Mom and 2 day old kittens Do's and Dont's on what to do next.

So about four or five months ago these kittens showed up on our porch. They were really friendly and they would walk inside a little bit and then run out. We fed them chicken nuggets and they never left. They have not had shots or anything like that yet. They love to be held and petted. The boy likes to be held more than the girl but we think he just has more of a friendly personality. There are a lot on mean cats here that our neighbor has, and they attack them a lot. And anyways the girl cat, Toys just had kittens on the 30th in the middle of the night. We knew she had gone into labor and gave her a box with towels. We expected kittens to be in the box when we woke up in the morning and instead the box was empty and there was a dead kitten in front of our door. We don't know why it was dead, but we think it was a still born. We've noticed that it was a lot bigger than the other kittens that lived.

Toys came up onto the porch from under the house and seemed really happy. All day on the 30th she would come up onto the porch eat, use the bathroom in the yard and go back under. So yesterday I watched were she went under the house to see where she put the kittens. And as I was watching her walk under I saw her pick up a kitten and start bringing it out. I moved and she came out and brought the kitten onto the porch and kept putting the kitten down and picking it up. I held out my hands and she literally put the kitten in my hands and then got in my lap with the kitten. 

We got her a box with towels in it and she nursed the kitten for a while and then went back and got another kitten. We waited a while to see if there were anymore. And we looked under the house and there weren't anymore. My dad went and bought a litter box, litter and cat food bowls and we put them in the bathroom that we don't really use much. We wanted to bring them inside because we figured she only brought them out from under the house because she felt that they were unsafe and we don't think they are either with all the cats, dogs and other animals here.

When we started to bring them in and when we tried to bring Toys in she freaked out. However we managed to get her in and she is not happy. First of all, outside she was fine with us petting and holding the kittens but now she doesn't want us too. We let her have free run of the house and she would come out and then go back to her kittens. But in the middle of the night she came and peed on my bed! So we locked her in the bathroom so she would have to use the litter box. And she again was very unhappy about that. Today when I went to check on her and the kittens. I found that she pooed in the shower and covered it with a mat and squished it down! I don't know what to do. The bathroom is connected with the master bedroom, and she got out of the bathroom earlier and I couldn't get her back in so I just left her for like ten minuets and shut the bedroom door and then got her back in the bathroom. During that time she peed on the bed! 

While all this is happening are boy cat, Catsby has been in the house and loving it. Every time he has to use the bathroom he just sits by the door. But toys wont do this. Were worried that even if we let her out she wouldn't come back in. Catsby also doesn't mess with the kittens. About three times he looked in the box and walked away. I  called a vet and asked for advice and they said to just put them back outside. We aren't doing that those kittens would be killed by all the mean cats here. I called a different vet and they said to keep her in the bathroom and to get her a different litter and maybe put a cardboard box over the litter box because it is uncovered. 

What do you guys think? I just made a account to ask what to do. Sorry for such a long post. But thank you for reading if you did. Any advice would be greatly appreciated because Toys is very unhappy and we need to get her to use her litter box because those kittens are not going back outside. Also I did put dirt and grass in her litter box. 

I think it's going to take her a little time to get used her new surroundings.  You're going to need more than one litter box for 2 cats.  Can you put one in the shower?  If she poops outside the box again, put the poop in the box and bury it so the box has her scent.

ToysandCatsby,

First off, thank you so much for caring for the cats and kittens. You are wonderful for caring for them.

There are others on this site that will be able to give you a lot of great advice so please keep tuning in for that advice.

It seems to me that there is a bit of a territory issue going on. She needs to start to feel secure in her new home. Were there any other cats or other animals in the bed? Did she go in the same bed both times? Was Catsby spending time in that bed? Are Toys and Catsby close? Did Catsby use the litter box in the bathroom? Maybe Catsby should have a spearate litter box for his use.

The fact Toys trusted you with the kittens is a good sign. I am guessing she is trying to get accustomed to the new surroundings. Do you have some cat beds in the bathroom? Some things where she can go in and feel secure (something semi enclosed)?

