I have accidentally gained a mother and it's kittens.. help

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Quillion wrote: »

My sis in law boards for Cat protection. They have people all over the country who do this kind of stuff and they will fetch mum and babies and get them checked out.
I would suggest you do this straight away before you all get too attached.
HTH

Do you mean hand them over to CPL? It would be good to get them checked out, but at this stage there is no need for major intervention by any charity.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Thepopster wrote: »

aww what a story. Are you going to keep them?

Taking it day by day at the moment. Need to fully make sure there are no more kittens stashed outside still.

I guess it's gonna all depend on how my cat settles with the new lodgers. Just have to play a waiting game

kr15snw

I would def ring a vet / cats and dogs home BUT explain your happy to keep them with you and look after them. You just want some advice and want them checking over. If your local cats and dogs home is like ours theyll be super happy you want to keep them as ours are all full ALREADY!

the_devil_made_me_do_it

UPDATE:

Two main problems:

i/ haven't a clue how to start litter training:o . Kittens are not used to humans and either spat at me and dart away, or dart away as I approach.

ii/ my own cat, Eppie, is not using her litter tray, unfact, as fair as I can tell, she isn't going to the toilet at all. She is eating, but that's about it. Obviously, she is the concern at the moment. She is residing upstairs, with her tray on the landing & her food/living area in the huge spare room. She does venture outside, but not since the kitties have arrived.

Any advice would be appreciated.. phew

tankgirl1

Where does Eppie normally have her tray and food? Perhaps it would be better to let her have them in her usual place, and confine mum and kittys upstairs if poss?

The kittens will usually use the litter tray instinctively as its the perfect place for them to dig and bury their poos! Is mum cat using the tray?

I think it will just take time and perseverance to get them used to people - perhaps tempt them with some yummy food like chicken or tuna if/when they are on solid foods?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

tankgirl1 wrote: »

Where does Eppie normally have her tray and food? Perhaps it would be better to let her have them in her usual place, and confine mum and kittys upstairs if poss?

The kittens will usually use the litter tray instinctively as its the perfect place for them to dig and bury their poos! Is mum cat using the tray?

I think it will just take time and perseverance to get them used to people - perhaps tempt them with some yummy food like chicken or tuna if/when they are on solid foods?

• Eppie's tray and food is usually in the kitchen. She is used to it being shifted about & usually follows it. Not practical to have new family upstairs, as the mother cat likes to explore outside for short spells, and my kitchen leads to the rear garden. I did encourage Eppie to go out & she seemed happy enough and went to the toilet outside.
• Hopefully the kittens will instictivly use the litter tray, not pleasant cleaning up kitty poop :eek:
• Also, phoned local CPL. T'was an answer machine, so briefly left details & asked them to contact me a.s.a.p

c6h4m1

I've always found kittens litter train themselves, as long as you've got a litter tray they can get into easily enough.

Are you sure Eppie isn't going to the loo outside now you've got her to go out, instead of using her tray? Or are you going to find some surprises buried in plants? One of mine refuses to use a tray and will force me to let him out so he can go.

As for getting them used to humans, you'll need to be brave and just handle them I think! I've fostered feral cats and their kittens in the past including some who would hiss and spit if you so much as looked at them. Once I realised that they don't hurt (much) when they bite, I just started to stroke them and fuss them and after a week or so they've all stopped spitting and started to enjoy the attention. It has always amazed me with each litter I've looked after how much tiny kittens can spit It really is just patience, getting them used to you being there so they stop darting away when you're near them first then starting to handle them. Sometimes I've had to force the issue - when I've had sick kittens who have had to have antibiotics particularly - and although they resent being cornered and picked up they soon get over it.

HelzBelz

When you first started feeding the mum did she look like a stray?

You know what cats are like she might be somebody's and just decided she fancied not having her kittens at home, as well as phoning CPL I'd phone round the local vets and sanctuaries to see if anybody has reported her missing.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

HelzBelz wrote: »

When you first started feeding the mum did she look like a stray?

You know what cats are like she might be somebody's and just decided she fancied not having her kittens at home, as well as phoning CPL I'd phone round the local vets and sanctuaries to see if anybody has reported her missing.

No, she didn't look like a stray to be honest. She is also litter trained. However, she has been coming to my house very regularly and eating like a horse (as if she didn't get fed elsewhere). I will ask the vet and check whether she has been chipped. After saying all that, the owners (if there are any) have been rather irresponsible not getting her neutered.

Hopefully taking them to the vets on Friday to get the once over, wormed and fleaed.. how fun that's gonna be

lexilex

This is such a nice story, just got an image in my head of the cat bringing in all it's little kittens.

Good luck with Cat Protection, I found them totally useless when I tried to report my cat missing to them.