4 day old kittens

ilovesiamese · Mar 4, 2006

I took in a queen (named Yen) 2 weeks ago and she had two kittens on Feb 28. They are now four days old. I hven't handled them yet because I didn't want her to reject them. I was just wondering when it is ok to handle the kittens.

beckiboo · Mar 4, 2006

Congrats on the babies! I think as long as she is taking good care of them, giving her time with the babies is a great idea.

However, is the nest dirty from her giving birth? You may need to lift them up and move them a little to get the dirty bedding from under them.

Others will post when to start handling, and when you do, the first time you basically just lift them up to be sure they are each gaining weight. My last litter, one kitten was not growing like the others, so I supplemented with bottle feedings.

tnr1 · Mar 4, 2006

Originally Posted by IloveSiamese

I took in a queen (named Yen) 2 weeks ago and she had two kittens on Feb 28. They are now four days old. I hven't handled them yet because I didn't want her to reject them. I was just wondering when it is ok to handle the kittens.

I handled the kittens that my foster had from the first day.

Katie

maverick_kitten · Mar 4, 2006

i handled my Jupiter from the second he was born because his mum trusted me.

if she trusts you handle them now but take your cues from the mothers reactions.

megmar6853 · Mar 4, 2006

You should be able to hold them and change their bedding. Unless mom is really protective. Try to get them used to human interaction. It will help them later in life.

ilovesiamese · Mar 4, 2006

I've only had Yen for two weeks now, but she seems to trust me enough. I haven't picked up a kitten yet, but Yen let me pet them this afternoon, so this is progress. Yen is 4 years old, has never been a street cat, and this is her 7th or 8th litter, so she's pretty capable. Her last owners are foster parents for the local animal shelter and thought Yen deserved a exclusive home where should would get lots of love and attention. Her two kittens are doing very well and definately look like they're getting enough to eat.

semiferal · Mar 4, 2006

I always handle kittens from the first day. I give them a few hours to get settled but within the first day, I pick each one up and do a quick visual exam (sexing, making sure they have all the external parts they ought to, checking for cleft palates, getting an initial weight, etc). From then on, I handle them for at least a few minutes each day as long as Mom is okay with it.

Mom won't reject them (even if Mom is feral) and it's very important that the kittens are handled frequently from the earliest possible point so they are well socialized with people. When they're about 4 weeks old, you can start more intensive socialization such as inviting school-aged kids from the neighborhood over to play with them.

goldenkitty45 · Mar 5, 2006

I've handled kittens from the minute they were born. As long as you don't pick them up and take them from her sight, she should be ok. She might be a bit upset but a quick exam to be sure all is ok, or to check sex of the kitten is fine.

Besides the kittens are more trusting if handled before their eyes are open. They are used to your scent long before they can see you.

Are you planning on having her spayed when the kits are weaned? That's a lot of litters for a 4 yr old cat - sounds like she was in a byb breeders house or a "kitten mill".

ilovesiamese · Mar 5, 2006

i'm not sure that was what the case was with Yen...she was a farm cat and they have other male cats.....they just give them away....they weren't trying to make money off of her...I'm not sure why she hadn't been fixed... do I still need to get her fixed if she's an indoor cat and there are no male cats?

maverick_kitten · Mar 5, 2006

yes or else she will tear her way through what evers in her way to get to males

there are also health risks to not spaying such as increased risks of cancer.

if moneys a problem TNR1 can reccomend low cost clinics

ilovesiamese · Mar 5, 2006

how much does it typically cost to fix a female cat?

gayef · Mar 5, 2006

The cost can vary from location to location, but if you check around with some of the local shelters or rescues, I would bet they could steer you towards a low- or no-cost spay/neuter clinic in your area - and I would also bet they could take care of spaying and neutering the kittens Yen is currently nursing when they are old enough too!

goldenkitty45 · Mar 5, 2006

Keep a sharp eye on her. Cats can come into heat while they are nursing and get pregnant again if they get outside.

I'd schedule a spaying appointment when the kits are about 6 weeks old as they will be pretty much on their way to being weaned. Ask your vet when they recommend her to be spayed.

beckiboo · Mar 5, 2006

I have heard that some people sell the kittens for a small fee, and let people know that it is going towards a "spay the Momma" fund. Then you know for sure that people really want the kittens, and it helps you pay for her surgery.

ilovesiamese · Mar 9, 2006

That's a good idea and plus people take care of belongings and pets more if they've invested into it. I am having a really hard time deciding if we're going to keep the kittens or not because I know I can take care of them and I would worry about them if I did find them new homes. This is sooooo confusing.

tnr1 · Mar 9, 2006

Originally Posted by IloveSiamese

That's a good idea and plus people take care of belongings and pets more if they've invested into it. I am having a really hard time deciding if we're going to keep the kittens or not because I know I can take care of them and I would worry about them if I did find them new homes. This is sooooo confusing.

Do you have enough finances to cover all the spays/neuters for mom and the kittens? If the answer is no, then it is probably be best for you to find the kittens new homes and charge a "spay the momma" fee. It's very important that mom gets spayed.

Katie

semiferal · Mar 9, 2006

I always offer $10/day petsitting for life (or as long as we're both living in the area) to anyone who adopts from me. That's about half the going rate so they're happy with that. And I get to maintain a relationship with them and the cat(s) and make a little extra $ in the process. It's a complete win-win situation.

ilovesiamese · Mar 10, 2006

Originally Posted by TNR1

Do you have enough finances to cover all the spays/neuters for mom and the kittens? If the answer is no, then it is probably be best for you to find the kittens new homes and charge a "spay the momma" fee. It's very important that mom gets spayed.

Katie

But if I only get the mom fixed and sell the other two, they are both female and if their new owners don't fix them then there will be even more kittens. I can 99.9% make sure that they never get outside. There is like two layers to my house, so even if one managed to get outside of the main place, they would still have to make through another part to even get outside and eventually, I would like to have them all fix....I would love to keep them...I just have to decide what's best for my family and for the kittens.
P.S. I hope to have pics up of the family tomorrow night

booktigger · Mar 12, 2006

Unspayed females are at a higher risk of pymetra, which is a uterine infection, uterine cancer, mammary cancer (which is 200 times less likely if they are spayed before their first heat) and ovarian cancer, so it is important they are all neutered. Plus even indoor only cats get out - you only have to look on here for loads of posts about that. You can follow up to make sure that the females are neutered if they are placed with other people.

jennyr · Mar 12, 2006

Apart from the actual health risks, unspayed female cats are miserable when they are in heat, and cats come into heat very regularly, every few weeks if they are not mated. So it is doing them a favour all round to get them spayed.

4 day old kittens

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