2006-12-10 03:57:44 · 12 answers · asked by Regina D 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
i have to say that you can touch them once the mother is ready to not be so overprotective... and when you do touch them just make sure that you are very gentle and don't hurt them!!!! enjoy the kittens!!!
oogalah
2006-12-10 04:01:51 · answer #1 · answered by oogalah 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take your cues from the mother cat. First spend some time near her a few times and the kittens and see how she reacts. If she seems comfortable with it and doesn't move the litter, then it is probably OK to touch them (with freshly washed hands) while they are near her or nursing.
Make sure, however, that you don't make this into a circus or let non-household members see mom and kits the first few weeks as it is nervewracking for mom and potentially dangerous for kittens. Kittens need the first few weeks to get the basic immunity system from their mother's milk before they are exposed to the outside world. In fact, if you have other pets, it is best to keep them away from the nest as well for this time.
During the first week you should monitor mom for a few things. Touch the top of her ears at least once a day. If they feel burning hot, then she has a temperature. Mother cats can get a temp from a variety of things during birth, but having a retained placenta or dead kitten in the birth canal is the worst. She could also have mastitis, which is an infected mammary gland (as my mom cat had this Summer). You can check for mastits by feeling around her teats - if one of them feels hard rather than soft, you may have a problem. With any of these issues, take your cat and babies to the vet ASAP.
Also, be sure the kitten's nest is warm! During the first few weeks of life kittens aren't entirely able to regulate their body temperture. You'll see them huddle together or next to mom for warmth. If they get too cold, they could die. You can put blankets or towels under the nest to insulate it from a cold floor, or even put a heating pad on the lowest setting under part of the nest with a few layers of blanket between it and the kittens. Make sure the kittens have enough room in the nest to move off the area with the heating pad if they want to. You may also decide you only need it at night, or really cold days.
Last but not least, try not to have towels be the material next to the kittens. Right now you may not have a choice, as the kittens have what mom has chosen, but if mom lets you touch them, she may later let you move them too. If they try to move around on a towel, their little claws will become stuck in the loops of a towel, and they won't be able to move. Use and old blanket, or go to a fabric store and get some inexpensive fleece material (wash it first to remove sizing and other chemicals).
2006-12-10 06:02:23 · answer #2 · answered by mariejessie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on when she will let you. Some cats don't care and will let you touch them as they are born others will kill them at 5 or6 weeks of age if you touch them. It all depends on how well your cat trust you.If she acts very protective I suggest waiting. If you need to move them use a towel.If you just want to play wait till they are about four weeks old when there eyes are open and are moving around.
2006-12-10 04:04:45 · answer #3 · answered by sabledane 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She will let you know when its time dont touch before either because she will smell your scent on the kittens and wont feed them so give her time if she lets you get near just look but dont touch at least not yet...
2006-12-13 13:20:32 · answer #4 · answered by sgd_88 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the mother cat lets you. Or when the mother cat only tries gently to stop you. 2 - 4 weeks.
2006-12-10 04:57:02 · answer #5 · answered by Jessie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That would depend greatly on the mental state of the mother. If she is really comfortable with you and well adjusted she won't mind you coming around her babies. They do mind strangers, children and other animals. They will move their babies if they don't trust you. Worst case scenerio I have heard of mothers abanding their babies. I have never had this problem though, and I have had numerous kitties.
2006-12-10 15:29:42 · answer #6 · answered by maryj1968 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We touched ours shortly after the fur was dry. Be very careful though. Mothers can be very protective. Use your index finger only to stroke them and be very gentle.
2006-12-10 04:02:04 · answer #7 · answered by kevpet2005 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2 weeks after it was born i think 4 weeks at the most
2006-12-10 03:59:26 · answer #8 · answered by ..... 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually you are going to want to show the mom that you will be nice with her kits and then she will aloud you to handle them. i think its a week, you want to handle them this way they are use to being handled.
2006-12-10 04:02:58 · answer #9 · answered by teddybearleogirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After 6weeks or 2months.
2006-12-10 07:16:19 · answer #10 · answered by Sexy Steph 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