Handsome Kitty gives good advice. A couple litter boxes would be good with one in the shower.

I don't personally have a lot of experience in this type of situation but I know others have and will give some great advice.

Thanks again for doing all you are doing for these cats.

There weren't any other animals in the bed( I didnt want Catsby on my bed . I had actually just let Catsby back outside to use the bathroom ( it was about 2:00 AM at this point ) and Toys came in and got on my bed and I was about to get her off but it looked like she was gonna sit down and I thought it was cute so I left her till I realized she was peeing on my bed. As far as I know, Catsby didn't use the litter box. He has just been going outside to potty and then coming back inside. The bed she peed in this morning was my parents bed. So it was two different beds. Toys and Catsby are very close, During the day and night they would sleep super close cuddled up next to each other in chairs outside. And they would play together and use the same food bowl. Thats why we let Catsby in too, we thought it would make toys feel better. 

We don't have any cat beds in there for her except the box with towels that her kittens are in ( its a large box ) we can get her some beds though.  Are there any cat litters you would recommend? I don't think she likes the litter we got for her, It's called Mimi litter and its blue and white and clear my dad got it because it doesn't clump because we read that clumping litter was bad for kittens. 

I put the poop in the litter box ( she watched me do it ) and put the litter box where she pooped. We'll get her another litter box and put it in another spot for her. We haven't let Catsby in that room since we first brought her in yesterday. We have had the door shut and Catsby has just been asking to go outside to use the bathroom and then he comes back in like a dog. 

I actually have never had kittens so am unsure on the litter. I hope someone else can help with what is best. 

How much interaction are Catsby and Toys having since they came in? Could Toys be missing Catsby? Again, since I have never had newborns I just don't have the experience with how they should be interacting. But I figure the more information the better others can help.

I am wondering if Catsby should be indoors full time and be using a separate litter box. I am not sure if this could be causing some issues. Maybe Catsby is picking up some scents and causing some concern with Toys.

She is putting her scent on the beds for territorial reasons I believe. The question is why. Did your parents ever pet the cats in the past? Do Toys and/or Catsby rub on your parents and you? It could just be that the kittens are just a couple of days old so it might be a protective behavior. I have never had newborns so it is totally out of my knowledge base. Someone will definitely help out as many people on this site have helped newborns. 

I wish I could be more help for you but I know the people here will have great advice. Just hang in there and the advice will come.

We can try getting Catsby to use a litter box and keeping him indoors. Yes my parents have pet the cats, and yes catsby has been on top of all of us and running around since we brought him inside. Every time I go in the bathroom toys just shakes her tail which is what she did when they first showed up and she went inside. I thinks its like a nervous thing. Every time I put my hand in the box she quickly puts her head under my hand and makes me pet her instead of the kittens. I'm not sure if Toys is missing Catsby. She probably is, but we can't let her out of the room because she will pee on everything. The vet said to just keep her locked in the room and that she will eventually get used to it and calm down. But I just feel bad because I don't want her to be scared. I know its better for them to be inside though. Especially since its cold outside and its raining today. Thank you so much for the advice and replying. When I can get in the bathroom without her running out, I'll put a bed or something in there for her. I know she loves to lay on rugs. 

Also, I'm pretty sure Catsby is the dad because one of the kittens looks exactly like him. Catsby is a striped cat with a bunch of colors. And toys is a tuxedo cat. I'm hoping maybe tomorrow she will calm down since she will have been here a while. 

Please listen to your vets advice. You may also want to ask your Vet what can and cannot be in the room with the kittens (bedding, rugs etc) and also what litter is best to be used where kittens are present.

Here is a link I found that may be helpful. http://www.thecatsite.com/t/313401/questions-about-a-new-born-litter

I believe the male cat should not be around the mom or the kittens. Please ask your vet about that as it may be very important for safety reasons.

Also, there is a section here called "Pregnant Cats and Kitten Care" which may be helpful until experts start weighing in and helping with this thread.

Originally I thought your kittens were 5 months old, I realized in my last post they are a couple days old so it is quite different than I originally thought.

