Baby Kittens I've got Questions

[angie7]

Kittens should not leave the mother before 8 weeks and the mama needs to be fixed ASAP. You asked about the safety of fixing the mama, it's safer for her to be fixed then put her body through litter after litter of kittens not to mention the fact that she is adding to the over population of unwanted pets in this world. Spaying a cat can be around $100-$150. Some places like your local shelters have discount spays that can cost half of that.

She needs someone to stand up for her. You know it isn't right or you wouldn't have posted here. Stand up for her and do what is in her best interest.

[MamaMandaJ]

I agree that kittens should not leave their Mama until about 8 weeks. They should be on solid food for a couple weeks before they go to new homes.

I'd encourage you to post flyers where you may know some of the people that take them, (Such as work, school, church, etc.) so you know they are going to good homes. If you post an ad in the paper, or a flyer at a grocery store, consider adding a small 'adoption fee' to weed out anyone that may not be able to afford caring for a kitten. And feel free to decline any offers for new homes that you think may not be safe.

You can give Mama wet food in combination to her dry food, or add a raw egg to her dry food to help with protein and milk supply. My Mom bred Manx for awhile, and her vet recommended that she give the Mama cat Purina kitten chow w/and egg, while she was nursing. (That's also a very good choice for a solid food for the kittens when they are old enough.)

[Minky]

Getting the mama cat fixed is far safer than her having litter after litter of kittens. The skinniness you're describing in mama probably comes from that. Make an appointment and just do it.

Let the kittens stay with mama until they're 8 weeks old. You can advertise before then and let people reserve a kitten.

[grahamsmom98]

She needs to be fixed NOW. She needs to be an indoor cat all the time (unless she is in an enclosure or on a leash).

Do you mind if I ask how old you are?

[sagewinna]

When I had a neighborhood feral stray spayed, I kept her in a large dog crate with food, water and a small litter box for a few days. The vet said it was fine to release her back outside after that.

It would be a big mercy for you to have her spayed, for her and for her offspring. It must be hard to watch the adults not take adequate care of her.

[gumby74]

It's wonderful that you care so much. Getting her spayed is the right thing to do. Spend a couple of hours at your local humane society during "kitten season" and you will understand even more how how spaying and neutering cats is important.

A friend of mine tells a great story about how she grew up on a farm where they had numerous cats and dogs that her parents did not agree with spending money on. Much less spaying and neutering them. As a teenager, she would sneak the animals to the vet and have them spayed and nutered and pay for them with the money she had saved from working. Her love and care for animals is why she is now a fabulous vet. My point is that sometimes you have to do what is right by the animals, even if it's not the popular decision by the adults around you.

The fact that you posted on here, tells us you care and I think that's fabulous! Good luck with everything!

[phatchristy]

Originally Posted by BEJJ

Thank you all for the advice, were low on money, but if I need to I think i'll dig into my savings. What about her recovery? she's an outdoor cat, should I keep her indoors for awhile? any risk of infections?

Do a google search for low cost spay neuter programs in CA. No doubt you'll find some! Locally here, they have a program through our humane society, I believe that cat spay is something like $40....very reasonable!

As for 'weaning' there is nothing that you have to do with the kittens to 'wean' them. The mom will continue to nurse them, and as they get older they will naturally mimmic her behaviors and will start eating the same food she's eating, etc.