Just what the world needs... more cats. Oh well, I found her as a stray, healthy young cat. Thought she might be getting fat... she had 2 kittens this morning, it is 4 hours later, and that seems to be it! Is that normal, or could there still be more stuck inside her? I called the vet & they said as long as she's not straining or acting restless or sick, that's probably it. I thought cats had more. Also, I touched them to move them, is that ok to touch them when they're so young? When is it ok to hold them a little? I am scared she will crush them. She gave birth in a bad area, a closet, so I had to move the kittens, I put them inside a laundry basket with a blanket, under a high bed, but she keeps taking them out, well she just has 1 out nursing it, and the other one is alone in the basket, is that normal?
Thanks!
2007-05-25 05:20:27 · 14 answers · asked by Shadelight 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
She is laying and nursing the 2 kittens. So is a litter of 2 rare? She had them estimating about 3 hours ago.
How do I know if she still has a kitten inside her?
2007-05-25 05:28:06 · update #1
mothers when trying to protect there young will alot of times move them to a place she feels is safe and it might not be where you want her to keep them so dont be shocked if you look and they are gone..just keep an eye on here and you will see where she put them if she ever does this...it is very normal for cats to have young of any number...but she may still have more some hours later..just keep an eye on her..if she is not gving any attention to the other kitten at all i would be worried and you may have to go to the pet store and buy a feeding bottle and kittens milk..comes in cans....if she is at least cleaning it then it should be ok..but is she is ingorning it it may be for a reason with its health and she knows this...you can hold them but for right not only alittle at a time..they really need this time to bond with mom..once there eys open though suddle away!!!..congrats
2007-05-25 05:31:01 · answer #1 · answered by becca9892003 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't unusual for cats to have only two kittens in a litter, sometimes even one. It's dogs that usually have the bigger litters.
You maybe should've left the cat in the closet where she gave birth - let her move them wherever she likes now. She needs to chose a place she feels happy to nurse in, you can't really choose it for her. Maybe a basket or box that she can easily get in and out of. Under the bed is a good idea, as long as the room is quiet, not too many people coming in and out.
It's not terrible to have touched the kittens. It won't necessarily bother the cat, especially if she's used to your scent. Just keep a subtle eye on her to make sure both kittens are suckling from her. If you're at all worried about them, call the vet again or take the mother cat to the vets with her kittens.
Watch out for fleas - very bad for kittens. If you've treated the mother cat she might be OK, but otherwise I would get some appropriate flea treatment from a vet - Frontline Spray is fine to use on lactating mothers, and kittens from two days of age.
It was very good of you to take this cat in - do keep her in and have her spayed once the kittens are weaned to complete the job!
Chalice
2007-05-25 05:32:05 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You aren't being clear enough on the details of the "lump" you feel. Where is it, how big, what exactly is the movement like> It is possible that one kitten remains inside, possibly dead. If so it will pass on its own. It is also likely that there is issues with gas and other digestive matters due to the restricted space going back to "normal." Also, she may be "building-up waste because she doesnt leave them to go to the bathroom. It is not possible that she has two seperate litters of kittens. It is uncommon for there to be more than 5 kittens. Be sure to provide her with plenty of water, food and "catmilk" at close range, since she will not leave the kittens side for the first several days. When you provide litter for the kittens after about 4 or 5 weeks, be sure to use basic clay type litter, or pine. Clumping litters can be harmful to kittens. I dont think your cat has any emergency problem, unless there's some detail you're leaving out here. So don't worry, just watch her. It will be normal for her to get a bit run down for the first 2 or 3 weeks. Being a mother of 5 is hard work. Don't stress her out by taking her kittens away. You can pet them, and even hold them, but as soon as they cry mommy will go crazy to get it back.
2016-05-17 12:02:13 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
everything you speak of is normal. cats go where they feel comfortable. closet is safe dark and secluded. as for the number there really isn't any exact number although usually is like 4 she may have give birth early to these and maybe has one or more left to deliver. I had a cat where there was 12 hours between #2 and # 3 I would try not to touch them too much especially if they are premature. The mother might abandon one or both and then you will be doing the feedings by bottle every 2 hours.
2007-05-25 05:28:23 · answer #4 · answered by debbie f 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband rescued a small female and she too only had two kittens. The births weren't too far apart. The vet told us she was so young and small that only the two kittens formed and had room to grow. So, no, it's not anything to worry about with only two! Now, try to pick out names!
I would wait to hold them until the eyes open and I would only hold them while around the mother. This will show the mother you are just caring and not trying to remove them. You are going to have so much fun watching them grow and play!
Good luck!
2007-05-25 08:42:50 · answer #5 · answered by laura_a_c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well my cat is pregent too so i am also wondering but yes cats can have 2 kittens rare as it is and if she is a new mother she may be confused or disoriented and it was a good thing you have taken them out of the closet even at such a young age don't try to touch them too much unless it absloutly nessary
2007-05-25 05:47:47 · answer #6 · answered by Shanti 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well sometimes cats can only handle so much..... like they have too little of a bottle, and the kitten that is alone is just not used to nursing. try to take the one that is nuring away while putting the kitten w/ the mom it should help..if it doesnt call the vet tell them the problem claim that it wont eat at all
2007-05-25 05:25:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
let the mama kitty put them where she wants to bc you will just make her mad and she might start to reject them. on average cats have 4 or 5 kittens but i knew a cat that had only one. but you were smart to call the vet.make sure she is eatting kitten food have plenty of water out for her. also dont hold them till they start moving around a little more. like 3 or 4 weeks.
2007-05-25 05:29:31 · answer #8 · answered by crazy_cat_lady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat just had 2 kittens as well...it's not that uncommon. I would take them out of the laundry basket..it's too high...get a box and cut it so it's only 4 inches tall.
2007-05-25 05:27:12 · answer #9 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it's normal. They move them to different places. Next time she may have 7. That happened to me one time. I had a cat that had just two kittens and one died. The next time she had 7. She prefers for you not to handle them especially if they cry. if she feels like they are in danger like from a dog or another cat she may attack the animal. They are very protective usually. You can handle them though. Be glad she only had two. They are better off. Feed her kitten food it is better for her while she is nursing.
2007-05-25 05:29:54 · answer #10 · answered by peaches 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