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Expert: Karen Craft - 4/28/2007


Question
A week ago I acquired a pregnant year old cat.  I was told she was due to deliver in 2 weeks.  Well, she delivered 25 hours later in our dog crate in the laundry/utility room (a temporary place until she got used to me and my husband.)  Obviously, a laundry/utility room is not a quiet place.  Also, you have to go through it to go out our back door (we have locked it and have been using the front door.)  The 3 kittens are now 1 week old and I would love to move them, crate and all, to a travel trailer sitting behind our house.  It is clean and warm with no hiding places.  Will she do anything crazy if I move her and the kittens? Also, when is it safe to handle the kittens?   Thanks for your help.  

Answer
Hi Susan,

Does the mom have access to the outside in the trailer? Or are you going to keep her in there like a housecat? If she has access to the outside she may try to move the kittens when you put them there. It all depends if she feels it is a safe place. She had her kittens in the laundry room most likely because it is a nice small area that is warm. You can move her and them. Just keep an eye out for her trying to move them. You can start to handle the kittens now. But not too much and watch for how the mom reacts. Also, one quick tip, feed the mom kitten food while she is nursing. This will help her with the extra nutritional needs she has now. Good luck with your new family.

Ciao, Karen

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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.

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I have an A.A.S.

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