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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

help pregnant stray!

105 replies

captainjacksparrow · 06/05/2018 18:42

Please help guys. Yesterday a stray cat wondered in, she's very pregnant. Kitten movements are visible and I can feel them.
Had her checked by emergency vet this am, she is fine although a little skinny apart from huge belly.
I've put notice up and vet has details however have not put that she is pregnant as dp is worried someone may claim her just to sell kittens.
So, I have made a box for her which she is in. She's very friendly with me but not keen on dp.
What the hell do I do now?!

OP posts:
wormery · 06/05/2018 19:14

What a lovely thing to do, when are they due. She will need blankets or old towels to cosy up on in the box and fresh ones when she gives birth, some food, water, a litter tray and a few more boxes to sit or hide in. Hopefulky the birth will be straightforward so you just watch and wait, what are you going to do with the kittens, you could speak to a local cat protection to see if they will take them.

Original poster
captainjacksparrow · 06/05/2018 19:26

We have everything we need as we have an older cat. Vet said any day now hence why brought her home with us. If she doesn't have an owner (not micro chipped, got fleas and under fed etc) it looks like she will be moving in permanently with as many kittens as I can persuade dp to keep
Panicking a bit tho as my cats have all been older rescues! I don't want to mess it up for her. She looks so young

OP posts:
EachandEveryone · 06/05/2018 19:32

Aw bless her.

fenneltea · 06/05/2018 19:37

I did this with a stray cat several years ago. My stray had five kittens, two of which died one at birth and the other shortly afterwards. I kept one of the other kittens and rehomed the remaining two as a pair.

It was very stressful finding a good home for them though. If I were you I would contact good rehoming centres now and get the kittens on a waiting list. We took a cat and her two kittens in recently and used a rehoming cattery for the kittens. They tend to rehome kittens quickly and should be able to help you out, but it is much easier with handing them over knowing that proper checks will be in place and that they will be rehomed to a home with another cat or else go in pairs.

I know its a terrifying prospect for now, but the kittens are wonderful to watch develop and I would only say to try to enjoy them while you have them!

The other thing I forgot to say is to watch your other cat with the kittens, it really upset one of ours who then turned aggressive with one of our other cats. Keeping them in their own room for the first few weeks is a good idea.

It's lovely that you've taken them in, and well done for keeping mum.

fenneltea · 06/05/2018 19:39

Sorry that should say one died at birth.
I'd also feed mum on kitten food, it will help to build her up.

Original poster
captainjacksparrow · 06/05/2018 19:41

Thanks guys, I knew you lovely lot would help. Tiggy the piggy went immediately to check her chair hadn't been taken by the newcomer and has since ignored her. She's a battered old rescue cat herself. New girl is currently shut away in my room with all she needs having a good old kip.

OP posts:
viccat · 06/05/2018 21:23

You should definitely keep her completely separate from your own cat for the duration of the kittens' time with you. Mum cats can be very aggressive and protective of their kittens and that would not be the best start for cat-to-cat introductions if you want to keep her permanently.

If anyone responds to your posters, ask for proof of ownership. Ideally photos but as much detail as possible to make sure they are who they say they are. Of course if they left her unneutered and not microchipped, they won't be the best home anyway.

If she has fleas, be aware the usual spot-on flea treatments are not safe for pregnant or lactating cats (or kittens under 9 weeks/1kg weight). You can use Capstar orally on mum but check with vet's when, I've only used it after kittens were already born. Otherwise keep flea-combing as much as possible, you don't want the kittens to end up with a bad flea infestation (risk of aneamia).

Beaverhausen · 06/05/2018 21:36

Aww bless you OP unfortunately there are people out there who would not be so caring.

Have you contacted your local cats protection? They might be able to help although with it being the start of kitten season in doubt they could take her in but you never know.

MrsCatE · 07/05/2018 00:55

OP. Many thanks for being so kind and taking care of the cat in need.

Anyone else has theories about how and why feral cats suddenly seek out people when pregnant? Neighbour took in feral cat, found homes for kittens, spayed mum and she is now a cuddly, house cat! How!? I always understood if a kitten wasn't socialised with humans by 6 weeks they would always be difficult

mither · 07/05/2018 01:33

How lovely of you to take this cat on, hope all is well with her and her babies if they have arrived! Even if her owner does claim her if she has recently given birth I would advise against moving her; arguably they didn't care enough to have her spayed so....

Keep us updated OP Grin

Allergictoironing · 07/05/2018 08:44

MrsCatE I don't know if it's feral mums to be, so much as strays who seek out humans. They can remember that human houses have heat & food, so gravitate there when they need to look after kittens. I would think that as truly feral cats don't trust humans at all, they wouldn't associate them with a safe place to have a litter?

thecatneuterer · 07/05/2018 09:21

Allergictoironing is right. Feral cats keep well away from humans at all times. It's stray that that seek them out. Sometimes strays have been stray for so long they start to act a bit feral, but they were pets at some point.

