Incoming Kittens!

Cat is having babies!

We took in a stray cat a few weeks ago and discovered shortly thereafter that she was pregnant! (Foolish humans, we thought she was just fat.)

So we've been keeping an eye on her and it looks like she's decided to start having kittens at 1am. So far everything is going well - she's in a carrier with a towel on the bottom and so far there is one baby (a little black and white one - and boy does s/he have a set of lungs!).

Mom looks like she is doing ok and is pretty calm, but I was a little concerned because she left one baby in a blue plastic tub and went and laid down on a towel in another tub. After about 10 minutes I went and moved the baby to the towel by mom because I could hear it squeaking and it sounded soo unhappy. Mom seemed ok with the baby being there and started licking it, and now it is working its way around looking to nurse. Is there any reason she would want to be separate from the baby? Is it normal for mom to leave the baby by itself and not return when it squeaks?

Also, our other cat has been sitting outside the door of the room the pregnant cat is in, hissing! Is that normal? We have been keeping them separated unless we're around till now, but they never showed any signs of dislike (pretty much just avoided each other). It worries me that she stands outside the door like she wants to get in.

Ok.. back to baby watching.

Ok, there are now 3 kittens, all black and white. Mom is still looking pretty fat, so I think there may be others. Everyone has latched on to a nipple and is practically catatonic with happiness (unless one of the other kittens touches them and then it's war). Mom looks tired.

Also, she doesn't seem to be severing the umbilical cords on the last two. She licked them a bit, but is now pretty well ignoring them. I'm not *too* concerned since they're nursing and seem to be ok for the moment, but I'm wondering if I should try and (very carefully) snip them if she continues to ignore them?

Edited to note - I'm glad they're born blind or I think they would have put each others' eyes out about 6 times over. I am terrifically glad human babies aren't born with claws as long as their fingers.

Congratulations on the new babies! And yeah thye do fight like that over that "special" nipple lol rotf. However if mom doesn't sever that umbilical cord you WILL have to do that. I have no idea how, I can only suggest you look it up on the internet or on this forum b/c I didn't have to do that with my baby. She pretty much took care of that. By not being severed is she NOT eating the placenta?

Oooh and after her third MaxSheba slowed down to rest a bit as well and didn'thave them as back to back fast as the first two. They were an hour a part. Sometimes moms abandon or leave sick kittens so keep an eye on the one she tried to seperate.

Hi there,

Now there are FIVE babies, and I think more on the way. The one she tried to separate (first born) is by far the most lively and determined of the bunch, so unless it's something more subtle s/he seems to be ok.

She has been eating the placenta and it looks like the cords on 3 of the 5 babies are severed so I am probably just too nervous. Takes her a bit to catch up I suppose.

I was a bit worried because the mom is a small cat and she seemed absolutely huge, but she is doing well and doesn't seem weak or overly tired.

All 5 are black and white. The markings vary but they all have these little white beards which are just the cutest things ever.

Wow well congrats again and Welcome to TCS. There are alot of awesome people on this forum that are in love with animals and it shows big time As long as they are feeding and she seems to be okay you should be fine, no worries. If she is straining or pusing and nothing happens for over an hour call your vet. Otherwise just enjoy your time with your new grandkitties! Make sure to keep her indoors until she and her new litter are spayed and neutered.

Originally Posted by sapling

Hi there,

Now there are FIVE babies, and I think more on the way. The one she tried to separate (first born) is by far the most lively and determined of the bunch, so unless it's something more subtle s/he seems to be ok.

She has been eating the placenta and it looks like the cords on 3 of the 5 babies are severed so I am probably just too nervous. Takes her a bit to catch up I suppose.

I was a bit worried because the mom is a small cat and she seemed absolutely huge, but she is doing well and doesn't seem weak or overly tired.

All 5 are black and white. The markings vary but they all have these little white beards which are just the cutest things ever.

