Handling kittens

**dab_20** · 04-29-2006, 10:49 AM

On one website it says you shoulden't handle newborn kittens until they are a week old. On another it said you should so they get used to you, but not over handle them. Which one is right??

**moosmom** · 04-29-2006, 11:18 AM

Speaking from my own experience, when Mattie Grace's babies were born, I handled them from the very beginning. The more you handle them, the better socialized they are and easier to place. Just watch Mama's body language. Talk softly to her while you're handling the babies. This will reassure her that she can trust you.

**dab_20** · 04-29-2006, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by moosmom

Speaking from my own experience, when Mattie Grace's babies were born, I handled them from the very beginning. The more you handle them, the better socialized they are and easier to place. Just watch Mama's body language. Talk softly to her while you're handling the babies. This will reassure her that she can trust you.

Thanks very much. Oreo is a barn cat and we are moving her inside. She isn't just an ordinary barn cat because she's SO friendly and loves people, even strangers.

**kitimom** · 04-29-2006, 01:59 PM

I, like Moo, have handled them from the git go. I helped Cheese birth her babies and she always let me hold them.

**catmandu** · 04-29-2006, 02:03 PM

Just be very careful with Kittens that small as thier bones are still forming.
I never touched Gary and Ivon,except to move them into the Spare Bedroom.
I know that they are so tiny and cute at that age.

**Maya & Inka's mommy** · 04-29-2006, 02:03 PM

The most omportant thing is to let the meowmie-cat "smell" her kittens as soon as they are born. Once that is over, she won't reject them, I think.

**rg_girlca** · 04-29-2006, 04:52 PM

Yes, you can hold them, but very gently in the palm of your hand and not for too long. If the kitten starts to mew, mama can become very agitated over it.