HELP! .. CAT ADVICE NEEDED
I have been feeding a nursing feral/stray mommy cat for the last two weeks. This is the same cat that bit me 11 days ago, not her fault, just being defensive. I can pet her and is affectioned back. Discovered her kittens about a week ago, unfortunately they are to big, I guess 6/7 weeks old to catch with food. They stay hidden when I am near. I tried to catch them in a trap, (have -a-heart) when the mommy cat was not there.No luck. The little mama cat is a prolific hunter and provides plenty of mice , voles and chipmunks. The mama cat seems to be weening the FOUR OR MORE kittens.
My question is how long until the babies are no longer nursing, so I can trap the Mother cat to get her neutered. If I don't get a handle on this there will be a mess of wild cats running around all over the place. Any information about FERAL CATS or web sites to suggest would be most helpful. HELP!
early photo of mama cat
Mama and one kitten outside den..
Resent picture
By my front door
Kittens are usually weaned by the 8 weeks of age. For sure you can take the Mommy to be spayed before she gets pregnant again.
I'm just guessing the age about 6/7 weeks kittens . You think another week or two, take the mother in for spay?
Yep! Just wait two weeks to be sure. Because she is a feral cat ask the veterinarian if they can place external absorbable sutures or surgical adhesive just in case is difficult to catch her again when is time for suture removal.
Thank you Doctor.
I used to foster feral kittens and I never got one before the age of 3 months so maybe the reason is because they need to be nursed by Mom until then? Not sure. Good for you to get Mom fixed ASAP.
I have to. Cats can have 2/3 litters a year. Her female kittens can get pregnant starting at only four months of age. Mama me-ah...
OMG! I didn't even think about the kittens. Better get a handle on it...quick!
I'm just feeding the mother now. I don't know about the kittens. The ones that survive may eventually follow the mom to feed at my house. Than I can trap them. But thats down the road.. AAhhhh!
Tell me something about fostering the feral kittens. Were they anti-social? Did they fear you at first?
I am in the middle of writing a story about fostering feral kittens. JB was a feral. They are very anti-social, scared to death of humans. You have to slowly socialize them and it is best to do it in a confined area...a room in your house that where only you go in and out of. I have to go now. I will talk to you later. :)
I will answer your question in a minute, but first: we have a vet in the building! Maybe you can ask him your questions. Here he is @fenequedvm.
My understanding is that kittens are weaned at around 7 weeks or so, but I'm not a vet or anything. Just be sure to have some kitten-specific food for them while Mama Cat recovers from her 'procedure'. Those kitties are lucky to have someone as kind as you to look after them.
Thanks for reply. Once the kittens are weened they will be on their own, mom might bring them her kills but they will wander about. They are in an area thats not that accessible to me. I'm hoping they will follow mom to my property so I can feed, then trap to get neutered.
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That must be the momma cat that had her babies in my shed a couple years ago! She looked just like that, but she disappeared (after all the kittens grew up.) I got some of the offspring to the local no-kill shelter for vaccinations, and spay/neutering. I still have one of them living here.
Good going. I would like to do the same but babies hide from me. The mom needs help feeding them, but the area is full of ticks. If I leave food for them I must hide so they will come out when the mother calls them.