Stray cat had kittens on my porch.

Sarthur2

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I'm just glad to hear that mama is still around, still eating well, and caring for her kittens. They'll be a week old soon! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 
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thewayshemoves

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Yep!  Can't wait to see them.  I'll update with anything that's interesting.  Just a question, though.  As far as socializing goes, what's the best way to do that?  Just pet them and be around and talk to them?
 

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Well, ideally to bring the kittens into your house, along with mom, so they get totally used to humans. Once they are out of the nest and mobile, the house will be safer, and you can teach them to use the litter box, and get everyone fixed eventually. They can play with toys instead of grass and bugs. So the objective will be to round them up and put them in a room in the house, such as a bedroom, where they can safely play and explore, and get used to you. I think you'll be able to get the babies easily. The trick will be to get mama inside with them before she goes into heat again. Which is why getting friendly with her now will be good. The babies will still need their mama when they come out to wean.
 

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Let them get used to your voice and your presence. By the time they are old enough to come from under the shed, they will run from the sight of you. You'll have to gain their trust with good food and fun toys, like a string toy. Sit quietly by the food until they trust you enough to come up. Stroke their backs while they are eating, don't be discouraged it will take a while! Let them see you interact with mama, they might even come over. When you finally can pick them up, put them on your lap, but give them back to mama if she gets upset.  Good luck and keep us posted!
 
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thewayshemoves

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Small update.  Mama moved to the kittens back to the bed on the porch.  Seems like maybe one didn't make it.  Only four out there, but those four look healthy and content.  This is the best picture I could get right now, because she was eating, and then she got in the bed to nurse and I didn't want to get in her way.  I'll get better pictures when she's not trying to do mother things. 
 

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How exciting that she's moved them back! She trusts you! When did you discover them on the porch again? Can you check under the shed to make sure the kitten did not get left behind? [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 
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thewayshemoves

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This afternoon when I went to feed her a second time, all four were laying in the bed.  I touched one and it yawned really big, made the cutest little hiss, and then sort of just laid back down and let me pet it. 
 

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This is fantastic news!

How friendly is mama these days? Do you think she might come inside with her babies?
 
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thewayshemoves

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This is fantastic news!

How friendly is mama these days? Do you think she might come inside with her babies?
She's still very cautious of me.  I have only been able to pet her while she's eating.  She doesn't run away as far, though.  She seems to be getting closer and closer.  When I was petting the kittens she stayed about three feet away and just watched.  I'm going to try and see if she will.  I'll bring them in when they're not nursing, and prop the door open and see if she'll come to them. 
Yes, any way to check for the last one? This is great news!
If there's not a fifth before I'm ready for bed, I'll check tomorrow.  It took her hours to move the last one before, so there might be a chance it's okay.

 
I'm sad that one is missing, but that's great that she brought them back!
Same here.  I was very happy to see them.
 

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I just don't want her to move them again. So maybe give it some time before bringing them in. They still need Mama totally, and she's letting you pet them, which is awesome! [emoji]128571[/emoji]
 
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thewayshemoves

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Alright, that makes sense.  I'll leave them be for now.  She doesn't seem upset about me petting them, she's just very watchful. 
 

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It's hard because you don't want to wait and risk them disappearing, but pushing her too far right now might backfire. Fingers crossed that she's aware that she's safe on the porch and stays. If so, I bet you'd be able to get them inside in a week or so.
 

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The kittens are 12 days old. At around 3 weeks old they start to get very mobile. Keep petting them daily so they grow accustomed to your smell, to your voice, and to being touched. I'm thinking mama may have moved them because it's getting hot under the shed.

My other concern is that Mama could go into heat again and go off courting and leave them for a few days. My mama kitty did not go into heat again until her kittens were 7 weeks old, but you just never know.

Do you have a large dog crate that you could slide the bed into, so Mama would have to go into it to nurse them? If so, you could close the door at some point and bring the crate inside to a bedroom, then open the door again. Or maybe you could borrow one? Just a thought.

Do check for #5 tomorrow if it doesn't show up. That was a big job for Mama to move her babies back!

Is Mama continuing to eat well several times a day? She looks so sweet! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 
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thewayshemoves

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The kittens are 12 days old. At around 3 weeks old they start to get very mobile. Keep petting them daily so they grow accustomed to your smell, to your voice, and to being touched. I'm thinking mama may have moved them because it's getting hot under the shed.

My other concern is that Mama could go into heat again and go off courting and leave them for a few days. My mama kitty did not go into heat again until her kittens were 7 weeks old, but you just never know.

Do you have a large dog crate that you could slide the bed into, so Mama would have to go into it to nurse them? If so, you could close the door at some point and bring the crate inside to a bedroom, then open the door again. Or maybe you could borrow one? Just a thought.

Do check for #5 tomorrow if it doesn't show up. That was a big job for Mama to move her babies back!

Is Mama continuing to eat well several times a day? She looks so sweet! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
I will do my best to get them used to me.  I do have a large crate and had thought about just that.  She's eating 3 wet meals a day, and still eating from the dry food, and the formula.  Staying hydrated.  She gets some treats whenever I cook chicken or something like that.  She likes eggs, and cheese, too.  I don't like feeding her stuff like that often, because aside from chicken meat and stuff, I'm not sure if it's good for her.
 
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thewayshemoves

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The one with its head up, you can kind of see its face here.  That's the lively one.  It's always looking around really curious and is quick to hiss at me, but also quick to check my hand out when I pet it.  Curious little thing. 

 

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The eggs and cheese are just fine for treats! My cats love them too!

I like the crate idea. Just go slow. Glad you have one. Leave her be for a day or two, then slide the bed in for a couple of days. Then leave that be for a couple of days. Maybe by the weekend you can close the door and get them in. In the meantime, prepare a room and litter box. I sure do hope this works out!
 

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Aww. They are just too cute! Your mom must be beside herself over these babies being back on the porch. [emoji]128522[/emoji]
 
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