Can Father Cat Be Around Kittens?

[kalif]

Hi all.

My queen just gave birth to 3 kittens and i was wondering if i should let the daddy be around the new litter.

The thing is that I have 2 cats, Leia and Charlie. Before we could get Charlie neutered, they got pregnant. I wouldn't be so worried for the kittens if Charlie didn't play too rough. He used to play bite Leia till she smacks him. He sometimes does that to us too but not too much since we got Leia to slap him (lol).

Also, they always sleep in the same room. But now that she's given birth like just couple of hours ago. I'm not too sure on that too.

So yeah. Any advice?

 

[StefanZ]

Usually its not a problem. Many males are cooparenting in such a situation, if they are friends with momma. Of course, do superwise them the first times they meet.
And of course, let momma decide. If momma accepts him near, it should be OK, if she isnt happy - do separate them.

The problems you have surely heard about are typically from new coming toms, whom come and wants take shares of the new revire.
Such toms may be dangerous yes.

Othewise, the danger there is - many adult cats dont know what small kittens are - they get scared. If they hiss and run away its no problem, but if they take a preventive swipping with claws --- uh uh..

Another possible danger is if he plays too rough, not realizing they are too smal for this as yet... As you yourself mentioned.
So some supervising is necessary...

 

[kalif]

Thanks for the advice. I was told not to touch the kittens for a few weeks. Is that true? And if it is, is it ok for the dad to touch his babies (if the mother allows).

 

[di and bob]

No that is not true. As long as mama doesn't get too concerned, handling them helps to socialize them. I wouldn't let small children handle them though until they are a little older. Small children have no concept on how fragile newborns are.
Dads may be curious and sniff them, or even move them around with a paw. But most dads are usually very gentle with kittens. I have had battle scarred old toms lay there and let kittens climb on them and bite them all over, and they seem to enjoy it!

 

[kalif]

Ok guys! Thanks for your help! I'll get daddy socialise for a bit with his babies under my supervision. If mummy allows - she's very protective and fierce.

Thanks again!!

 

[StefanZ]

Most breeders and rescuers do weigh their kittens daily, to easier monitor the development. so as you see, its OK to touch the kittens, as long as you dont overdo it.

 

[lutece]

Is Charlie neutered now? If he is still whole (or just recently neutered), you need to be careful about allowing him to interact with Leia, as she can get pregnant again within weeks of having her kittens.

 

[kalif]

Is Charlie neutered now? If he is still whole (or just recently neutered), you need to be careful about allowing him to interact with Leia, as she can get pregnant again within weeks of having her kittens.

Yeah. We're keeping an eye oh him. He's had his neutering scheduled for next month.

 

[kalif]

So now i have a different problem,

Leia is moving her kittens around. But she moves one and then forgets about the other two. So we had to move them for her.

But she's still constantly moving her kittens. Did we stress her out too much?

 

[talkingpeanut]

It sounds like she needs some privacy. Confine her to one room with everything she needs, and make sure it is dark and quiet. Your male should stay away for at least the first three weeks. See if you can move up his neuter.

 

[ileen]

And can't the female get pregnant for a time even after the male has been neutered?

 

[lutece]

Yes, males can still sire litters for a short time after they are neutered, so it's important to keep a recently neutered male away from whole females.

 

[kalif]

How long is the period after he is neutered till he is not able to impregnate? Cos as long as leia doesn't get into heat, she won't allow him to mount.

 

[lutece]

The rule of thumb I have seen is to wait 30 days after the male is neutered.

Females can go into heat quickly without obvious signs. I have bred cats for many years and I am very familiar with the signs of a cat being in heat, but even for me, sometimes the first way I find out a cat is in heat is by hearing the yowl of a female who has just been bred by our male (we are lucky enough to have a male who doesn't spray and can run the house freely). So it is always important to keep whole males and females separated unless there is a plan to breed them.