Kitten Care

[tazakim]

I have had a stray cat live in my garage for the last year - two weeks ago to my amazement she had four kittens!!!!! Unfortunately two of the kittens died but the two which are left have just opened their eyes and are a nice size. Does anyone know how soon I can have mum cat spade? Do I need to have any injections for the kittens? Any advice appreciated . . . . . new the world of cats and kittens!!!!!

[mrs.pudding]

should be able to get the mother spayed in about three weeks I think.  Ring Cat Protection League, explain situation and they might do it for FREE!!  They'll tell you about worming and injections as well and may help with the cost of that too!  Are you tempted to keep them?  I would be!

[natalie_1982]

As mrs.pudding says there are charities around that will help with the cost and often spay cats for free, simply because it means less unwanted kittens for them to deal with in the future. I live near Oxford and we have an Animal Hospital here that does as mrs.pudding describes, it's worth a call to the Cats Protection League for advice at least. Good luck!

[Hippy]

You are lucky. Beware not to go wading in and cuddle the little ones. Let mum feed them and look after them for a week or two and then let her allow you to fondle the kittens. Feed mum well and make her safe and she will look after kitties. Perhaps the other two kittens died because mum could not feed them.

 

Keep the place warm and give mum your attention and everything will be fine. If you try taking the kittens away from mum too soon she might reject them.

 

When the kittens have opened their eyes and are about three weks old mum will let you play with her little ones and it is time to think about injections for the kittens and having mum seen to. Best to gain mum's confidence, then take the whole family to the vet's together. They will make sure everything is ok and make sure mum has no more kittens.

 

[Ouisch]

The traditional age for kittens to safely be taken from their mother is eight weeks.  Once the mum has finished nursing, it should be safe to have her spayed.  All the cats should be given a veterinary exam (being outdoor cats, there is the chance of them having feline leukemia or feline AIDS), and then the appropriate vaccines given.

 

Bless you for taking care of these homeless kitties!

[Rufushound]

How nice that you are prepared to look aftet this cat and her kittens, a very lucky queen indeed.