AboutJessica Expertise I have bred Siamese cats and have years of experience caring for homeless, feral, orphaned, and terminally ill cats. I am knowledgeable in cat behavior, health, history, troubleshooting, breeds, coat patterns and colors, and trivia.
Experience I have extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to at-home medical care to rescuing homeless cats and placing them in homes. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning. I have given supportive care to cats suffering from diabetes, terminal cancer, feline leukemia, feline infectious peritonits, and kidney, liver, and heart failure. I have been through chemotherapy with two of my cats who had lymphoma and have also been through many cutting edge surgeries with my special needs cats.
Question A couple of months ago we took in a stray and it became apparent shortly after that she was pregnant. We have four kids and she's been a very tolerant cat, putting up with pulled fur and yanked tails, although she has never been particularly loving meaning she won't come and sit on my lap or come calling for attention unless she wants fed or let out. Two weeks ago she had a litter of 5 kittens under the dining room table and a week ago she tried to move her litter into our sons' bedroom, ages 4 and 6. Needless to say this is not a safe place for her and her kittens, so instead I moved her box to our bedroom that is much quieter and has almost no traffic. However, everyday she tries to move her kittens back into the boy's room, somtimes under the bed, sometimes behind their door. I understand that she must feel uncomfortable with staying in our bedroom and that I shouldn't interfere but I can't help but feel that she's chosen a very bad place to move her kittens. What should I do?
Answer You're right, this is an unsafe place for newborns. Would it be possible to confine her to your room? I realize this would mean moving her food and litter to you bedroom, which is certainly undesirable, but ideally, she shouldn't be allowed access to places that may be dangerous for the kittens.
If necessary, you could see about renting a large dog crate from an animal shelter. Some rent out crates for housebreaking dogs. If you get one large enough for her litter box and food, she can actually be kept in there until the kittens are old enough to go to new homes. I know this isn't ideal, either, but it's common practice with breeders, animal shelters and pet fosters.
