Pregnant Stray had Kittens in my Garage

Also what age do they start to "meww" as stated above my husband is extrmely supportive...but when the kittens start to make a bunch of cute noises at inappropriate times of the night he may lose some of his compassion...haha

I am hoping the weather will allow me to move them back into the garage, where momma is much happier by that point. yesterday was in the 90s with 80% humidity...which explains momma getting too hot. My garage fan I bought for her just didn't cut through that.

Put a baby gate on your door when you are not in the bedroom and one across the closet door if you can.  Place it a few inches off the floor so momma can go under or over but the dogs can't get through.  Momma looks snug and happy in her carrier bottom.  You can get a much larger and deeper storage bin from a big box store (momma will jump in and out).  At about 3 weeks old they will be ready to start exploring their surroundings.  Kittens are born in the wild every day and do just fine so don't fret this too much.  You may regret having carpeting as these babies start to toddle around, though.  I would go ahead and buy some Nature's Miracle for Cat Urine and some Resolve Carpet Cleaner for pet stains because mistakes WILL happen.  

Catmom Marcia said:

 
Put a baby gate on your door when you are not in the bedroom and one across the closet door if you can.  Place it a few inches off the floor so momma can go under or over but the dogs can't get through.  Momma looks snug and happy in her carrier bottom.  You can get a much larger and deeper storage bin from a big box store (momma will jump in and out).  At about 3 weeks old they will be ready to start exploring their surroundings.  Kittens are born in the wild every day and do just fine so don't fret this too much.  You may regret having carpeting as these babies start to toddle around, though.  I would go ahead and buy some Nature's Miracle for Cat Urine and some Resolve Carpet Cleaner for pet stains because mistakes WILL happen.  

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You can also put down an old shower curtain or table cloth that is water proof.  Puppy pads also work.

I would not put them back in the garage in this heat anytime soon. Do not close them in the closet, but do close your bedroom door. It's good that you brought them in.

How are the kitten's legs doing?

Catmom Marcia said:

 
Put a baby gate on your door when you are not in the bedroom and one across the closet door if you can.  Place it a few inches off the floor so momma can go under or over but the dogs can't get through.  Momma looks snug and happy in her carrier bottom.  You can get a much larger and deeper storage bin from a big box store (momma will jump in and out).  At about 3 weeks old they will be ready to start exploring their surroundings.  Kittens are born in the wild every day and do just fine so don't fret this too much.  You may regret having carpeting as these babies start to toddle around, though.  I would go ahead and buy some Nature's Miracle for Cat Urine and some Resolve Carpet Cleaner for pet stains because mistakes WILL happen.  

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How high up is good?  I know cats can jump good distances but I am always worried if it is too high she will jump in right on top of the babies without being able to see...should there be a perch so she can see where she is jumping? 

We are getting all the floors redone in December so I am lucky on the stains front.  But I will be trying to minimize them as MUCH as possible, and take your advice on the Miracle for Cat Urine...that is one smell I am NOT used to...I have the fabreeze cat litter right now for momma cat and it helps a bit in my room.  Do you have any other suggestions on the smell of the litter box? 

I just purchased a box with a lid and a vent at the top, and clean it every morning and night...not sure what else I could do if there is anything.  Its not THAT bad or an eviction type of thing HAHA but it would be awesome if I am just missing a few steps.

sarthur2 said:

I would not put them back in the garage in this heat anytime soon. Do not close them in the closet, but do close your bedroom door. It's good that you brought them in.

How are the kitten's legs doing?

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Right now I have my husband pretty convinced they are going to be roommates for awhile...but it was hilarious as I was bringing in her new cat tree, fancy litter box (fancy as in it has a top and filter) and good smelling litter.  I do not think he really thought through telling me that they could bunk with us while it was hot.  He is a good sport though and tends to fold under my need to help the defenseless.  I do foster care for adolescent teen girls...so he is pretty used to the new additions (just not in our room).

I am a bit worried about when they start to "mew," because he is a very light sleeper and leaves for work at 5AM Monday-Friday.  I am hoping they will hold off from that for another 2 weeks because it will put us in fall.  Our garage stays at around 70-75 during that season.  That being said....if it is at ALL unsafe in temperature the kittens come first.  He would much rather gripe and moan then be on the receiving end of endangering something I consider under my protection.  I can be persistent.  Cat person or not these are my babies now, and I will do everything in my power to make sure they are ready at 10 weeks for some loving homes.

