Expert: Marcia Owen - 8/28/2010

Question
Hello, I wasn't sure if this was the righ lt category but my cat gave birth to
4 kittens 4 days ago. She stayed with then all the time for the first 2 days
but now is only with then during feeding and sometimes during sleeping.
I'm worried that she's not doing her job by keeping then warm and I don't
know what to do. She eats and goes to the bathroom and she's very
friendly and loving to me. Are the kittens not getting enough attention?
Thanks.

Answer
Dear Nathan

Everything sounds to be going fine.  If the kittens are quiet then Mum is feeding them fine and is now taking some time out for herself.

In the wild cats would spend a lot of time hunting for food so that they can produce enough milk but as Mum doesn't have to hunt she is enjoying spending time with you, but keeps going back to her babies to check.  I'm sure she's doing this without you realising.

Try to relax and enjoy the kittens.  You can encourage her to spend more time with them if you are concerned, by going to check on them yourself and she will no doubt follow.

Marcia.