Need to move the kittens
Discussion
Our kittens our now 36 hours old and stuck under a bed. We really need to move them and mum to a more convenient place. Any advice please? Is it best to move them while mum is out wandering about or move them and her together? When I say 'move', I don't mean far. I'm talking about 2-3 feet from where they are now.
Edited by bernhund on Thursday 12th June 18:50
When one of our cats had her litter in the airing cupboard in the bathroom, we collected them all up in a box with a tea-towel whilst she was there, then she followed us to their new "home" in the bedroom.
Of course, she took some convincing and I think twice she moved them back to the bathroom......
Of course, she took some convincing and I think twice she moved them back to the bathroom......
Jasandjules said:
When one of our cats had her litter in the airing cupboard in the bathroom, we collected them all up in a box with a tea-towel whilst she was there, then she followed us to their new "home" in the bedroom.
Of course, she took some convincing and I think twice she moved them back to the bathroom......
Great little story, must've been great watching her carry them all back to the cupboard!Of course, she took some convincing and I think twice she moved them back to the bathroom......
I'm just concerned she will abandon them or worse!
Unless absolutely necessary, I would caution against moving them. She will have nested where she felt safe and quiet. Moving them might upset her and an upset mother may actually eat her kittens if disturbed (She will do the same with any that die likely before you even realise).
If it does prove necessary, minimise the direct handling, use a towel or blanked, first place them on that the blanket/towel for a few hours. Then move that into a box or tray in the same spot then move the box/tray. If you need to use your hand first get the mothers scent on it by stroking her first.
Until they start moving around by themselves (about 3-4 weeks old) minimise any handling but once they do handle them as much as possible to socialise them.
If it does prove necessary, minimise the direct handling, use a towel or blanked, first place them on that the blanket/towel for a few hours. Then move that into a box or tray in the same spot then move the box/tray. If you need to use your hand first get the mothers scent on it by stroking her first.
Until they start moving around by themselves (about 3-4 weeks old) minimise any handling but once they do handle them as much as possible to socialise them.
Edited by Martin4x4 on Thursday 12th June 19:02
Tbh it is almost unheard of for cats to eat their kittens at this point.
They need moving, under the bed is not a good place to observe them and ck all is well. If Mum is ok with you being around them then it should be fine but as jasandjules said they may get moved back again initially!
Esp important as being a young first time Mum with 8 kittens is a big ask and she may not cope with feeding all of them and may need help. To know if kittens are thriving you should weigh them every day and know if any are being pushed out etc, you can't do this with her under a bed.
They need moving, under the bed is not a good place to observe them and ck all is well. If Mum is ok with you being around them then it should be fine but as jasandjules said they may get moved back again initially!
Esp important as being a young first time Mum with 8 kittens is a big ask and she may not cope with feeding all of them and may need help. To know if kittens are thriving you should weigh them every day and know if any are being pushed out etc, you can't do this with her under a bed.
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 12th June 20:19
bexVN said:
Tbh it is almost unheard of for cats to eat their kittens at this point.
They need moving, under the bed is not a good place to observe them and ck all is well. If Mum is ok with you being around them then it should be fine but as jasandjules said they may get moved back again initially!
Esp important as being a young first time Mum with 8 kittens is a big ask and she may not cope with feeding all of them and may need help. To know if kittens are thriving you should weigh them every day and know if any are being pushed out etc, you can't do this with her under a bed.
Thank you for this. She is doing a grand job so far, leaving the kittens for 20-30 mins for a break and some food, then straight back in there. They all look fairly equal in size but perhaps weight is something else.They need moving, under the bed is not a good place to observe them and ck all is well. If Mum is ok with you being around them then it should be fine but as jasandjules said they may get moved back again initially!
Esp important as being a young first time Mum with 8 kittens is a big ask and she may not cope with feeding all of them and may need help. To know if kittens are thriving you should weigh them every day and know if any are being pushed out etc, you can't do this with her under a bed.
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 12th June 20:19
I'll shift them all carefully tonight and see where they are in the morning!
bexVN said:
Tbh it is almost unheard of for cats to eat their kittens at this point.
They need moving, under the bed is not a good place to observe them and ck all is well. If Mum is ok with you being around them then it should be fine but as jasandjules said they may get moved back again initially!
You are wrong, it is not unheard of. Just because you haven't heard about it does happen and I speak from experience of at least 200 litters of both pedigree and rescue during my formative years.They need moving, under the bed is not a good place to observe them and ck all is well. If Mum is ok with you being around them then it should be fine but as jasandjules said they may get moved back again initially!
Anything that stresses the queen can trigger it, disturbance of the nest being a big risk, noise, children, dogs and even presence of other cats especially unneutered males. It does happen!
The welfare of the kittens should be put above the interest of watching them there will be plenty of time for that in a few weeks.
We have moved them into a basket on the mattress and they've all settled immediately. Mum got straight on with feeding them. Tomorrow evening I'll remove the mattress. Hopefully mum is very relaxed as she's used to the dogs and another cat being around. Having said that, we've made sure the dogs and the other cat can get nowhere near.
On another note, mum just came downstairs for a rest on our cool stone floor and we noticed she has a lump that could be kitten sized! Is it possible for there to be a number 9 still in there?
On another note, mum just came downstairs for a rest on our cool stone floor and we noticed she has a lump that could be kitten sized! Is it possible for there to be a number 9 still in there?
Martin4x4 said:
bexVN said:
Tbh it is almost unheard of for cats to eat their kittens at this point.
They need moving, under the bed is not a good place to observe them and ck all is well. If Mum is ok with you being around them then it should be fine but as jasandjules said they may get moved back again initially!
You are wrong, it is not unheard of. Just because you haven't heard about it does happen and I speak from experience of at least 200 litters of both pedigree and rescue during my formative years.They need moving, under the bed is not a good place to observe them and ck all is well. If Mum is ok with you being around them then it should be fine but as jasandjules said they may get moved back again initially!
Anything that stresses the queen can trigger it, disturbance of the nest being a big risk, noise, children, dogs and even presence of other cats especially unneutered males. It does happen!
The welfare of the kittens should be put above the interest of watching them there will be plenty of time for that in a few weeks.
bernhund said:
We have moved them into a basket on the mattress and they've all settled immediately. Mum got straight on with feeding them. Tomorrow evening I'll remove the mattress. Hopefully mum is very relaxed as she's used to the dogs and another cat being around. Having said that, we've made sure the dogs and the other cat can get nowhere near.
On another note, mum just came downstairs for a rest on our cool stone floor and we noticed she has a lump that could be kitten sized! Is it possible for there to be a number 9 still in there?
Difficult to say, There could be but unless she is quite slim it's not usually that easy to see. If in doubt get her ck'd, esp if still there tom. The uterus should have contracted down by now so I wouldn't think it was that you could see. And a retained placenta after this time would usually start making them feel ill by now and you may start to see a green discharge (green is not a normal colour for post partum discharge in queens). It's prob nothing but phone your vet tom for advice to be on safe side.On another note, mum just came downstairs for a rest on our cool stone floor and we noticed she has a lump that could be kitten sized! Is it possible for there to be a number 9 still in there?
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 12th June 23:45
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