my cat as just had kittens

[waynerothery]

can itouch them and how long is it before you ween them

[smudge]

Best not to handle them straight away wayne, not until their mother has initially bonded with them.

Have you a photo of them?

[B00]

lol@ smudge going all gooey....

;-)

[pitbull22]

congratulations and thank god the mother cat never swallowed a ball of wool otherwise she would've had............MITTENS!

[smudge]

Oh I know BOO, I love kitties! ;o}

Just found this on another website:

Weaning - Minimum of 8 weeks. Put cat food down for them at the same time as mummy cat, and watch them stuff their faces! Mummy will teach them how to eat if they have difficulties. If not, phone your vet for advice. Kittens can dehydrate quickly, but mostly they get on fine.

More or less what I'd have written.

God luck!

[smudge]

*Good luck even!

lol pitbull22!

[tiggerblue10]

Awww congrats. Like Smudge says don't handle them yet. Let mummy sort her babies out for a few days or until their eyes open. Only step in if mum gets stressed or any babies get stressed.

[Schutzengel]

Hi Wayne. Congratulations. Kittens are just so cute. How many has she had, I only ask to make sure there's enough room at the milk bar. If mother cat seems content, and the little ones are all feeding from her OK then all should be well. You've had lots of good advice from the previous answers, so just enjoy the experience as all too soon the little ones will be running about all over the place. What colours are mum and the kittens, perhaps when the kittens get on their feet you could post a photo on here. And don't forget to get the kittens trained to use a litter box, especially if you intend to find homes for some of the kittens. Best of luck. Schutz.

[mrscrook]

Hi,
My cat also had kittens 4 to be exact and they have all just left for their new homes, you wean them between 6-8weeks. You can touch them dependant on the type of bond you have with your cat......my cat actually let me help and assist her in the birth of her kitties, They do not open their eyes for about 3 weeks and they open slowly by themselves please do not try to help them open them.
Good Luck they are soooo funny, just enjoy them

[stonekicker]

don't you just love the little critters when they get to about five weeks and start doing a grand prix round your room at four in the morning?! i have had three lots of kittens (well, my cats have!) and i just loved it. they are soft, silly and smell gorgeous too. its the mischief i find difficult to deal with...

[wildwood]

Hi waynerothery. please take another look at smudge's post, a minimum of 8 weeks, even better if you can leave it to 10+ weeks if mum still shows maternal tendencies. They will be happier and healthier cats.
I know they will often eat and drink at 4 or 5 weeks but so do 4yo children and you wouldn't turn them out at that age. (no matter how much the temptation is sometimes)

[lankeela]

Don't agree with the above. They can start to be offered soft food at 4 weeks, or earlier if you are having to hand rear them. The mum will start to leave them for longer periods at three to four weeks old and if you are not supplementing their food they will be hungry and not grow properly. Many kittens go to new homes at 6 weeks, so they need to be fully weaned by then. Do not handle for the first week or so because the mum might get worried and kill them.

[lankeela]

I think some people are confusing weaning with them leaving home! Weaning means to start to allow them to feed themselves rather than rely on their mother's milk. It is a gradual process which the mum will carry on by spending less time in with them, and thereby encouraging them to eat what you are offering.