Newborn kittens. What do I do???

[Lisa O`Brien]

Biscuit, our stray we took in ,gave birth last night just after 7pm. I had made a nice warm ,clean safe area for her in the dining room. She nearly gave birth on my lap. She came to me and was having contractions. I was cuddling her and reassuring her [it's her first litter, I assume]. Anyway, some fluid, pre-birth membrane seeped out and instead of placing a towel on my lap and letting her carry on, I placed her on a chair,with a towel under her. She was having contractions like mad. I went into the kitchen,and when I came back in the living room, she had got down from the chair and went in to get some food. By this point one of the kittens was beginning  to come out. I showed her the quiet area I had made for her. She instead chose to go in the cupboard under the stairs,which is filthy,cobwebby and full of junk like old vacuum cleaners. She went in and leapt down behind a bin liner that has an old blanket in it. She is now ensconsed in there with the kittens. Sean has just woken up and he heard her purring. Last night her heard a suck suck, suckling sound,so at least one of them was alive. We have no idea how many kittens she gave birth to, or how many are alive or dead. I know Biscuit hasn't touched any of her food since around 7pm last night. She must be starving; she's only a kitten herself still. So advice peeps please. What do I do? Do I start moving all the crap out of the cupboard so 1] I can get a good look at them and check they are all ok,mother included? Or 2] Do I leave Biscuit at it and let her bring them out ,and come out herself when she is ready? What if she can't get the kittens out, if they are hemmed in there somewhere? Sean shone a light in there from his phone and photographed inside the cupboard,but it didn't show any of them,so we don't even know for certain whereabouts they are. I'm afraid if I start moving things out, I might injure one of the kittens ,or at least frighten Biscuit. Thanks.

[Jan McNulty]

Congratulations to Biscuit on giving birth.  Sorry I can't give you any practical advice Lisa but perhaps could you place her water and food bowls in or very close to the cupboard for her to help herself to more easily.

[Fiz]

I wonder if a cat rescue home could help you, Lisa? If there is one near you and you rang them and told them what you have told us, they might be able to offer you actual help?

[Lisa O`Brien]

Two good points there,ladies. Thank you.

[Lisa O`Brien]

I've just left a long message on the Cats Protection League Facebook page. Unfortunately I couldn't find a UK one,so i've messaged the ones in Auckland,New Zealand. They seem to be the only CPL that hasd a Facebook page. Hopefully they will get back to me.

[Jan McNulty]

Here's a list of cat sanctuaries in NI:

 

http://www.catchat.org/adoption/irelandu.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwwYK8BRC0ta6LhOPC0v0BEiQApv6jYSZqjSgXu7Vr4YMtzN3NAl2O0vUMWPqNC0t04DhBpaQaAmwm8P8HAQ

 

And the website has a forum if you don't want to telephone any of the sanctuaries:

 

http://www.catchat.org/felineforum/

[Aruna S]

As a cat-lover and owner since I was a little girl, I've had plenty of experience of cats scorning the comfortable maternity wards we prepare for them and picking the most unsuitable places.

I would suggest not moving things out of the cupboard as this would frighten her and she may try to move her kittens to a safer place. I second Janet's advice to put food and water near the cupboard. Since she is clearly attached to you, keep talking to her now and then to let her know you're there, and that nobody is going to disturb her. Once she feels reassured, she should come out and eat. As for the kittens, hopefully they're alive and well, if they aren't there's nothing to be done for them at this point. I would take it as a good sign that she's staying in there with them, I remember one mother cat who completely ignored her first litter. Dropper feeding didn't work and they didn't survive. She went on to be an excellent mother the second time round, go figure.

Good luck!

[taxi4ballet]

Congratulations - you now have a queen living under the stairs!

 

Cats pick peculiar places to give birth, and choose somewhere secluded and where they feel safe so try not to disturb her for a few days. As long as she has access to food a short distance away and a litter tray, she will be fine.

 

If you want to peek to make sure everything is all right then do so, but it is probably best not to handle the kittens just yet as they will pick up a human smell which might make the mother reject them.

