AboutNorman 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.
Question Our cat is in the process of having her kittens. She wanted to go into our bedroom to have the kittens under our bed, she then wanted to go into the crawlspace in the basement (we didn't allow her to go in there). We allowed her into the bedroom where she stayed awhile. We left her alone. While going to another room in the house, I was amazed when I saw the Mom cat in the doorway cleaning a kitten. I left her alone, only to see her shortly afterward walking towards the basement with no Kitten. The kitten was left in the hallway with part of the placenta wrapped around its leg. The mom went to the basement to sit on the couch (we left here there). I washed my hands and picked up the kitten and brought her to the mother and left them alone. I checked on the cat a short time later, but could not find the kitten. The mom was cleaning herself. Upon further inspection I found the kitten in between a space between the cushions. My son said he saw two other Kittens about an hour later in the same space. I am really not sure what to do at this point. I don't think its safe, but I am not sure if she is trying to hide them to protect them. Should I move them?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Answer Natty,
Once she has had all of her kittens, she should settle down. I am also assuming she has plenty of milk.
We do not allow our queens run of the house when they are giving birth or nursing. They are confined to one room in a warm, draft free place with no access for other pets or young children. We like to give them a birthing box/nursery box (I like 10" X 16" X 26" or of similar size). Put some old toweling or sheeting in the box and half cover it with a towel so that it seems more den like.
If this is her first litter, she is probably rather unsure of herself or exactly what she is supposed to do. For the first couple of days warmth is just as important as nourishment to the newborns.
So, yes, I would move them to an area where she is confined with her kittens. If she behaves frantically, keep her in a carrier for an hour or two and then let her back in to nurse. Often the pressure from the milk collecting and not going to the kittens will make her want to settle down and nurse them.
