So there was a stray kitten who kept hanging around my work the other night. Being that I didn't want her to get killed or anything like that I figured we'd take her home, and get her something to eat and drink and have a warm place to sleep. We think she's pregnant. All signs point to pregnancy. We have an appointment for her with the vet. But it's not until tuesday, how can I know how far along she is. I wouldn't want them popping out before we had a chance to get her to the vet. She's confinded to one room because I have two cats of my own, and I want them to get used to her smell before they interact. And also because she hasn't been to the vet for her check up yet. Anyway I make sure she's okay, and possibly have an idea of how long she's got left of the pregnancy. Tuesday was the first chance the vet had open for an appointment, so we couldn't get her in before then. But that's still a few days away.
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Stray Kitten
- Thread starter _daisy_
- Start Date
Welcome Daisy...I'm glad you helped this cat...remember to keep her away from any other animals you have (you didn't mention if you had any) and in her own room. She needs to start eating good quality kitten food to prepare for kittens. As far as what to look for..can you see or feel any kittens at this point?? What about milk production??
Katie
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- #3
We have 2 other cats (both male, both neutered) and 1 dog (female, soon to be spayed (still only a puppy herself)). That is why we do have her confinded to her room. The puppy is a bit rough with out other two cats, but they can handle themselves, but I'm definatley not letting the dog around her, not for a while, because of the fact that the dog is so hyper. So she stays in her room. But she seems content in there. One of my cats is actually quite curious about her, and keeps sniffing the door to the room she's in. The other isn't too fond of her. He's seen her a few times when I go in to give her food, and he hisses, but that's natural. We only took her in 2 nights ago. But she has her room, and she's safe in there, so that's where she'll stay for now.
I plan on getting her kitten food, she only looks like a kitten herself. My cats aren't old, only about 1.5 themselves, and she's definatley a lot smaller than them. I haven't had her long though, and so I haven't had a chance to get to the store to buy kitten food, so she's been eating what my cats have, until I can get there. I've seen that on a lot of sites, I did some searching before coming here, but I still couldn't really determine too much.
As for milk production. Her nipples are quite large, which makes me think she's pregnant, as well as she's got a big belly (pretty good signs, hey?!). I can't really feel the babies, but that could be just me, I try not to poke at her stomach too much.
We've got it lined up so that if she has the babies we'll foster them, til one of the adoption agencies here can get them adopted. I figure that way I'll know that the adoption agency will look into it and make sure that they are spayed and neutered.
From what I read, once the nipples get big it's not long until the babies come, hence why I came here. I would like to have her see the vet before they come.
I plan on getting her kitten food, she only looks like a kitten herself. My cats aren't old, only about 1.5 themselves, and she's definatley a lot smaller than them. I haven't had her long though, and so I haven't had a chance to get to the store to buy kitten food, so she's been eating what my cats have, until I can get there. I've seen that on a lot of sites, I did some searching before coming here, but I still couldn't really determine too much.
As for milk production. Her nipples are quite large, which makes me think she's pregnant, as well as she's got a big belly (pretty good signs, hey?!). I can't really feel the babies, but that could be just me, I try not to poke at her stomach too much.
We've got it lined up so that if she has the babies we'll foster them, til one of the adoption agencies here can get them adopted. I figure that way I'll know that the adoption agency will look into it and make sure that they are spayed and neutered.
From what I read, once the nipples get big it's not long until the babies come, hence why I came here. I would like to have her see the vet before they come.
Normally you will be able to feel and see the kittens moving around about 1-2 weeks before they are born. so if you aren't noticing this then i say you have a little bit. The nipples will start to get bigger when they are 3 weeks along, they start showing around 4-5 weeks, and the nipples get EVEN bigger around 6-7 weeks (I think) and they will "bag up" with milk a few days before (this doesn't always happen)
so I am betting you still have a couple more weeks at least.
so I am betting you still have a couple more weeks at least.
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- #5
How big is EVEN bigger?! :O They hang down, I would imagine in length they are about 1 cm/1.5 cm. They aren't wide though. Just dangly. Her stomach is big. Really big. I don't really know what to be looking for when I feel around, but it just feels tight and hard.
Watch for the babies moving around ... you will see/feel little flutters or even downright kicks about 10 days to two weeks before delivery.
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- #7
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- #8
Still haven't really seen them move. I've tried to feel around her tummy, but she doesn't like it too much. I've felt very light taps in her tummy, but nothing I'd definatley call kicking or moving. Only something light. There are also a few harder spots, and some that just feel like the fat on my Charlie (he's my puff that's overweight - trying to get him to loose it but he loves eating too much). I'm assuming that's the kittens. I can't really tell how many there are, but I think I feel about 2 or 3. No huge amount. Still doing research trying to figure out what she'll need.
I got a box and put some paper in it for her, and she's got a wicker-basket pet bed type thing with a blanket in it. There's a bed in the room, I haven't seen her wander under it, but I've see on some places that under the bed is not a place for her to have her kittens. Should I do something with the bed or is it fine the way it is? I've got her kitten food now, and she's eating that. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I just want to be prepared.
I got a box and put some paper in it for her, and she's got a wicker-basket pet bed type thing with a blanket in it. There's a bed in the room, I haven't seen her wander under it, but I've see on some places that under the bed is not a place for her to have her kittens. Should I do something with the bed or is it fine the way it is? I've got her kitten food now, and she's eating that. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I just want to be prepared.
Can you block her off from the bed?? Perhaps put some boards in front of it so she can't get under it?
I assume you have her litterbox in there with her as well (even though you didn't say).
Katie
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- #10
Yes shes got a litter box, I'm not mean. I actually went out and bought her a brand new one, so she didn't have to use one that was from my boys. She also gets fresh water multiple times a day. So she's not lacking there either.
As for the bed, I'm not sure if there's any way we could block it off. I was thinking that, but I don't think there's enough board in the house for that at the moment. We've got tons of cardboard, but I know for my other cats, cardboard is nothing but fun while it's getting shredded up, and getting the little hole they need in it to get passed the cardboard (we tried it when they were getting up in under the boxspring in our room, hence why they aren't allowed in their at the moment).
I actually went out and bought her a brand new one, so she didn't have to use one that was from my boys. She also gets fresh water multiple times a day. So she's not lacking there either.As for the bed, I'm not sure if there's any way we could block it off. I was thinking that, but I don't think there's enough board in the house for that at the moment. We've got tons of cardboard, but I know for my other cats, cardboard is nothing but fun while it's getting shredded up, and getting the little hole they need in it to get passed the cardboard (we tried it when they were getting up in under the boxspring in our room, hence why they aren't allowed in their at the moment).
Can I come live with you??
Let's just hope she chooses your nice birthing box when the time comes. It could get very interesting when the kittens are older...but we will cross that bridge when they are born and develop the desire to explore.
Katie
Katie