Being that she has just had kittens her hormones may really be doing things. I have been around ferals who just had kittens but they were outdoors. I am not sure how the change to indoors might affect that.

Is her tail moving quite quickly? Back and forth rapidly? Usually that means she is excited so just back off and let her calm down. Again, I have not been in this situation but I would probably not reach into the box with the kittens unless absolutely necessary.

It is best for her to be inside, much safer in my opinion. You are listening to your vet which is best. Like your vet said just keep her in that bathroom.

She has her kittens, food, water. I am sure she is probably a little scared but it sure seems like she trusts you so I don't think she is that scared. Your vet is right, I would guess she will calm down soon.

I know it is hard but listening to your vet is the right thing to do. Don't be afraid to continue to ask your vet questions. Keep up the good work.

Okay, I'll check those out, Thank you! Also, I'll be sure to ask and see whats okay. Yeah it moves really fast but more of a vibrating type thing. Its weird, she hasn't done its since they first came here. All right we'll leave the kittens alone then. Yesterday I had to pick up a kitten and put it back in the box because she had taken one out and put it outside the bathroom ( before we shut the door. ) and put it on top of a wire and I didn't want the kitten getting tangled. I moved the kitten over and she was very nervous and didn't like me touching the cat. I left the room for like five seconds and went back in and she was in the box nursing her other kitten and just left the other one on the floor, so I put the kitten back in the box. I don't think she has moved the kittens since. Also, I just went and checked on her, and she was in her box nursing the kittens and I saw that she was using her litter box. There was a ton of poop in it and the room smelled awful. When my dad gets home with the new litter I will clean it out. 

Great news that she used the litter box. I think I would try to clean it out as soon after she is done nursing. 

I'll try to find some other helpful threads for you while we wait for others to give advice.

Okay, I'll see if she's done nursing and clean it out. I've never cleaned a litter box before, Do I dump all the litter out into the trash? I have a scooper thing. Since the litter isn't clumping, I don't know how to tell if she's peed in it. Surely since she's been pooping in it she's peed in it, right? 

Sorry for the delayed response.

I have to put a caution before I post that I am not sure what is best when kittens are in the same room as the litter. So with that disclaimer that I don't klnow for sure this is what I would do.  I would scoop out the poop with the scooper, put it in a bag and throw out the bag in the garbage.  I do not use non-clumping litter so I will try to do some research on how pee interacts with non clumping litter. It does not always happen that they poop and pee in consecutive order. But my guess is if she has been in there all day she probably has peed in it. I will check and see how non-clumping litter interacts with pee.

From what I have read non clumping litter absorbs the pee. When it becomes saturated the pee will pool in the bottom of the litter box. Given this I believe it is suggested to replace all the litter and clean the box at least once a week, possibly more if she is going a lot.

http://www.petmd.com/cat/centers/litter/evr_ct_clumping-versus-non-clumping-cat-litter#

I used nonclumping clay litter for years. The clay absorbs the pee, which then dries out. As the dried urine accumulates, the litter pan stinks to high heaven. I would suggest you put the minimum amount of litter in the pan, about 2 inches, and empty the whole pan once a week. The pee smell will also be absorbed by the plastic pan, so a large disposable aluminum cooking pan might be a good idea. Then you can dump the whole thing in a drawstring plastic bag and put it in the garbage.

I tried doing some searches on the site but couldn't find much fast. But I did find these links after a google search of " how to care for newborn kittens and mother cat".

Take everything with a grain of salt and always listen to your vet above anyone else.

https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/d...re_Manual/NURSING_MOTHER_CATS_AND_KITTENS.pdf

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2139&aid=906

http://fixnation.org/2011/04/momma-mia-7-important-tips-when-caring-for-momma-cats-and-kittens/

I'll continue to try to find threads on this site until others can post with helpful advice for you.

I think you should start a new thread in the "Pregnant Cats and Kitten Care" part of the forum. I think you will get more and faster responses.

