There's a stray cat in my apartment complex who is keeping her litter of three on my porch--again, so of course I'm going to have two cats now. =) I have a few complicated dilemmas:
I have dealt with this same cat before (and will have her spayed using a local program for strays after this litter is weaned, FYI!), and I know she is NOT an indoor cat. These little furballs of joy are just under three weeks old, and there is no way on earth I can keep the mom indoors to nurse. My front porch is not enclosed, and I am not on the first floor--I will not keep her on the balcony in case she gets wise ideas and tries to jump off it. I've barricaded the perimeter of the porch with toddler gates so the kittens can't misstep and fall. Here is my age old problem: I don't want to put them on kitten formula when their mother is available or keep them away from her, but I am nervous about keeping them outdoors, or mom relocating them (she has done this before). I am a big believer in the importance of bonding with mum cat, I've had innumerable problems with prematurely weaned kittens.
I am feeding and watering mother cat, and placed a pet carrier with some blankets in it for the kittens to sleep in at night (which they have actually been using!). I am worried that they have fleas, and I don't really know how to deal with a nursing mom and very young kittens with this problem. I know what a problem just a few pests can be on such a little cat, my current kitty almost didn't make it as a baby due to anemic seizure. Outside of this, they all appear to be in good shape.... but I'm so terrified of leaving them out there and I must do something about the fleas.
Someone, please give me advice!!
I have dealt with this same cat before (and will have her spayed using a local program for strays after this litter is weaned, FYI!), and I know she is NOT an indoor cat. These little furballs of joy are just under three weeks old, and there is no way on earth I can keep the mom indoors to nurse. My front porch is not enclosed, and I am not on the first floor--I will not keep her on the balcony in case she gets wise ideas and tries to jump off it. I've barricaded the perimeter of the porch with toddler gates so the kittens can't misstep and fall. Here is my age old problem: I don't want to put them on kitten formula when their mother is available or keep them away from her, but I am nervous about keeping them outdoors, or mom relocating them (she has done this before). I am a big believer in the importance of bonding with mum cat, I've had innumerable problems with prematurely weaned kittens.
I am feeding and watering mother cat, and placed a pet carrier with some blankets in it for the kittens to sleep in at night (which they have actually been using!). I am worried that they have fleas, and I don't really know how to deal with a nursing mom and very young kittens with this problem. I know what a problem just a few pests can be on such a little cat, my current kitty almost didn't make it as a baby due to anemic seizure. Outside of this, they all appear to be in good shape.... but I'm so terrified of leaving them out there and I must do something about the fleas.
Someone, please give me advice!!