the birth was successful.......how long does the mother stay without food???

This is morning my cat Fifi had her kittens.....(She had 4 verycute litter)..but i am very confused how long does the mother stay without food?
and do u think it would be ok if you picked the kittens up with a cloth......or will she reconise the scent of human?

In the wild the queen is often without food several days. Eating the placenta helps some.
Most breeders do weight the small ones every day, beginning directly as just born. So it cant be dangerous to take them carefully up. Ie if it is your own pet. Besides, it help them to get socialized.
If the queen is feral stray cat and afraid of you you must of course be much more careful and be prepared to leave her alone.

Take the small ones with a cloth if you want to be double guarded - but probably it isnt necessary.

I presume Fifi is your pet cat. She probably trust you I presume! First, have the food and water near. Second. Your minding the small ones make it easier for her to leave them a moment and go to the litter and eat and drink.

Good luck!

Aw, congrats on the new litter! Glad to hear everything went well for Fifi and her babies!

I kept the food and water (and litter box) close to the nest and momma kitty (Shenzi) would get up every now and again to eat, but really not too much the first day or so. Mainly, I think they are pretty worn out from labor and delivery. Trust me, she will make up for not eating too much the first day eventually! Especially because of all of the little ones who are feeding off of her. As long as you keep her essential items pretty close to the nest, she will be comfortable leaving them to eat and use the litter box.

I did notice, after a few days, Shenzi would come out of the nest, after the kittens fed and were settled in, just to lay down for a rest and for affection from me. She would go back after a little while or if they started crying, but I think she needed a break every now and again.

I handled our kittens from the time they were born (no gloves or cloth, just clean hands)...mostly to weigh and inspect them, at first. I always approached the nest and would talk to the momma kitty for a while, petting her and then petting the kittens. She never had a problem with my interacting with her kittens. The only time she would get concerned was when the kittens would cry, then she would get up to investigate. She never showed any aggression or anything, just concern. I remember one time when I was weighing our little 'screamer' ('Rabbit', the vocal little one), he was crying and Shenzi came out of the nest and took him right off of the scale and returned him to the nest...it was so funny.

I would take your cues from her, does she mind your being around? Does she act aggressive or defensive when you are near the kittens? If not, I am sure she will be fine with your handling them a little bit.

Good luck with your litttle fur family!

Well done on your litter! I would agree with both the replies. If a kitten starts crying Sutra will come and see whats going on - but she doesnt think that it was me that did anything wrong. I just only touch them when needed to. And always remember to give your queen lots of attention first
About the eating, i have held Sutras bowl under her mouth for her so she hasnt had to move for the first 2 days - she ate a whole bowl of dry food then another bowl of can food and i think she wouldnt have otherwise if she had to get up.
Good luck! :-)

Originally Posted by smilingalwayz88

This is morning my cat Fifi had her kittens.....(She had 4 verycute litter)..but i am very confused how long does the mother stay without food?
and do u think it would be ok if you picked the kittens up with a cloth......or will she reconise the scent of human?

Click to expand...

I would just like to add that if your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat..now is the time to keep her strictly indoors until she can be spayed once the kittens are weaned. When I fostered a cat and her kittens...I had the litter box, food and water in the same room where the nursing box was kept..that way she had easy access to those items without having to travel too far away from her litter. If you need a low cost clinic for when it is time to have mom cat spayed, you can click the link below and select your state:

http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html

Katie