If you handle the kittens too much, will they get sick, or die?

spirita2010

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Well, I am curious, I have been handling the babies, a lot lets say, will they die if I handle them to much? Or will they just get sore eyes? I have been handling Mika's babies a lot, for the past few days.. I wash my hands before I pick them up. Or should I just stop handling until they are 4 weeks? Thank you for reading!
 

ilovemykitty

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Mika's your cat? if she was feral or you ever come across feral kittens DO NOT touch them. it the mother is feral she will smell you on them and abandon them. which is bad. but if she is your pet and she doesn't have a problem with you handling them then if you don't mess with them more than 1-3 times a day until they are at least a month old they should be perfectly fine and use to human touch. when my cat had kittens she wanted me there constantly but every cat is different. messing and handling them constantly, a long time, or very often; while i don't think it will hurt them it isn't good for them. especially the younger they are. now every cat/kitten and situation/habitat and person is different and i do suggest you look at all of the replies as most of the people on this site are far more wise in the way of cat and animals in general than me. forgive me if you know some of this, i just didn't know what you knew.
 

keisha

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Mika is her cat. She takes care of her, and I think she did just show up (or something like that) but she has had her for a while now.
I've never tooken care of a whole litter before. Just single bottle babies, so I cannot really answer your questioin there. But I wouldnt worry about it too much, as long as it doesn't upset her and you wash your hands.
 

jen

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I think the more you handle them the better, it will just make them more comfortable with you and bond faster. Wash your hands often and especially right before handling them.
 

leto86

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I just wouldn't handle them for long periods of time, and when they are nursing.

I always waited until they were done nursing and not sleeping, and would pick one up for talk to it, making sure to keep it warm. Cold is #1 kitten killer. And it was never more than 2-3 minutes and baby went back to mama.
 

minxie

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As pointed out above, handling the kittens daily is good for their socialisation. However, ensure that mum cat is ok with it....she can either abandon the kittens, get very stressed/upset or over protect the kittens (which may actually risk harming them..e.g. smothering).

Its important for them to have the majority of time being 'mum time' as mum needs to clean, feed and teach them all sorts of skills.

Just you wait...in a few weeks they will be running everywhere, all over you lol...so don't worry, there is lots of affection and play time in store when they are a little more independent from mum cat
 
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spirita2010

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Well, when I shook the towl out, I had to move them, and she didn't like that, and started to put her mouth around their little necks, and tried to move them. But when they were back in the box, she was less stressed. And I can't hold them much, because when they start crying she watches me very carefully. But thats normal, but I try to handle them once a day at least. And then pet them, and she is fine with that.
 

mom_2_3

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~Good advice has been given I just wanted to mention my mommy cat was very pleased when I held her babies but Youssarian is a bit of a whiner and anytime they made too much noise she tried to take them out of my hand and place them back in her nest. Tosca and Lazuli make little noise she is fine with me holding them. When I had to give them a bath she got up on the sink and meowed VERY loudly as if to say "Hey look Im trusting you with my babies but Im not taking my eyes off you". She sat and watched every move I made and was such a good girl. She doesnt allow anyone in the house but me to touch them though. The kittens must not know my family's smells because when they approach them they hiss and act all big and mean haha~ 2 PRECIOUS!
 

goldenkitty45

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I've handled kits from the time they were born. But only briefly till they open eyes - mom usually gets upset if she thinks you might be "stealing" her babies
Since sence of smell is very important before they can see, its better they get used to your hands and the smell - they won't be as scared of you when eyes/ears open.

So picking them up once/twice a day and cuddling (within a foot of mom - do NOT take them out of the room) and stroking them while nursing is ok. Good idea on washing hands before handling
 
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spirita2010

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

I've handled kits from the time they were born. But only briefly till they open eyes - mom usually gets upset if she thinks you might be "stealing" her babies
Since sence of smell is very important before they can see, its better they get used to your hands and the smell - they won't be as scared of you when eyes/ears open.

So picking them up once/twice a day and cuddling (within a foot of mom - do NOT take them out of the room) and stroking them while nursing is ok. Good idea on washing hands before handling
I have taken only one out of the room, she was fine with it, as long as I brought it back, but I didn't have him out for long. Now I know not to take them out of her closet. lol, she owns my closet!!
 
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