When can you start to pick up kittens without the mother getting mad at you?

Question

My cat had kittens 2 weeks ago and she is very nervous about anyone getting near them. When will she finally back off and let me touch them?

Answer 1

You should have already been able to handle them.  I picked up my cats' kittens when they were a few hours old, and every day after.  I didn't hold them for very long, at first, so the mom wouldn't be upset.  By the time 2 wks have gone by, you've already lost a lot of ground with the socialization of the kittens!  As long as you have a good relationship with the mom, she shouldn't have a problem letting you pick her kittens up.  Haven't you been changing their bedding on a regular basis?  Doesn't mom leave them alone while she eats, drinks and uses her litterbox.  Those are good times to sit QUIETLY by the box and pick one up for just a minute.....then another.  When mom realizes that you aren't going to hurt them, she shouldn't get upset anymore.  Good luck................

Answer 2

she'll begin to wean them at about 6 weeks +/-.  just sit with them and pose no threat until then

Answer 3

Sounds like a first time mama cat.  She is just worried about them.  You can sit with her and the kittens and stroke the babies while she feeds them.  Don't pick them up until they are standing and walking on their own.  Soon enough mama cat will find they will be beyond her total control when they start to explore their world.  Right now she wants to make sure they survive.

Answer 4

my mother cat wasn't like that, she was cool with us picking them up only days old(we only did this cuz we had to temp move them to switch out towels under them)

2 wks old is fine, just warm hands.

let the mother see where u're taking them so she doesn't freak.

Answer 5

That varies from mother to mother. Some mama cats will let you touch them right away with no problem, while others don't ever want you to touch them. But normally you should be able to start handling them at about 6 to 8 weeks as that is when the mama starts to wean them off usually.  

Answer 6

when they are almost done weaning around 6-8 weeks. 8 week for sure until then leave her and the kittens alone so she can relax and raise them. she will most likely be a proud mama and start to show off her kittens to you. sometimes the mama cat will bring you a kitten when she is ready, so let her make the first move and enjoy from a distance.

Answer 7

It sounds like your mom cat is a very good mom.  I would not pick up the kittens, but sit close and stay calm and let her build trust in you.

If not, she'll just move the kittens elsewhere which will make her nervous and not be the best for the kittens.

Once you feel she's more comfortable with you, and the kittens are older, she should calm down a bit.  At that time, when you pick one up, make sure you're always around her and she can see you at all times.  You want to prove to her that you're trustworthy.

My mother (and then myself) raised Siamese.  The mom cat use to have them in my bed (while I was still in it) because she trusted me so much.  It's always an honor to have an animal trust you in every way possible.