Momma Cat Question

sirha

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Ok, well both of my female cats are pregnant and should be having them anyday now. I have made 2 seperate homes. Both are those big plastic storage boxes turned on thier sides with some towels that line the bottom and a big fluffy sheet for them to lay in. I want them both to have the kittens where I can see them, so 1. I can assist the birth if needed and 2. so I can make sure nothing happens to them.

Now, they have not really even went in them. They did once because I put bowls of food there. Is there anything I can do to have them "nest" there?
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by Sirha

Ok, well both of my female cats are pregnant and should be having them anyday now. I have made 2 seperate homes. Both are those big plastic storage boxes turned on thier sides with some towels that line the bottom and a big fluffy sheet for them to lay in. I want them both to have the kittens where I can see them, so 1. I can assist the birth if needed and 2. so I can make sure nothing happens to them.

Now, they have not really even went in them. They did once because I put bowls of food there. Is there anything I can do to have them "nest" there?
If they are still outdoors, please bring them in immediately. If they are inside, they need to stay inside and away from intact males through the pregnancy and until they both are spayed. I know this can seem difficult with cats that have grown up outdoors, but it is best for them and their kittens to be contained inside your house. Not only are there diseases the moms can spread to the kittens, cats can also become pregnant again within a week of giving birth. Since you have stated that you plan to have them spayed after this litter, then to avoid having them get pregnant again you need to keep them indoors.

I would highly recommend you set up each cat with her own "space" (preferably their own rooms). The reason for this is that if one cat has kittens that end up being sick, you don't want that to spread to the other cat's kittens. By setting them up in a smaller space (like a bathroom) and keeping them in those rooms, you increase the chance that they will use the nesting box you have arranged. You should also provide a litterbox and kitten food and water within the same room so mom doesn't have to travel away from her 'family'. It will also help down the line when it is time for the kittens to be weaned from mom as they will have watched her eat the kitten food and use the litterbox. If these cats have never used a litterbox, provide them with low sided aluminum pans with potting soil (that you buy from the local plant store) and you can gradually add litter and reduce the potting soil. Again...it is really important that both moms be kept indoors only so you can have the healthiest litters as well as ensure that mom doesn't get pregnant again.

If you have additional questions...feel free to post them.

Katie
 

corie may

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My cat Pixie didn't want anything to do with her box. She actually had the 1st kitty on the floor by the box in my closet. After that kitty was out I dried it & put it in the box. Pixie went in there immediately & started pushing out number 2. She had the rest in her box & they've been in there ever since. I took out all of the messy blankets & replaceced them with cozy blankies and sheets. They seem to love the box now!!!!!
 
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sirha

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I would love to do that but the problem is when I let them in the house they tear up the blinds and other stuff. Plus we have a hamster that they have been eyeballing. Plus, our house is small, one bedroom is the girls ( I don't think the cat could handle the stress of a 4 yr. old constantly trying to eyeball the kittens.) and the rest of the house would not give them the proper privacy they would need. Not to mention that the last time we had a cat in the house we ended having to get rid of it because we couldnt affort the pet deposit at the time.

I grew up around animals, all outside and most it all the babies born outside were fine. But I know the risks that it carrys that is why I wanted them to have them somewhere I could see that. I know there isn't much I could do but maybe someone might have the answers for me. I'm hoping they are like my last female cat...

When she was having her kittens ( she was an inside cat) I was pregnant with our first. Anytime I left her side she would start crying. My husband would have to step in so I could use the bathroom and such. Came to that conclusion when I went to go to the restroom she jumped out of the box we made her with a kitten HANGING OUT OF HER!!! She was like that all three times she had kittens. Which btw kittens are the easiest to get rid of!

We have a broke down car that they love to get in when I leave the door open. So I thought about that because I know that they would go there and it would be sorta like a inside area for them, just don't know if the hubby would go for that lol.
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by Sirha

I would love to do that but the problem is when I let them in the house they tear up the blinds and other stuff. Plus we have a hamster that they have been eyeballing. Plus, our house is small, one bedroom is the girls ( I don't think the cat could handle the stress of a 4 yr. old constantly trying to eyeball the kittens.) and the rest of the house would not give them the proper privacy they would need. Not to mention that the last time we had a cat in the house we ended having to get rid of it because we couldnt affort the pet deposit at the time.

