What should I do if I find a mother cat with kittens?

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Gordon Walling asked a question: What should I do if I find a mother cat with kittens?
Asked By: Gordon Walling
Date created: Mon, Aug 22, 2022 18:02 PM
Date updated: Thu, Mar 28, 2024 9:43 AM

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Video answer: How to Care for a Mama Cat & Kittens (3 Top Tips!)

How to Care for a Mama Cat & Kittens (3 Top Tips!)

Best answer to the question «What should I do if I find a mother cat with kittens?»

The mother cat offers her newborn kittens their best chance for survival, so wait and watch as long as you safely can, and consult the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County or your veterinarian before approaching or touching the kittens. If the mother cat returns…

Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «What should I do if I find a mother cat with kittens?» often ask the following questions:

😻 What to do if a kitten comes out of the mother?

Use a pair of sterile surgical gloves and very gently grab the kitten by the armpits (of the front or back legs, whichever came out first) and steadily and gently pull slightly downwards, towards the mother cat's feet, and out. Never pull a kitten by its head, tail or legs.

😻 Will a mother cat come back to her kittens if you approach?

If you stand too close, the mom will not approach her kittens. You might need to go away completely before the mother cat will return to attend to the kittens. It might be several hours before the mother cat returns — until she no longer senses the presence of humans hovering near her litter.

😻 What is the best age to take kittens from the mother?

Six weeks is the optimal age to take the kittens from the mother for socialization and adoption placement, and any time after eight weeks for Trap-Neuter-Return (spay/neuter, vaccination, eartip, and return to their colony).

Video answer: Do Mom Cats Miss Their Kittens After Adoption?

Do Mom Cats Miss Their Kittens After Adoption?

Your Answer

We've handpicked 26 related questions for you, similar to «What should I do if I find a mother cat with kittens?» so you can surely find the answer!

What should I do if I find a mother cat with kittens?
The mother cat offers her newborn kittens their best chance for survival, so wait and watch as long as you safely can, and consult the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County or your veterinarian before approaching or touching the kittens. If the mother cat returns…
What should I do if I find a mother cat with kittens?
The mother cat offers her newborn kittens their best chance for survival, so wait and watch as long as you safely can for her to return before removing them. If the mother cat returns… If mom returns and the area is relatively safe, leave the kittens alone with mom until they are weaned.
What should I do if I find a nursing mother cat?
Nursing mother cats require a lot of extra calories; hence it is best to provide them with a steady source of food and water, particularly dry kitten food if possible. If the mother cat and the kittens seem healthy, the best thing should be to allow kittens to stay with her.
What should I do if I find a litter of kittens?
If you find a litter of kittens, first, watch and wait! A kitten’s best chance of thriving is with its mother. Momma Cat may be off finding food for herself, or she may be in the process of actively moving her litter to another location. Try to determine if the mother is coming back for them or if they are truly orphaned.

Video answer: How to Foster a FERAL Mama and Kittens (10 Things You Should Know!)

How to Foster a FERAL Mama and Kittens (10 Things You Should Know!) What should I do if I find a 2 week old kitten?
If you find a 2 Week Old kitten, try your best to find the mother. Kittens this desperately need their mother to help them get big and strong. However, if no mother is found, that is not a death sentence to your kitty. Educate yourself, get the supplies you need, and become the kitty mother of the world!
What should I do if I find an abandoned kitten?
If you find one or more kittens abandoned and rejected by their mom, try to find them a surrogate mother. A surrogate mom's milk contains the colostrum they need and she can provide them with warmth and care.
What should I do if I find a group of kittens?
If you find a group of kittens while their mother is off, try to determine if the mother is coming back or not before taking action. Stand away from the kittens, as if you stay too close the mother cat may not approach. She may even not return for several hours if she is spooked by human presence.
What should I do if I find a kitten in heat?
Kittens are prone to hypothermia and need heat, which is typically provided by the mother cat. If the mother is unable or unwilling to warm up the kitten, or if she isn’t present, you’ll need to warm the kitten quickly and safely.
What should I do if I find an orphaned kitten?
If you are sure the kittens are orphaned or that the mother is dead, the best thing to do is to take them in. 2. You can try to call your local cat welfare, animal shelters and humane societies to find out who will foster kittens and what their policies are. 3. You can take the kittens in and foster them.
What should I do if I find an orphaned kitten?
A kitten’s best chance of thriving is with its mother. Momma Cat may be off finding food for herself, or she may be in the process of actively moving her litter to another location. Try to determine if the mother is coming back for them or if they are truly orphaned. Stand far away from the kittens — 35 feet or more.

