how soon after birth should i weigh the kittens? will handling the kittens affect the bond between mum and kittens?
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weighing kittens
- Thread starter michelle mayall
- Start Date
You can actually weight them within an hour or so of being born. Let Momma cat clean them up first. Play it by ear in terms of handling the newborn kittens. Some Mommas will let you, others get quite defensive of their litter. But yes, you should attempt to handle them from the get-go, if possible. Chances are, Momma will let you, and this will strengthen YOUR bond with the kittens, and help the socialization process. It will not damage the bond between Momma and her babies. HTH!
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- #3
thank you for you quick response my mum just told me not to touch the babies or missy will disown them. but i had read how important it is to monitor there weight thanks againOriginally Posted by wookie130
You can actually weight them within an hour or so of being born. Let Momma cat clean them up first. Play it by ear in terms of handling the newborn kittens. Some Mommas will let you, others get quite defensive of their litter. But yes, you should attempt to handle them from the get-go, if possible. Chances are, Momma will let you, and this will strengthen YOUR bond with the kittens, and help the socialization process. It will not damage the bond between Momma and her babies. HTH!
Michelle, I think your Mom had some pretty good advice especially seeing as Missy has only been living with you for a short time. Pregnant queens are notoriously good at being sweet and loving until their babies are actually born ... then they can become snarling, growling, fiercely-protective little hissy-monsters when it comes to someone touching their kittens. I am not saying that Missy ~will~ be ugly when the time comes, I just think you should prepare yourself for it just in case.
While yes, weighing daily is a good way to track progress and can assist you in knowing about problems before they get out of hand, it isn't worth it if you are injured in the process. Let Missy's behavior towards you be your guide. If she is sweet and loving, then fine, attempt to handle one of the babies for a couple of seconds to see how she will do when you pick one up and it starts screaming it's fool head off. But if she gets anxious, lays her ears back, starts to growl or demonstrates any kind of defensive posture, put that baby right down on the floor and let Missy come and get him. Don't put your hands anywhere near her if she is acting ugly and don't try to handle any of the babies again until they are older - don't worry about weighing them. There are other ways to tell if they are thriving.
While yes, weighing daily is a good way to track progress and can assist you in knowing about problems before they get out of hand, it isn't worth it if you are injured in the process. Let Missy's behavior towards you be your guide. If she is sweet and loving, then fine, attempt to handle one of the babies for a couple of seconds to see how she will do when you pick one up and it starts screaming it's fool head off. But if she gets anxious, lays her ears back, starts to growl or demonstrates any kind of defensive posture, put that baby right down on the floor and let Missy come and get him. Don't put your hands anywhere near her if she is acting ugly and don't try to handle any of the babies again until they are older - don't worry about weighing them. There are other ways to tell if they are thriving.
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- #5
thanks gayef, i guess im just frightened about doing the right thing both by mum and babies, i have so many worries and concerns about the birth i have her set up in the box room im in to minds weather to sleep in the same room or not ???//
