I took in 3 kittens last week after the mother left them for two days. She is back. Is it safe to put the kittens outside for her to take? I don't know what to do. I know the kittens are better off with their mother but I don't want to put them in any danger.
2006-06-08 05:56:19 · 9 answers · asked by cam57 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
By the way how big should the kittens be? They fit into the palm of my hand and are about 12 days old. Afriend said they are extremely small? Is that true? The vet said they are healthly when he saw them last week. Thanks everyone!!!
2006-06-08 10:19:32 · update #1
Be careful the mother might try to kill them because she will smell a foreign scent, which will make her think her kittens are no longer hers.
If you can get the mother to come inside then you can watch her closely with her kittens, but the first sign hostility you need to separate them immediately.
Kittens really need to be with their mothers until about 10 - 12 weeks, but if the mother doesn't want them anymore and they are still really young you will need to bottle feed them (its a BIG responsibility) but it is more then gratifying.......you get the most affectionate cats ever (i know i have one)
Good Luck!!!!
2006-06-08 06:26:39 · answer #1 · answered by autumn_rayne9605 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, if the mother is feral or a stray the kittens will end up the same way. their lives will consist of starvation and danger. if i were you i would keep the kittens and finish hand raising them and find them wonderful forever homes so they will live long healthy happy lives. if you can manage to trap the mama, you could do her a favor and get her spayed and get her some shots and if she is feral re-release her and maybe leave food and water out for her daily to make her uncertain life a little easier to bear. you sound like a very caring person. thank you from a fellow human who cares for taking in her babies when she was unable to be there for them. how old are the kittens? if they are younger than 6 weeks they will still need to be bottle fed while supplimenting their diet with sofened kitten dry food and canned food mixed together. most feral or stray mothers will continue to nurse babies for at least 12 weeks. in a domesticated situation where the food is not hard to come by weaning from mothers/bottled milk shouldn't really be started until around 8 weeks. this makes for much happier and better adjusted kittens. kittens weaned too early fined other sorces to suckle from, finger, earlobe, blanket, etc...
any question: kaylamay64@yahoo.com
2006-06-08 06:08:57 · answer #2 · answered by kaylamay64 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How old are the kittens? Can you get mom to come inside instead? It's usually best for kittens to stay with mom until 10-12 weeks, but why did mom leave them for so long? Maybe they are ready to go.
2006-06-08 06:10:19 · answer #3 · answered by Sweetseraph 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have handled the kittens before they were 6 weeks the mother will just kill them so I would keep them with you
2006-06-08 06:15:18 · answer #4 · answered by babiegirl_dreams 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why don't you take the mother in too? yes they would probably be better with their mother but having outdoor cats there is always the risk of danger. She might have left them to find food. If you aren't going to take them all in try to put water and food out as much as possible. Good luck to you.
2006-06-08 06:29:07 · answer #5 · answered by angela b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes put them back with the mother...maybe something happened to deter her from getting back quickly. I'd just try & monitor them as best you can to make sure she doesn't wander away for too long again. Cats have a rough life out there. I'd suggest bringing them to a NO-kill animal rescue group in your area...just make sure they do NOT euthanize cats. Unless you want to keep them, of course..in which case, you'd need to have them spayed/neutered after they are 6 months of age. Poor li'l critters...you're a good soul*
*winks*
2006-06-08 08:26:34 · answer #6 · answered by tula_p 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let her back with the kittens, but watch her the whole time, you should be able to tell if the kittens want her back, but keep in mind the mom will swat at them gently if they try to nurse and she wants them to stop, that's normal
2006-06-08 06:00:57 · answer #7 · answered by NTH IQ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do it give it back to the mother and make the mother ur pet and it will automatically give the small ones to u after they grow up a little bit.
because thats what i did .
2006-06-08 06:05:48 · answer #8 · answered by vinu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
give them back!
Watch reaction
of the mother,If she wants
them back they will be ok
or just take their mother and
feed all of them
2006-06-08 06:41:44 · answer #9 · answered by purple carrot 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