Mom dropped it on my back deck. I wrapped it up and placed near hot water bottle ...mom followed. They stayed indoors overnight but mom wanted out the next a.m. with baby in mouth. I took away the 3 dead babies. I put a blanket in my back shed and brought mom & baby there. She seemed ok with it. She trusts me because I've been feeding & housing outdoors since her birth too. Only problem is she tried to bring baby to me several times. I placed it back in the shed each time. She has been taking care of it for 3 weeks but last time I checked she moved it under deck. Baby was not happy there. Today it was back in the original spot. I'm wondering will the baby be okay without her siblings? She was almost dead when I discovered her and she seems really tiny for 3 weeks old. Was the mom cat trying to tell me that baby is sick? Should I try to handle it to check if it's okay? What should I be looking for at 3 weeks of age? Mom has had previous litter (4 survived). Colony lives in my yard.
2007-04-25 04:56:43 · 10 answers · asked by Carmela P 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
The best thing would be for you to bring them both in and keep them there, even when mom wants out. At 3 weeks moms start to wean the baby and it usually starts to eat kitten mush. A combo of kitten chow and kitten milk. At about 5 weeks they can switch to just the dry kitten food. If you want to keep these two then bring them inside and teach mom that she stays inside. Also get them both fixed. If you dont want them then pick them up and take them both to the Humane Society or local shelter. They'll fix them both and find them good homes. If you really want mom to stay outside your home then at least take the baby to find a new home and get mom fixed so that she wont have to birth any more babies. It really does take a toll on the mom, especially an outdoor cat.
2007-04-25 05:04:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think your cat is trying to tell you that she wants help from you. The kitten will be fine without the siblings, but it's vital that the mother takes care of it.
It sounds like that the mum is not happy of where she is. Maybe smell from male cats?
Try to communicate with her to see what se really wants.
Also, if this had been her first litter, it is very normal that some of the babies will die. This because the mother is not very experienced.
But, this was not her first litter, so maybe the kittens were sick.
Clean your hands, pick up the kitten and have a look and SMELL. If the kitten smells strange (abnormal in one way) something is wrong. Also if the kitten is screaming way too much when you handle him, something could be wrong.
The I would suggest the vet. But, bring the mother and the kitten together. Don't take the kitten away from the mother.
If you can not find anything wrong with the kitten, try to place the both of them some other place. Inside again maybe.
2007-04-25 05:09:33 · answer #2 · answered by Festblues 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are so many reasons that without knowing anything about your cat it's impossible to say. A first litter or a cat caught in a first season and not mature enough has a much higher risk of losing her young! Giving birth in cold weather or the cat having an infection and passing it on to her kittens could have caused all but the strongest to survive. If the survivor was the first born it could have been a long hard labour for her and the other kittens could have been in distress. The only person who could tell you is a Vet as he'd know either from experience or by postmortem! Even an experienced breeder like me can't tell you! Sometimes it just doesn't seem to have an obvious cause!
2016-05-18 03:14:13 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The kitten should be ok without its brother and sisters.
Is there a way that you could bring both of them in the house? Maybe get a litter box for the mommy . Get a box so the kitten will be safe and warm with a blanket all the time.Being outside something could get the kitten with it being so small. If mommy doesn't want to use the litter then you could let her outside. ever so often then let her back in.
I believe animals are very smart and can read people very well. Mommy knew you would take care of her baby.
Maybe you could take the kitten to the Vet at least for a check up and see if it is getting enough to eat from mommy?
If you can't bring the both in then you could at least take the kitten still to the Vet. But if you think the kitten is getting enough to eat then I guess you don't have to worry about the visit to the Vet. Wouldn't want to upset mommy anymore than you just have to. But at least you should check it out yourself to she it is getting fatter??.
Just make sure mommy is getting enough to eat also.
The import thing is the kitten has to stay warm and safe. A way from anything that can harm it.
I have taken care of a few day old kitten where its mother had died. It grew up to be a healthy cat!!
Good Luck
2007-04-25 05:28:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clearly mom trusts you which is a good thing! Siblings shouldn't be an issue as far as survival goes, but it does sound like mom wants this kitten to be with you. Personally I trust things like that. Many animals, and particularly cats, seem to "know" things. (Just my experence.) Maybe if you can get mom and kitten inside and keep kitten warm full time. Give the kitten a little boost.
2007-04-25 05:05:15 · answer #5 · answered by danl747 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Since she is a feral cat, I will assume that she is not vaccinated. The litter could have died from a disease. I would call your local Humanes Society and let them know your situation and that you would like to continue to take care to the cats. They can help you catch the cats, vaccinate, and spay/neuter them. They also need to be dewormed. The kitten will survive fine without littermates.
2007-04-25 05:11:36 · answer #6 · answered by Vita 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do them both a favour and pop them down to the vet to get checked out, Have mummy neutered while your there. 1 female cat, left to breed unchecked, can produce 20,000 decendants in 5 years. You really wouldn't want that lot living in your yard and they certainly won't all survive. She's done her bit for the next generation now.
2007-04-25 05:28:50 · answer #7 · answered by gerrifriend 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor thing!
The one survivor might continue to do so. Momma Cat is trying to get you to help her take care of her last baby.
That really is quite an honor: Most feral cats wouldn't.
2007-04-25 05:01:19 · answer #8 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i would say he has a better chance of survival, seeing as how he has no competition for food. he will need to see a vet in the next couple weeks though if he's still kickin, to be dewormed or he will not survive. good luck
2007-04-25 05:04:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you might need to carry it to the vet but normally they can live with out sibilings it might be sick so you might need to carry it and mom to vet
2007-04-25 07:47:20 · answer #10 · answered by kitkat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