Need Help - Momma Cat Moving Kittens!

Kittens are 3 weeks old today. I have them set up in a dog crate, they are safe and happy.

A few times, momma cat tried moving the kittens to a closet, we moved them all back, and when we'd catch her trying to move them, we'd stop her, usually by locking her out of the cage for a few minutes, or locking her in (again for a few min).

Tonight is different - she is INSISTENT that she move them. crying costantly to get in or out of the cage. I know they are safe there - much safer than in a closet, especially since they have been suddenly active (and cute!)

I'm doing the right thing, right?

No actually you aren't. Let her move them to the closet, she apparently feels they are safer and closets are good places for kittens and mom because it gets them out of drafty air. Just put up a baby gate in the doorway so the kitties can't get out of the closet, but Mom can get over. Mom cats will move their kittens if they precieve danger, if the nest becomes to smelly, or if there is a lot of traffic "visiting the babies." Let her have her comfort zone, they will be moving about the house in no time at all anyway and then you might be left wishing they were still in the closet!

Don't lock her out of the crate - EVER. Denying her access to her babies is a stressful and counter-productive tactic to use. If she wants the babies to be in the closet, then compromise and move the dog crate into the closet.

Thanks for your advice. We played this little game of In/Out for a while. I tried distracting her with food, and some cuddles, and she finally came out of her funk. Everyone is in the cage now, and happy.

Unfortunately, I cannot allow her to have thee closet. It's my daughter's room, and the kittens in there would make her nervous to hear them in the middle of the night, and then I'd not have a sleeping child!

I just always heard that using a xlarge dog crate was the way to go!

gayef - just re-read your post - I might try moving the crate to my office - maybe that's a good compromise, but like I said above, everyone is happy for now (at least)

Also, anyone know why Momma Cat tries to move them at night-time - like the 2-3 AM hr?