in a basement section under my garage. I am not sure what to do! I have heard one kitten meowing when the queen leaves the nest to eat in my mudroom (about 40 feet away from her nest) but I don't know how many kittens she had, or if they are well or not, if they are warm enough, or even if they are safe from all the other stray toms in the neighborhood. Since I started feeding her about 2 months ago, I noticed she seemed to be growing bigger and I realized she was pregnant. She eats several times a day, and generally goes back to her nest after eating, but I am worried about the kitten/s, being in a cold basement, with this winter storm, and worried about what I should do in the future with them. I don't want to let them be feral, but I am afraid if I try and go into the basement to see them when the mother is off on her wanderings, then she will smell me on them if I touch them to try and socialize them, and then she will move them somewhere more unsafe. Pls help! What should I do?
2007-04-14 21:01:58 · 10 answers · asked by fionachristine 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Oh, that's a tough one.
Well, she will probably move them anyway. Mama cats usually move the babies a few times.
I suggest catching her and either moving her and the litter into the mud room and not let her "wander" at all, or catch her and take her and the litter to a shelter.
They are better able to deal with this situation.
2007-04-14 21:11:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
If she is happy where she is then leave her ,give her a milk supplement as well to boost her milk supply for the kittens.I think you have already gained her trust and she may let you move her and the kittens to your house.Failing that put a well wrapped hot water bottle in her bed , carry on feeding her.She has chosen this site because she trusts you ,this makes her your cat. The kittens sound okay, you could put the food near her nest ,this will reassure her you mean no harm. It will also be a lot easier for her. Take her an extra blanket as well. Is it an enclosed area, ? I don't think she is afraid of you . Hopefully in time you can successfully earn her trust enough to move her.Visit her 3 times a day she will let you hold the kittens eventually, don't handle them without her knowledge it will destroy her trust in you.You can check visually ,for weeping eyes, sneezes, are they all feeding ,observe her for the time being .Then you can be sure.Do you know anyone who can help you with her.,If you can move her, let her follow you with the kittens or carry them all together in a cat basket, within the next week.If all the kittens are feeding thats fine ,to assess this you need to spend time with her .If you are concerned about any of the kittens then you should try to help her with the feeding ,they can be fed by hand ie.with a milk dropper with kitten formula and glucose ,administer drops slowly and carefully so the kittens don 't choke you may not have to resort to this but I thought I would just put it in the text just in case.
2007-04-14 22:42:52 · answer #2 · answered by Lindsay Jane 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand your concern. We were also feeding a stray that had a litter of kittens on our patio. What you have to do right at this moment is to just continue to feed the cat so that she can easily provide food for the kittens. I understand you are worried about them, but the most important thing right now it warmth and milk from mom. Keep an eye on how often mom is around. Once the kittens are a little bit older (more than a week!) you may want to take them to a no-kill shelter so that they can be properly taken care of (ie. fixed). Best of luck with the cuties!
2007-04-14 23:23:42 · answer #3 · answered by holidayathesea 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Trap the mumma cat and then go and wrap the kittens in a blanket. Use gloves so you don't get your smell on them, put them in the cage with mumma cat then take the whole lot to the RSPCA or the SPCA if you're in America.
Next time, don't feed stray animals, you only perpetuate the cycle.
2007-04-14 23:02:24 · answer #4 · answered by Alyeria 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i would go down to the basement with a flashlight to have a look but try and stay as far away as possible and see the mothers reaction.
if she seems fine then move in to help them if u can
keep doing this until the mother gets used to the idea of you being around her kittens and after a few days you should be able to move them to a warmer and safer place
when my dog had puppies she was fine with me holding them and taking them away from her for a while!
good luck!!!!!!!!!
2007-04-14 21:11:02 · answer #5 · answered by daniel m 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
u should take the babies and put in your house. get 1 big box for them. But u need to let the mother to come inside your house 3 to 5 times within 24 hours. another extra work is to monitor them coz the mama will take even small opportunity to take the kitties.
2007-04-14 22:09:55 · answer #6 · answered by cornelia aming 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She will take care of her kittens. Refrain from handling them, if she see's you she may attack you. Don't second guess a cat (or any animal) with young. They are very protective. If you can provide a warmer place for her kittens and she trusts you, let her move them herself.
2007-04-14 21:38:56 · answer #7 · answered by scott p 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go on line to Alley Cats organization. They specialize in this, will direct you to local support, and help you to help these babies.
God bless your kind and caring heart, that is the reason she ended up at your place:)
2007-04-14 21:11:36 · answer #8 · answered by gettin'real 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If its a stray cat, it probably knows how to handle it by instinct...Otherwise, just give them a clean scentless blanket or something...
2007-04-14 23:16:53 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When the queen leaves the nest? What are they, ants? Give the cats to the spca if you don't want the, and they'll take care of them.
2007-04-14 21:06:00 · answer #10 · answered by jmp478 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