Update

Just wanted to do a little update on my kitties. I had 5 originally- a 1 yr old mama I TNRed and her 4 babies. They were living in my shed and I had no idea what to do about them. This was in June. Now we have multiplied a little. 2 new, slightly older kittens showed up and joined the family. Missy (the mama) still is not a fan of me at all. She hisses at me when I feed her, but she's still nursing her babies so I think she's a little territorial. Wyatt (baby 1) is the brave one. I sit outside everyday and give them treats and he comes up to me and won't eat out of my hand, but will bat my hand so I drop it for him. Margot (baby 2) is the crankiest cat I've ever seen. She sits at the far end of the yard glowering at me. When I give her a treat she looks at it with disgust and walks away. Lol Henry (baby 3) is very adventurous. He was the first to wander away from the shed, first to climb a tree, and first to run to the window and mew for treats. Ree (baby 4) is my cautious girl, always last to eat, and last to come get treats. Jade (new girl) I have no idea where she came from, but she's beautiful and after a week of missy batting at her, she was accepted and lounges in the sun with the original kittens. Nigel (new guy) looks exactly like the other kittens, except with lighter eyes. I'm not sure how long he has been around, I noticed him last week when I counted 5 tabby tails gathered around their bowl instead of 4[emoji]128566[/emoji] All babies will be getting TNRed in September as that's the soonest the spca does it.

I have one question though... I bought some diatomaceous earth, food grade today. I put a 1/4 tsp in their food, but I don't think that's enough because there is 7 of them. Does anyone know how much to add to their food? They all eat out of the same bowl. 2 cups kibble in the morning, 1 cup at night.

Thank you all so much for this site! You have helped me to help them!

That should be enough a few times a week - you don't want to put too much at once.  Do you feed them wet food at all?  It will be easier to disguise in wet and each cat can get an individualized portion.

Glad you're getting them fixed.  It looks like Mama cat has been a busy girl!

I stopped giving them wet, because it just got too expensive. I put it on the dry today and they were eating it though! They aren't very picky.

New update... I brought two of the kittens in to get spayed today. I caught Wyatt and Ree this time. I found out Wyatt is a girl (oops) and that she had an atrophied leg and was in a lot of pain[emoji]128546[/emoji] they told me her leg wasn't in the socket and she couldn't move it. Poor little thing. So they told me to either put her down or take her to the vet right away. I had to make the very sad decision to put her down[emoji]128546[/emoji] on the bright side Ree did great and is home recovering. The remaining four have appts all different days through September.

So sorry to hear about Wyatt. But you gave her a peaceful way out and sometimes, that's the best thing. She would have had a hard life being in that kind of pain.

Glad you are capturing them all, one by one. Thanks for the update!

I'm really sorry to hear about your kitten she knew what it was like to be loved though, even if it was for a short time. I think you're doing great given the situation. It's also great that they have their own little shelter to feel safe in.

Thank you. I feel really bad I didn't even notice her hurting. But I'm glad she isn't in pain anymore. It was pretty sad bringing home the empty trap and her mama who usually hides has been sitting at my door waiting for me to bring her back. That's the worst part[emoji]128546[/emoji]

I know it's so hard I lost five of my kittens within a week. They were newborn. Nature is just out of our hands sometimes. Just know you did everything you could and it's not your fault.

The momma will probably be upset, but she'll heal. Our momma cat is slowly starting to get better.

That's so sad[emoji]128546[/emoji] it's tough when they are so little. I think we lost another one too. She was the most antisocial. Wouldn't even eat in front of me. Hopefully she's just hiding out, but I have a bad feeling. I trapped the other female today, so if Margot really is gone. I only have males left to trap.

I'm sorry eventually things will calm down and you'll be able to be happy with everything. I know my two kitties are my cuddle buddies things will get there. It's out of your control.