I heard you are not suppose to touch kittens until after a certain time after the mom has had them or else she will move them. We have an outside cat and I wan't to get them use to humans before it is too late and end up wild like most the cats around here.
2006-09-07 05:57:47 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
The best answer is as soon as the mother lets you. Some mother cats are good about letting people touch thier babies, others are not. You want to start sooner like within the first week if possible but that isn't always possible. If the mother is feral you might not ever be able to touch them but if you can you really should. If you are worried that she will take the kittens you can try to bring them inside with the mother but feral cats don't do well indoors without some training. You also will want to trap the mother no matter what and get her fixed.
2006-09-07 06:05:14 · answer #1 · answered by Lady 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can touch them as soon as they are cleaned up, but it is possible that she will move them. If the female is friendly to you, it would be best if you take at least her inside for a short time and feed her there, then touch them, hold them, whatever. When you are done rub them down with baby powder or talcum powder, and put a very small amount on the mothers nose. This will mask the human scent and she will have no cause for alarm. The major problem is, cats are naturally paranoid, and mother cats move the babies often, and without provocation. If you really want them used to humans, let the outside cat be an inside cat for a while.
If none of this suits you, the best you can do is rely on the mother to show the kittens that you can be trusted. If she comes to you willingly, then they will too.
2006-09-07 06:09:58 · answer #2 · answered by Geaux Ghoti 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bring the Mother cat and Kittens inside until the kittens are at least 8 weeks old. There are so many dangers outside for cats that they should always be indoors, but if you don't want to keep Mama kitty inside for the rest of her life at least bring her and the babies in until they are old enough to be given away (again, 8 weeks) Also, feed mama kitty kitten food, the nutrients will go though the milk to the babies and help her heal faster. Plus, when babies are old enough to eat, the right food will be there. While they are inside you should be able to play with them as much as you want.
2006-09-07 06:25:44 · answer #3 · answered by Alexis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have the trust of the mother cat you can handle them at any time. Can you pet her at all? If she trusts you she will be OK with your scent on her kittens. Otherwise leave the kittens alone for now so she doesn't take them away.
Is there any possibility you could bring her in with her kittens for shelter now? When they are around four to five weeks old you can start weaning them to canned kitten food. In the meantime you have been able to get the kittens used to human scent and handling.
2006-09-07 06:10:54 · answer #4 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends. I healped birth 6 kittens and while giving birth my cat wouldn't let me leave her side. If I tried to walk away she would get up while her kitten is hanging 1/2 way out of her and try to follow me.
If the mother is a stray, try and stay away until the eyes are open and they are walking. A mother can abandon and or even kill their baby if it has a scent she doesn't recognise on it.
If the mother is your's its best not to handle them too often... just she how your new mommy acts when you are near her and the babies. If she isn't happy about your approach, let them be.
2006-09-07 07:18:58 · answer #5 · answered by xxkittenluvxx143 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
unless the mother cat is tame and comfortable with you around her kittens wait until they have their eyes open and are creeping around a little bit. honestly i've never had a problem messing with the kittens a few days after they are born, but it really depends on your cats temperment and how she reacts to you.
2006-09-07 06:04:11 · answer #6 · answered by ♥rogue♥ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can touch them right away as long as the mother cat trustes you. The sooner you show them human tenderness and love, the more loving cats they will become.
2006-09-07 06:06:19 · answer #7 · answered by et 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
question - what if the cat is feral and u cant get her inside and she cant trust people bec the old owners abused her how long does it take to touch them . when there around 6 weeks?: when the mom does not go and stay with them all day? or just touch em with gloves
2015-08-24 16:17:05 · answer #8 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mom cat will let you know. If she is your cat and there are no little children there should be no problem. Small children could be a problem with them and supervise their visits.
2006-09-07 06:08:06 · answer #9 · answered by norsmen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can touch baby kittens any time you want to we have cats with babys and we touch them all the time and they are two weeks old my granddaughter pets them every day
2006-09-07 06:05:48 · answer #10 · answered by judy4743 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