Pregnant Stray help

[SparrowC79]

Hi everyone!

I’ve been feeding a stray momma cat for two years, I have seen her have many litters over that time and have been working to get her friendly enough to take in and get her fixed so she can live out her days safely inside.
Since the last litter in early April, she has gotten so friendly and finally let me pet her. I noticed she was getting large again and figured she was pregnant again. My husband and I were finally able to get her in the house with treats. We have had her inside for five days and she’s still settling in. We have two fixed male cats one is two and one is 16 and they have welcomed her with open paws lol
She doesn’t seem to mind them either. She does go to each window meowing and looking longingly outside. I’m not sure she has ever been in a house before.
I'm guessing she about 8 weeks pregnant? I can feel knees and elbows when I rub her belly. Her belly is very round and hard and her nips are distended and pink but I’m not feeling milk in them yet.
I’ve made a nesting area for her in a dark space in our living room and i understand she will choose the place she likes best. She doesn’t roam the house but stays in the living room moving between two different places. One under a bench we have near a window and under a chair on the other side of the room. She isn’t frightened, she sleeps deeply but She won’t lay on anything soft, no blankets or pillows, not the couch or even a towel. It’s the hardwood floors or window sill.
All that being said, should I try putting the nesting box in one of the two spots she’s been laying or wait until she is about to give birth and let her choose? I also wanted to know if it’s normal for strays to not like soft places to lay on? Ive taken in many strays in my time but this is a first. But it’s also a first for having a pregnant cat.
lastly, will she eventually get to where she’s not crying to go outside? That’s a bother thing I’ve never really dealt with a cat, they usually come in and make themselves at home.
I’m sure I’ll have other questions soon as the time gets closer.
thanks for taking the time to read this and sorry it’s long winded.

im adding some photos, the first one is the newest as of today and the other two were Saturday.

 

[di and bob]

First of all, thank you so much for helping her! She will get used to being inside, but it will take some time. Ignore any crying and try to distract her. Be very careful after she gives birth, she can come into heat just weeks after giving birth and will try her darndest to get out. She will getr very annoying with all the meowing then. Go ahead and give her a choice of nesting places, you can move the kittens to one of them if she doesn't use them. she may prefer the floors since it is hot out now. My cats aren't using their blankets either. She is so lucky to have people like you!

 

[fionasmom]

How Do I Know When My Cat Will Give Birth? [Answered] - TheCatSite
Pregnant Cat? What To Prepare For The Birth - TheCatSite
Cat Pregnancy - Your Essential Roadmap to Feline Motherhood - TheCatSite
Help! My Cat Is Having Kittens! - The Essential Guide For Worried Owners - TheCatSite
Weighing Newborn Kittens (and How This Could Save Their Lives) - TheCatSite

Thank you for helping this cat! She seems quite happy to be inside; the meowing is normal and the best thing is to ignore it.

 

[SparrowC79]

First of all, thank you so much for helping her! She will get used to being inside, but it will take some time. Ignore any crying and try to distract her. Be very careful after she gives birth, she can come into heat just weeks after giving birth and will try her darndest to get out. She will getr very annoying with all the meowing then. Go ahead and give her a choice of nesting places, you can move the kittens to one of them if she doesn't use them. she may prefer the floors since it is hot out now. My cats aren't using their blankets either. She is so lucky to have people like you!

Thank you so much for the reply! It’s good to know she will go into heat quickly after giving birth, we planned to get her fixed but not until the kittens were done nursing.
should I worry about my other cats with her and the kittens? We don’t have any spare rooms for her to go into, nor do we have a way to lock up the boys for a few weeks. My 16 year old is pretty chill and doesn’t seem to be bothered by her. But the two year old is fascinated with momma, he doesn’t bother her but watches everything she does,
Thanks again!