UPDATE ON LEGS

My daughter Lex and I trade off ever 2-3 hours doing massages and stretching routines on our baby girl Buttercup.  She is a sport and mommy is very watchful of us but trusting. Buttercup is ALREADY progressing.  It is not a whole lot but every time we massage her it takes less and less time for her legs to easily go into the right position under her.  She is also more inclined to have her lets UNDER her and not to her sides when nursing.  We have started today on top of the massaging, whenever we see her nursing just readjusting her legs a bit under her.  This gives her better access to the nipple and makes her use those legs a little bit more for strength (that was Lex's idea). 

At first I was a bit worried messing with the kittens while they were feeding and mommas reaction, but as always she surprised and pleased me.  I was the first one to try it and she just rolled over more so I could put her belly too!  Never knew a cat that liked a tummy rub as much as my pups.  She just lays her head down and closes her eyes whenever we are in the box area with her waiting for her rub now. 

The first time my daughter did the physical therapy on her own she ran to me when I got home and told me the funniest story!

She went in to do the routine with Buttercup and Momma cat was there like normal just watching.  Lex thought momma was coming over to just smell the baby, so she held her out to show her that she was OK and not hurt.  Momma then took the baby in her mouth and walked her back to the bed and laid her down. 

This shocked my kid because as I have stated before this is our first experiences with cats (or babies of any kind this small with a mom). 

Lex waited about 45 min until she thought everyone was calmed down and got the kitten again, she started working her legs and momma came up to her again.  This time she kinda positioned herself where Buttercup wasn't directly in front of momma but still in her sight and this worked for a few minutes until momma started purring and Lex dropped her guard.  Momma was rubbing up against her petting herself and Lex turned into her a bit more and "SWIPE" baby in momma's mouth and momma back in the box.  This time momma plopped baby on her belly and started feeding her.  Lex decided therapy could be cut short this time haha.

This being said we now sit in a chair where momma can see baby but we can also get the massaging done.  She really doesn't mind us doing and typically just lays at our feet watching or nursing the other kitten...but MAN if you give her a chance at ALL she is taking her kitten back in a sec. 

I am so glad to hear that the leg massages are going well, and that the legs are already progressing!

That's a cute story that your daughter told! It's nice she can help you! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Originally Posted by amoreland0304  
 

This is very encouraging to me!  I was searching threads for more information because one of my kittens has both of her legs twisted :-( I am massaging several times a day but sick with worry!  When did you start to see her getting a bit better?  How often did you massage?  Any tips?

Its both her hind legs they don't bend in at the ankle or knee and she is 8 days old now.

@amoreland0304   I copied the above post from another thread that you posted in.  I think you will get more answers if you have the question posted in your own thread.

I was actually hoping the person who started the older thread would have any other words of wisdom on this since it's only a couple of months old. :-) But I really do appreciate it!

Its concerning having a vet tell me to start thinking about "quality" of life already with her being so young. I am trying to stay encouraged and with only good thoughts. It's nice seeing all the success stories I can while making this baby cry several times a day.

Patience is key.  Your kitten will get better, you are already seeing improvement.

Her legs should bend. Is she beginning to get around any better? It takes time. You've only been at this for a couple of days.

Why is the vet bringing up quality of life? That should not even be part of the conversation right now.

amoreland0304 said:

I was actually hoping the person who started the older thread would have any other words of wisdom on this since it's only a couple of months old. :-) But I really do appreciate it!

Its concerning having a vet tell me to start thinking about "quality" of life already with her being so young. I am trying to stay encouraged and with only good thoughts. It's nice seeing all the success stories I can while making this baby cry several times a day.

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I'm not sure what thread you were given a link to, whether it was me coaching the poster on repairing the legs or not.

Pay no attention to what the vet said, it's ridiculous and unnecessary. Legs will correct just fine.

a week ago her legs would not bend on their own and it took about 10 min of warming and massages to get them to even bend in the slightest. Now it's less than 3 min before they start to flex and 5 min when they will move into the right pose without any pressure at all. Checked on them tonight and she's bending them on her own while moving around!! Already Sooo much better. Now that they are starting to bend on their own I think we are going to start fitting the stints.

Not sure how to post a video of her crawling around or I would!!

Wonderful! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Video needs to be posted to You Tube first, and link posted here. Would love to see how she is crawling!

She's so precious looking.  What is her name?

Just out of curiousity what breed are your dogs? I have a great dane who just LOVES my foster kittens but they dont exactly love her back. :lol3: