URGENT - pregnant sister problems?

blondieandtia

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Hi All,

Im new to this forum so I guess this is saying hi at the same time as a scream for help :-(

I have two cats that are sisters and they both fell pregnant around the same time - maybe about 1-2 wks apart.

Tia, she is a black/grey tabby, the "milder personality" of the two and has already had her litter about a wk ago. Now I probably did this wrong from the start but at first they were sleeping in the same room still with no hassles. (being sisters they go everywhere and do everything together, so I thought itd be ok) but just yesterday I noticed that Blondie (she is a female ginger, very very pale colouring but acts like a ginger in attitude ie much more boisterous) is trying to (it seems) take over Tia's kittens (she had 4, and all are fine and happy) But Tia oviously is not liking Blondie interfering and now tries to move them around the house. So not knowing what else to do I have confined Tia to the spare rm letting her out when I hear her wanting to come out and shes ok now, leaving the kittens in the box.

BUT i now have a huge problem with Blondie in that she is constantly crying for either her sister or those kittens not sure which but unless I am sitting in the same rm ewith her on my lap or at my feet she just crys, very loudly and bolts for the door with me everytime i go thru it. This is heartbreaking (and sleep preventing, plus shes destroying my carpet at every door I try to put her behind? :-() and she has still to have her litter. Im worried shes putting it off cause shes not comfy anywhere but in there with her sister..? I only have a small place and this is their first litter and accidental. What should/could I do to help them?? and can she hold off so long she kills or hurts the kittens?

Really Really sorry for such the long post, but please if anyone can help Id really appreciate it and I know two gals that that would be immensly relieved.. and suggestions appreciated.

Cheers Jodie
 

jen

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I don't know how late they will do it, but you could always spay the female that hasn't had her babies yet, that way she won't have them, you wont have a ton of kittens to care for, pay for, vaccinate and spay on top of the 2 mothers that you really need to get spayed shortly after the babies are born. did they just escape outdoors or what?

Now for your question, I would keep them seperate. As soon as the other one has her babies, she will be busy enough. Maybe at some point you could put them all together but not until after all the babies are born.
 

beckiboo

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You could buy a doormat made with sisal to place in front of the door where she is digging the carpet. I have a sisal doormat from K-mart and the cats love to scratch at it like a scratching post. When I need to block under a door or inside a door so they don't mess up the carpet with digging, I use the mat.

It looks a little odd as an inside mat, but the cats really love it.

You do have to keep the cats in separate rooms, for their comfort and the safety of the kittens. And remember, females can get pregnant again as soon as they have a litter, so you will need to keep them both inside until they are spayed (usually when the kittens are 8 weeks old).
 
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blondieandtia

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Doormats! what a great idea, will definatly try that to protect carpet. and just keep doing my best to keep them seperate.

They didnt escape out I was silly enough to let them. and trust me after this they are stayin in til I get them done. Tia already is not alowed back out since she had hers.
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by blondieandtia

Doormats! what a great idea, will definatly try that to protect carpet. and just keep doing my best to keep them seperate.

They didnt escape out I was silly enough to let them. and trust me after this they are stayin in til I get them done. Tia already is not alowed back out since she had hers.
I don't know where you live..but if you live in the USA, here is a list of low cost spay clinics by state:

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

Yes...please keep both mother cats indoors...also plan to have both mother's fixed when the kittens are 8 to 10 weeks of age. When you place the kittens..make sure whoever adopts them signs a contract to have them spayed/neutered.

Katie
 

jennyr

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Doormats are great. I have htem in every room and hte cats love them as scratchers and almost entirely leave the furniture and carpets alone. You can buy coloured ones so they look OK with your decor. Good luck with your two and I agree - you must keep them apart now, even at the risk of some sleepless nights and inconvenience.
 
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blondieandtia

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I have done just that (at times with great difficulty they are very wayward and (ahem) used to getting their way) But sucess Blondie had hers this morning! another 5 on top of Tia's 4. Shes also now content to stay in her own box with her bubs:-)

When do you think it would be ok it introduce them all again? I really dont want to keep the sister apart too long if I can help it, no longer than absolutly neccessary. They are very attached and I dont want them to lose that bond..?

Also thax again everyone for ur replies:-)
 

jennyr

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Congratulations on the new kittens! I am sure someone with more knowledge will tell you what to do now.
 

MoochNNoodles

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I'm glad all the little ones have arrived safely now. I just wanted to add, one mama cat may still want to take the other's kittens. My step-father had to separate his two female cats when they both had thier litters (on the same day no less!) because one cat would take the other's kittens. I hope everything works out for you! Good luck!
 

catsknowme

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Congratulations on the safe arrival of the new litter! I know that cats, esp. sisters, will co-parent, so I suppose that you could put them in the same room, but be sure to monitor closely. If Blondie tries to monopolize the all the kittens, that could stress Tia out & hinder her milk production. I suggest giving the new moms KMR as well as a high-quality kitten chow. BTW, Welcome to TCS
I look forward to reading on updates about the mama-kits & babies. Susan
 

beckiboo

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I don't know how long to keep them separated, as I have never had two litters at once. But the kittens start to move a little at 2 to 3 weeks old, so I would keep them apart at least that long. Otherwise, you risk one Momma moving the other cats kittens. And there is always a possibility of a Momma cat abandoning one or more of her kittens. It just seems to me safer to keep them apart for the next 2-3 weeks.

I foster cats, and always keep the Momma and babies totally shut away from my cats. So they are in a new home and isolated. I do it for health reasons, and for the safety of the kittens.

Maybe after 2-3 weeks, you can just start leaving the bedroom doors open, and the Mommas will either check each others babies out, or stay with their own litter. You will have to watch closely to ensure the kittens safety.

Congrats on the babies. They are precious, aren't they?
 

pushylady

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I remember the cat rescue house I got Wiggies from had a great plexiglass pen for the mom cats and their kittens. There were 3 moms and their litters happily co-existing there, and cats will nurse each other's young. As your 2 are sisters and bonded already, I'm sure they'll be alright together with their young.
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by pushylady

I remember the cat rescue house I got Wiggies from had a great plexiglass pen for the mom cats and their kittens. There were 3 moms and their litters happily co-existing there, and cats will nurse each other's young. As your 2 are sisters and bonded already, I'm sure they'll be alright together with their young.
I would recommend that both moms and their kittens be vet checked prior to introductions. If one kitten gets sick...it can easily be transmitted to the other kittens in no short order...so best to ensure they are all healthy.

Katie
 
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blondieandtia

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Hi All!
Im so happy! I finaly have a nice calm household again! Mums and bubs are all doing great, Im so proud of my girls

Well, Over the last few days I have watched them both like hawks whilst still keeping them seperate. As it stands I can let Tia out of the spare room and she will wander around pretty much leaving Blondie alone. Although she has jumped into Blondies box once or twice I remove her calmly her and she has now pretty much left alone. Though I still take great care to watch her closely.
Neither have tried to move the bubs so we will just keep on like this at the moment. The next few wks should be interesting though, so see how we go.

I was wondering how I can post pics..? Im blonde myself lol and Im probably looking right past it - but can someone tell me how? lol Then I can post some pics for you all


Hope everyone is heading for a great xmas btw!
 
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