 

[SparrowC79]

How Do I Know When My Cat Will Give Birth? [Answered] - TheCatSite
Pregnant Cat? What To Prepare For The Birth - TheCatSite
Cat Pregnancy - Your Essential Roadmap to Feline Motherhood - TheCatSite
Help! My Cat Is Having Kittens! - The Essential Guide For Worried Owners - TheCatSite
Weighing Newborn Kittens (and How This Could Save Their Lives) - TheCatSite

Thank you for helping this cat! She seems quite happy to be inside; the meowing is normal and the best thing is to ignore it.

these links are very helpful, thank you!
it’s our pleasure! We’ve been feeding her for so long and became attached to her and just wanted to give her a good life.

 

[fionasmom]

It would be best to give her some space of her own and to watch the reaction of your two resident cats. This is not the most convenient place for you, but even a bathroom is fine.

 

[di and bob]

I really think everything will be fine. Mama will keep the two year old in line. He is young enough to remember that mama is not to be messed with. He will try to play with the newborns so watch that. I remember waking up in the middle of the night to a newborns cry, our young male had carried one up to our bed!

 

[SparrowC79]

Thank you for your replies everyone, it’s been a quiet couple of days. She seemed to settle down about wanting to go outside until yesterday and she’s even more restless now. For the past 2-3 hours she has been packing the living room going window to window.
I have as many areas of the house available for her with towels and blankets so she has many choices when she finally decides on a spot. She still refuses to lay on anything soft so I even put a couple cardboard boxes with low sides scattered around the house as an option since she seems to like on the scratching box.
It feels like her milk is starting to come in so it should be any day now.
I’ll keep you all updated.

 

[di and bob]

Thank you so much for the update! All the luck!

 

[Carol Marie]

Hi SparrowC79, your momma cat looks like the feral momma I took in just a few weeks ago! It took me about 6 months to get her into my 'she-shed' and then she meowed to get back outside and poked a few holes in the window screens. She just gave birth to six kits last night and she wanted to make sure I was nearby so I had to put her birthing box on the table next to me. After she birthed the first one I took the box to the cabinet I set up for her and gently lifted her and the baby out on the towel she was on and placed them in the cabinet where they are all doing fine.
You might consider putting a towel or sheet over the areas that she seems to like the best (like a child's play tent), that would give her a sense of privacy and put her more at ease.

I also have another pregnant female that I'm hoping to bring in, but not sure how that's going to work. They're from the same colony so my fingers are crossed. I want to treat her for fleas first and give this momma a few more days alone with her babies because the other one might put up a bit more of a fuss.
As for birthing time, the babies will get more active about 48 hrs or so as they maneuver into position. Thank you for caring enough to take her in!

 

[SparrowC79]

Hi SparrowC79, your momma cat looks like the feral momma I took in just a few weeks ago! It took me about 6 months to get her into my 'she-shed' and then she meowed to get back outside and poked a few holes in the window screens. She just gave birth to six kits last night and she wanted to make sure I was nearby so I had to put her birthing box on the table next to me. After she birthed the first one I took the box to the cabinet I set up for her and gently lifted her and the baby out on the towel she was on and placed them in the cabinet where they are all doing fine.
You might consider putting a towel or sheet over the areas that she seems to like the best (like a child's play tent), that would give her a sense of privacy and put her more at ease.

I also have another pregnant female that I'm hoping to bring in, but not sure how that's going to work. They're from the same colony so my fingers are crossed. I want to treat her for fleas first and give this momma a few more days alone with her babies because the other one might put up a bit more of a fuss.
As for birthing time, the babies will get more active about 48 hrs or so as they maneuver into position. Thank you for caring enough to take her in!

thanks for the reply and congrats on your new kittens! How fun!
Thank you for the suggestions, Momma seems to have chosen two places she likes best and when I wake up in the morning she is in one of the two boxes in those areas. Today she was sleeping in the scratching box and those babies were dancing all around! It was such a joy to see!

It’s wonderful you are taking in and caring for local strays as well! Best of luck to you!!

 

[SparrowC79]

Quick question:
As it gets closer to her giving birth, Momma has been desperately trying to get outside. I understand that her natural instinct is to get to where she has had her previous litters before. But she’s taken to trying to get into the ac vents, trying to get out of the dryer vent hole and a few other things.
I have done all I can do to keep her from accessing these areas, we don’t have a spare room or bathroom to lock her in so I’m doing my best.

