Vet Clinic in Rio Rancho Gives Tips for Fostering Mother Cats and Kittens

Fostering a cat and her kittens is a heroic deed. It keeps the shelter’s population down while giving the mom and her kittens a quiet and stress-free environment to grow in.

When needing a vet clinic in Rio Rancho to care for your fosters, check out Coronado Pet Hospital. In the meantime, here are some tips to help you with fostering a mama cat and her kittens.

Create a Fostering Room

Establish a room in your home exclusively for the mother cat and her kittens. This room should have a door to provide a confined space for mom to get comfortable in and a place away from your other animals. Once you find a room, prepare it before the feline family arrives.

Place the litterbox as far away from the food and water bowls as possible.

Find a dark place where you can place a whelping (nesting) box. The box should be large enough for the mother cat to lie sideways with her kittens. The sides of the box should be high enough so that the kittens can’t wander off but low enough for mom to get in and out.

Line the box with puppy pads topped with shredded newspapers and covered with a washable blanket. Keep these layers dry and clean while mom and kittens use the box.

When you first bring mom and kittens home, place them in the fostering room, shut the door, and leave them alone for a couple of hours. This gives mom time to explore the room, but she may still hide for a few days until she gets used to her new surroundings.

What to Expect From Mom

For the first 3 to 4 weeks, the mom will take complete care of her babies. Ensure she has plenty of water and wet and dry food available. There are 3 nursing stages a mom goes through:

Stage 1 (0 to 2 weeks of age)

Mama will lick her kittens to awaken them and curls her body around them. Once they’re all awake, they’ll search around for a little bit before latching onto her nipples.

Stage 2 (2 to 3 weeks of age)

The kitten’s eyes and ears begin to open, and they start to explore beyond the nesting box. Kittens begin initiating nursing, and the mom should comply by lying on her side. This time also signals when the kittens begin playing with their mom.

Stage 3 (3 to 5 weeks of age)

Kittens are beginning to wean. Place a low dish or plate with wet kitten food, made soupy with warm water or kitten milk replacer. Kittens make a mess when they’re first learning to eat on their own. Don’t depend only on mom to keep them clean!

During Stage 3, the mother cat may develop a mastitis infection involving the hardening and inflammation of her mammary glands. Symptoms include fever and listlessness. If you think she has this infection, contact your vet.

During all stages, it’s important to weigh the kittens daily to make sure they’re getting enough nutrition. Watch also for signs of diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, or discharge from the eyes or nose. Contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice a problem.

Medical or care issues can turn into an emergency quickly with very young kittens.

Grooming

The mama cat grooms and stimulates the urination and defecation of her kittens. She usually consumes their urine and feces, but it’s still important to clean their room and nesting box frequently.

When the kittens become more mobile, they may begin urinating and defecating nearby. At this time, place low-sided litter boxes around the room for the kittens to use.

Mom Behaviors

Keeping a close eye on the mother cat and how she interacts with her kittens is essential. Though rare, kittens can die due to a lack of maternal care.

Maternal neglect occurs when the mothers stop caring for one or all of her kittens. This may be due to weakness or birth defects in the kittens, or she may be experiencing external stressors. Contact your veterinarian if you feel that mom is not caring for one or more of her kittens.

Aggressive Behavior

The mother cat may act aggressively towards people and other animals. She may hiss, growl, or try to bite. This is normal and part of her protective instincts. Do not punish her when she exhibits aggressive behavior. If you feel overly concerned, contact your vet.

When It’s Time to Separate Mom and Kittens

If maternal neglect is not happening and everyone seems to be getting along, it’s appropriate to keep the mom and her kittens together for 6-8 weeks.

Sometimes, it may be necessary to separate kittens from mom sooner. Work with your veterinarian if you see concerning signs:

• Maternal neglect
• Overly aggressive behavior from the mother
• Health or medical concerns involving mom or kittens

Finding a Vet Clinic in Rio Rancho

When looking for a vet clinic in Rio Rancho, check out Coronado Pet Hospital. Our caring and experienced veterinarians can help you navigate the world of mother cat and kitten care.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your feline family.