Okay, I think I need help.

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scavenger

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My cat, Nina, who just gave birth yesterday, has been repeatedly leaving the box. The kittens no sooner start nursing then she just ups and walks out. For a bit, she'd stay with them if I was nearby, but now she's really interrupting their nursing on a regular basis. She does jump in and out of the box to sit with the kittens, and if she hears them crying, she will check them out, but she doesn't seem much interested in staying, nursing them, or anything. Her nipples seem fine, no mastitis, not enough time elapsed for them to have even gotten roughed up at all (especially since she doesn't seem to like to nurse - they are hardly being overused!).

When she goes to them, she sometimes sits in the box and looks at me and meows, almost as if she doesn't know what to do, or wants me to solve it. I tried to keep her in the box and lying down while they tried to nurse, but she got really jumpy and wouldn't stay. The minute I let go of her, out she jumped.

What to do?
 
talon

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Do you have small confined area to keep her and the kits in - somewhere out of the way so she won't see you all the time and can't wonder off?
 
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scavenger

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Well, the thing is this: If I'm out of the room or not near her, she comes out of the box and searches for me. I have her and the kittens in a box low enough for her to get out of, and high enough that they can't get out, but instead of keeping it in the closet (like I planned), I've had to move it out near me so the babies have even a little chance at eating. They are trying like nuts to nurse, but she won't stay.

Now, though, even though she's still searching for me and to see what I'm doing, she won't stay in the box even if I'm near. She jumps out and sleeps on the floor outside the box. If they cry, she jumps in, looks, meows and then looks at me. She might lay down for a little, but they start nursing and she's outta there.
 
tnr1

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Originally Posted by Scavenger

My cat, Nina, who just gave birth yesterday, has been repeatedly leaving the box. The kittens no sooner start nursing then she just ups and walks out. For a bit, she'd stay with them if I was nearby, but now she's really interrupting their nursing on a regular basis. She does jump in and out of the box to sit with the kittens, and if she hears them crying, she will check them out, but she doesn't seem much interested in staying, nursing them, or anything. Her nipples seem fine, no mastitis, not enough time elapsed for them to have even gotten roughed up at all (especially since she doesn't seem to like to nurse - they are hardly being overused!).

When she goes to them, she sometimes sits in the box and looks at me and meows, almost as if she doesn't know what to do, or wants me to solve it. I tried to keep her in the box and lying down while they tried to nurse, but she got really jumpy and wouldn't stay. The minute I let go of her, out she jumped.

What to do?
Click to expand...
When I was fostering a mom and her kittens....I kept them in my bathroom along with the litter, water and food. She would jump out of the box when I would enter the room because she definately wanted a 'break' and because she knew it was meal time (she loved her moist kitten food). What worked really well about that situation was she was close enough to hear her kittens if they needed her.

Katie
 
petnurse2265

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I put foster mom's and their kittens in an extra large dog kennel with their food, water and litter box. This keeps mom with her babies and keeps my cats out of trouble.
 
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scavenger

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Thanks, guys, for all the suggestions. Bathroom won't work, I live in NYC and there's just not enough room for that (think teeny rooms, giant rent). I think the dog kennel is what I'm going to have to do, and I guess it will have to go right in the middle of the room!
 
tnr1

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Originally Posted by Scavenger

Thanks, guys, for all the suggestions. Bathroom won't work, I live in NYC and there's just not enough room for that (think teeny rooms, giant rent). I think the dog kennel is what I'm going to have to do, and I guess it will have to go right in the middle of the room!
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LOL....forgot about the tiny bathrooms in New York. I would get one of those collapsible crates...they are GREAT. I have one.

Katie
 
gayef

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As a breeder, I couldn't live without my extra-large dog crate. It is perfect for a queening nest; it is portable and easy to clean, and it is perfect to confine Momma and babies when the need arises. They aren't that horribly expensive ... the last time I checked, they were about $50 or $60 at Wal-Mart ... and you can always sell it on Ebay if you don't need it anymore after the kittens go to their new homes.
 
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