You are here:
- Home
- Animals/Pets
- Cats
- Cats
- nursing kittens
Cats/nursing kittens
Advertisement
Question
I am fostering a nursing mother with three kittens (one didn't make it). I have only had them a few days and they are now about two weeks old.
I have them set up in a separate bedroom and I notice that there is a very strong odour - not from the litter - which is extremely overwhelming when I open the door.
I have put in some air deodorizers but the smell is still strong - is this normal with nursing kittens?
Thanks.
Mary,
- Has this little family been checked out by a vet?
- Does mom have any discharge from her vagina?
- Is the odor stronger on a specific kitten or their mother?
- Is mom using the litter box properly (urinating and defecating in the litter several times a day)?
- What kind of food are you feeding mom?
- Have you considered the possibility that mom is hiding food? Some cats who have been rescued from the streets do precisely that, my youngest cat hid a bit of everything that I gave her until she realized that there would always be plenty of food to go around.
- Does mom seem lethargic, feverish, or just "not right"?
- Do the kittens seem to be contented with the amount of food they are getting by nursing on mom? Do the kittens seem to be growing fairly rapidly and getting progressively more active and full of mischief?
I would advise against using air fresheners or deodorizing pucks/sprays/powders, etc because this may lead to mom developing issues with litter box avoidance. You have to remember that a cat's sense of smell is far more sensitive than a human being so if the smell is offensive to you it will be horrible for the mom and her kittens. I suspect that mom may have a uterine infection called pyometra, this can sometimes produce a foul odor. The only way to cure this infection is to have mom spayed by a vet immediately because her uterus may rupture and pus can contaminate her internal organs. If mom doesn't have pyometra I would be concerned about the possibility that she may have a deceased kitten in the birth canal that is decomposing. When taking mom to the vet to be examined it is very important that you bring her babies along just in case mom requires surgery or hospitalization. If mom has an infection in her mammary glands you may have to bottle feed the kittens with a kitten milk replacer for the next couple of weeks until they can be introduced to solids. You can find the recipe and instructions for the formula that I use to start hand raised or reluctant kittens off on solids in my previous answers on the subject. The idea is to find out what's causing the odor and fix it rather than simply masking it.
Related Articles
- Post-Natal Care for a Mother Cat and her Kittens - Cat Reproduction 101 Lesson 8
- FAQ - Mother cat will not feed newborn kittens
- Tracking Kitten Development - the First Six Weeks
- Kitten Care - Raising Tiny Newborns - Your Role as Surrogate Cat Mom
- What should I feed my pregnant cat - Cats Pregnancy and Birth FAQ
Answers by Expert:
Ali
Expertise
I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.
Experience
I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.
Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.