Feral Mom and kittens in my garage- help!

inspirashin

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Yesterday we found a kitten hiding wedged between a box and an old tire in my garage. At first we thought it was the only one but we now know there are two. We cleaned out the area a bit and made a small litterbox with a bowl of water.
We put our petcube out there to see, and sure enough the mom comes in to check on her babies and weve seen their dad come by for a visit as well.
They look very healthy and clean- look about 4wks old.
I read on a different blog that we shouldnt leave food out- but we have been for about three days. I just now read that we shouldnt feed them dog food, which is what ive been doing.
Im not sure at this point what to do since the mother seems to he caring for them- and will they leave? Theyve also gone pee and pooped all over the place, so i was thinking should i clean out the storage area and clean it off- leaving them a few boxes instead?
I dont want them to starve, and the mother doesnt come if were around so i cant seem to feed her before the babies go and eat the food.
Im not sure how to go about dealing with the situation- advise is so needed!
 
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inspirashin

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You are onto a great start! Litter boxes are a plus as is food & water. Would you be able to TNR the adults soon?
I hadnt thought to- but i could do some online research to TNR the adults. In the meantime- is it ok to leave out pldog kibble for the babies daily?
 

KarenKat

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I wouldn’t use dog kibble - cats need different nutrients such as taurine and there are some ingredients in dog food and dog treats that are toxic to cats (such as onion and garlic).

Kitten kibble would be best for both kittens and mom.

Also they seem lucky to have you caring for them!
 
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inspirashin

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I wouldn’t use dog kibble - cats need different nutrients such as taurine and there are some ingredients in dog food and dog treats that are toxic to cats (such as onion and garlic).

Kitten kibble would be best for both kittens and mom.

Also they seem lucky to have you caring for them!
Thanks for the feedback- ill go out and get some for cats❤
also- should i just leave my garage as is (i cant find or reach them in that storage section of the garage) or should i clean out the area and leave boxes and blankets for them? Im not sure if its good to clear it out and scare them- or if itll be better in the long run so i can rescue them for vet care?
Thanks in advance😊
 

KarenKat

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I’m not quite sure there - I’ve never really dealt with feral cats. Maybe leave it for a bit so they get comfortable and clean it a little at a time? I agree you don’t want to spook them.
 
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inspirashin

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I’m not quite sure there - I’ve never really dealt with feral cats. Maybe leave it for a bit so they get comfortable and clean it a little at a time? I agree you don’t want to spook them.
Thanks i think i might just do that😊
 

fionasmom

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I have had ferals give birth in my various garages and they all appreciated a nice, clean bed. If I am picturing your set up correctly, would it be possible to put some boxes and bedding where the mom might find them and move the kittens to that area? Maybe next to the area that they are in now that you can't access?

Get some kind of kitten food. The mom needs to eat and let her eat as much as she wants right now.
 
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inspirashin

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I have had ferals give birth in my various garages and they all appreciated a nice, clean bed. If I am picturing your set up correctly, would it be possible to put some boxes and bedding where the mom might find them and move the kittens to that area? Maybe next to the area that they are in now that you can't access?

Get some kind of kitten food. The mom needs to eat and let her eat as much as she wants right now.
12C46962-AEA9-4B17-BA7B-5025DA79FA54.jpeg

this is how i have it now-they actually hide behind the black and yellow tub there, and come out onto the liter box. I wanted to clear out some of the storage area (already had to throw out my sofa bc the little ones used it as a peepee pad) and maybe replace with boxes like youve said. I wonder if thatll be alright with them being about 4-5wks now. Should i just wait to move everything until theyre a little older?
Ill definitely pick up some kitten kibble and maybe a little toy since ive noticed the little tikes like to play on the garage cam.
I hadnt planned on keeping them and hoped theyd grow healthy enough to trap neuter and release. I just dont know what i should do to deter dependence on me (ive already got 6 dogs😖)
My thinking is if i have to choose between them becoming dependent or having the little ones grow in an unsafe environment or not fed id rather they just hang around with me.
What did you do?
 

fionasmom

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That is a nice setup you have for them. I would probably leave it for a little while longer until they are quite used to you and then start to slowly move things. Is it cold where you are? I had a feral mom give birth on two chairs that were in the garage years ago, and another in the back of one of my husband's cars on the floorboards. Chairs had to go, car was actually fine and she did move the kittens to a place she had already chosen for them in the garage.

Can you get them some wet food as well? It does not have to be expensive but will be good for them.

So there are two kittens and a mom and dad? Do you have any experience with TNR? If the parents are feral, I would recommend getting them fixed. The kittens have to be older; for my vet it is 4 months. This is sort of a ways down the road so you have time to consider what you want to do. The kittens may be adoptable, especially if they become used to you. If not, they should be fixed as well. If you are able to get them fixed and let them live on your property, that is a good solution. I had 5 dogs and 7 cats at the same time at one point....my personal best....and it all worked out. I do have ferals outside now who are fixed, completely impossible for them to become pets because of their extreme feral nature, but they don't cause any issues, provide rat control, and I provide food for them and shelter if they choose to use it.

You can get a lot of advice here on all those questions I have posed as time goes on, so don't feel that you are to do this completely by yourself.
 
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