Update on 'questions about cats/kittens'....?

Question

Thanks for all of the answers everyone. They truly helped. I tried to put a towel near momma kitty (Patches) but she didn't want it, so I moved the babies to the cat bed. When I tried to put the cat bed under our bed, it wouldn't fit, so I put it under my vanity (it's one of the old ones that has a place for a chair). I then took a towel and put it in front of the opening so it is darker and she feels more comfortable. Patches doesn't seem to mind it at all. This way, we can walk by without her getting too nervous that we are going to do something. We do check on her a few times during the day and pet her, which she doesn't seem to mind now.

As for our other cat, Calli, I am keeping her outside during the day so I can keep the bedroom door open all day and Patches can come out of the room. At night, I keep the bedroom door closed and Calli stays out of our room.

Now I am wondering how long I should wait to introduce Calli to the babies? Should I wait about a week?

I found out yesterday that we will, probably, have to move in the next month or so, maybe sooner. Would it be too soon to be moving the babies (they are only 2 days old today--Friday)? I am wondering how much stress this is going to put on both of my cats and the babies. How can I help them thru this if we do end up moving??

Answer 1

You can introduce the other female slowly, provided Patches doesn't get defensive. Even if the cats get along, if Calli is at all negative about the new arrivals, Patches may kick into Mama-bear(cat) mode and attack. She's all about protecting her babies now. Since I don't know histories or personalities, I can't predict for you. If you want to let her come near and supervise CLOSELY, you can -- but keep her far enough away that she can't make contact other than seeing and sniffing the babies -- and if mama gets nervous, remove Calli at once.
At 4 weeks (in the month you're going to move) they're going to be up and running around and little furry demons. "Kittens" do pretty well in the car, since they don't know any better yet -- and they're all together. You can probably put them in a good sized cat-carrier and they'll be fine. However, I don't know if you mean move across town, move across country, etc. -- because how long that trip will be will make a difference. And during the moving, which takes a WHILE to pack and pull stuff out of the home -- if you have a place where you can take them for the day -- even if it's a friends house in a bathroom -- that would be best, because you don't want them confined to a cage all day, and you don't want them underfoot getting out, lost or hurt.

DO NOT under any circumstances leave Calli with the kittens unsupervised until you are SURE beyond all doubt that she won't hurt them. She probably won't, but you don't want to take that chance -- and I'd say even with that not until they're at least 4 weeks and getting a bit more "hardy" as opposed to tiny, delicate, fragile babies.

Good luck.

Answer 2

in the wild, mama cats will sometimes move their kittens daily if they feel their safety is threatened. So, moving the kittens shouldn't stress them. It will probably have more of an effect on your adult cats. I think you should let Patches decide when Calli can come around the kittens. After a week, just leave the door open and see what happens. If Patches doesn't want her around, she will know it. I wouldn't leave them unsupervised alone until you are quite sure that there will not be any problems.

Answer 3

I think you should put a gate up in the room where the cat & kittens are, don't make your other cat stay outside all day. They will start getting used to each other that way. You might think the cat you keep outside will be nosey and jump over the gate but normally they won't (since it is something new) and if the cat does and you are there watch how the cats/kittens are towards each other. You might be surprised. Also give each cat a towel or something where there is a scent of the other cat, at first they might go to the bathroom on the floor (which means marking there spot) but they will get used to it. You can't keep them apart to long or they will always hate each other, even the kittens.

Answer 4

wait a week and then introduce the cats and dont be surprized if they are up set and hiss and growl and if it keeps up after two months then you will have to see about getting rid of the kitten but before you introdue the kitten to the other you may want to give it a bath in the sink some of the same smell of shampoo be cause the other cat smells it and will expcet it.

Answer 5

Keep Calli seperated until the babies have their vaccinations . The kittens don't have an intact immune system making them very fragile and being exposed to Calli could harm them even kill them!!!!