Questions about cats/kittens?

Question

I have 2 cats, Patches and Calli. Patches had 4 kittens yesterday--under our bed no less!! I have a couple of questions, tho.

1. How can I get Calli to understand that the kittens are going to be here for quite awhile and not have her try to 'attack' the kittens? I went into the bedroom with her yesterday and once she heard the babies, she got defensive, crouched down like she was going to attack, etc. So, I picked her up and locked her out of the room for the night. I had my fiance put her outside this morning so that Patches could have some peace and quiet. When Calli was in the room, Patches started to lay on the babies. I know that she thought that she was protecting them, but I also know that if I had left Calli in there, Patches would have killed them in the process of protecting them.

2. Patches has the babies under the bed, on the carpet. Would it be ok for me to put the babies in the cat bed I got for her and then put the bed under our bed? If so, when?

I don't want to upset Patches anymore than I have to, but I also want to make her as comfortable as I can. She is an excellent mommy (surprised us as she has always been a skiddish, standoffish cat) and I don't want her to think that we are going to harm the babies or take them from her. That's why I'm not sure when or if I should put the babies in the cat bed.

Answer 1

It is okay to move the kittens...momma will follow...she may or may not try to move them back to where they were but in time she will get the point.... help her feel comfortable in the new spot.... I remember the last batch of kittens I had momma was really not wanting babies in the spot I had chosen...she kept taking them out from time to time and moving them... one time I thought she accidentally killed the little powder puff I already knew I was going to keep... he just lay there motionless... I was near hysterics... turned out, after my husband picked him up and craddled him a bit he was okay.... he was just being submissive to momma... he's 13 now

I dont think that Calli is going to really hurt the kittens... they are new is all... powder puff Sundance is shaved from time to time and everytime he mixes with the other cat after his buzz she detests him and smacks him...funny she doesnt recognize him but she apparently doesnt... she gets over it in time...

I have had male cats in the same house with babies and never had I had a problem but monitor for a while to be sure he isnt more of an aggressor than mine were... they get nosey but nothing ever happened.... mine would always just run from them, even when the babies got a little older full of spunk and whimsy, the males ran from all the fun....

And yes, it is best to introduce Calli to the kittens... I took my male Moses into my sons bedroom where the babies were in the nice, quiet closet and showed him the babies....he ran like the dickens... that takes away some of the obvious curiosity...

Answer 2

I would defently keep the other cat away from the babies, some momma cats are aggressive and she may attack, put her in a room with the babies by herself and go in a few times a day and talk to her, play some classical music it's very calming, Is Calli spayed? But I sure would keep the other one away because they can be jealous, or just aggressive. Hope this helps

Answer 3

Keep the other adult cat away for now. The momma is only trying to protect them. If Patches trust you, you maybe able to move them to the kitty bed you have and put it back under your bed. Be forewarned though she may take them back out and move them somewhere else totally. I'd leave well enough alone for now, put a towel down there for her to nest. Just keep the other cat out of the bedroom until the kittens are weaned.

Answer 4

one important thing is arrange proper place for kitten which is warm, the carpet under the bed might be cold enough to get them cold. the 2nd point is ok. arrange one cat bed for them.

and about calli, she will get used to the kitten but dont expect from her immediately. calli needs some time. take calli to the kitten sometimes so that she makes a good relationship with the kitten.

Answer 5

One of our cats had kittens the day after Easter. We also have another adult cat who was also a threat to the kittens. She had the kittens under our bed. It was cold under there and the other cat had access to them. We are fortunate enough to have two bathrooms one that we rarely used. I put a few towels in the bathtub and moved the kittens the night they were born and made sure to pet the mama in the process. I put a litter box, food, and water in the bathroom. It was quiet and safe from the other cat. They all did fine! I say move them. When I was young we also moved the newborn kittens we had soon after they were born and they did fine. Go with you instinct.

Answer 6

Do not move them do not touch them Patches should notice that Calli is a threat and should move them herself but if she doesn't the only thing you can do is KEEP Calli away. Keep her in a separte room (lock her up) That's my only suggestion since she's capable of harming the kittens......and will if she gets the chance....

Answer 7

if Patches think Cali is dangerous maybe it is although female cats usually don't bite them.u should put calli away from them.u can move kittens into cat bed after a week.and in the mean time u should watch them every day while she's feeding kittens from where she can see u.
u should also touched them infront of her.take them and put them back to her.she'll get used to it and know u mean her no harm