Expert: Dear Tabbi - 6/12/2008

Question
QUESTION: My son moved his pregrant cat, causing her to have her kittens on Saturday.  We are assuming she had them early. She had 3 kittens.  One of them died yesterday.  She moved the other 2, and we moved them to a Dog carrier.  Today we found her trying to drown them in her water dish.  What should we do to keep them safe.

Thanks,
Carol

ANSWER: Carol,

Is she a first time mother? Some cats do some bazaar things. And She is probably very stressed about the move. I would put her in a room that is quiet with a litterbox, her food, and a shallow, or very small container with water (but keep checking that it isn't empty) and let her be for few days. Putting a blanket on the floor may be more comfortable for her too.

Tabbi

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Tabbi

Yes she is a 1st time mother.  I don't think she's much more than a year old.

Thanks for the advise.  I'll give it a try.

Carol

Answer
Carol,

Sometimes first time mothers do not have the maternal instinct and they aren't quite sure what you are supposed to do with the babies.

I had one at one time that would not nurse them. When the newborns cried she would hit each of them on the head a few times then leave. She'd come back later and do the same thing. Another cat I had  would move her babies all the time and carry them with their whole head in her mouth instead of by the scruff of their neck! Luckily none of them suffered any consequences from it.

Also please remember that the mother cat can come into heat and get pregnant from 48 hours to two weeks after giving birth so she may try to get out, and if she does not know a new area she may get lost.
I would try to get her spayed as soon as the babies (if they make it OK) are weaned (at about 8 weeks old).

Tabbi