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Expert: - 8/23/2011


Question
Scarlett
Scarlett
Recently (May 2011) we adopted a stray cat (or you could say she adopted us) I am 16 years old and i have a very strong love for animals however my mother does not share the same passion so scarlett our stray is purely an outdoor cat, which she doesn't mind whatsoever and feels very comfortable in our garden lounging around. We have taken her to the vets for a health check up but we were also suspicious that she may be pregnant, turns out she is. She should be having her beautiful little kittens in roughly a month and i am very excited however we cannot keep the kittens. My main question is because she is an outdoor cat and unless it is completely necessary for her to have healthy kittens to come indoors for that period, how do i provide the best shelter/care for these kittens and my beautiful cat? :)

Answer
Hi Ashley,

What a pretty cat. As an outdoor cat Scarlett will find a very secluded and hidden spot to have her kits. Usually this means under a crawlspace, under some boards, or in a garage. You can try to set up an area that is hidden near a building. Make sure there isn't a lot of foot traffic around the area. Use a large box or crate and place the opening facing a wall. Place some old towels in it. She will check it out. If she likes it she will go inside.You can try to tempt her into it by placing some treats for her there. She may not have the kits there though. If she has them someplace else you need to keep an eye out for where they are. You can try to move them to the box area after a week or so. However she may move them again if she does not feel they are safe there.   Here are a couple of links that you should read.

http://www.2ndchance.info/pregnantcatcare.htm

http://www.2ndchance.info/felinelabor.htm



This link has an excellent idea on how to make a nesting box.

http://ladyguinevere.hubpages.com/hub/Feeding-Your-Outdoor-De-sexed-Cats-and-Kit

Hopefully all will be well and Scarlett will use the box. Remember to start to feed her kitten food now. She needs the extra nutrition. Use the same brand as what you are feeding her now. Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen  

Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

Education/Credentials
I have an A.A.S.

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