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Welcome....sounds like mom is doing a fine job. Just remember that mom and kittens should be kept in 1 room with mom's kitten food and her litter close by. Additionally, after she finishes delivering all her kittens, you will want to change out her birthing box so that she has a nice place for nursing her young ones.

It will be very important that mom be kept indoors only with no access either outdoors or to intact males until she has been safely spayed.

Katie

You can use dental floss to tie the cord and cut the cord about 1-2 inches from the body. Tying off the cord will ensure there is no sudden blood loss.

Now there are seven babies! I think this is a bit higher than average, no? The last one seemed a bit weaker, but I rubbed him a bit with a towel and found him a teat to hang on to and after about 30 minutes he latched on and began sucking away so I figure all is well.

We will definitely be getting her spayed after this - we adopted her from the shelter, and she is a 100% indoor cat as is right now, so we didn't worry about getting her fixed right away (our only other cat is also female, and spayed). That was about 4 weeks ago. I am guessing the shelter didn't know she was pregnant.


Mom got up a few minutes ago to eat and drink some water, and I will tentatively say she is done. All the kittens are quite active (when mom got up and left they turned into a writhing ball of fur all looking for teats).

Is it likely there will be some problem with them all finding enough food, with 7? Hypothetically there are 8 teats, but they seem to prefer fighting over them.

Right now I have her in the guest bathroom with a small litterbox and food and water, and towels spread around on the floor, and a medium-sized box. I will have to go to work very soon, but someone is coming in about an hour and a half to keep an eye on her. I hope they will be ok for that long.

Congrats, sounds like she, and you, are doing a great job Please post pics

Seven kittens! My goodness!

Congrats to you and Momma!

Congrats! I just love black and white kitties! Can't wait to see pics!!!

Originally Posted by sapling

We will definitely be getting her spayed after this - we adopted her from the shelter, and she is a 100% indoor cat as is right now, so we didn't worry about getting her fixed right away (our only other cat is also female, and spayed). That was about 4 weeks ago. I am guessing the shelter didn't know she was pregnant.
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I would make sure the shelter knows that she was pregnant...they may offer to assist you with placing the kittens.

Katie

Congrats on the little beautys. I know they are beautiful! Good job mama!

congrats on 7 babies we have 3 and mum is shattered lol

WTG!! I have 5 and don't know how we would handle 7 Can't wait to see pictures

congrats! Good luck with the little ones! PICS PLEASE!!!!

Unfortunately my laptop (w/ digicam) is broken but I am taking regular pictures and I will try to scan them in asap!

I got home from work and everything is ok. They are all perky and squirmy. There are two grey tabbies, two almost-total black (w/ white beard), two black w/ white spots, and one other that is either black or black w/ white spots, I haven't been able to successfully decide which, when they're all squirming or piled on top of each other.

Mom looks like a deflated balloon, and is taking everything in good humour.

Congrats on the new babies!!WOW............7 babies

One thing about having 7 is trying to change their bedding is a nightmare - I started out trying to put them outside the cage/box on their old bedding while I spread out the new, but by the time I put Kitten #7 on it, Kittens #1 and #2 were halfway across the bathroom. And I'm sure it'll get worse as they get older and can do scary things like.. walk and (gasp) run!

Can kittens hiss this young? I picked one up to hold for a second while Mom was off eating and I got something like a yawn, a hiccup, or a really cute attempt at a hiss. What is the proper method for holding the tiny guys? I've been cupping them in my two hands and stroking them a bit with a finger

The tabby that was refusing to nurse for more than a minute or two is doing a bit better - I've discovered he only likes a certain teat. The others don't seem to have a preference so I try to make sure he gets the one he likes (bottom row, 3rd back, mom on left side). He won't drink out of it if Mom lies on her right side. *shakes head*

I can already tell this will be a picky bunch.. I feel like I should start naming them, but I have yet to figure out a way to tell the black ones apart! (Final verdict - 3 solid black.)