New Kitten Mom (about To Be)

Hi all-

New here. I’m adopting 2 new kittens from a local rescue. I met them over two weeks ago and have had one additional play date. They should be coming home next week after they are neutered. I’ve been a canine mom for my entire life and have recently lost both of them due to old age. We have always loved cats and thought this was the time to venture into kitty land. I’ve prepared everything - they have toys, scratchers, bowls, litter boxes, the same food their foster mom has been feeding them. But I’m nervous as heck. Much more nervous than the boys seem to be. When they visited, they had lovable and gentle personalities.

Back story - they were found without their mom - no one knows what happened at about 5 weeks of age. They are about 8 weeks old now. There is a litter of 4 - two girls and two boys. I’m so happy that we’re able to adopt both of the boys and keep them together.

They will be loved beyond measure but I just want to make sure that I’m doing everything that I should to ensure a good homecoming and bonding with them. Meet Hank (on blanket) and Dean (on scratcher).

I would love any kind of new kitten mom advise you can give. Thanks so much!

Welcome to TCS! OMG, those kittens are so cute. I especially like the "eyebrows"! I'm glad you are adopting two. I think that's best with kittens.

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Hi Irisinati and welcome to the forum !

Oh, they're just.....spectacular ! (I think that second one's going to be a character! There's just that look of mischief there!)

First thing that came to my mind was their age. A week from now will make them ~9 weeks.

The longer kittens stay with mom and siblings, the better for their social skills immediately and throughout their lives. The earlier they are separated, the more likely will be personality and interpersonal issues/difficulties.

For a long time it was accepted that 12 weeks was a minimum before separation. Of late, research has demonstrated that an additional two weeks will produce significant benefit. (Yes, there is actually an enormous amount of research underway on just about every aspect on cats, medical, behavioural and on and on.)

You know, even if the foster mom was able to keep them on for just a few more weeks, that would make a difference. What do you think? Does she seem pressured? Could you approach her?

Here's the reference for you: Delayed weaning reduces behavioural problems in cats

Our family had dogs all along, too, and I know that 'dog people' know very well about behaviour issues with them......well, same idea, just different animal.
.

Welcome to the site
What gorgeous babies

Hello and welcome to TCS. Congrats on your soon to be new kitten mom status. Those 2 kittens are paws-itively adorable.

Here's a few TCS that you might want to peruse while you wait for your fur babies to come home.

First-time Cat Owner's Guide
New Cat Checklist: What You Need To Get Before Bringing Kitty Home | TheCatSite
Bringing Home A New Cat - The Complete Guide | TheCatSite

9 Tips That Will Help Your Kitten Adapt To A New Apartment | TheCatSite
Kitten Proofing Your Home: 13 Practical Tips | TheCatSite

Irisinatl, Hank and Dean, on behalf of theCatsite community, a warm to all of you.

So glad that you’ve joined this site and you are in the right place for all things cat and this site is loaded with tons of rich resources and you’ll find friendly and helpful cats around and many of our cats are very knowledgeable in cat related stuffs.

Thank you for adopting Hank and Dean There are such cuties!

New Here? I Have A Few Suggestions For You!
Community Guidelines & Practices - Frequently Asked Questions
Forum Rules

Feel free to ask questions if you have any and start a new thread of your own and post them under the appropriate forum headings and do check out the many informative articles we have here in Articles | The Cat Site

Enjoy your stay and see ya around

aww they are beautiful!!! welcome to the site

white shadow said:

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Hi Irisinati and welcome to the forum !

Oh, they're just.....spectacular ! (I think that second one's going to be a character! There's just that look of mischief there!)

First thing that came to my mind was their age. A week from now will make them ~9 weeks.

The longer kittens stay with mom and siblings, the better for their social skills immediately and throughout their lives. The earlier they are separated, the more likely will be personality and interpersonal issues/difficulties.

For a long time it was accepted that 12 weeks was a minimum before separation. Of late, research has demonstrated that an additional two weeks will produce significant benefit. (Yes, there is actually an enormous amount of research underway on just about every aspect on cats, medical, behavioural and on and on.)

You know, even if the foster mom was able to keep them on for just a few more weeks, that would make a difference. What do you think? Does she seem pressured? Could you approach her?

Here's the reference for you: Delayed weaning reduces behavioural problems in cats

Our family had dogs all along, too, and I know that 'dog people' know very well about behaviour issues with them......well, same idea, just different animal.
.

Click to expand...

