Do NOT let Emma outside until after she is spayed. She can get pregnant again right away, whether she is in heat or not. Cats are induced ovulators when they mate. Also, she needs to remain available to her kittens.
I did open it for Emma at lunchtime, and eventually for Missy, too. But since I've been out of work now for 2 months, I've used up all of my savings because SSI doesn't cover all my bills, let alone taking care of at least 7 adult cats, 1 or 2 opossums (who eat all the cat good I set out every few nights, but if I don't set it out, the cats don't get it, either), and the wild birds (that's a whole other story), etc. $8 a can is very expensive to me for something that Emma drinks up in one sitting. I'm having a hard time just keeping up with her canned food needs, and making sure the outside kitties still eat & my kitties still eat. My George is more & more upset every day, because Emma keeps attacking him, so he's always asking for treats, and I'd love to say NO, but then my upstairs tenant runs into the room, runs up to him with claws out, hissing, in attack mode, and he has to run for his life, and he sees me fawning all over her babies when he's my baby, and what am I going to say?I still think you should open the can of KMR and give Emma a dish a day. I really think she needs it. A can goes a long way, and stores well in the freezer. Sounds like the kittens are doing well.
Thank you so much for always allaying so many of my fears! It's been well over 30 years since I've personally cared for newborn kittens - we always had cats when I was a child (and dogs, rabbits, chickens, turtles... a menagerie of small animals on our property, less than a half mile from where I am now). But back then, I took orders from my parents on what to do. My dad came from a farming family; he really didn't like all the pets (he didn't like having children, either - that's a different story), but he still taught us respect for them. I was often the pets' caretaker. The mama cats we had seemed to be good at doing their job, though I'm sure if my mom was alive, she would know if that was true or not. I do remember, because back then taking pictures meant getting film developed, our parents getting angry that we took so many pictures of kittens!You are doing a fantastic job! It sounded like Emma was getting low on her calcium but the kmr is probably helping her regain lost ground. It is almost impossible for kittens to overfeed which is why it is important to supplement the mana kitty, especially if she wasn't wormed or may have other issues going on. Condolences on losing your sister so tragically in addition to losing your mom. I am glad that you are on your family's land - it is a gift from our forefathers that too few people appreciate nowadays. I feel that land is very important, especially in these uncertain times. The babies are adorable and you are a wonderful godmother for little Missy. I am looking forward to updates!
Every time I fuss over the kittens' eating habits, I hear my mom's plaintive cry from our early adulthood: "I only had 3 children, why can't you all get along?!"If you feel a kitten is not getting enough or gaining well, by all means supplement. But there’s almost always a piggie and a runt.
Emma attacks my cats ALL THE TIME, not just now that she has kittens. They do nothing to provoke her. They can be in a totally separate area of the house and she will DELIBERATELY go up to them from behind, hiss, swipe at them with her claws out, chase them out of her way, and scream bloody murder as she's chasing them.This is unacceptable. Put Emma back with her kittens in that playroom and let them be other than to go in and feed, water, change litter, and spend twith them. If she puts them in front of the door, so be it. Just open it carefully.
Emma does NOT understand your intentions. The reason she is putting her kittens in front of the door is because she wants them out of the box and ready to socialize instead of locked away.
She did not “pick a fight” with your other cats. She is in instinctively defensive mode so that the other cats do not attack or otherwise bother her kittens. Mother cats are notoriously protective of their young.
This is not rocket science. The kittens need their mother and she needs them - for several more weeks. I think you are over-thinking some of this and causing interference where none need exist. I think you are personalizing your feelings too much about Emma and in general making things harder for yourself, Emma, and the kittens.
Please return the mother cat and kittens and let them be, and try to relax about the situation. Your past and your present may be a bit too intertwined in your mind and may therefore be affecting your daily responses to Emma.
My cats need a break from Emma. I live in a small house. My cats are cowering under furniture. I have NOWHERE else for her to go. My cats are indoor only cats. They live here FULL TIME. SEE WHAT I WROTE ABOVE. Their nerves are frayed, and Emma needs to understand that SHE HAS NOWHERE TO TAKE HER KITTENS.As I’ve already stated, Emma should NOT go outside at all until she is spayed or she will end up pregnant again shortly. She needs to be in with her kittens, though she can have breaks from them inside the house. All cats need breaks from their kittens, but not outside.