- Joined
- May 11, 2019
- Messages
- 13
- Purraise
- 9
Hello out there! I'm a first-time cat daddy. We've had cats all my life, but this is my first time caring for a pregnant cat, and now a mommy cat. When we moved into our trailer, she was living under it (there's also about five others). However, she kept sneaking into the house somehow. It turns out there was an open spot behind the fridge. But because she kept coming in, we figured that she had adopted us, so we named her "Sneaky."
She went from being a very small, skinny cat to a VERY FAT cat very quickly. She was more like a fuzzy beach ball with legs than a cat! We brought her inside, and decided to put her in the 1/2 bathroom. We gave her a litter box, and put bowls with food and water.
Of course, we let her out for long periods of time. She'd prowl around the house, poking her nose everywhere - cupboards and closets. Her favorite spot, though, seemed to be the cupboard under the bathroom sink (which is where she ended up having the kittens). She became more affectionate than she'd ever been before; she would lay on her back and let me pet her tummy, and let me have my hand there to feel for the babies. It was so cool when they kicked!
She also started jumping up on our laps, something she'd never done before. I think that she knew we were concerned about her and her babies, and this was her way of thanking us.
I heard a weird noise coming from the bathroom, and wondered what it was. I opened the door, and there was this teeny-tiny kitten mewling! Aw! I told my brother, and so we began our watch. It took about a half hour for the 2nd one, and then about an hour for the third. I thought she'd stop at 5; but then, in the last hour, two more popped out.
How do we handle SEVEN kittens? She only has six nipples! She's a very young cat (by looks), and small - about 14" from nose to butt, and about 4 lbs. I'd guess. They're all very well-formed, cute kittens; they all appear to be healthy; the last two are a LITTLE smaller than the others, but not grossly so; they're all about 4-5" from nose to butt.
I'm just concerned that they get enough food. My local supermarket does not have kitten food; I've been giving her canned food, as that was easier for her to eat, and I felt, more nutritious than kibble.
I have them in a shallow cardboard box lined with a towel, to help everyone stay warm. They had been born in the cupboard under the bathroom sink, but I moved them out of there lest they fall out. They're all clean now, with silky fur, and she finally cleaned herself as well.
I know it will take weeks before they're old enough to give away; I thought I'd see about getting them their shots, and then take them down to the local Flea Market & try selling them. They sell puppies there all the time - sometimes for $500 each! Of course, I'm not looking to make THAT much; I just want them to go to good homes.
I also know that I won't be able to have them spayed/neutered that early; but we can't take care of that many ourselves.
What else should I know? What else should I do? I feel as utterly helpless and "big caveman dumb" as I did when my son was born. Sigh. Guys just aren't equipped to be moms. Any help is gratefully appreciated.
She went from being a very small, skinny cat to a VERY FAT cat very quickly. She was more like a fuzzy beach ball with legs than a cat! We brought her inside, and decided to put her in the 1/2 bathroom. We gave her a litter box, and put bowls with food and water.
Of course, we let her out for long periods of time. She'd prowl around the house, poking her nose everywhere - cupboards and closets. Her favorite spot, though, seemed to be the cupboard under the bathroom sink (which is where she ended up having the kittens). She became more affectionate than she'd ever been before; she would lay on her back and let me pet her tummy, and let me have my hand there to feel for the babies. It was so cool when they kicked!
She also started jumping up on our laps, something she'd never done before. I think that she knew we were concerned about her and her babies, and this was her way of thanking us.
I heard a weird noise coming from the bathroom, and wondered what it was. I opened the door, and there was this teeny-tiny kitten mewling! Aw! I told my brother, and so we began our watch. It took about a half hour for the 2nd one, and then about an hour for the third. I thought she'd stop at 5; but then, in the last hour, two more popped out.
How do we handle SEVEN kittens? She only has six nipples! She's a very young cat (by looks), and small - about 14" from nose to butt, and about 4 lbs. I'd guess. They're all very well-formed, cute kittens; they all appear to be healthy; the last two are a LITTLE smaller than the others, but not grossly so; they're all about 4-5" from nose to butt.
I'm just concerned that they get enough food. My local supermarket does not have kitten food; I've been giving her canned food, as that was easier for her to eat, and I felt, more nutritious than kibble.
I have them in a shallow cardboard box lined with a towel, to help everyone stay warm. They had been born in the cupboard under the bathroom sink, but I moved them out of there lest they fall out. They're all clean now, with silky fur, and she finally cleaned herself as well.
I know it will take weeks before they're old enough to give away; I thought I'd see about getting them their shots, and then take them down to the local Flea Market & try selling them. They sell puppies there all the time - sometimes for $500 each! Of course, I'm not looking to make THAT much; I just want them to go to good homes.
I also know that I won't be able to have them spayed/neutered that early; but we can't take care of that many ourselves.
What else should I know? What else should I do? I feel as utterly helpless and "big caveman dumb" as I did when my son was born. Sigh. Guys just aren't equipped to be moms. Any help is gratefully appreciated.