[aileen]

Mothers eat a lot of the 'products of the birth' and so that may account for her not seeming to eat or drink anything. I wouldn't interfere with her too much but, as Janet has said, leave food and water close by. Cats give birth somewhere secluded where they feel safe. Our cat gave birth in the utility room in a baby bath filled with washed and dried clothes. Luckily, I had a feeling that this would happen and so I removed my husband's better shirts beforehand. After a day I moved all the clothes and put an old t-shirt in the baby bath and replaced it each day. Mother cats eat their young kittens' faeces and so don't be surprised if the kittens don't seem to go to the toilet. A kitten which is ignored by its mother or who seems to set itself apart from its siblings is a cause for concern. Otherwise, a mother who is feeding her kittens can be pretty much left to it. I recollect that pregnant cats and nursing mothers should have a more nutrient rich diet but you should seek advice about this and about weaning the kittens (which starts at around four weeks of age).

 

Btw, kittens' eyes are closed for the first few days. Don't try to open them. Sometimes, they can be a bit gluey when they open and this can be treated by gently holding a tepid, damp cloth against the eyelids for a few seconds.

[Lisa O`Brien]

Biscuit [the mother] wasn't coming out for food,so Sean suggested I shake the food pouch as this normally attracts her. I shook a pouch of Whiskas Kitten food,and out she jumped , from behind the bin liner ! She didn't seem to want to eat in the cupboard so I put her bowl back in the kitchen in its usual place. She devoured two full pouches straight off. Then calmly sat there grooming herself. We'd used the opportunity to remove items from the cupboard, aware the kittens were at the back. Sean did the honours as i'm afraid of spiders. He took one item out at a time, using a hand held grabbing stick we were given [it's great for Sean grabbing a spider and being able to eject it at arms length]. Old school bags that haven't seen the light of day in years,etc. There was a large cardboard box in there. We thought they must be in it. Sean very slowly pulled it towards the opening. No kittens. They were indeed,behind it. Two kittens, one ginger and one grey/blackish. Blackie our 15 year old cat came in. She went towards the cupboard and I kept a very close eye on her. I thought if she makes one move towards the kittens i'll grab her. I needn't have worried. One of them cried and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Shes's such a scaredy cat.!! The two kittens are at the back on a surprisingly clean patch of carpet. Biscuit is sunning and grooming herself in the front garden ,which is normally where she goes to the toilet. The front door is open so she can come back in whenever she wants,but she seems to be taking advantage of the fact her kittens are asleep so she can have a break. Glad there are only two kittens actually. It will be easier to find homes for them when they are 8 weeks old. 

Edited July 9, 2016 by Lisa O`Brien

[Anon2]

Hope mum and kittens are doing well.

 

Please seek veterinary advice about when to have Biscuit neutered. It won't be fair on her young, underdeveloped body to become pregnant again. And if the make stray that you posted about on the other thread is still around ask for CPL to capture and neuter him.

[Anon2]

http://www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/neutering/current-neutering-campaigns/northern-ireland-campaign

[Lisa O`Brien]

Thanks. The stray is the kitten I took in and the one who has given birth to two kittens. I telephoned the vets this morning and they told me she cannot be spayed until her kittens are at least five weeks old. 

[Anon2]

I was meaning ask the CPL for help with the male stray you mentioned in the other thread when you were concerned about the kitten. He needs neutering too.

[Lisa O`Brien]

Oh I see Jane. Haven't seen him around these last few days. The man next door had been feeding him,but we were chatting the other day and I told him he had been attacking Biscuit. Maybe because of this he has decided to stop feeding him so he'll go away, I don't know. But yes, if there was a way he could be caught I would happily pay for him to be neutered. I phoned the vets this morning asking them when would be the best time to make an appointment to bring Biscuit in to be spayed. The receptionist told me I have to wait at least another five weeks. She keeps weeing on the kitchen floor. I don't mind,as there are tiles and it's easy enough to mop up. Never a poo poo though. She has only started doing this since she gave birth. Maybe she is reluctant to go out into the front garden,which is where she normally goes as I see her,as she doesn't want to leave her kittens. But then, every day she has been taking a break and sitting in the front garden, grooming herself, so it's not as if she is suddenly not leaving the house at all. Plus, she's obviously doing her Number Twos outside, so why not wee wees as well?  Anyway, as I said it's no big deal and as long as it's only a temporary thing. I have ordered a litter tray and all its bits and bobs off Ebay [cheaper than the ones in Sainsbury's]. They should arrive in a day or two.

Edited July 11, 2016 by Lisa O`Brien

[Anon2]

If you see him again it I would contact your local CPL. They will set a trap and catch him for a health check and neuter for free. For anyone on benefits in Northern Ireland it is currently £5 to neuter their own cat through the initiative. He might even even be lucky and be rehomed.

 

Cats that start peeing out of character tend to either be stressed or more likely have cystitis in my experience. One of mine chooses the bath.

