Tuxedo was not purring. Seemed like coughing - sorta like when they have a hairball? But a little less. I don't know how to describe it. Kitten did this 4-5 times, worm around, settle a bit, and did it a few more times before draping over the neck of another kitten. Open mouthed when she "coughed".
Side note: They sure are cute. All of them. Mama, too.
I'm about to feed her some chicken and egg again, and I'll check on Tuxedo. Now that I think of it, it might have been like sneezing. I'll post back. Thank you for the continued help.
She chomped at the chicken and egg again, but I left so that my husband could see the kittens and get a video of the coughing/sneezing/panting or whatever it is. There are two of them that are doing it (and there were last time, too, but Tuxedo was doing it more). I'll post the video when we can work out the technical difficulties. *sigh*
Thank you. Next questions: We are having people over this afternoon. Hidey is in a room with lots of windows. Would she be better off closed in the guest room? She would still be able to hear people, but not able to see them. This would also let us use the sunroom with guests. I didn't put her in the guest room initially because we didn't know how she was with a litter box (she's fine) and it is carpeted.
Thoughts? I'd really like to use the sunroom, but I don't want to move her and the kittens if it would be too stressful. One advantage is that the temperature is more regulated in the guest room. One disadvantage is that there are many places to hide (herself and kittens). Thank you!
1) Is it normal for kittens to sleep on top of each other? They won't squish each other? I think three were on top of another one.
2) I'm still worried about the funny breathing. (The first two seconds of the video). Another kitten was doing it this morning. They breathe like that for 7-8 breaths, then relax. I think we caught the last few breaths on that video.
3) It's not very warm in the sunroom right now, but it isn't cold. Probably too cold for the kittens (which may be why they are all piled on each other?). Should I move them? I want to, for the convenience of having the sunroom back, but I don't want to do it poorly, or cause too much stress.
Yes, it's fine to move the kittens to the guest room. It sounds like a much better place for them overall. Closet would be good, with door cracked, of course.
Yes, kittens sleep in what is commonly referred to as a "kitten pile". They all do it. But, they do not need to be in a cold room.
If you are worried about your carpet in the guest room, put down towels under her food and litter box for protection.
I just could not pick up any unusual breathing in that clip - sorry.
OK, I hunted around, and the funny breathing seems to be the kittens hissing and spitting. I found this on youtube that is exactly what the kittens were doing. These aren't our kittens, though - ours are cuter. And I'm not at all biased
OK, I'm getting ready to move everything to the guest room. Litter, then food, then kittens and Hidey. Wish us luck. I hope the house noise won't bother her.
Then I'm taking 4year old to the store and we are getting Fancy Feast wet food. Several varieties, as recommended. Then I will give her the wet food. She finished off the canned chicken this morning.
Everyone is moved, mama cat is wild-eyed, but nursing. I bought the food first, moved everything, then kittens and mama. Any advice on how to help mama cat calm down? Just leave her alone?