedroom, bathroom (litter box) and the den while I'm up. She can only access my bedroom, bathroom and closet tonight after giving second thought from your post. Don't want to look in drawers and recliners for kittens tomorrow. Thanks again.

She should have wet kitten food as well and access to water.  If you move these items and her litter box to your room it will make it easier on her.  she will not want to leave the kittens alone for long periods if time and she needs as much food as she will eat.

Congratulations on the healthy kittens.  Post some pictures when you get a chance.

there are also some articles at the top of this forum relating to tiny kittens you might want to read.

I put her food and water outside her birthing box after I changed out her sheets, blankets and bathed her with baby wipes. She rolls over when I go in asking me to clean her bottom. I hope baby wipes are okay for cats.

I moved her litter box just outside the closet door. It usually is in the play room.

She came out a few minutes ago to eat, drink and do her business. She jumped on my bed and began to purr and get her attention. My 9 year old walked in. She has been fine with her and she has been petting her and ckg on her too. She stepped btwn Geo and the closet door. She began to hiss. Have had to explain to my 9 year old the importance of not getting btwn a Momma and her babies. She doesn't care what I do but still a little reluctant with the rest of the family. Normal I assume. I was kinda like that too after having my babies, lol.

I will pick up wet kitten food and dry kitten food tomorrow. Should I do a 50/50 mix?

On another note but pretty important considering that soon we will have more than one cat using a litter box. Any suggestions on the best litter boxes and litter. We invested cheaply on the litter box and I have been reading reviews for weeks. Would like some opinions from anyone willing to share.

So precious.  She looks content.

The only thing about the box that matters is the size.  Is it big enough!  You can even use the plastic storage boxes.  Some people buy the larger under the bed ones for length.  Some poeple buy the taller sided boxes and cut an opening for the cats so they cannot  toss litter everywhere.  With two cats you are going to need three boxes.  and Mamma needs he own box for the next 4 weeks minimum.  The litter is another story.  If she likes what you have then fine. 

When the kittens start using the litter box you will have to use non-clumping unscented litter for their box(es).  You can use the aluminum cake or pie pans for the kittens until they are tall enough for the bigger boxes.

 [article="32515"]How To Choose The Right Litterbox​[/article]  

 [article="32366"]How To Solve Litterbox Problems In Cats The Ultimate Guide​[/article]  

I would leave a dish of the dry out around the clock and offer wet food a few times a day.  You cannot leave the wet food out all day especially when it's hot out.

I will pick up several small litter containers tomorrow for them and unscented non clumping litter.

Has anyone tried the self cleaning litter box with crystals?

I have been using the clumping litter with glade scent. Sometimes I think it is the glade scent that bothers me. Just don't want to make an investment like the self cleaning crystal box without some opinions. Have also considered the system that attaches into the toilet. Had no idea how expensive these could be. I thought our golden retriever "Chipper" could be expensive but Geo can easily trump him. She already rules the roost. Chipper is over 100 lbs and scared to death of Geo. When she comes out, he goes to his pen and shuts his door behind him.

one thing you should do is weigh the babies daily to make sure they are gaining 6--10 grams a day. if they aren't you may need to supplement with KMR. they sure are cute and mama looks like she is doing a good job!

The kittens will not use the litter box until they start eating solid food around 4-6 weeks old.

Some of the unscented litters do a good job.  I think it is the Health forum where the litter discussions are happening.  there are also some articles about choosing litter.  Here is a link to one.

 [article="31189"]How To Choose The Right Cat Litter​[/article]  

I have tried a self cleaning litter box and I found that it did not work well with multi cat families. I have found litter boxes that have a slotted or shifter pan this works the best for my family of 5 cats. I use special kitty litter that comes in a green box and up to 40 pounds of clumping for under 10 where I live. They also have non clumping too. Do check out the litter link.

congrats on on your new babies.

I wanted to add that for the kitten's litter box, it is not necessary to get a shallow box. If mama needs to go, she will go where she pleases and if the sides are low you'll get litter in places you dont want it

I put a small box (kitten size stepstool) next to the standard litter and my kittens had no problem finding it when they were ready.

How big is your house? I read somewhere that litter boxes should not be put next to each other if you have a big house or multi floor house. It has to do with cat territory. I live in a 3 room appartment with 7 cats (5 kittens growing rapidly) so I opted for a long plastic bin to accomodate their needs. It works great since they don;t throw litter out while digging and I don't have to clean it as often as i would have to if 7 cats are using 1 standard litter box.

The litter I use I dont remember the name other than it has an I <3 My Cat on it. I'll post the name later when I get home. This litter has a "Lightweight" version which I hate. It doesn't seal the odor at all. The standard one has been my choice for 2 years now.

Update and concern. Geo got up last night after I had posted. She climbed into bed with me for attention. I rubbed her belly, it was soft and she was quite content. She got up several times to check on the kittens but continued to return to rest with me. This morning, early before the stores were open, I mixed some albacore tuna, about a 1/2 cup with her food. She ate the tuna but not much of her regular food. She used the restroom, urinated but no bowel movement. She went to the box with the kittens about 9 am and has not come out since. No food, no water, no bathroom break. She looks extremely tired. I bought some kitty food and some wet food today and mixed them together and took them into her. She won't eat, not even from my hand. She looks swollen too. I love her knew kittens but my first love and priority is to her. I have become so attached, my heart is breaking worrying about her.

Maybe I am worrying too much. As I was typing the last sentence, my furry little girl jumped on my bed and let me rub her belly for about 3-4 minutes and then disappeared again. How often should she eat and drink for me not to worry? I know that the kittens need her but I want to make sure that she gets what she needs so that she can give them what they need. Just a concerned Mommy of the new Mommy.

I assume her body voided everything before she gave birth and her bowels are empty.  If she ate the placentas she may not be hungry right away.  It's not unusual for the kittens to be the main priority for her right now.  Please keep her food and water near her nest.  If you have some KMR you can mix a small dish and offer that to her - not too much, it can cause diarrhea.

Thank you. Don't have that but if this persist I will get some tomorrow.

My kitten becoming a young mother was really skinny for the first week. I could feel all of her vertebrae. At that point I switched to the kitten kibble and she bounced back really quickly.