A momma cats care...

I have a cat that just gave birth to four kittens only hours ago. While I'm sure it will take her some time to become accustom to motherhood, any time I have come near touching her, she gets very...active, if you will. She has been very slightly jumping and rolling on top of the kittens. This is my first time ever having a cat that has birthed her own litter, so it is new to me as well. I just want to make sure she isn't going to hurt them with this kind of behavior?

She might just be worried you're going to harm her babies. I know a mama cat can inadvertently kill her babies by sitting on them, so I suggest not letting her do that.

Whatever you do do with the babies, do it in her sight, so she knows you aren't harming them.

Stormy Bledsoe said:

She might just be worried you're going to harm her babies. I know a mama cat can inadvertently kill her babies by sitting on them, so I suggest not letting her do that.

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I have handled the kittens as minimally as possible, and plan to continue that. However, what I meant in her behavior is that she seems to be excited and wanting the attention, but she doesn't pay mind to the kittens when she reacts.

Thank you, though, I wasn't sure if that was a possibility. I have been stopping her and moving her or the kittens as quickly as possible when it happens.

OH, now I understand. Pet her all she wants. Cats are usually super affectionate during and after pregnancy. Also DO handle the kittens, when they're older, its no good if they haven't been handled. But either keep them to your chest or otherwise warm so they don't freeze. Is Mama staying near them and letting them sleep with her for the most part?

I had read elsewhere that you shouldn't handle the newborn kittens too much for the first 3 weeks or so. Is that not the case? They have literally been attached to her for a couple hours now. That's been another concern, I don't know how long they should be nursing fresh out of the womb.

Not too much, because being away from mama and siblings can cause them to get too cold, but do handle them so they do get used to human contact. Let them nurse as much as they want,  they'll stop when their tummies are full

One of my cats gave birth to a litter of kittens two days ago. I've noticed that all of the kittens have fleas. They are not terrible, but I would like to take care of it before it gets worse. I have treated the mother cat with a fipronil flea treatment. All I have found for treatment for the kittens is a soapy mixture and flea comb. Is that the only option I have?

Usually when the mom is treated with a topical, such as Advantage, it kills the fleas on the kittens as well.

It is not recommended that you bathe kittens the first few weeks of life. They are very fragile and cannot regulate their own body temperature for the first 3 weeks. Picking the fleas off with a flea comb is your best option. You can also re-treat mom.

Okay. Thank you!