my cat recently gave birth in my room. one of my housemates thought it would "only be fair" if he got to have the kittens in his room for three days, and then we would move them back into my room for three days, then his...etc; however, i have heard that moving kittens when they're first-born like that is really bad for them, as well as the mother, so i told him no. he asked me why but i couldn't really give him an answer. could you please tell me why?
2007-06-10 12:22:06 · 10 answers · asked by Emily 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Why? Because they're newborns. Fragile....and the mother cat wants them where she put them. Being a new mom is stressful enough without her having to track her kittens down every few days. Tell your roommate that it's not about being "fair", it's about where mama cat wants her kittens. If she moves them, she moves them....if she feels they're safe where she has them, don't mess with 'em.
"You should not handle kittens at this age unless it is really necessary. The mother cat is very protective of her babies and if she thinks they are getting too much attention from you, she might start moving them around the house. If she moves them, do not move them back to the box. The mom might think her kittens are missing and may get upset."
And despite what some unlearned people may think, cats will still care for their babies after humans have touched them. It's just not a good idea to upset the kittens and mama at such an early stage.
2007-06-10 12:26:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mother cat chose where she felt was a safe place to have her babies. The moving back and forth from room to room will not only upset the kittens but Mom as well. If your housemate wants to spend time with the babies then he will just have to come to your room. Think of it in people terms - it is so confusing for children of a divorce going from house to house
2007-06-10 12:53:42 · answer #2 · answered by nashniki 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd highly advise against it. For one thing, the mother wouldn't be happy. She picked the spot for reasons she wanted. It's her responsibility to move the kittens.
Two: Newborn kittens are highly vulnerable. Changes in environment can make them sick, or hurt them.
Three: You should never pick up a newborn kitten. A good rule of thumb I've learned is that, unless you have a lot of experience, never touch the newborns until they open their eyes, and even then, you shouldn't touch them unless necessary. They are very brittle creatures.
2007-06-10 12:28:01 · answer #3 · answered by Mariah 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
call your vet and ask they can give you the answer and your roommate will probably accept it better from a doctor than total strangers who give their opinions.
I hope I don't offend anyone but I truly think that would be the best.
My opinion is no and the mother would probably pick where she wants them and move them if they aren't where sh wants. It would put to much stress on the mom and the kittens which can cause coccidia which gives diarrhea and Can dehydrate and kill them
2007-06-10 12:47:09 · answer #4 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
don't move the kittens around; you will just upset the mother & kittens & she may stop nursing them or kill them. keep them somewhere quiet , warm and slightly dark, keep strangers away & don't handle the kittens much while they are small. think from the momcats point of view - she wants time alone w/her babies, she doesn't want any harm to come to them, she doesn't want them to become sick - leave them alone for gosh sakes!give them a nice cardboard box or carrier lined with towels, have food & water close by for mom & let her do her thing - they are HER babies - not yours or your roommates. There will be time for you to play with them later.
2007-06-10 12:53:28 · answer #5 · answered by j c 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-08 22:51:05 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the kittens are 1st born humans are not supposed to touch them... the mother may not feed them or want anything to do with them after wards!
2007-06-10 12:27:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
hi--i have no answer to give, because everything has already been said. basically everyone is correct, and i am only here to show my support. please please don't move those kittens, it could be very dangerous for them. tell your roommate that he is welcome to keep them in his room when they are old enough to walk into his room! it is not about fairness to him, but rather respect and fairness to the kittens and their surely frazzled mother!
2007-06-10 12:53:04 · answer #8 · answered by elliecutie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because the mother would feel not safe around you and leave it where it is right now! i know because i have a cat with the same problem. dover.
2007-06-10 12:46:09 · answer #9 · answered by dover 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard! What is he? 5?
2007-06-10 13:33:00 · answer #10 · answered by Black Cat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