Thursday night we persuaded a mom cat and her three month old kitten into our garage. We built a suitable cage for them to live in. Mama has been around us since the middle of June, and across the street she had three kittens. Two of them dissappeared after a few weeks of feeding them. Shadow is Mama's only kitten left with her. BAD NEWS- She's about to have more kittens in our garage VERY SOON. We don't know when though. Shadow is way past her weaning stage, but since Mama's been pregnant she's been nursing. I was wondering how long before a cat gives birth does she produece milk? WE CANNOT KEEP ANY OF THE CATS, AND WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THEM ALL TO THE LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER. Mama's has had her kittens in the wild, so do you think it'll stress her out if we are in the garage helping her? Please help me if you have any information about what she needs for birth and things like that. WE ARE KEEPING MAMA AND SHADOW UNTIL SHE GIVES BIRTH.
2006-09-30 03:04:44 · 3 answers · asked by Luna 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
63 days is the term of a cats pregnancy... if she is ok with you petting her now... she should be ok with you being there during the birth... cats are usually calm during birth... I've even heard them purr while giving birth... Good Luck!!!
2006-09-30 03:09:46 · answer #1 · answered by Sandy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the very least take Shadow to the vets and get her neutered as kittens can get pregnant from 4 months and there is obviously a tom around your area.
I'd also suggest contacting the shelter now, so they can be prepared for the mum and kittens and make sure they have enough space. Maybe they may be able to start the process with rehoming Shadow. They may also be able to give you advice on how to help the mum with the pregnancy.
If you are in the UK www.catchat.org is a great source of information on local shelters and cat protections.
If you're not in the uk, do check out their forum as there are lots of people who either run shelters or have rehomed cats themselves and will give great advice.
2006-09-30 04:50:48 · answer #2 · answered by Qveenie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am VERY VERY glad you are going to give them to the local shelter, DO NOT give the kittens away on your own - its very uncertain if they will get good homes because its hard for you to screen people
Shadow should be weaned NOW, and taken to the shelter ahead of the others tell them what you are doing and give them a description of the mom in case anyone has reported her missing
Mom cat needs to be eating KITTEN food (even before she has kittens and while nursing for sure) and kept in the cage so she doesnt get out again..her mammary glands will begin to develope before the kittens are born - but some cats "bag up" earlier than others
mostly what she needs is food and water and bedding - also dont use clumping litter when there are kittens it can get in their eyes and stick plus can stick to a mammas nipples
it may be hard but you can spay a pregnant cat - this might be another option -
2006-09-30 03:14:42 · answer #3 · answered by CF_ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