Video answer: What To Do If You Find a Kitten -- How to Make the Right Call!

What To Do If You Find a Kitten -- How to Make the Right Call! What should I do if I find a kitten without a mother?
If the mother is truly absent, you can gather the kittens and contact your local animal care center, or, if you have the time, why not try to nurse them until they are six weeks old? A six week old kitten will weigh approximately one pound.
What should I do if I trap a nursing mother cat?
If kittens are only a few weeks old and you successfully trap the mother, please gather up the kittens to keep them with the mother. We can set nursing moms up in large traps and carefully place kittens in the trap with their mom.
What should I do if I find kittens in a box?
If you find kittens in a box, someone most likely dumped them there. If the kittens are found behind a bush, it's best to closely monitor them, and see if the mother returns. "Every kitten needs to be fed every three hours at the max," Brown said. "Mom must return every three hours to feed her babies.
What should I do if I find an orphaned kitten?
If you are sure the kittens are orphaned or that the mother is dead, the best thing to do is to take them in. 2. You can try to call your local cat welfare, animal shelters and humane societies to find out who will foster kittens and what their policies are. 3. You can take the kittens in and foster them.
What should I do if I Find my kittens somewhere inappropriate?
If you do find your kittens somewhere inappropriate, move them. Your cat will eventually realize why you are doing so. Avoid touching them kittens, though. Wrap them in a blanket before uprooting and moving them.
What should I do if my cat has kittens outside?
If a cat had kittens outside, it’s important to find them right away. No amount of preparation on the mother’s part can fully protect her or her kittens from predators, parasites, or the elements. If she is your cat, you’ll want to be able to watch her and the kittens.
What can I do if I have a newborn kitten?
A mother cat’s milk provides everything a kitten needs during the first four weeks of life. If you have newborn kittens who’ve been separated from their mother, consult with a veterinarian, shelter or experienced foster care giver who can help you find a new mother cat with a small litter-she may be able to nurse the orphaned babies.
What should I do if my neuter kittens are still nursing?
Neonatal kittens are still nursing and need to be fed frequently, so they should be kept with their mother, if possible. Are the kittens sleeping comfortably? The mother is probably coming back. When you recheck on them, are any of them missing? The mother is moving them. If they’re often found sleeping, then the mother is caring for them.
Should I move the kittens?
I think I read your post correctly, PLEASE do NOT move the kittens! The mother might abandon them if you move them! As for touch, For me I only touch young kittens that are from litters where I have a bond with the mother, or kittens in need of medical treatment.
What should I do if my cat has a baby kitten?
In the wild, the mother cat would bring prey back to the nest for her kittens to nibble on. You can assist by offering the kittens a little solid food mashed with kitten milk (you can find this at pet supply stores). The mother cat will probably be spending more time away from them at this point, although she’ll want to keep an eye on her babies.
What to do if you find kittens with their mother?
Before you do anything, remember—never separate kittens from their mother cat. If you don’t see her, monitor the kittens from a distance for a few hours. If their mother returns, . Learn what to do when you find kittens outdoors. Learn more about kittens and their needs as they grow in our Kitten Guide.
What should I do if I find a newborn kitten?
While the mother will feed the kittens and keep them safe and warm, you’ll need to make sure that they have a dark, safe, quiet place to grow. You’ll need to monitor the newborns closely during the first 10 weeks of their growth to make sure that they’re healthy, and take them to the veterinarian should any medical problems occur.
What should I do if a mother cat has kittens?
If towels or blankets get wet, remove them and replace them with dry ones. In most cases, it's best to leave the mother cat alone with her kittens as much as possible. The mother cat should take care of the kittens initially, so you won't have to do much more than ensure that the mother is fed and that both she and the kittens appear to be healthy.
What should I do if I find a kitten in heat?
If the mother cat is not around, you will need to provide a heating pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to help keep the kittens warm. Just make sure that the kittens can get away from the heat if they become too warm. Check on them often to see if they seem comfortable. [14] Allow the mother cat to help her cats if she is around/able.
What should I do if I find a abandoned kitten?
First, observe the kittens from a distance. The kittens may seem to be abandoned, however, the mother cat may not be far away. She could be hunting, or she could be hiding, waiting for you to get away from her babies. Wait a few hours before disturbing the kittens unless they are in obvious danger. Are the kittens sleeping and seem content?
What should I do if I find kittens in my yard?
If mom returns and the area is relatively safe, leave the kittens alone with mom until they are weaned. You can offer a shelter and regular food to mom, but keep the food and shelter at a distance from each other.

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What Would Happen If You Try To Steal Kittens From Mother Cat..? (Part 2) | Animal in Crisis EP228