We have a male cat (fixed), very loving & the laugh of our 'hood. He brings us home other strays to care for. About four weeks ago he brought home a cat (female) that was so weak and scrawny you could feel her bones. I took care of her, made her well and then about a week later she brought me her kitten to care for. Kitten is about three months (male) and is still nursing but eating solid food. I started noticing the female cat’s tummy getting bigger and bigger and we all assumed she was just getting back healthy ... could she be pregnant? And, again so soon? We have always had our animals ‘fixed’ so I don’t know much about pregnancy in cats. I do plan on getting her fixed after this litter (if she is pregnant.) She is a very sweet cat and loving - so I believe she was not always a stray. We live near a school, people often ‘dump’ their animals near the school, I assume in hopes to find them a home. We were going to keep kitten & not mom - but may now keep mom not kitten. Advise?
2006-08-27 07:55:33 · 11 answers · asked by kensmomma2 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Will mom by sad if we get rid of kitten? I don't want her to be sad! I am getting ready and reading all about pregnancy for cats.
2006-08-27 07:58:38 · update #1
Possibly sounds like she is pregnant. I have 6 cats of my own, 4 have been strays, & have been in a real mess. I am a volunteer for cats protection, & done some work for them.
To be honest, a cat can catch on or come in season, straight after her litter of kittens have gone to homes, can be from when the kittens are 6 weeks old. The female (queen) pregnancy lasts for about 9 weeks.
There could be another reason why she looks like she has a fat stomach, she could have worms, if she is a stray & has lived outside & has been neglected, could be possible she could have worms.
I would take her to the vets, & get some advice from there also.
Much respect goes out to you for taking this stray cat in with her kitten. Your stray cat will be so grateful to you, & rewarding, the best cats i have, have been strays, & all my 6 cats have a story behind them. Good luck!
2006-08-27 08:24:42 · answer #1 · answered by Diane B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is still nursing she should be eating kitten food. Our vet said they need it because of the nutrition they are loosing through nursing. You shouldalso wean that kitten totally so she has enough nutrients to take care of her new litter and herself.
It is possible she is pregnant and very likely. Cats can get pregnant thenext time they go in heat which coudld be justa litttle while after the birth of their litter. Cats are only pregnant for 2 months so I would keep her inside if you think shes pregnant and wait two months and u will find out=). It is strangle but possible to get pregnant by more than one "daddy cat" AND usually the 2nd litter are aborted while the 1st is delivered. Its not that common but its is possible so if you think shes pregnant keep her in until sh has the kittens and the kittens are weaned and she gets fixed. I took in a stray who had kittens and everything went fine. She did cry and lok for her kittens though when they left which broke myheart. It took hera while and she was stressed and even developed dandruff=( but they she was okayand back to normal. I actually now have another one who has 3 weekold kittens. Like theother, she will be fixed when the kittens are weaned. Good luck, and have fun because kittens are ADORABLE side note: you cannot vaccinate a pregnant or nursing cat. so please do not give her shots until the kittens are weaned.
2006-08-27 10:44:38 · answer #2 · answered by miss_jennifer79 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is very good that you rescued a cat and I think you should call over a friend or relative or even neighbor that had a cat that was pregnant before.But give the cat peace in a quite room on a blanket or some thing nice in case early birth. Just stay with the cat and feed her wet food.If the cat meows come to her immediately check on her you should stay home at all time and never be rude. When the babies are born if there is some getting pushed out then you take care of them they love warmth also, Go to the vet and ask for cat formula to feed the kicked out kittens. And have fun!
2016-03-26 21:59:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how much medical care you've given this cat, so keep in mind that belly swelling could be from parasites. It's very possible she's full of worms (unless you've taken steps to worm her). Garlic works great for worming cats, by the way. Kitten could probably use it, too.
We had a stray that came around for a while about 5 years ago. After feeding her for about two weeks, I started to notice that her belly was getting bigger....on top of that, her nipples were swollen. I've heard this doesn't happen in ALL cats, but it might be something to look for.
And yes, she could be pregnant again already. It's amazing how many kittens an unaltered cat can produce.
2006-08-27 10:18:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cat can get pregnant again while nursine 4 week old kittens, so you should assume she is pregnant. Consider getting her to the vet ASAP and getting her spayed so she will not have more kittens. If she was that bad off, it is not the best thing for her to have kittens now. It takes a lot out of a cat and she was behind the 8 ball to begin with.
Get her older kitten fixed as well. Spraying will start soon, and no one needs that.
2006-08-27 08:16:34 · answer #5 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably, very definitely is with kittens again. I worked with and animal rescue group for a year along with we have had cats all my life. They can come in heat as soon as four weeks after giving birth. Getting her fixed is best solution. If you contact the animal control or human society in your area, they may help you pay, or pay in full for you to have her spayed. The other kitten, 3 month old, is old enough to neuter now. He also needs to be taken away from her. He will keep her pulled down, and if he is still nursing when her milk comes in, he will pull all nutrients for new kittens, colostrum that they will need to survive. Their outcome will not be good if he continues. We have 7 rescue cats at the moment, had 13. All fixed so we were not reproducing any more. Hurray to you for rescuing her. I see nothing wrong with having a lot a cats or dogs for that matter, as long as you are doing your best to keep them from reproducing. I am not against breeding, I have a reg. German Shepherd that I have not fixed yet, but when they are mixed breeds and strays, best to spay. TY
2006-08-27 08:06:58 · answer #6 · answered by woowoo19532004 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they can get pregnant really quick - and often do - you might want to start trying to line up homes for the kittens - there are always so many avaialble - they can leave mom after 6 weeks or so - the "kitten" now should stop nursing on mom so that the babies get enough nutrition.
Cat and kitten will miss each other, but there willl be trouble brewing when new kittens come, so you'll want to have a safe place for mom and new kittens, away from "kitten"
2006-08-27 08:08:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great question. Kudos to you for caring.
Yes, this Mom could be pregnant already. Gestation is 63-67 days, or about 9 weeks.
There could be other reasons she is getting fat - worms, tumors, blockages. Best is to have her checked by a vet, and dewormed if it's safe. Definitely need vaccinations too.
If it's early in the pregnancy or the vet isn't sure, have her spayed now. Pregnancy is debilitating so soon after kittens are born.
They will miss each other for a while, but will get over it providing each has lots of love. :-) If you have the mom spayed, maybe you could keep them both! :-)
2006-08-27 08:42:46 · answer #8 · answered by Ragdoll Kitty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes she is probably pregnant againCats can and do get pregnant a few weeks after giving birth. Shes outside and not spayed so I'd say she is. Rehome the kitten and get her spayed and keep her.
2006-08-27 09:18:51 · answer #9 · answered by cin_ann_43 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is pregnant, you will know soon. Cats have a very short gestation period. As she gets closer to due date, you will be able to feel the little bodies when you stroke her tummy.
Be gentle.
Mom will be OK about the baby. She will miss her at first, but will soon forget. If she is pregnant she will have other babies soon anyway.
2006-08-27 08:04:32 · answer #10 · answered by Darma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