I grew up around animals, all outside and most it all the babies born outside were fine. But I know the risks that it carrys that is why I wanted them to have them somewhere I could see that. I know there isn't much I could do but maybe someone might have the answers for me. I'm hoping they are like my last female cat...

When she was having her kittens ( she was an inside cat) I was pregnant with our first. Anytime I left her side she would start crying. My husband would have to step in so I could use the bathroom and such. Came to that conclusion when I went to go to the restroom she jumped out of the box we made her with a kitten HANGING OUT OF HER!!! She was like that all three times she had kittens. Which btw kittens are the easiest to get rid of!

We have a broke down car that they love to get in when I leave the door open. So I thought about that because I know that they would go there and it would be sorta like a inside area for them, just don't know if the hubby would go for that lol.
First I would like to address your comment about kittens being easy to place. Yes, kittens can be easy to place...but also remember, there are LOTS of them this year due to a warmer than expected winter. You also need to be very careful with who you adopt to...there are stories of people who take kittens and have bad intentions. The link below has information on why "free to a good home" isn't necessarily a good thing for kittens:

http://www.cathobbyist.com/articles/...yist/Free.html

Second, if you are concerned about them ripping up your home....then set them up in a large dog crate that is confined into a room where there is no ability for them to rip up furniture etc. I think the car is a bad idea....first, it would be too hot, second they could get out of it and get pregnant again. The point to keeping them confined is to find a solution so they cannot get pregnant again. Do you have a garage that is part of the house?? Could you set them up in dog crates in the garage?? Although not ideal..it is better than having both moms outdoors.

The other option you have is to build an outdoor enclosure for both females. The enclosure needs to be made in such a way that males cats cannot get in and the girls cannot get out. That way...the females cannot stray and you can keep an eye on the situation. The one problem with an outdoor enclosure is making it with material so that there is no opportunity for mom to get impregnated again after having her kittens.

Katie
 

missymotus

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I agree with Katie, get some extra large dog crates for them.

You really need them to have the babies indoors and get them spayed before letting back out or they will get pregnant over and over which is not good for them.
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by missymotus

I agree with Katie, get some extra large dog crates for them.

You really need them to have the babies indoors and get them spayed before letting back out or they will get pregnant over and over which is not good for them.
Exactly the issue that we are trying to help to avoid...but without being there and seeing your setup..it's impossible for us to give you guidance that will be useful. I understand about a small home, I understand about having your furniture destroyed...which is why I made a couple of suggestions in my last post. If they are left outside, there is no way to guarentee that they will use the boxes you have set up. They could easily choose another location that isn't as desirable for you.

Katie
 

beckiboo

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An outside cat and kittens would not be safe in an open box. They will go hide somewhere that they think is inaccessable to others. When we had unspayed barn cats, they would have the kittens in the hay. That way, they felt they were safe from predators. If your cats were to have kittens in open boxes, any tomcat could come along and kill them (sad, but true, that tomcats sometimes do this).

The reason I ended up getting all my outside cats fixed was the number of kittens who didn't survive. One went too close to the dog, who killed it. Several were born in the winter, and as soon as they were old enough to get out of the nest, they wandered off and froze. Then I lost one Momma in childbirth...of course the kittens she had already given birth to passed away, too.

These are the realities of outside cats having kittens. And this is in a "safe" place where they had access to a warm barn. If that is the only care you are able to provide your cats, that is the risks involved to them. I do still have outside cats, but I will never have another outside who is not spayed or neutered. Life is just too cruel.

I'm sorry your cats are destructive inside. But to me, if you can't provide them a safe place to give birth, you should consider giving them up to a rescue. Read through some of the posts here...sometimes there are problems with the birth. That will be extremely difficult for your kids!

At the very minimum, you need to be sure to take these girls in to be spayed when the kittens are six weeks old. I know you must love your cats, so at this point you need to think about doing what is right for them.

It took me some time to understand why continued breeding of the cats is such a bad idea. I also cared for my Mommas, and found homes for their kittens. But there are so many many cats in this world that are unloved and unwanted. The only way to slow that down if for responsible people to spay and neuter. Count up the number of kittens you have allowed to be born by not spaying your pets. It becomes a little scary in a short time, doesn't it?

