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Hi Norm,
Thanks for your answer to my question the other day. The kittens have now arrived, but only 3 of the 6 that she gave birth to were actually born alive. Mom and babies seem to be doing well. It seemed to take a while for them to begin nursing but by the end of yesterday they were all eating. My only concern at this point is that mom seems to leave her babies quite frequently. We have a nesting bed for them with a heater nearby, but every hour or so, mom will leave the box and come cuddle with me. If she hears them mewing, she will go back to them right away. I guess I was expecting her to never leave their side at all. This morning she transported 2 of the 3 from the nesting box to her kitty condo at the opposite side of the apartment. I took the one she left behind over to her (the smallest one) and she seemed to accept him/her just fine. Is all of this normal behaviour for a first time young mom? I don't want her to neglect any of the kittens, and wanted to be sure that moving them around is normal. Thanks,
Holly
Holly,
Yes, this is all normal (although aggravating behavior), for a first time mom. She wants the kittens where shew feels they are safest.
Some moms stay with their kittens all the time, some stay with them only when they cry for feeding.
I also wonder if the heater is too hot and she is uncomfortable. At this time of year in the Northern hemisphere, the house should be warm enough so that the warmth from mama's body is probably sufficient for the kittens.
Best regards... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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