Can My Twin Cat's Sister Nurse Her Babies?

Ash-Lyn901

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Okay, So I have two female cats.
Olive and ginger, a pair of female twins.
So, when Ginger gave birth she didn't take care of her kittens she was too distracted with olive's babies. But, we solved that solution already. She cares and is loving for her babies now. So, we usually let Ginger go out at times she wants to leave the room she's in. (It's locked just for her kittens and her) When we do let her go out though, she will try to nurse her sister's babies? I'm questioning if I should let her nurse them or not? I read online when she does give birth she cannot nurse her sister's kittens, but now I'm not sure. So can she nurse her sister's children or not?
Another topic I wanted to ask about is how to calm Ginger down to not mix the litters together? And, when can I mix litters?
 

StefanZ

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In nature sis or friends often helps each other.
So if momma not minding or other problems, its ok for sis to help with nursing.

a breeder of purebreds must know exactly which kitten is
Who.
But for moggies it doesnt matter much as long both mommas are happy with mixing and you are sure kittens grow ok.

Weigtingh kittens now ans then is good to be sure all so add 10+ grammes a day.
 

talkingpeanut

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Are you able to keep both moms 100% inside and away from intact males now? Do you need help finding a low cost spay clinic in your area?
 
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Ash-Lyn901

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In nature sis or friends often helps each other.
So if momma not minding or other problems, its ok for sis to help with nursing.

a breeder of purebreds must know exactly which kitten is
Who.
But for moggies it doesnt matter much as long both mommas are happy with mixing and you are sure kittens grow ok.

Weigtingh kittens now ans then is good to be sure all so add 10+ grammes a day.
okay! thank you.
 
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Ash-Lyn901

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Are you able to keep both moms 100% inside and away from intact males now? Do you need help finding a low cost spay clinic in your area?
We do have one male cat in our house. But no, we cannot keep them away from him because he is the one who usually goes to them.
No, we have a good clinic in my area but I don't feel we need to go to a clinic for this problem.
 

talkingpeanut

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It’s not healthy for your females to have litter after litter, and they can get pregnant again immediately after delivery. Can you get your male neutered now? You need to keep him away.

I also see that you stepped on a kitten. They need to be in a safe room where that can’t happen. Kittens have to be contained. Accidents happen, but you need to take action to keep both the moms and kittens safe now.
 
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Ash-Lyn901

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It’s not healthy for your females to have litter after litter, and they can get pregnant again immediately after delivery. Can you get your male neutered now? You need to keep him away.

I also see that you stepped on a kitten. They need to be in a safe room where that can’t happen. Kittens have to be contained. Accidents happen, but you need to take action to keep both the moms and kittens safe now.
Thanks a lot! Yes we are getting all of them neutered very soon since we can't handle the kittens after kittens. But, I really wish we could take care of more them. And it's not good for Ginger and Olive's health as you said, we can't risk our angels getting hurt either so we'll be careful. Thank you again! Our cat's room right now is occupied by ginger and her newborns. But they do usually come in my room since it's Olive's favorite spot, they usually hang out here. But, you're right when Ginger's kittens become 3 weeks I'll mix them if that's the age?
 

talkingpeanut

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I would move one of the litters into your room to be contained, and give the other litter their own room. They can’t have full run of the house right now.

Your male can also get them pregnant again at any time, so he really does need to be kept away.
 
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Ash-Lyn901

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In nature sis or friends often helps each other.
So if momma not minding or other problems, its ok for sis to help with nursing.

a breeder of purebreds must know exactly which kitten is
Who.
But for moggies it doesnt matter much as long both mommas are happy with mixing and you are sure kittens grow ok.

Weigtingh kittens now ans then is good to be sure all so add 10+ grammes a day.
Okay, thank you! But I wanted to ask if Ginger nursed her kids, all six of them cant usually get milk, so we bring Olive in. She feeds them, But you're telling me its okay, and I totally believe that but if the kittens are not healthy or sick can they pass it on to Olive's babies? Since one of them is still drinking milk from her. So it's totally okay? (Sorry for the dumb question I just don't want any of them getting sick or anything)
 
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Ash-Lyn901

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Okay, thank you! But I wanted to ask if Ginger nursed her kids, all six of them cant usually get milk, so we bring Olive in. She feeds them, But you're telling me its okay, and I totally believe that but if the kittens are not healthy or sick can they pass it on to Olive's babies? Since one of them is still drinking milk from her. So it's totally okay? (Sorry for the dumb question I just don't want any of them getting sick or anything)
Also, can Olive by any chance get sick?
 

