Elsa's babies

Today's weights are looking good! I've shown the grams they've each gained in brackets.

#1 Tulip = 126g (+26)
#2 Lilly = 115g (+15)
#3 Bandit = 122g (+23)
#4 Timmy = 126g (+17)

They don't seem to have settled onto a particular nipple each, there's a lot of chopping and changing.

I've had a better look at their little boy/girl bits today and I'm happy that I'm correct, two boys and two girls.

Few photos from this morning...

Weight gains are excellent! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

irishmammy said:

They don't seem to have settled onto a particular nipple each, there's a lot of chopping and changing

Click to expand...

Never been able to find a link, but I'm sure I once read that certain nipples on the cat's belly produce more milk than others. My Harry who somewhat dominated his sisters in terms of feeding always went for a center nipple with his sisters on either side.

Wonderful photos.

irishmammy
That's a beautiful family!
Well done.

It's entirely plausible....happens with humans too, one breast can be a better producer than the other. [emoji]128513[/emoji]

Today's weights are looking good again.



#1 Tulip = 140g (+14)
#2 Lilly = 134g (+19)
#3 Bandit = 130g (+8)
#4 Timmy = 140g (+14)

Bandit didn't put on as much, BUT, I weighed them 3 hours earlier than normal as I knew I'd be out at the normal time. I also checked him when I got home, so about 5 hours after the normal time and he was up to 142g (up 12 in 8 hours) so I'm very happy with that. He'd had a big increase yesterday too so was probably stuffed!

All going well and Elsa seems happy.

So stinkin' cute.

I looooovvve the kitten heap!! [emoji]128525[/emoji][emoji]128525[/emoji]

They are doing great! [emoji]128571[/emoji]

#1 Tulip = 157g (+17)
#2 Lilly = 149g (+15)
#3 Bandit = 153g (+23)
#4 Timmy = 159g (+19)

Little Bandit is back on track with a 23g gain after yesterday's 8g. I'm very happy with their progress, they are doing great.

Hooray! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

My 6 year old daughter took this photo as she was in fits of giggles... LOOK at those FEET!!!! [emoji]128525[/emoji][emoji]128525[/emoji][emoji]128525[/emoji]

What a cute picture! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

irishmammy said:

20170311_084254.jpg

• irishmammy
• Mar 11, 2017

My 6 year old daughter took this photo as she was in fits of giggles... LOOK at those FEET!!!! [emoji]128525[/emoji][emoji]128525[/emoji][emoji]128525[/emoji]

Click to expand...

Precious!

Weights are still flying up...Timmy hit 200g today (5 days old!) though he did have the advantage of being 109g at birth so he's not quite double. I expect all to be double their birth weight tomorrow.

Little Timmy is starting to look more striped (initially only his tail looked stripey but he's obviously got the dominant tabby gene and it's becoming more apparent. )

Tulip just about fits in my hand today!
Elsa is very laid back. When she's not feeding the kittens, she likes to sleep outside the crate and leaves the kittens in their little heap. Guess it's good for her sanity to take a break!

Timmy


Tulip


Relaxing!

Very sweet! So glad they are doing well! [emoji]128149[/emoji]

Me too. It's my first experience of kittens bar when my own lady jumped out a second storey window to find a suitor 17 years ago and had 2 babies! [emoji]128514[/emoji]

I'm delighted Elsa is such a good mammy for my first experience of fostering a pregnant cat. I'd be much more confident next time around....cos there will be a next time! [emoji]128521[/emoji]

This site has really helped me so much too, so thank you all. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

irishmammy said:

Elsa is very laid back. When she's not feeding the kittens, she likes to sleep outside the crate and leaves the kittens in their little heap. Guess it's good for her sanity to take a break!

Click to expand...

It totally is. Is she going on top of the crate? As they get older & they get their teeth, she will leave them for longer periods of time. Their teeth will start to irritate her teats.

No, she hasn't ventured that far yet. I think she likes to "keep guard" so positions herself between the babies and the door. She's very alert / on edge if one of my sons comes to look as she doesn't know them as well as my daughter and me. (The boys are only allowed very short visits under supervision and mostly to make a fuss of Elsa and just look at the kittens but not go near them.)

irishmammy said:

No, she hasn't ventured that far yet. I think she likes to "keep guard" so positions herself between the babies and the door. She's very alert / on edge if one of my sons comes to look as she doesn't know them as well as my daughter and me. (The boys are only allowed very short visits under supervision and mostly to make a fuss of Elsa and just look at the kittens but not go near them.)

Click to expand...

That's wonderful. It's also a good way to illustrate to your boys that animals deserve respect. Too bad other mothers don't do this.

I guess I was just following Elsa's lead as I don't want her being at all stressed so it just made sense. I pointed out to the boys that while she was relatively relaxed (lying off on the floor), she was still a bit anxious because her tail was flicking at the end.

They could see this themselves so it wasn't a case that I was being mean by not letting them too near the kittens, it was Elsa's choice.

They know that they will see the kittens and hold them etc when they are a little older. And they get to see lots of photos and videos each day too.

It's their first experience of tiny kittens so they are really in awe. [emoji]128525[/emoji]