Hi Everyone!
Will a mother go back to looking after her kittens after being away for 2 days?
The Story
We are forstering a first time, young mother and her 4 kittens (now 8 day old).
For the first day we had her, she was very nervous and hid, but when we left the house she would appear and feed and look after her kittens (we have a camera on them).
However, after a day she got too curious and got stuck in a cavity wall. At first we though she was just hiding but then realised she was stuck and distressed. Getting her out was a stressful job which involves removing bricks (loudly), freeing her and biting. I have never seen a cat so terrified. But we got her out and left her in a big cat crate with food, water and litter overnight to calm down. She got some sleep and ate and drank water. She also doesn't look to be injured.
In the meantime, my wife and I have been feeding the kittens and helping them go to the bathroom.
So my question is, how should we introduce the kittens back to their still very nervous mother? We're worried in case she hurts the kittens.
Thanks!
Noel
Will a mother go back to looking after her kittens after being away for 2 days?
The Story
We are forstering a first time, young mother and her 4 kittens (now 8 day old).
For the first day we had her, she was very nervous and hid, but when we left the house she would appear and feed and look after her kittens (we have a camera on them).
However, after a day she got too curious and got stuck in a cavity wall. At first we though she was just hiding but then realised she was stuck and distressed. Getting her out was a stressful job which involves removing bricks (loudly), freeing her and biting. I have never seen a cat so terrified. But we got her out and left her in a big cat crate with food, water and litter overnight to calm down. She got some sleep and ate and drank water. She also doesn't look to be injured.
In the meantime, my wife and I have been feeding the kittens and helping them go to the bathroom.
So my question is, how should we introduce the kittens back to their still very nervous mother? We're worried in case she hurts the kittens.
Thanks!
Noel