Whether you can bring the kitties in, and place them in a dog cage, or not, I hope you will stay here at TCS. Maybe you will learn quickly, what it took me a few years and losing too many kitties to learn!
 
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sirha

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Well, I tried to provide them a home indoors but because my neighbors waited so long to tell me they were not going to take them (read my post on the new cats on the block) it was too late. I plan on getting job soon with animal rescue (soon to be vet tech *crosses fingers*)so I know what they can provide for animals and I know the dangers of cats having kittens outdoors, but I do not want to give them up simply because I they can't have the kittens indoors. And I do plan on getting them fixed but I wanted both of them to have one birthing experience each...

BUT...

Last night my black cat had her kittens right under the house where we had access to them. We didn't know this yet because she was meowing insistantly at the door. My husband went to check on them thinking maybe the cats needed some food...

There she was with a baby in her mouth. As soon as he opened the door she shot in straight for my daughters room. First she went under her bed then she finally decided to go to the back of her closet. She had 4 kittens. So they are inside now lol. We tried to move them in our room but she wasn't having that. So I had to give my daughter the talk. So far, everything has been going good. Momma cat wanted a break so I have the door open right now and she is on the porch with the other momma cat and they are cleaning eachother. Just like a guy, the male cat gets around them sniffs the place and runs rofl!!(jk guys!)
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by Sirha

Well, I tried to provide them a home indoors but because my neighbors waited so long to tell me they were not going to take them (read my post on the new cats on the block) it was too late. I plan on getting job soon with animal rescue (soon to be vet tech *crosses fingers*)so I know what they can provide for animals and I know the dangers of cats having kittens outdoors, but I do not want to give them up simply because I they can't have the kittens indoors. And I do plan on getting them fixed but I wanted both of them to have one birthing experience each...

BUT...

Last night my black cat had her kittens right under the house where we had access to them. We didn't know this yet because she was meowing insistantly at the door. My husband went to check on them thinking maybe the cats needed some food...

There she was with a baby in her mouth. As soon as he opened the door she shot in straight for my daughters room. First she went under her bed then she finally decided to go to the back of her closet. She had 4 kittens. So they are inside now lol. We tried to move them in our room but she wasn't having that. So I had to give my daughter the talk. So far, everything has been going good. Momma cat wanted a break so I have the door open right now and she is on the porch with the other momma cat and they are cleaning eachother. Just like a guy, the male cat gets around them sniffs the place and runs rofl!!(jk guys!)
Sirha...sounds like you have had a very exciting 24 hours. It's actually good she brought them all indoors (although your daughter is probably none too pleased with the arrangements)....that way you can watch their development. I really think it is best if the family remains indoors....is the porch enclosed?? My main concern is that mom is going to wander off again and by the time you are ready to have her spayed, she will be too far along and you will have another litter to take care of and so forth. I know you are doing a tremendous service to these cats since it wasn't originally your cat..but any little bit that you can do so that this is their last litter is appreciated. BTW....good luck becoming a vet tech. I think it would be wonderful for you to get involved in animal rescue...we surely need more people to help.

Glad to see you are back....remember, pictures are always welcome of the little ones.

Oh.and one final thing....I don't remember if you stated if your male is fixed yet or not...but he could be simply waiting for his turn at the females...so if he is intact, I'd get him neutered pronto.

Katie
 
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sirha

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BTW....good luck becoming a vet tech. I think it would be wonderful for you to get involved in animal rescue...we surely need more people to help.
Thank you. I have some loose ends I need to take care of plus I am waiting till my baby is a year old. But can't wait till I can. The babies are doing good and so is the mom. Gonna try to take a picture of them tonight. Thankfully the mother doesn't mind me handling the babies, she has either been with them or on me lol.
 

wookie130

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Originally Posted by Sirha

And I do plan on getting them fixed but I wanted both of them to have one birthing experience each...
This is something you hear a lot of people say. Unfortunately, female cats do not share the same desire to raise children that humans do...it is not biologically necessary for a female cat to experience birth at any point in their lives, in fact, it does more harm than good.

If you begin to work or volunteer in the shelter, you will see exactly what I'm talking about.

Good luck to you and your cats! Please keep them indoors and have them fixed ASAP!
 
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