I would suggest something like this:

Titlle: Mom and 2 day old kittens - Do's and Don'ts on what to do and do next

Explain that you have a mom cat and two 2 day old kittens and that you have them in a bathroom. Ask about bedding, litter and litter boxes, heat/temperatures, boxes, how to interact (or not to), what to look out for, how often to check in on them, whether you should leave them alone, not touch them, etc. I would ask for any advice starting from scratch and what should be in the room, what shouldn't be, how to and when to clean the litter and anything else you can think of. I think more of the right people will see it in that area than in this area.

All this advice will then be on the record and will help others down the road as others face the same situation you are now facing.

Alright I'll go do that thank you! Also I checked out the links ( thank you for those by the way ) and I'm a bit freaked out by the cannibalism thing. I also think she'll like the clay litter better. It looks more like dirt. 

We'll try and find her a big aluminum pan with clay litter. Thank you!!!

We've had mama cat Toys for about 5 months, she just showed up on our porch. When she into labor we gave her a box ( we've kept her outside ) and expected to have kittens in it in the morning. When we woke up there wasn't any kittens and there was a stillborn one just left on the porch. She had put the other ones under the house. The next day we were watching where she was going to see where she put the kittens and she picked one up and brought it onto the porch. She was searching for a place to put the kitten so I held out my hands like you would if you were catching water and she put the kitten in my hand and then got in my lap. We got her a box and she nursed the kitten in there and then went and got another one. ( We made sure there weren't any more kittens )

We put her and the kittens in a bathroom. They have a large cardboard box with towels in it. And a litter box. She was not happy about being put in the house, but she wasn't freaking out either. And she had free run of the house. Till night came and at about 2:00 AM she came and peed on my bed. So I put her in the bathroom and shut the door. She was very unhappy about this. Then when I checked on her this morning, she had pooed in the shower and put a mat on it and squished it down. Then she escaped the bathroom and ran into the bedroom ( the bathroom is connected to the master bedroom ) and I couldn't get her back in so I shut the bedroom door and left for about 10 minuets. When I went back in I finally got her back in the bathroom and found that she had peed on my parents bed too! 

I put her poo in the litter box and put the litter box where she pooed in the shower to. I believe she is using it now. Also before I shut her in, she had taken one of the kittens out, and put it outside the bathroom door on a wire. I didn't want the kitten to get tangled so I moved the kitten to the side. She was not happy about me touching the kitten. I left for room for like five seconds and came back and she was back in her box nursing the other kitten while the other one was still in the middle of the floor. So i just put the kitten back in the box. 

I also want to add that when they were outside she was fine with us holding and petting the kittens and now she's not so we are just leaving them alone unless we have to mess with them. Anyways I believe she is using the litter box now as she has no choice. I went in to clean it earlier and she had taken the same kitten out of the box and put it next to the toilet but left the other kitten so I just put the kitten back and changed the litter in the box. 

I called a vet for advice and she said to just put them back outside. Which I'm not going to do as there are a bunch of mean cats in the neighborhood that would kill them, and there are armadillos, and dogs and snakes and everything else. I called another vet  and she said to just keep her locked in the bathroom and she will eventually calm down and get used to it. So mama is unhappy and she also doesn't like to use the litter box. Here are all the questions.

What type of bedding is best? What type of litter should we be using? ( they currently have a non clumping clay litter ) What kind of litter box? ( currently a low sided uncovered box ) What temperature should the room be? How many boxes should she have? How to interact with the kittens? Or should we not mess with them? What should we watch out for? How often should we check in on the cats? Should we not touch them at all? What should be in the bathroom and what shouldn't be? Are placing rugs for Toys in there okay? ( she loves laying on rugs ) When should we clean the litter? Should we buy Toys and cat Toys? At what age can we start holding the kittens and playing with them? And we have kept the light on 24/7 in there. Is that okay? Its pitch black in there at night if we don't. The box they have in covered and the kittens can't get out of it unless Toys takes them out. Is it okay if toys put them on the floor by themselves? The floor is so hard and cold it seems mean to leave them there. That's why I put the kitten back.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We want Toys to be happy and not scared or stressed. We also want to be sure Toys is using the litter box and is comfortable. It really is better for them to be inside, especially since its been so cold and rainy today.