2 day old kittens!

Oh wow! As a new foster carer we have just taken in our first mummy and her 4 kittens!

She was moved today from the place she had her babies on Saturday, I have put them in the utility room where it is quiet.

Feel a little nervous and want to keep checking them, but think it's best not to disturb them too much. How often should I check on them? Any advice is welcome

Thank you

Well, you want to make sure that mom has constant access to fresh food and water and her litter box, of course.  She can drink some bowls of kmr too.  I would also weigh the kittens daily so you can tell if everyone is gaining enough weight.  Other than those basic needs, if mom wants to be left alone she can be.  She may want you around and to have some time to socialize too.

Hi, thank you for replying. Just been in to see them this morning, all is well, although mummy as not eaten wet food but lost of dry food. She as used the litter tray too!

She welcomed us with a loud purr and let's us take the kitten to weigh. I think all will be good X

DianneH said:

Hi, thank you for replying. Just been in to see them this morning, all is well, although mummy as not eaten wet food but lost of dry food. She as used the litter tray too!

She welcomed us with a loud purr and let's us take the kitten to weigh. I think all will be good X

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Excellent!  Because exactly what to do depends if she is very shy semiferale, or decently tame and friendly...

You CAN usually weigh etc the kittens with a shy semiferale too, if you are respectful and do it immediately near her, but it may be best to let her land little, recognize you as her friend and protector.

But with a friendly one, as here, it shouldnt be any big problems.  Just be friendly and respectful.

What are the kittens weighting?

StefanZ said:

Excellent!  Because exactly what to do depends if she is very shy semiferale, or decently tame and friendly...

You CAN usually weigh etc the kittens with a shy semiferale too, if you are respectful and do it immediately near her, but it may be best to let her land little, recognize you as her friend and protector.

But with a friendly one, as here, it shouldnt be any big problems.  Just be friendly and respectful.

What are the kittens weighting?

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They weigh 128g 153g 153g and 181g I've been out all day so it's been nice and quiet for them. I make sure I fuss mummy, she really is a beautiful cat.

How old are the kittens?

They are 3 says old.

DianneH said:

They weigh 128g 153g 153g and 181g I've been out all day so it's been nice and quiet for them. I make sure I fuss mummy, she really is a beautiful cat.

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Its very good weights, even the smallest one must have had a decent birthing weight, and all must have gained minimum 10g a day, the biggest maybe even 25g a day - its fully possible but not very common.

Hi, the kittens were born in RSPCA care, birth weight was 105g 124g 117g and 117g. The males birth weight was 124g and is now 181g. Sounds like we might have big kittens then lol

Mummy cats babies are now 5 days old, this morning when I went into her room she had moved 1 of them into a new nest and left the other behind!!
Do you think she will be in the middle of moving them all across?

Thank you x

Hi  Mitten's and Rosie's mom beautiful babies glad to hear they're doing well

Sometimes mom cat's move babies if the bedding is not up to snuff, they

really like everything clean clean clean so that can be one reason 

to relocate, people visiting smells to many visitors, being disturbed to much or just

needing more room babies getting squished....some ideas. If little one moved is crying for mom 

perhaps change bedding refreshing original bed return baby

 to mom. **good to leave just one little blankie with smells from previous bed whenever 

changing the bed or relocating especially first weeks. Of course they should never be

separated for very long.  It can take a few daysfor mom to really decide where

she wants the 'nest' to really be settle in. As they grow they will start to boogie around so one may escape here and there so having a bed that can be barricaded off in the

future works well. Perfectly normal to relocate the bed.

See if she moves them all. Cats usually do, and it's not unusual at all. However, if she does not put them together, please do so for her. You can continue using your original thread for each new question. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Thank you both so much for your replies, I've never looked after a mummy and litter before and I want to do the best for them.

After about half hour or more I went back into the room, mummy had moved a second kitten across, thank goodness. I moved the last 2 over to her ask was worried they were getting cold.

I think mum just needed to upgrade to a bigger pad lol. We have all been out most of the day so it's been nice and quiet for them, I will pop. In later to weigh the kittens.

Glad you helped her out! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Ok the kittens were born on Saturday, mummy and kittens came to me on Monday, they are all doing very well.

With us only just meeting mummy cat and with her needed to be with her babies they have been in the utility room since arriving. The last 2 days mummy cat as come out of the nest for a fuss, this was lovely as it gave me chance to meet her a bit more.

Today She looked out of her room into the kitchen so I let her out, she did 2 laps if the kitchen then back into her room, I shut the door as I don't want her to forget her babies still need her. Did I do the Wright thing? Should I keep her shut in the room for another week or more before giving her more freedom?

I would let her out if she wants. Chances are she'll only come out when they are sleeping and go running back in if she hears a cry.

What about the kittens getting cold?

You can put a heating pad on low on one side of the nest so the kittens are able to move away if they get too warm.  Cover the pad with a cloth.  Other options are hot water bottles or a rice sock (fill the sock with raw rice, nuke 5 minutes, 3 hours of warmth)  Again make sure the kittens are not directly on the heat source.  Mom might appreciate the extra heat as well.

Handsome Kitty said:

You can put a heating pad on low on one side of the nest so the kittens are able to move away if they get too warm.  Cover the pad with a cloth.  Other options are hot water bottles or a rice sock (fill the sock with raw rice, nuke 5 minutes, 3 hours of warmth)  Again make sure the kittens are not directly on the heat source.  Mom might appreciate the extra heat as well.

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Oh I'll try that, thanks. It would be lovely to get to know mummy cat better and give her freedom of downstairs.

Do they really need to be in the utility room if it's cold? Can the nest be in a warmer place in the house? I do agree that mom needs to be able to come out, explore, and socialize. She will not forget her kittens!