Agree, she is very young but not extremely so. With any luck she should manage, at least the biological delivery. The kick in of motherly instincts may come late, but again, it should kick in after some time. So you must be prepared to step in the first day... @bellamia
While she IS very young, it certainly isn't unheard of for kittens even younger than she is to have kittens and do okay with it. If you let her have them, you should be prepared to help if necessary, and the knowledgeable people here can help you do that.
Yikes - that is just terrible advice from a "vet". Good grief. on that vet. Yes - may be time to find a vet concerned about the dilemma of the cat overpopulation and one that is for spay/neuter WAY before six months at least. You can even spay/neuter kittens once they are over two pounds which most shelters do.I called my vet at once when she was brought home and I was told they do not advise spaying her until 8 months, or until after the first litter. I think is time for a new vet! .
A wonderful topic! I think the best is to contact Anne, our chief administrator. She is also building up our bank of articles.. I would also like to know the process of submitting an article. There is an area of their healthcare I would like to see addressed more, that being the effects smoking has on them.
I agree totally with Stefan. As you are 'her' mother, she sees you as mother to the whole family, and expects you to be there to supervise everything, almost as if you are telling her what to do. I think you are just going to have to be there as much as you can at first, until she gets the hang of it. Being so young, her maternal instincts have not kicked in yet - and she has no maternal feline model to follow. Watch her very carefully to be sure she is feeding all the kittens and weigh them every day to be sure they are all gaining weight - get a small kitchen scale that measures in grams, and that she is helping stimulate them to eliminate. She will get there, but you will have to help her for a little while.Its not the most common behavior, but it surely does happens sometimes. Possibly the fact you raised her since a little kitten has to do with it. Both not all instincs are cemented / awakened, and ALSO, you ARE her mother person....
So I think its" just to like the situation", as the swedish saying is. Another try may be you close her in in their room, so she cant leave. You can also have a Feliway adapter in there for good measure, so she feels more calm and harmonious with the situation..
Good luck! @bellamia