New litter of kittens. Looking for some wisdom!

[MDParks]

Hi all, we have an 8 day old litter; all appear to be thriving. I'm completely out of my depth as have never had kittens before so I'm after a bit of advice. Mumma cat hunkered down and gave birth in a slightly battered cardboard box, despite the birthing pens we bought her. They all seem very settled and comfortable so I don't really want to disturb them but I'm thinking forward to making a more permanent bed for them. At what age, generally, is it safe and comfortable to relocate? It will still be in the same room with Mumma but I don't want distress any of them by doing it too soon x

Mum is ginger? It's quite unusual for ginger females to be fertile.

@Snowtrails Yes, ginger female. We had no idea it was so rare when we rescued her x

Why do the pregnant cats who need a safe home to birth their kittens in never turn up in my garden? It’s so unfair 😭they are beyond gorgeous OP. Congratulations. Assuming you’re keeping Mumma, has she been inside all the time since birth? As she can come into season again very quickly so if she’s been out there’s a risk of repeat pregnancy. Your vet will be able to spay her quite soon after the kittens are weaned.

Following for pictures

She's a special cat 😻. Are you keeping the kittens ( or send them to me!)?

@Snowtrails definitely keeping two...possibly three if I can get away with it! I've found loving homes for the rest. If I could get away with keeping them all, I definitely would but I think my husband would leave 🤣🤣 posting a convo we had this evening 🤣

You're a Lucky Crazy Cat lady ! 😀I wouldn't be allowed seven cats 😿

I am SO here for the cat spam! Gorgeous mummy and beautiful kitties.

We lost our lovely old lady of 19 years earlier this year and I'm desperate for another cat (as is DD), but husband thinks it's too soon...I just don't feel that a home is a proper home without a cat!

Mum is ginger? It's quite unusual for ginger females to be fertile.

That's a myth.

They're adorable, OP.

I love your bloke calling you a crazy cat woman when he appears to be Yoda ‘crazy cat woman you have become…’ 🤣

They are gorgeous kittens…I’m very envious!

Similar story actually. I lost my beautiful 15 year boy last year. I had a conversation with my sister, roughly two months ago, where she asked me if I'd ever get another cat. I completely off the cuff, said that I couldn't bring myself to do that, so the only way I'd get another cat is if someone turned up on my doorstep and said "here's a cat". She took that as gospel, scoured the internet and then turned up on my doorstep the next week with a cat she'd found on the internet and then rescued (our Kiki Dee!) Obviously we didn't know she was pregnant at the time but honestly, it's been one of the most amazing experiences. I didn't think I could love another cat as much as I loved our Prince but here I am loving seven! 🤣 Pictured is a shrine to my Princey...he was really grumpy and would never approve of having kittens in the house 🤣🤣

I didn't even pick up on that 🤣🤣 Not sure what that says about either of us actually!! I'm sure he'll ask if I liked his Yoda joke and I'll delight in telling him that it took someone on Mumsnet to tell me it was a Yoda joke! 🤣

OP, you do realise the terms and conditions regarding the cat tax have been updated? A video is now required. (I may have just made that up)

I would love to upload a video but I can't work out how!!

Youtube is your friend here.

I only watch YouTube to listen KLF or INXS 🤣 I'll have a butchers but I'm not that clever! Bear with me, it may take some time

@dropthevipers Turns out YouTube isn't my friend. I need clear concise steps!

try this- might be a load of rubbish (not checked it out) but might not be.

So lovely kitties kitties. I remember when my 2 were that small. They are 4 now and the bestest cats. My son is moving out this month into his own home and he wants to take our cats, they are not his, but he loves them. I've said no because I love them so much but they are used to having me at home all day so would not like to be alone at his home for a long chunk of time whilst he works. He has decided to get 2 kittens once he's settled in. I'm going to go over twice a day for 1/2 hour each time to kittysit them so they don't get lonely. I can't wait. He has told me he won't be giving me any grandchildren so these can be my grandkitties. 😂 😂

Me again! You've all been so helpful in the past that I thought I'd try my luck again! 4 kittens have now settled beautifully into their new homes but the 2 that we've kept are still feeding off of Mumma and she is thoroughly fed up. She does try to tell them off but it's almost like she gives up and just lets them get on with it so she can have some peace! Our vet has said that they absolutely do not need to be nursing anymore as they're eating pretty much everything in sight and are great weights for their age but it's almost like they're bullying her in submission. I'm not sure this is an issue I can solve but any advice would be gratefully appreciated. Pictures are just because their bloody gorgeous!

I have no advice, I just wanted to say, what absolutely beautiful babies. 😍

Don't be fooled, they're absolute monsters 🤣 This is them currently...it's not often they're quiet so I'm making the most of it!

Gosh ginger females are pretty rare.

@Wallywobbles You know they say the reason ginger cats are bonkers is that they are usually male, so the few female ones have all the available ginger brain cells.....

How have I missed this thread?!

They are beautiful, OP.

On Tiny Kittens (Canadian feral cat rescue live-streamed on YouTube) they sometimes put the mothers in a ‘weansie’ when they have to stop the kittens nursing, usually because the mother needs medication. The weansie is a sort of vest affair which covers up the nipples.

But I imagine she’ll start batting them away of her own accord.