My step mom's cat just had babies and I want to know how long I have to wait to touch/pet/hold any of them.
I have heard that you must not touch a cat's kittens for 6-8 weeks or she will not feed it.
Is this true?
2007-07-23 01:54:40 · 9 answers · asked by ilovemychemicalromance_2007 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
She doesn't seem to mind when we get close to the kittens, I tried petting one and she meowed at me, but then I realised it was only because she wanted to be petted ^^
So I petted her a bit and petted the kittens, and she was fine with it.
She's feeding them at the moment so I don't think petting them made any difference.
2007-07-23 02:24:28 · update #1
I've touched and held baby kittens from the time they were a few days old and never had problems with Moms rejecting their kittens.
Make sure the Mom is alright with you being near her and the kittens, most moms will signal this by purring, coming up to you for attention or rolling over and letting you see the kittens.
If the mom seems nervous about you being near the kittens or hostile, leave her alone, she may be getting used to being a mom and not want any others around.
Try sitting near mom and talking to her, see how mom responds and take your cues from her.
Remember that kittens will bite because they don't know that it will hurt you, not because they are mean, also they cannot control their claws until they are older. Be gentle they are just babies.
I'll bet they are adorable!
2007-07-23 02:24:34 · answer #1 · answered by Clare 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the cat were an outside cat and not very friendly, then the mom would want to move the babies around if you handled them. But an inside lovey dovey cat that's part of the family will most likely not mind you having a cuddle with her babies. You can tell if she's stressed about it, but like you said, most likely she just wants part of the attention, too. The earlier and more the babies are handled, the friendlier and more socialized they will be when it's time to give them new homes, provided the handling is all gentle and "age appropriate".
When they're little, about as soon as you pick them up they'll hollar for mama, so only hold them for a few seconds at a time. They'll best get to know you if you just have your hand in their nesting box and pet them a little so they get used to your smell and your touch. Then when they're a little bigger and exploring on their own you can play with them more and more.
Mine are ready for adoption in about a week and it breaks my heart to think of letting them go! They're all sweet little babies and we've (including my 5 and 7 yo) handled them from the second they were born!!
Good luck with your babies!
2007-07-23 09:46:00 · answer #2 · answered by Nasubi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. I have touched them from day 1.
The big thing is not keeping them away from their mother for more than a few minutes. They need mommy for warmth, food and security.
What you might be referring to is the weaning period. This period is the time where mommy cat is feeding her babies and you will generally know when this is over. Mom wont want to feed them and the kittens will start eating cat food. Some say it's 6-8 week some say it's 2-4 weeks.
The best bet is to observe the little buggers and see when mom loses her patients with them and they start to eat at mom's food.
Good luck!
2007-07-23 09:00:12 · answer #3 · answered by nremtohio 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your getting it mixed upwith the weaning period. =D You should'nt touch the kittens for about a business week. If you do it before, in most cases the mother cat will abandon and ignore the kitten if you have touched it. If that happen's, the kitten will die. It would be good if you somehow got the mom and kittens in a box [thats open] and stick them in a closet, along with food and water for the mom. Because if there's too much air from humans, the kittens will become stressed out and have problems breathing and moving. And some don't make it. So just keep that in mind.
Hope that helped! And congrats on the kittens. ^-^
2007-07-23 09:00:49 · answer #4 · answered by Equine Expert 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have raised many litters in my life. I've cut their cords, ripped open their sacks, and held them from when they were still wet at birth. If mom trusts you, she will trust you with her kittens and the kittens will bond with you before they open their eyes.
2007-07-23 10:04:50 · answer #5 · answered by Sonia M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, that is not true. Normally only birds do that. It is fine to touch them as long as mama doesnt get mad.
2007-07-23 08:58:23 · answer #6 · answered by I love my little Madelynn 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the others here. You can touch them when mamma says it's ok I.E. doesn't try to claw your eyes out when you come near them.
2007-07-23 09:13:59 · answer #7 · answered by fiestacarsrule 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is!The mother cat won't feed them if she sense people on her kittens!She will just reject them!So be patient...
2007-07-23 09:01:06 · answer #8 · answered by mia 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
the sooner the better, as long as mom doesnt get mad
2007-07-23 08:59:31 · answer #9 · answered by countrygirl55 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