Queen not with kitten when people not with her

Hi all. Thanks very much for the resource. I picked up a very friendly pregnant stray six weeks ago and she gave birth three days ago to two kittens. One didn't make it and seemed to be weak from the beginning. The remaining kitten seems to be doing ok but I think I that whenever I'm out of the room the queen sits by the door or paces like she did before she had kittens. She is nervous about our two other cats but they stay clear of the door to the room we have her in. When I'm with her I have been being sure the queen (Marie) feeds and licks and keeps the kitten warm.

I found other threads that describe similar behavior. But does anyone have a suggestion to make her less nervous or dependent on someone being in the room with her?

Thank you all very much.

That picture is too precious for words. My goodness.

I think hopefully mama will settle as she is more used to your home. Is her nest in a dark and secluded area? That could get her to relax a little more. Also maybe a feliway diffuser?

Thank you so much for taking her in. How sweet that she trusts you so much.

Relaxing nice low music may perhaps also help.

Another idea is to put a tre shirt of yours in her nest so she has your scent in there.

Thanks will try all of above but I'm increasingly concerned. She is even more hyper vigilant this afternoon. Any small sound and she will jump up from her kitten. And I was able to confirm she is not in with the kitten when I'm not in the room. And I have to go to work! I was considering a kennel in the room to keep her closer. My concern there is it will be harder to determine if she's taking care e of the kitten.

A kennel could help. To make sure the kitten is getting adequate care you can weigh it every day. If the kitten is gaining enough, it's getting enough from mom.

Thanks again all. Please keep suggestions coming if anything.

I set up a crate for her and put blanket on the sides. It's a bit cramped - will just have to see how it goes. I hope I haven't overreacted with the kennel. She did seem a little more settled on my last visit, just before putting in the kennel!

So she is 171 grams - 3 days and 3 hours old. That's good right?

I'm no expert by any means but am wading my way though the same type of scenario. From my research that sounds right (if not slightly above the average but that doesn't allow for breed, parents, ect.) just make sure you weigh him to make sure he is gaining! Congrats!

That's a healthy weight for a three day old! You just want to be sure she's gaining 6-10g per day now.

Is the crate in your bedroom? You'll need to let mom out of the crate when you are not working.

How big is the crate? She needs to be able to eat, drink, and use the litterbox while you are away. Is there room for this in the crate?

New moms usually settle down a couple of days after giving birth. And she is probably feeding her baby even when you don't see her doing it. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Thanks! Marie has her own room. I put the crate in a corner and moved her kitten in and left the door open and Marie seemed to be comfortable and didn't try to move the kitten back. I think she feels insecure and this give her a bit more.

The idea suggested by my vet was to keep her in the crate, letting her out some. I had figured out that she wasn't feeding when I was not with her. I would leave for an hour or hour and a half and Marie would go to the box and the kitten was clearly hungry with some crying.

The crate is small - only room for a box with towels and food and water and a small litter box. Thinking to get the next size up (loaned by the local shelter).

I am a bit worried about the days when we aren't home for some twelve hours. On one hand the crate makes it more likely she will be in with the kitten. But it feels pretty tight.

Maybe she will settle down and that's great advice. My concern is that she expressed these fearful behaviors like lying by the door instead of the many great perches with a window before she gave birth.

More thoughts please?

Thanks all!

Mom cats will nurse their babies for awhile, then leave the nest and take a break while babies sleep. When the babies wake up hungry and cry, the moms return to the nest to feed. This is how it works. I think they will be fine while you're gone.

Are you weighing the baby daily to track weight gain? It's the best way to know if the baby is eating well. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Hmm, that seems like a very small crate to close her in. I don't know that I would be comfortable with that. I agree that weighing the baby would give you more information.

I would leave the crate door open so she can come and go in the room.

Wow, great community. Yes, yes and yes. She did not do well with the crate so we abandoned that idea. Both me and the queen are rookies and she had just lost one of her kittens and I had spent twelve hours trying to save her. We were both stressed and I'm sure I fed her with some of that. 

So new plan - back to the way things were and continue to check the kittens weight. 

Love this quote - thanks for the simple check!

sarthur2 said:

Mom cats will nurse their babies for awhile, then leave the nest and take a break while babies sleep. When the babies wake up hungry and cry, the moms return to the nest to feed. This is how it works. I think they will be fine while you're gone.

Are you weighing the baby daily to track weight gain? It's the best way to know if the baby is eating well. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

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A crate is otherwise sometimes a good solution in such cases.  Not for the caging as such, but for the protection.  The momma isnt stupid, she does understand she is extra protected inside the crate.  And thus, feeling more safe and secure, she can relax.

Having a towel over the crate, the crate itself becomes a hidey hole too.

Thanks for this. Yes I did get the sense that she felt more protected in there at first. And I had covered with a somewhat translucent blanket. But it seemed that over some hours she was restless in there. I think that cage was just too small - small litter pan, food and water and a box with towels that was too small. If we see the kitten isn't being fed enough as we have gone back to letting her have the whole room I may try again with a bigger cage and the nice box she likes. 

Thanks again!

Free roaming in the room will keep mom happier. I would guess she's feeding and caring for her baby nicely! Keep us posted! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

So it seems that after the loss of the first kitten both Marie and I were just overly concerned. And:

sarthur2 said:

New moms usually settle down a couple of days after giving birth.  [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Click to expand...

This sure seems to be the case here. Not only is Marie feeding and staying with the kitten, she is much more settled and calm than she had been in the six weeks I've had her.

We've been calling the kitten Small Fry but may have to change to Big Fry. He/she has gained an average of 16 grams a day over the last five!

Big thanks too all of you!   

So sweet! Congrats! Enjoy it, it goes quickly!