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Question
I take care of a colony of cats. Recently I have found 2 dead flattened and decomposed carcases of kittens (only hair and tail, but definitely kittens). Some of our 6-7 month old kittens got pregnant and have had their babies. Do they take care of them? Should we go looking for them? One in particular gave birth yesterday and was out eating with the group last night? Is this normal?
JoAnne,
Unfortunately the odds of a 6-7 month old mom having a litter of kittens that survives outdoors without human interventionis slim because they are still babies themselves and they lack the experience and maturity to properly care for their babies, but there are instances where young moms are very good moms and take fantastic care of their little ones. Momma cats are going to eat and they especially need plenty of nutrition right after giving birth so it's not unusual for them to leave their babies for short periods of time even after just having their kittens. If you truly want the best for these cats I'd suggest finding a veterinarian that will spay/neuter each of them at a discounted rate so that you don't keep having kittens born to queens who get pregnant during their first heat...The survival rate of kittens born outside to stray/feral moms is only about 50% most of the time simply because of the elements, predators and natural infant mortality, often times to super young moms who live indoors and have their babies indoors the survival rate is better because their human caregivers can intervene to keep them clean, warm and bottle feed them if necessary. I wouldn't advocate separating newborn kittens from their mom unless mom was actively rejecting them and trying to hurt them but if you can find where mom has had her babies and you'd like to catch her and bring her and the babies inside to keep a closer eye on them that might be a good idea, but it may be very difficult to find out where the babies are hidden simply because instinct tells momma cats to be very careful about where they have their kittens. If you have any further cat related questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me again at any time - I'm more than happy to help in any way that I can.
Kind regards,
Ali
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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.
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