She’s not with a foster mom cat - she’s with a foster mom human. The kittens were found without a cat mom. They have been without their cat mom since about 5 weeks - sad indeed! But grateful they have been taken care of so well. I would agree with you about early weaning but this just isn’t the case. This is one of the reasons we wanted to keep two of them together hoping that will help them along.

white shadow said:

.
Hi Irisinati and welcome to the forum !

Oh, they're just.....spectacular ! (I think that second one's going to be a character! There's just that look of mischief there!)

First thing that came to my mind was their age. A week from now will make them ~9 weeks.

The longer kittens stay with mom and siblings, the better for their social skills immediately and throughout their lives. The earlier they are separated, the more likely will be personality and interpersonal issues/difficulties.

For a long time it was accepted that 12 weeks was a minimum before separation. Of late, research has demonstrated that an additional two weeks will produce significant benefit. (Yes, there is actually an enormous amount of research underway on just about every aspect on cats, medical, behavioural and on and on.)

You know, even if the foster mom was able to keep them on for just a few more weeks, that would make a difference. What do you think? Does she seem pressured? Could you approach her?

Here's the reference for you: Delayed weaning reduces behavioural problems in cats

Our family had dogs all along, too, and I know that 'dog people' know very well about behaviour issues with them......well, same idea, just different animal.
.

Click to expand...

I also hit send too soon and haven’t figured out how to edit. You are so correct about the 2nd one being the mischief seeker in the duo. It’s already very evident in their personalities.

Irisinatl said:

I also hit send too soon and haven’t figured out how to edit.

Click to expand...

FYI, you'll get the editing option after you've been a member 5 days and reach 20 posts.

Hi Irisinatl Welcome and Congratulations on the adoption of these little beauties!
I would advise taking LOTS of pictures. Not just to post them for everyone on here to coo over, but they grow up so fast. It's nice to be able to look at those baby photos years later and remember how very tiny they were.
Something we did the last time we had a kitten was to have him wear a collar with a bell. Normally I hate bell collars, but when Buddy was tiny and didn't know his name, it was very helpful in finding him when he was under furniture or something. We didn't make him wear it all the time, just when he was exploring and we couldn't keep a watchful eye on him. As soon as he learned to come when I called his name, we got rid of the bell. Oh, and if you do choose to have them wear a collar, make sure it is the break-away kind.

Welcome and thank you for adopting these gorgeous little ones

Welcome to TCS! I'm glad you joined the site and came here for advice. Thank you for rescuing these adorable brothers together. Hank and Dean are two extremely handsome kittens. I'm sure once home they will become the love of your life. I've had cats with dogs and I'm fond of both too.

OH MY GOSH! I am entirely kittensmitten! Welcome to you and those beautiful babies! I know that you are beyond excited, and you have come to just the right place for information and encouragement! Let us know when they tell you their names!

Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome. I have been devouring articles and posts to learn everything I can. It sounds like we’ll be welcoming Hank and Dean home this weekend. This has been the longest two weeks of my life. I can’t wait to get the boys home!

I really appreciate all of your knowledge on this site.

Irisinatl said:

It sounds like we’ll be welcoming Hank and Dean home this weekend.

Click to expand...

How exciting.

And you know we want pictures! LOTS of them!

Welcome to TCS! Your kittens are so cute! Let us know what their names are when you decide!

An update to my first thread.....It's been a crazy few weeks.

Hank & Dean came home to us Mother's Day weekend on Saturday. On Saturday night they both threw up. Dean once but Hank continued - between emergency vet and my vet he was continuing to dehydrate despite sub q fluids. Our fabulous rescue, that we adopted the kittens from, stepped in. Sent us to their vets (even assumed the costs) and we had Hank hospitalized for 3 days. They suspected panluekopenia. I was freaking out. The test was negative thank goodness! Hank did come home the following Sunday - on Clavamox & metronidazole and prescription food. He was down to 1.9# and scrawny as all get out but eating like a champ.

Dean continued to have mushy stools with some blood. After speaking with the vet, he was also put on metronidazole and probiotics. He is also improving.

The are amazing sweet, playful, affectionate kittens. Today the weighed 3.8#!

I'm hoping the worst is over. They bring so much joy to our lives.

Thank you all for your comments and support.

I hadn't seen your other threads, so had no idea what you and your kittens were going through. I guess you'll always remember your first Mother's Day as a Cat Mom. So happy to hear that they're feeling better and gaining weight. Sending healing vibes for continued improvements.