 

I sound like I'm obsessed with neutering cats. I used to help a local lady who fostered cats for CPL. Every year there were more kittens and abandoned cats than they could cope with. This weekend I got the news letter from another local animal charity that has helped me with injured hedgehogs. They still haven't managed to home all the kittens from last summer.

Edited July 11, 2016 by Jane

[Lisa O`Brien]

Thanks Jane. Didn't realise about either the stress or cystitis. If it continues i'll mention it to the vet when I eventually take her. The back door is nearly always open for her to go straight out, yet she crouches in a corner. The other day the area she usually goes in must have smelled of Domestos still, as she had weed all over the floor; a huge flood of it, in a different part of the kitchen. Mind you, she had been in with her kittens for hours and must have been bursting by then. The two kittens cries are getting stronger every day, which is a good sign. Still haven't properly had a good look at them as they are,obviously, still in the cupboard. Every couple of hours I stick my head inside the cupboard and ask Biscuit if she is alright. She always looks at me and miaows. I think she is saying i'm doing fine, but my cat language interpretation skills are not that good !

[toursenlair]

 The receptionist told me I have to wait at least another five weeks. She keeps weeing on the kitchen floor.

 

Just to say I had to read those two sentences twice!!!

[Fonty]

Is it possible she is marking her territory in some way?  Just a thought.

[Lisa O`Brien]

Could be Fonty. She has stopped now. But that could be because I am on the ball and turf her out every few hours,just in case. Nothing this morning when I woke up. She was sitting outside ,grooming herself in the sun this afternoon. I was standing at the front door watching her. She seems to be very sensible,and takes a break to eat and stretch her legs when both kittens are sleeping. Anyway,all of a sudden she started sort of panting. It looked like she was having contractions all over again, as her middle area was rising and falling. And then I saw googly eyes. He appeared in next doors garden. First time I had seen him since before Biscuit gave birth. I quickly picked her up and she made a groaning /growling sound and tried to pull away from me. I carried her in to the house and closed the door behind me, ushering her towards the cupboard [which she went in to straight away], and telling her to "Get in there,and look after the kittens you have, instead of trying to make more". I'm sure she understood every word. Not ! Googled cats in heat [i always thought it was ON heat but apparently not]. They can be like this for about seven days. Will have to be very careful now, every time anyone goes in or out the front door,in case she makes a dash for it. 

[aileen]

It might be safer to keep her in until she's been spayed, Lisa. When the kittens become mobile you'll need to be careful that they don't go outside until they've had their vaccinations. A new owner may not thank you for giving him/her a pregnant kitten either. It's important that kittens are socialised to be around, and handled by, humans when they are quite young (not quite yet though).

[Jan McNulty]

One of my friend's got a cat from a cat rescue a couple of years ago.  She did not know her new cat was pregnant and ended up the proud Mum of 3 kittens.

 

When she realised the cat was pregnant she contacted the cat rescue who said my friend must have let her out unsupervised!  She had not and she was not amused!

 

It is most important to take care at this time, I think.

[aileen]

I'm surprised that that cat rescue centre doesn't neuter all its cats before re-homing them, Janet.

 

Lisa, there are schemes which provide low cost or free neutering services. Enquire of the vets practices in your area.

[aileen]

How are the kittens, Lisa? Their eyes will probably start to open in the next couple of days.

[Lisa O`Brien]

How are the kittens, Lisa? Their eyes will probably start to open in the next couple of days.

I don't know, aileen. They seem to be fine, but then they are still in the cupboard. I haven't moved them; been reluctant to handle them. I was sort of waiting for their mum to bring them out when she was ready. But it's very dark in there. Might this affect their eyesight, I wonder, being in such a dark place? I know cats can see in the dark better than people, but if they are to be in there for maybe a few weeks, until their mother brings them out it might damage their eyesight. Biscuit took to her new litter tray straight away; she's such a clever girl.

Edited July 18, 2016 by Lisa O`Brien

[aileen]

I doubt that the kittens' eyes will be affected by being in the cupboard. As it's now over a week since the birth you could pick them up and have a look at them. Biscuit will probably bring them out of the cupboard herself once they become more mobile. I wonder whether she's nervous about your other cat. Could you get a cardboard box, put an old towel in it and find a quiet spot for it away from most of the activity of the household? That might encourage Biscuit to take her kittens there.