OP it's wonderful that you're looking after her.

Teacuphiccup · 07/05/2018 09:23

Aw I fostered a pregnant cat last year.
It was the best thing and the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Well done OP!!

Original poster
captainjacksparrow · 07/05/2018 12:34

Still no kittens. She's very friendly and can use a litter tray so clearly had a home at some point. She's acting like she has been here for years, very trusting of us.
She is ignoring her bespoke Amazon nesting box in favour of my fluffy dressing gown and/or my bed. Keeps lying on me as well.
Kitten movements very noticeable, is this perhaps because she's so skinny?
She's all black so description of her is limited. Half hoping owner doesn't make an appearance. Now I've stopped panicking I'm really annoyed. In my area cats are spayed free of charge so there is no excuse for what's happened.
Dp has named her Kim Karcatian as apparently it takes some cheek to mistake nesting instinct for moving into a 3 bed house Grin

OP posts:
Teacuphiccup · 07/05/2018 12:38

I would confine her to one room and make sure she has everything she needs in there.
The one we fostered became VERY aggressive once the kittens arrived and I can’t omagine how we’d have coped if she’d been in our bedroom.
She went from being the loveliest little kitty to being like a demon.
She went back to being lovely again but it was stressful.

mither · 07/05/2018 12:40

Dp has named her Kim Karcatian as apparently it takes some cheek to mistake nesting instinct for moving into a 3 bed house

Haha that's brilliant Grin

fenneltea · 07/05/2018 13:41

The ferals we've had didn't actively seek us out, they were starving and looking for food, the pregnant feral was eating bird seed. They had to be trapped to be caught and all have made good pets in time, but it takes months and months of slow patient care to gain their trust. One will come for a fuss but would never get on your knee or be picked up, and that is after eight years.
Even the ferals could use the litter tray straight away, so its no indicator of being in a home, but as yours is friendly it sounds like she has been. She probably wandered off when in heat or else was unwanted once she needed spaying, it happens so often for these poor cats. I'd be very surprised if an owner came forwards.

Just thouight I'd mention that it's best not to use a clumping or crystal type cat litter when the kittens arrive as they tend to try to eat everything and it can be dangerous for them causing obstructions, we used wood pellets for ours.

Original poster
captainjacksparrow · 07/05/2018 13:58

We went shopping. Have wood litter, more bowls, bedding, toys and kitten replacement milk and syringes just in case.
She's fine shut in bedroom and we have sofa bed in lounge if we end up evicted.
Vet said to call if distressed so what should I be looking for?

OP posts:
fenneltea · 08/05/2018 08:55

With ours she went into labour during the night, the first we knew was when we heard her calling, we went onto the room to find that she had had the kittens all over the place and didn't have a clue what to do with them! Once we put them all in one place in a box with warm bedding she jumped in and began feeding them. She did this with us present, which considering she was feral shows how strong their instincts can be.

If she goes into labour and doesn't seem to be getting on with things then I'd contact the vet, apparently they shouldn't be in labour for longer than 7 hours. I think they usually cope okay, but if you've any concerns then the vets are usually happy to advise over the phone if needs be.

Original poster
captainjacksparrow · 08/05/2018 16:29

I've been reading lots of horror stories online and I'm now panicking about dead kittens, birth defects or her abandoning them! Stupid I know bit clearly she jas not been having adequate pregnancy care. Just very anxious about it all I guess and she looks so uncomfortable and fat!

OP posts:
wormery · 08/05/2018 17:23

How's she doing x

fenneltea · 08/05/2018 17:24

I'm sure she'll be totally fine, cats have kittens regularly with no problems, and if there are issues then you've got access to a vet; worst case scenario would be the need for a caesarean, but honestly try not to stress about it, chances are you'll end up with a lovely litter of kittens and a happy mum!

You could try a Feliway plug in or some Pet Remedy spray to keep things relaxed for her; but I'm sure she'll be so relieved to have food, warmth and care that she'll be fine, remember that they pick up on stress from us too! ;) You're doing all you can to help her, so try to relax!

Beaverhausen · 08/05/2018 21:52

Do not worry, Kim karcatian will be fine. Just look for if She is straining I.e push in and nothing comes especially if it takes too long.

I hand reared 3 abandoned kittens last year broke my heart when I had to hand hem back to be fostered out.

Original poster
captainjacksparrow · 09/05/2018 12:34

Still no kittens but lots of bubbling movements today, she's cleaning her bits a lot and keeps making chirping sounds so I'm thinking its getting close?

OP posts:
acatcalledjohn · 09/05/2018 13:16

She obviously knew she was due and found her safe space in the form of your house and two slaves Grin