when will the mother cat feed her kittens after the previous feed?

Question

because i wanted to follow the mother cat to lead me to her kittens. how long should i wait for the cat to lead me to her kittens? when will the cat go back to where her kittens are for the feed? how long should i follow her?

but it is a stray cat, so how am i going to monitor...

Answer 1

the mother cat visits her kitten atleast once in 1 hour... is the pattern i have noticed... am not sure of your kitty.

Answer 2

You say stray cat, so does that mean the kittens are outside and you are trying to find them, or did you somehow lure it inside your house to give birth? Stray cats are will not trust you like a house cat will. I've been through upteen litters by several cats. They do occassionally like to move them to different locations. A house cat won't mind letting you know where her kittens are, just as long as you dont come checking up on them all the time (once a day is good). I did checkup on earlier litters and the mother moved them into a big giant clothes hamper and they were stacked on top of each other in a spot in there, the one on the bottom suffocated, very sad). But after that, I left them alone and just make sure that don't go in a big clothes pile that is too deep. If they do, do move them to a location of your choice and let her decide if she want to move them again, but if she chooses the same clothes pile, do move them again until she gets the message that is a no no).

If this stray cat has her kittens outside, then do try to make an effort to at least visit them once a day, but only if the cat trusts you (ie will come to you if you call it). If this is the type of cat that will not come to you when you call it, then you are better off letting nature take its course and don't try to follow the cat too much. They are very smart. If she thinks you are trying to follow her, then she will outwait you to go to her kittens. Just dont try for too hard so that she will feed the kittens on a regular basis. They wake about every couple of hours when they are very young.

The best you can do to help her out is to have some food and water for her. If you do manage to find the litter check the kittens eyes. See if any of them have a discharge coming from the eyes (puss) and have problems opening it. This is called conjuntivitis (the same as pink eye in humans) and can lead to blindness and death from the infection). This is pretty common in kittens. I've been through about 8 litters and at least one out of every two litters had it. The treatment is a tube of ointment (Triple Antibiotic Ointment is whats on the tube) The technical name is Neomycin and Plymyxin B Sulfates and Baciracin Zinc Ophtalmic Oinment.
If you are kind enough to invest about 10-15.00 for that, from your vet, the kitten will be most appreciative. Normally they require a visit from the kitten, but if you tell them its a feral cat (stray) and explain the situtation, I'm sure they will give you that. Its applied once or twice a day in the eye (hold the cats high open with your fingers - yes they will squirm, apply a strip across their eyeballs). I found that applying a strip with their eyes closed and then opening them and smearing it in their eyeballs as they open their eyelids was easier)

Answer 3

Cats typically feed their new kittens every 2-3bhours, increasing the time between as the kittens grow older. However, cats will instinctively protect their babies. If the mother cat knows you are following her, she may lead you AWAY from the kittens to protect them. This could mean they don't get fed on time. Also, if you do manage to follow her, she may move the kittens after you have left. The best thing to do is usually wait. If the mother is comfortable around you, she will bring the kittens nearer to you when she feels they can protect themselves somewhat.

Answer 4

a cat especially a stray are very private and cautious with their young try not to let her know you are following her and keep an eye on what direction she is going then go look around after she leaves be cautious though because some cats eat their babies if they know the kittens have been handled by a stranger

Answer 5

With 4 new kittens my self, they are now 4 weeks of age and with wide open eyes. The way I found out she was feeding her babies was I listened for them. They were found under one of my dressers. The mama cat will feed them about once an hour. if you are on good terms with the mama then she will lead you to them. But becareful she might move them and if you live in a house she could move them any where. My mama cat gave birth in my room and for a few days i kept them. Then my roomate whos ownes mama cat took them up to her room and raised them up there. Tonight she moved them back into my room I think under the dresser again. Good luck there is a good group on MSN groups called Cats.

Answer 6

if its not confortable with you it wont lead u to them but if it trust you it will
if the cat hears her kittens it'll go back.

dont worry the mom takes great care of the kitten and is never to far away. they are in a safe spot.but if you really want to find themfollow there squeky meows.

Answer 7

usually cats like to keep their kittens to themselves. when she is ready, she will bring them out for you to inspect. either that or when the kittens can follow their mother, they will

Answer 8

its a natural instinct. but be sure she dosent know ur following, if she does, she may refuse to go to the kittens as a way to keep them safe. then they will not get fed when they need to.

Answer 9

well since you posted your ? those kittens are more than likely eating on thier own now but kittens arent on a set schedule like babies. so youll never know .

Answer 10

the more you follow/bug her, the quicker she will move them to another spot. Just nonchalantly keep an eye on where she hangs out mostly or goes. Check the area, that is where they will be.