When can a mum cat go outside again after birthing?

[AvadaKedavra]

Kittens are 3 weeks old and mum is going mad wanting to get out, she's an outdoor cat. Can she be trusted to go outside and still tend to her kittens or is it lockdown till they get rehomed?

Our cat was desperate to get outside within about 6 hours of the birth. Kittens did absolutely fine, although I was a bit frantic!

Mine went out the next day but she was only gone for a very short time, just long enough for me to whip them all out the basket, change the towels, and put them all back in! As long as she is feeding and caring for them, she will be ok to let out.

Three weeks is an awfully long time for an outdoor cat to stay in, especially as that initial protectiveness over her litter will have passed. If you let her out when she's hungry she probably won't stay out long because she'll want her dinner, but her maternal instinct should force her to come home anyway - unless she's been a bit 'off' with the kittens and you suspect she'll do a runner and not come back to feed? If that's the case I'd probably keep her in until the kittens are weaned.

You shouldn't let her out until she is spayed. Discuss with your vet when they will do this. Cats are most likely to get pregnant again just after a litter as theycan tend to repeatedly come into call.

No cat should be out until it is spayed anyway.

I have to admit, I didn't realise cats came into call again when they were nursing - was thinking about us humans

Definitely follow midori's advice and don't let her out until she's been spayed - she's probably climbing the walls because she's come into call again. Was this litter an accident or have you chosen not to have her spayed for a reason?

Midori/MrsL, it's not my cat I've "accquired" it had it dumped on me and it will hopefully be going back home soon. No cat of mine would have been let out unspayed. No idea about cats and certainly not a new mum one with kittens, learning as I go along and asking questions for the things I don't know.

Thanks all

Oh I see

Probably just keep her in to be on the safe side then, especially if she's new to your house as she might not be able to find her way home. You'll have to bribe her with lots of tuna to make her realise that inside can be quite nice too!

You'll have your hands full with all the kittens! Have you managed to find homes for them all or is her owner doing it?

They were here for a 2 night stay originally and have been here 2 weeks now and I was begginging to think they'd be here for the forseeable hence my Q, not really thinking that obv she's not been spayed doh

Owner says she can't be arsed with weaning and all that shite so I said we could keep them longer but she then said today no I will take them back next week with an aisde of if I find it too hard you can have them back

It's been lovely albeit hard work and a worry as I know zilch about cats! The mum cat is in far better condition now than she was, getting good high meat % food etc, very settled so it's a shame they are going to be going next week.

Poor you! Perhaps if the owner can't 'be bothered' to wean or look after the kittens properly, they should have taken better care of their pet in the first place?

Would you consider insisting on keeping the cat and kittens until the kittens are weaned and Mum is spayed? Kittens should really be with Mum until 12-13 weeks, 8 weeks is the absolute minimum, but 12 is better for socialisation reasons. If the owner insists on having them back, I would contact the Cats Protection League for advice, the owner not taking proper care of their needs.

Also, the mother should be on good quality complete kitten food if she isn't already. It will provide the extra protein and calories she needs while nursing.

She is on kitten food now yes, Hills stuff, her coat is lovely and shiny and soft now and she's put on some weight too which she needed.

Insisting on keeping them isn't an option as it's complicated but I am making sure she knows all they have to do in coming weeks with litter training and weaning, jabs, worming etc

Just spoken and again she isn't sure about having them back, doing my nut in tbh.