 

I mentioned that our cat gave birth to her kittens in a pile of washing in the baby bath. It was actually a washing basket, the type with holes in the sides. It was on top of a counter and the following evening I heard the sound of something being knocked over. I knew instinctively that it was the washing basket and sure enough when I went to investigate I found that it had been knocked over and that the kittens were lying face down on the floor. The mother must have overturned it when she jumped out (my removing all the clothes had made it far lighter). I was terrified that the kittens might die or have suffered grievous injuries because they had fallen a fair distance when they had been thrown out of the basket but they were all fine. However, I put the basket on the floor after that, initially in the utility room against a wall and then in the hall in the corner between the side of a cabinet and a wall. The mother was quite happy with this because, although there is a fair amount of 'traffic' in the hall, the nest was slightly secluded by virtue of being screened by the cabinet. Later the kittens started wobbling around in the basket and within a few weeks they started to climb out of the basket using the holes as a sort of ladder.

 

One thing that I would caution you about is the risk of drowning in the toilet or bath once the kittens are mobile. Tell Sean not to leave the bath unattended and to keep the toilet lid down.

[Lisa O`Brien]

Good points, aileen. Thanks. The kittens are 3 weeks old now. There is one male and one female. The male is ginger and the female is completely black all over. Never had a black cat before. I'm kind of tempted to keep her, although I know I can't. They are quite mobile now. Mother and both babies are currently living in a cardboard box on the dining room floor under the table. They are becoming very mobile. Sean passes each one over to me every day , just for a few minutes, and I sit them on my lap and stroke them. Just to get them used to human contact. The first day Biscuit freaked out a bit. Now she is absolutely fine about me handling them. The ginger Tom is a proper mummy's boy and cries whenever Biscuit leaves him. The black one hardly cries at all.They huddle up together and climb over each other all the time. When the kittens are asleep Biscuit makes the most of it and goes into the kitchen to eat and to play with a ball or a piece of string. She's still a kitten herself and is as daft as a brush ! The next fun part will be starting to wean them on to solids in another few weeks. Blackie, my 15 year old, is still absolutely fine around them all. Her and Biscuit sniff each other and eat from their own bowls and then from the other ones bowl. One faces one way and the other faces the other, so they are eating more or less side by side ,divided by a water bowl and a milk bowl, kind of head to toe and vice versa.

[Lisa O`Brien]

Well I am head over heels in love with the all black kitten. Still don't know if either are male or female. The black one sits and stares into my eyes for ages and follows me everywhere I go. Prefers to come to me for cuddles than its mum. I've always wanted an all black cat, and now I have one. How on earth am I going to bear parting with it in a few week's time? I cannot possibly keep it. Having three cats in the house, on  a very limited budget , would be just insane. It makes me cry thinking about giving it away.

[aileen]

I cried when we gave away three of our five kittens. Happily, we gave two of them to our neighbours and so I see them quite often. Would any of your friends or neighbours like a kitten?

[Lisa O`Brien]

I cried when we gave away three of our five kittens. Happily, we gave two of them to our neighbours and so I see them quite often. Would any of your friends or neighbours like a kitten?

That's a good idea, aileen. I was thinking of asking the two brothers who live next door to me. The woman the other side has a yappy dog, so that's out of the question. I was going to call the black one Midnight. I'm not too fussed about the ginger one. Yes, it's cute, but it's a real live wire. It jumps up at my legs and scratches the hell out of them all the time. Forever play fighting with its mother. The black one just sits there and watches it.

Edited August 16, 2016 by Lisa O`Brien

[Lisa O`Brien]

Well I think I will be keeping the black kitten. She is just so attached to me, and me to her. She sits and stares at me for hours. Then will start to not cry, but wail at the top of her lungs, over and over again until I pick her up and sit her on my lap. The very second I do she stops. BTW, she [i think she's a she] is changing colour. A few grey hairs on her and part of her fur on her back is becoming ginger-ish. A bit disappointed she is not truly black all over. But right above both eyelids there is a white line. It looks like she is wearing eye shadow !  But boy, are we attached to each other. I just absolutely cannot envisage parting with her,ever.

Edited August 23, 2016 by Lisa O`Brien

[porthesia]

Hurrah so pleased you're keeping the black kitten

 

Our Poppy used to turn brown in the summer, just like a cuddly bear cub - and then back to black in the winter.  Still miss her

[aileen]

Don't forget to get her (assuming it is a her) spayed otherwise Biscuit will become a grandmother before you know it! Some vets and animal charities offer free or low cost neutering to people on lower incomes, sometimes a few times a year. It might be worth enquiring around.