Can You Move Newborn Kittens? What Do I Do? Leave a comment

Can you move newborn kittens? A mother cat would usually seek a safe place to give birth to her kittens. She usually has a selection of specific things she is looking for when she selects a place, and these places are usually quiet, dark, dry, warm, and protected from predators, male cats, or noisy humans.

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Occasionally, due to changing situations, or just a wrong choice, cats don’t make the wisest decisions. In this case, you have to make the tough decision to relocate the kittens to a safer place.

Before moving the mother and kittens to a new place. Ask yourself some questions. Will there be enough space in the area for a litter box for the mother to relieve herself? Is there a suitable place to put her water and food bowls?

• It’s also essential that the location you choose is quiet. This means away from the house’s general noise and away from televisions, computers, and radios within fair hearing distance.
• It should be free of drafts, and it needs to be at a proper temperature if the weather is cold or the air conditioner on it: it’s okay between 75-80 degrees. Closets in bedrooms or rarely used bedrooms, or mudroom. Basements are also a good option for relocating a kitten nest.

Once you’ve settled on a place, start a new nest. Durable cardboard boxes long and wide make a great nest. Laundry baskets may also be used as a nest. Use a clean, thick towel, blanket, or discarded clothes to line the bottom. This will keep them warm and safe.

Place it in a quiet place, then set up the litter box, food, and water bowls for the cat. As much as you want to keep the nest safe and warm for the kittens, you want to make the place welcoming for the mother cat.

My Cat Just Had Kittens What Do I Do?

Determine that nothing is obstructing their breathing. If the mother hasn’t cut the cords, you can use dental floss sterilized in boiling water to tie them off. Tie two very tight knots at least one inch apart from the kittens’ belly and cut them with sterilized scissors between the two knots.

When she is finished with the delivery, the placenta normally comes out with the kittens. If the placenta is still inside her, she will need a vet to examined or treat her.

Can You Touch Newborn Kittens?

You’re wondering if you really can handle and touch your pet cat’s newborn kittens after she gave birth. Is it possible to touch newborn kittens? Yes, you’re allowed to touch them for a minute or two at least.

Cat experts, however, warn that if they are in pain, not moving, breathing, or not sucking milk within two hours of birth, you should stop handling newborn kittens unless absolutely necessary.

Is It Okay To Touch Newborn Kittens?

Touching newborn kittens is usually not dangerous, according to veterinarians and pet experts. However, unless there is an urgent need to do so, it is better to keep intervention to a minimum, especially when their eyes are still closed.

Also, it will depend on the behavior of the mother cat. If you or other siblings go near her and her newborn kittens, it is considered natural mother cat behavior to become aggressive.

You should usually hold and touch newborn kittens for a few seconds after they are born to check for a bleeding placenta or birth membranes in the mouth, as well as to determine their gender.

Be sure to check in often on the welfare of the kittens, just ensure the kittens are ok and being fed.

Please do not overdo it, however, as the mother cat might feel anxious and nervous. If you notice a difference in the mother cat’s mood, then stop interfering with her kittens and respect her boundaries.

Some mama cats are intensely protective of their kittens, and if they are bothered too often by people or other pets, they may relocate the kittens to a more secluded spot.

However, because you’re the mama cat’s pet parent, she may tolerate you touching her kittens as she recognizes and associates you with protection and comfort.

It’s a positive sign if your mama cat isn’t violent and allows you to touch the newborn kittens. However, don’t get too relaxed because a mama cat’s maternal instinct may kick in, and she may attack you if you get too close to the kittens.

When To Leave The Kittens Alone?

If you see that the nesting area is not appropriate for the mama cat and litter, you can move them in one go to a clean, secure, and safe place.

However, keep a close eye on the mother cat’s actions and be alert if she becomes irritable or violent. If that’s the case, hold off on relocating them until the mother cat is relaxed and friendly.

How Soon Can You Handle Newborn Kittens?

Whether it’s a stray cat or a cat you’ve just had for a short time, if you come near her kittens, she may not like it. Take it slowly, and before you touch them, make sure she’s all right with it.

Either way, until they are about two weeks old, they should not be handled much at all. Be sure to wash the hands properly before and after if you handle them.

How To Care For Newborn Kittens?

From birth to the age of four months, a kitten is considered a newborn. You provide her ample time to be weaned from her mother and learn essential life skills, including feeding and using a litter box.

Whether you’re the primary caretaker of kittens or working in harmony with your mother cat, prepare yourself with the basics to keep your new snuggle bundles in tip-top shape.

Bedding

Newborn kittens are born blind (they open their eyes at seven to fourteen days after birth) and thus must be kept safe and warm at all times.

If possible, they’ll curl up with each other and their mum. Provide a comfortable bed of layered fabrics such as fleece blankets and consider making a DIY cat bed appropriate for cats of all ages to match their needs.

Put the bed in a comfortable, draft-free area where other pets or kids won’t bother the newborns.

Food

If the mother cat is not present to nurse, you’re going to have to bottle-feed special food to the newborns. To choose the right one, speak to your veterinarian.

Don’t feed a kitten on her back because, in that position, she could choke. Instead, lie to her, or keep her upright, on her side (as she would when breastfeeding her mom).

Give your small kitty specially formulated kitten food until she is completely weaned to help her grow healthy bones, eyes, and muscles.

Grooming

Brushing her coat and trimming her nails are two essential parts of newborn kitten care, and the earlier you start, the simpler it will be for both of you.

Brushing or combing her coat regularly eliminates excess hair (thus minimizing hairballs) and keeps it clean and smooth; thus, nail clipping reduces the risk of a claw snag.

Spaying Or Neutering

Most kittens are spayed or neutered at about six months of age, according to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. However, there are instances in which a vet can prescribe the procedure at an earlier age. Spaying a newborn kitten isn’t necessarily part of newborn kitten treatment.

Still, once she’s old enough, pet experts strongly encourage spaying and neutering for your cat’s welfare and to prevent cat overpopulation.

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Conclusion

While newborns are cute, and we all want to pet them, it’s best to avoid touching them for the first 1-2 weeks unless it’s necessary. She may respond negatively and even abandon one of her newborns if a mother cat senses unusual scents or is wary of anyone handling her babies.

Handling kittens too much may distress the mother, it’s better to leave them in peace, mainly if the mother cat is responsive, the kittens are healthy and excitedly suckling milk, and they’re in a quiet spot in your home, intervene only if necessary.