My question is is this behavior simply because she knows she’s about to give birth and needs to be where she has been before and will it end once she’s had her kittens? Or is there a chance she will continue this afterwards?
Thanks everyone! This has been an exciting yet stressful time and I’m trying to stay positive.

 

[Carol Marie]

Quick question:
As it gets closer to her giving birth, Momma has been desperately trying to get outside. I understand that her natural instinct is to get to where she has had her previous litters before. But she’s taken to trying to get into the ac vents, trying to get out of the dryer vent hole and a few other things.
I have done all I can do to keep her from accessing these areas, we don’t have a spare room or bathroom to lock her in so I’m doing my best.

My question is is this behavior simply because she knows she’s about to give birth and needs to be where she has been before and will it end once she’s had her kittens? Or is there a chance she will continue this afterwards?
Thanks everyone! This has been an exciting yet stressful time and I’m trying to stay positive.

The feral momma I have was the same way. She settled down after the babies were born.
If you haven't already, I highly recommend putting up sheets or something that will make it feel more like a small den.
My momma cat had to be very near me, so when I saw that she was starting her contractions and was leaking, I sat with her next to the birthing box which I had moved to a table where I was sitting. After the first kit was born, I was able to transfer her and the baby to the area I had fixed for her and she settled in just fine.

 

[Sarthur2]

Most likely it is her instincts driving her. Do you have a closet where you can give her space and privacy — even if it means removing shoes or whatever? Cats want a private space where they feel safe. Please give her a closet floor if possible with door cracked only.

 

[SparrowC79]

The feral momma I have was the same way. She settled down after the babies were born.
If you haven't already, I highly recommend putting up sheets or something that will make it feel more like a small den.
My momma cat had to be very near me, so when I saw that she was starting her contractions and was leaking, I sat with her next to the birthing box which I had moved to a table where I was sitting. After the first kit was born, I was able to transfer her and the baby to the area I had fixed for her and she settled in just fine.

Aww precious babies! Our momma cats do look so similar!
I did as you suggested with the sheets, draped some blankets over the chair she likes to be under then butted a cardboard box up to one side and covered that as well. Since I did that she kicked out the towel I put in there and began chewing and tearing up the box on the inside making some bedding.
she had a hectic Sunday night, she was desperate to get outside. Monday during the day she was very peaceful and even slept through the night last night. She started giving birth about 1pm today and I believe she’s all done. Four kittens which is very typical for her.
she seems to be doing very well and we will keep it quiet and allow her to recover.

 

[SparrowC79]

Thank you all for your very helpful advice. momma had four kittens this afternoon. We are waiting to make sure that’s she all done, but three to four is her norm so we are confident she’s done.
Not a great photo but I didn’t want to disturb her too much.
I’ll share more pics of these sweet babies soon!

 

[fionasmom]

Don't disturb her too much as there will be plenty of time for pics. Hope that everything will continue on smoothly.

 

[Carol Marie]

Thank you all for your very helpful advice. momma had four kittens this afternoon. We are waiting to make sure that’s she all done, but three to four is her norm so we are confident she’s done.
Not a great photo but I didn’t want to disturb her too much.
I’ll share more pics of these sweet babies soon! View attachment 482092

Happy to hear birthing is done Congratulations to you and momma cat!

 

[SparrowC79]

Goodness, time flies when you have kittens!
Momma had four kittens on Aug 7 then four days later she had two more!! That was quite a surprise!
All kittens and momma are doing very well! A week after the births she moved them from the stinky cardboard box and into a corner I had tucked a blanket into that she had been laying in while still pregnant and has been there ever since.

she’s allowed me to pet them a few times but never while she’s in the nest with them but while’s she’s eating or taking a a break near the ac vent to cool off. She keeps an eye on me but seems to trust me enough to not run me off.

Here are some recent pictures of the cutest little babies.
And thanks again for all the advice! Sorry I haven’t responded to everyone, it’s been a crazy couple weeks.

 

[fionasmom]

She keeps an eye on me but seems to trust me enough to not run me off.

You had said that she was friendly to you, so she probably trusts you. I have had feral mothers who allowed me to handle their kittens as long as I go nowhere near them.