My cat is due to have her kittens any day. I wondered if a mother cat will clean up when the kittens go to the bathroom. She is inside - and not used to it. I just wondered what I would need to do in order to make sure the kittens and their bedding area stay clean.
Also, when do the kittens start using the litter box?
2007-03-21 09:43:02 · 14 answers · asked by Sarah F 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
well ive seen many cats have kittens-when they give birth to the kittens they lick them clean and also eat the afterbirth(does sound gross but it's the truth)i think it is nutritional for them as well- then many times a day the mother will clean the kittens all over including their behinds(because a kitten can't go to the bathroom on their own the mother has to stimulate them so they can go-and then of course she does eat it- kittens don't usualy start using the litter box untill they are begining to wean from the mother and are starting to eat hard food-every one is different sometimes earlier sometimes later- a kitten itself can begin to wean between 4 to 6 weeks old nothing much sooner than that but again can be later than 6 weeks as well-it all depends on the mothers attachment to the kittens,and when the kittens are ready. but getting off of track here i just want to let you know to have a box or something ready for her w/ padding or a thin blanket for her-and she may not nessissarily have the kittens in that box,more than likely she has a place already picked out-and nothing you do will change her mind the day she will be giving birth--so what you will need to do is leave her and her kittens where they are for a couple of days-a mother cat on;y knows her kittens by their scent-so if you handle them too soon she may abondan them(most won't because they trust youand know your scent,but some might-so just be causious)-so after a couple of days move them slowly and carefully and as well as moving the mother- then i wouldn't recomend touching or holding or even petting them for 2 more weeks-
so as for changing the bedding i wouldn't chang it because it is more comforting for her with her scent on it already-
hope this answers your question and then some!!
2007-03-21 10:26:39 · answer #1 · answered by ang925 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The mama cat will actually stimulate the kittens to go the first few weeks by licking. There will be no visible waste. Around 4-5 weeks they may start imitating the mother by using the litter box. You will have to do almost nothing, mama will teach them to start using the litter box. You will still want to use old towels for the bedding, and change it at least once a day. More often if it smells.
P.S. Make sure you get that mama spayed, and get the kittens fixed when they are older too. If money is an issue, talk to your local shelter/rescue about resources.
2007-03-21 09:50:46 · answer #2 · answered by angpharo16 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes,the mother cleans or licks the kittens bottom.Thats the only way the kittens can "go" for the first few weeks.The mother usually eats the waste after she licks it off.
after that,the kittens watch the mother use the bathroom,and learn how to use a litter box on their own.
I am pretty sure your cats bedding area will be fine.my cat just had a litter of four and I experienced this for the first time! I learned all this info from my vet.
2007-03-21 09:56:26 · answer #3 · answered by gracie mae 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The mother cat will clean up after the kittens while they're too little to leave the nest. It doesn't matter that she's an indoor cat; it's instinctive. When the kittens are old enough to get out of the nest and start running around, Mom will also teach the kittens about the litter box.
2007-03-21 09:52:12 · answer #4 · answered by Navigator 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The mother will clean her kittens. Matter of fact when they are new-born she will stimulate them to go "pottie" by licking them. They must be stimulated in this manner while young to go to the bathroom. This helps keep their area clean. If the kittens were to just go "pottie" whenever, their place of rest would be a sty. After the kittens open their eyes, they will start to move around more. To investigate the surroundings. At about 3-5 weeks of age they will see mother go into her box and try to do the same. I have a box cut very low so that they will be able to get in. They may not go pot the first few times, but eventually they will. The kittens are smart and will learn fast.
2007-03-21 09:54:40 · answer #5 · answered by peach 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Cat Clean
2016-11-09 03:51:19 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mother cats have to stimulate kittens to "go" and she will lick it up. My kittens have been in a box for 2 weeks with Momma Cat and their is no odor. The mother usually teaches them to use the litter box but otherwise, I would start placing them in the litter box at about 4-5 weeks of age. They get the hang of it almost right away.
2007-03-21 09:49:58 · answer #7 · answered by KathyS 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It's very common for a cat to reject one of her kittens. It's also common for that kitten to die. I'm suprised you've stood by and watched her "caked in waste and depressed" you need to take her to the vet and get some proper advice or treatment else that kitten won't survive much longer.
2016-03-17 00:14:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's quite disgusting actually, she eats the stuff. Kittens will go to their litter box at about 1 month old, you should make sure to get them access to it, they will see mom do it and they will want to do it inmediately.
2007-03-21 10:01:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats are born with the instinct to use the litter box. Although sometimes they might not like certain types of litter therefore they might not use the litter box.
2007-03-21 11:40:41 · answer #10 · answered by Rach 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