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Adults have usually better immunity than kittens.

But if a kitten has a contagious disease it may easily spread to the other kittens.

This is why most rescuers handfeed orphans with unclear health even if they have a willing momma cat.
 
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Ash-Lyn901

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Yes, they can all spread germs easily. Are some of the kittens sick?
I'm not sure. But all of them move like normal kittens, the thing is we've always had kittens who struggle and move, their faces and pretty different then all of the other kittens we've had. They don't seem like the other ones for some reason, but they're pretty healthy. They do walk but never struggle and are adorable. They can swallow on their on (they ate litter I got it out of their mouths it happened to all of the kittens) But, if something does happen we are going to bring them to the vet. But right now everything seems normal, so their probably alright. (as in these kittens are the kitten you see on videos, They dont catch onto you like other ones do unless they're stuck on your back)
 
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Ash-Lyn901

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Adults have usually better immunity than kittens.

But if a kitten has a contagious disease it may easily spread to the other kittens.

This is why most rescuers handfeed orphans with unclear health even if they have a willing momma cat.
Okay, so should I give the kittens who don't get milk a replacement of their mom's milk? We'll get one if needed.
Thank you for replying.
 

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You should weigh the kittens every day. If there are kittens who are not gaining enough, you should supplement them, or give them time with mom when the other kittens are sleeping.

Rotating the kittens would probably be easiest. Every two hours you can move three kittens to be with Mom. The other three can go in a separate nest that has a heating pad on low. That way everyone gets good nursing time.

I can’t understand what you are saying about the kittens possibly being sick, though. You must use non-clumping cat litter when they are learning the litter box. Tasting the litter is normal. How are they struggling? How old are they?
 

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May there be any inbreeding?

Or even other genetical things.


Such can cause some kittens become slightly different without being actually ill.

Goats milk is ok to give cats and kittens.

The suggestion above on rotating them is very good. And weighting esp any you see may be a runt or in problems.
 
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Ash-Lyn901

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May there be any inbreeding?

Or even other genetical things.


Such can cause some kittens become slightly different without being actually ill.

Goats milk is ok to give cats and kittens.

The suggestion above on rotating them is very good. And weighting esp any you see may be a runt or in problems.
Okay, thank you. We'll be weighing them when we go out and buy some things for the house (we need to buy something we can weigh them on)
 
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Ash-Lyn901

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May there be any inbreeding?

Or even other genetical things.


Such can cause some kittens become slightly different without being actually ill.

Goats milk is ok to give cats and kittens.

The suggestion above on rotating them is very good. And weighting esp any you see may be a runt or in problems.
At the most, it's genetical.
 
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Ash-Lyn901

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You should weigh the kittens every day. If there are kittens who are not gaining enough, you should supplement them, or give them time with mom when the other kittens are sleeping.

Rotating the kittens would probably be easiest. Every two hours you can move three kittens to be with Mom. The other three can go in a separate nest that has a heating pad on low. That way everyone gets good nursing time.

I can’t understand what you are saying about the kittens possibly being sick, though. You must use non-clumping cat litter when they are learning the litter box. Tasting the litter is normal. How are they struggling? How old are they?
So far, they are 12 days old (a week and 5 days) and thanks for the suggestion we'll do it.
 

Sarthur2

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At 12 days old if some of the kittens are not getting enough milk to gain weight they are in big trouble.

This may be why they seem lethargic and are not moving as much as other kittens you have had. They may be starving.

You must supplement them with powdered PetAg kitten formula. Each kitten needs to gain 6-10 grams daily.

Please watch this video and begin supplementing these kittens right away.

Syringe Feeding

Ash-Lyn901 Ash-Lyn901
 
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