You are here:
- Home
- Animals/Pets
- Cats
- Cats
- Kittening and other household cats
Cats/Kittening and other household cats
Advertisement
Question
Recently brought inside a stray/feral we've been working with for several months. Vet checked her out and other than a (now-defunct) hookworm, she's fine and healthy and adapting very well. Our other two older, spayed females are slowing warming up to the idea. Now the new one is pregnant and probably due while we're away. Do we need to isolate her in a closed bedroom with her birthing box or will it be safe for the other cats to have access to that room as well? A little bit of hiss/growl on their part (new cat wants to be friendly with them and doesn't care about the hiss/growl) but never any overt aggression.
Terry,
Yes, you need to isolate her in a closed bedroom with her birthing box. I would wait until the kittens are weaned to let the two older spays have access. Once kittens are born mamas can become incredibly protective, especially the first week after giving birth. If the mama becomes sufficiently agitated she could inadvertently harm her kittens!!!!!!
So, I would play it safe and not allow the other 2 cats access while she is giving birth or nursing.
BTW, spays have been known to try to steal kittens from the nursing mama which would be a major disaster for the kittens and nursing mama alike.
Bet regards... Norm.
Related Articles
- Just Kittens Picture Gallery - Puaa
- Just Kittens Picture Gallery - Puaa
- Adult Cat Introductions - Introducing Adult Cats - an Ask Amy Feature by Amy Shojai, CABC
- Experienced Foster Mom of Kittens - Reader Stories: How I Became a Foster Parent to Rescued Cats and Kittens
- Barnaby Came to Stay - Reader Stories: The Joy of Life With a Senior Cat
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.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.