New mother cat help

**cbacus** · 07-07-2006, 05:00 PM

My cat just had her first litter and she is wanting to move them to a hiding place. She seems to think they belong under the cushions of the couch and i can't convince her to keep them some place else. I've had this cat since she was born and she is very trustful to me. Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Cbacus

**Catty1** · 07-07-2006, 06:47 PM

Other folks here have way more experience with kittens than I do..but if she wants to hide them, you might try a closet with a big quiet corner and maybe borrow a litterbox cover - the ones that look like a little house?

Like a kid - wants a Secret Hiding Place!

Catty1

**DallasRechelle** · 07-07-2006, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by cbacus

My cat just had her first litter and she is wanting to move them to a hiding place. She seems to think they belong under the cushions of the couch and i can't convince her to keep them some place else. I've had this cat since she was born and she is very trustful to me. Any help would be great.

This is perfectly normal. You need to make a place for her to hide them. Kittens that are that young are extremely delicate and vulnerable. Mother cats always want to protect them and hide them until they are walking. Make a box for her, or like Catty suggested, a closet with a litterbox cover, but with lots of blankets underneath. It doesn't matter how long you've had the mother cat, it's instinct and they generally know what is best for the babies.

Also, are you feeding Momma kitten food? If not, you need to start, it will help fortify her milk and make it more beneficial to the babies.

**moosmom** · 07-07-2006, 10:14 PM

If you can, isolate her and the babies in a quiet room with the door closed. Make sure she has all the emenities of home. This way she and her babies will feel safe.

**cbacus** · 07-08-2006, 12:43 PM

Thanks for the advice. I was trying different boxes all night, but what finally helped was to have a box right next to my bed. For some reason she felt very safe next to me. I tried this idea when she decided to bring a kitten right on me while i was trying to sleep.

**AbbyMom** · 07-08-2006, 01:31 PM

Aww...that sounds so very sweet! We would love to see pictures of your cat and her kittens. What is her name? Have you named the kittens yet? And we love pictures of cats at Pet Talk!

**cbacus** · 07-09-2006, 06:40 AM

My cats name is Zelda. The pic of the kittens is when she tried to keep them under the cushions of the couch. I don't have names for them yet.

**DallasRechelle** · 07-09-2006, 09:34 AM

After she is done nursing this litter, PLEASE PLEASE get her spayed! There is so much more health benefits involved for her, plus there are already millions of animals in shelters who need homes and every kitten and puppy born takes away from their adoption.

**cbacus** · 07-09-2006, 09:49 AM

i do plan to. this wasn't supposed to happen, but she got outside once and this happened.

**DallasRechelle** · 07-09-2006, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by cbacus

i do plan to. this wasn't supposed to happen, but she got outside once and this happened.

Good that's great to hear. Believe me, after growing up on a farm, I understand why people don't want to spay them, but it is better to do it, they turn into better pets.

**momoffuzzyfaces** · 07-09-2006, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by cbacus

Thanks for the advice. I was trying different boxes all night, but what finally helped was to have a box right next to my bed. For some reason she felt very safe next to me. I tried this idea when she decided to bring a kitten right on me while i was trying to sleep.

At least she trusts you enough to want to share her babies with!

That's a high honor indeed!!!