Stray cat and her kittens

Hi everyone! I need some help. I started feeding a pregnant stray back in August. I took her to the vet and had her checked for feline hiv and leukemia and they gave her a rabies shot. I have 2 cats of my own and because of that I had to keep her outside, which changed on Sept 2nd when she went into labor and cried outside my backdoor to come in. I brought her in and put her in my spare room. She gave birth that night to 5 of the cutest kittens. They have been in my middle room for 3 weeks now, soon to be 4 weeks and all are thriving. My 2 cats are extremely curious as to what is going on in there. My question is how do I go about introducing Momma cat and her babies to my 8 yr old and 2 yr old cats? I bought a cage and have yet to put it together. I hate the idea of caging any animal, but I though it may help me introduce everyone to each other slowly. I'm losing sleep over this because Hope and her kittens have been locked in that room and it breaks my heart. My vet advised to keep them away for 6 weeks, until I can take them to the vet and have them checked out thoroughly. The Momma cat is only a little over a year old and she is the sweetest thing, so lovable. But from being on the streets I'm wondering how she will react to cats in general, and I know that she is extremely protective of her kittens even though she lets me pet them and hold them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Have the cats met earlier?  Before she delivered?  If so, how did they reacted?

No they haven't really met other than through my kitchen window and door when Hope (the stray cat) would come by to eat.  Hope did get out of the middle bedroom one night at 3am when I went in to check on everyone and she went right after my older cat Emma who was in the hallway at the time.  She went right back into the bedroom with her kittens without a fight , but proved to me that she's very protective of herself and her babies.  Oh and one other time when I took pregnant Hope to the vet, she was in a carrier in my house for a little bit and there was a bit of hissing and growling between the 3 of them, which is to be expected.  I have watched my daughter's cat as well as my mother's cat at times without incident.  There was hissing at times but for the most part my oldest cat just wants to be left alone and Jax my 2 yr old just wants someone to play with. I am wondering if I should put the cage up and use it for introduction purposes only. 

OK, so for the time being, its best to let them be separated. Not because of health issues - momma got clear bill of health, and you have had her so long you know she isnt sick.  But not necessary to get them agitated too early.

When the kittens begins to be 5-6 weeks, you can let the younger and more friendly try and meet them superwised.   If not by any other reason, so kittens meeting other cats than momma will help them to be socialized...

YOU shall of course proceed to handle them and socialize - not so much when they are helpless and blind, but more with time...

So the vet appointment isnt really to see if they are healthy, its more to make sure they get right deworming, and plan on what vaccines (core + rabies), and later on, spaying / neutering...  Although a good vet do makes some quick health check up too...

These may help:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-multi-cat-household

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

I agree that the kittens should begin meeting the other cats at 6 weeks old and under supervision. Mama kitty will relax more as her kittens get bigger.

Thank you so much for your advice.  I've been super busy between working and caring for all of my cats I haven't had time to post. 

The momma cat is itching to get out of the room now, she's been scratching on the door in the middle of the night.  I don't want to make a habit out of answering her, but she's waking the household up.  I answer her once and feed her.  She's still eating so much cat food it's not even funny, The kittens were a month old yesterday.  I don't see her feeding them the way she use to, so I've been putting wet kitten food down daily.  They do go over to the food and are even drinking from their water bowl. But I haven't seen them actually eat the food.  I think I may buy some kmr online as I can't find it in the local pet stores and mix it with the dry kitten food that I have, maybe they will take to that better than the wet food. 

That sounds like a good idea. The kittens may need another week, but they will try food soon!

It's normal for mama kitty to feel restless after being confined to one room for a month. Can you give her a few hours out of the room each day to explore around your home without going outside? It would probably help her out.

Also, do you leave dry kitten chow down for the cats 24/7 in addition to wet food feedings?

I was thinking of letting her outside of the room to explore and putting my other 2 cats into my bedroom.  I don't know if I can do this since she hasn't been thoroughly checked out by a vet.. I know she is free of feline hiv and leukemia, and she's not showing any signs of sickness..But the vet told me to wash my hands thoroughly after petting her and being around her to not infect my other cats with anything else she may have and so I'm afraid to let her roam the house. 

I do keep the dry kitten food down all day as momma cat was eating that as well as the wet kitten food so the kittens would benefit from her at feeding time.

If the stray has tested clear, and your cats are vaccinated, then it will be fine to let her out of the room to check out your home! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

okay thank you..I have a tent for my cats for outside, they love to sit out there.  If it's not raining tonight, maybe I'll put them in the backyard

and let her roam for a little while.  I'm also wondering if she could be in heat and maybe that's why she is scratching at the bedroom door. 

when do they go into heat after giving birth? it's been 4 weeks

Di127 said:

okay thank you..I have a tent for my cats for outside, they love to sit out there.  If it's not raining tonight, maybe I'll put them in the backyard
and let her roam for a little while.  I'm also wondering if she could be in heat and maybe that's why she is scratching at the bedroom door. 
when do they go into heat after giving birth? it's been 4 weeks

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She could be in heat already. You mean letting mom roam the house and the other cats go out, yes?

Yes, I'm sorry, I meant I'll let momma cat roam the house while they are in the yard.

 

I have attached photos of 4 of the kitties.  The first one is GG, she's the sweetest of the bunch.  Binx is the black cat, he's a shy little thing, kinda keeps to himself.  The gray and white one is Toga, he's my best friend, the first one to start greeting me when i walked into the room.  and the orange one is Buster, I named him that because he's the biggest of the litter and he is a buster for sure.  I thought I uploaded little Del but I didn't. I'll post her next and the Mommy cat as well

and this is sweet Del, this was a couple of weeks ago, she's bigger now. 

The kittens are so cute. When I fostered last fall the cat's third kittten was exactly like your Buster.

Thank you.  I didn't intend on naming him Buster, but he's the biggest of the litter and he was more or less the "bully" ..always starting play sessions with the others.  

Di127 said:

Thank you.  I didn't intend on naming him Buster, but he's the biggest of the litter and he was more or less the "bully" ..always starting play sessions with the others.  

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As I mentioned, my Harry was exactly like Buster. He was born last after his 2 sisters & was always the biggest. A voracious feeder from the get go & always went for his mom's prime teats.