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- Jul 8, 2013
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I was asked to foster a queen with 4 kittens by a rescue (and yes, the mother will be spayed, as will the kittens before being put up for adoption).
I was told the queen was very protective.
The kittens seem to be somewhere around 2-3 weeks old. Two of them seem much larger than the other two, and they all seem a bit on the thin side, but especially the smaller ones.
I have them in their own room, and they've been here about 5 hours. My understanding is the last time they nursed was about 6 hours ago.
I made up a box for them, put them in their own room (away from people and other kitties) and left them alone. When I went in to check on everyone a while later the mother was hiding, away from the kittens.
I put the box with the kittens next to where she was hiding and left them again. A few hours later, Mom is still hiding and not with the kittens, who I can hear crying every so often. The Mom did let me pet her on the head but I didn't want to do more than that right now and freak her out even more.
In retrospect I wish I had put them in a crate, but didn't, so now have to work with the situation I have.
My problem is, what should I do, and when?
I did put a rice sock in the box for some warmth for them.
I'm concerned that because they've been moved so much she's become very stressed out and hope she would not decide to not care for them.
I could start bottle feeding, but part of me thinks Mom needs to feel secure and the best way to do that is leave them alone for a while.
That causes me concern about the kittens not eating.
How long do you think it would be okay to leave them safely without interfering?
Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I was told the queen was very protective.
The kittens seem to be somewhere around 2-3 weeks old. Two of them seem much larger than the other two, and they all seem a bit on the thin side, but especially the smaller ones.
I have them in their own room, and they've been here about 5 hours. My understanding is the last time they nursed was about 6 hours ago.
I made up a box for them, put them in their own room (away from people and other kitties) and left them alone. When I went in to check on everyone a while later the mother was hiding, away from the kittens.
I put the box with the kittens next to where she was hiding and left them again. A few hours later, Mom is still hiding and not with the kittens, who I can hear crying every so often. The Mom did let me pet her on the head but I didn't want to do more than that right now and freak her out even more.
In retrospect I wish I had put them in a crate, but didn't, so now have to work with the situation I have.
My problem is, what should I do, and when?
I did put a rice sock in the box for some warmth for them.
I'm concerned that because they've been moved so much she's become very stressed out and hope she would not decide to not care for them.
I could start bottle feeding, but part of me thinks Mom needs to feel secure and the best way to do that is leave them alone for a while.
That causes me concern about the kittens not eating.
How long do you think it would be okay to leave them safely without interfering?
Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!