There’s been a stray cat hanging around my apartment building for a while, and now she’s pregnant and probably due soon. I’ve fed her a few times, and she’s friendly with people. I have noticed someone else has set up a covered bed and bowls for her in the alley, so others are looking after her, too.
But I’m concerned about a few things:
- Cars constantly come and go in the alley, which is used as a parking lot.
- She likes to stay by the entrance, but the building manager isn’t a fan and scares her off with loud noises.
- It’s been raining all night, and the forecast says it’ll keep raining for the next couple of days.
I’ve been thinking about adopting a cat, and I can’t stop thinking about this stray. I want to bring her inside and keep her, along with one of her kittens, after she gives birth. I’ve already contacted a reliable animal shelter that can take the other kittens once they’re ready, and I have the financial means to cover vet care for them. I’ve set up a nesting area in my apartment with beds, toys, food, treats, and a litter box. I also bought a pet carrier to bring her inside.
Here are my main concerns and questions:
- Will bringing her into a new environment stress her out even more?
- I live alone and can’t be home all the time—could this be a problem?
- If she comes into the carrier and I bring her home, should I take her to the vet right away or let her settle in first?
- If she wants to go back outside, should I let her?
Sorry for the long post. I just want to make sure she can have her kittens in the safest, least stressful way possible. Any advice would be appreciated.
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She’s much safer in your apartment than in the alley, so take her in. Perhaps someone from the shelter could cat sit while you work and she gives birth?
The entire litter will have to stay with their mother until they are 12 weeks old (8 weeks is for puppies, not kittens, no matter what anyone says, and responsible dog breeders are actually moving towards 12 weeks), and you should be prepared that a mother may not want to share her home with her adult kitten because, even when spayed and neutered, there is a desire to push the offspring away.
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A very sweet lady couldn’t take her in because she already had a few cats of her own. Fortunately, she has promised to help out until the kittens are ready for adoption! I believed the mother could become depressed if separated from her entire litter, but I’ll make a mental note of it. Thank you for your input!
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@TobyFetcher That sounds great!
While I’m not a fan of ascribing human feelings to animals, few parents want to share a home with their kids once they’re old enough to move out and stand on their own two feet, and it’s the same for cats. That drive is even stronger for cats since they can have over a hundred kittens in a lifetime and not just 20-ish at most.
It can work, but you have to be prepared that it might not.
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@spookiiwife I might have to reconsider keeping a kitten then. Thank you for the insight, I have zero experience with mother cats so this is helpful!
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@TobyFetcher Consider keeping a kitten, but make a backup plan just in case.
It will probably work, especially if you can identify and keep the one she is least irritated with as they become older:-)
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@spookiiwife You have been a huge help, I will have to go find momma cat when I’m back home and she if she wants to come in
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Sounds like a great plan.
You’re doing an amazing job with the momma cat! Just be sure to spay or neuter the kittens before they’re adopted so they don’t end up in the same situation as their mom.
Also, make sure they get vaccinated for common illnesses in your area. Here, it’s parvo and a few other viruses that cause flu-like symptoms, but we don’t have rabies, for example. Check with your vet to be sure. And absolutely no declawing—it’s harmful to the cat and can cause more problems than it solves. @TobyFetcher
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@spookiiwife Always been pro-spay/neuter. So definitely will do that. And declawing is just cruel. Will need to prepare more scratch posts but also not an issue if I have some clawed-up furniture haha Kitties will go to the vet for shots as soon as they’re ready!
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They will certainly do well with you!
Oh, I nearly forgot: keep the kittens in a playpen until they’re almost old enough to be adopted, and even if they start escaping, confine them to one room until they’re about 11 weeks old. Otherwise, they may find the litter box too far away and instead do one or two in their current location.
You should also use non-clumping litter in the beginning because young kittens like to consume it. Mommy can use a good box outside of the pen. @TobyFetcher
@spookiiwife I see, I’ll have to order a playpen then haha. I’m reading up on how to prepare for this and will also watch some videos. I saw a lot of users recommending Kitten Lady on YouTube, so I’ll check it out later too. Seriously, thank you for all of the great advice.
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I see I see, gonna have to order a playpen then haha I’m reading up more on how to prepare for this and gonna watch some videos too. Saw a lot of users suggesting Kitten Lady on Youtube so gonna check that out later too. Seriously, thank you so much for all this advice.
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Start out small and then expand it.
Happy to help 