When is it ok to move newborn kittens and mother cat indoors and how will mother cat react?

Question

I have an "Outdoor" cat that just had a litter of kittens under my neighbors porch. I want to get them all inside the house (I have a secluded space for them). She had a litter about 3 months ago under the same porch and the neighbors were a little upset about it. I want to gather the kittens and mother to bring them all inside until the kittens are weaned and I can get my female spayed. The newborns are a few days old. I heard if you move kittens, mother cat will be upset and kill her kittens or else not nurse them anymore. Does anyone have any ideas???? Please help.

Answer 1

It depends on the situation and every mother cat is different. Some mother cats are very trusting with the people  who take care of them. I have a couple of mother cats that used to let me handle her kittens when they were a few days old. If your outdoor cat is very trusting and affectionate you could go ahead and bring them in carefully. If you decide to bring them in wear rubber gloves when handling the kittens. When you approach the mother and cats first pet her and talk to her in a calm voice telling her that you have good intentions and then start put her first in the box and then the kittens. Then pet her to gain her trust back since you handled the kittens. Another thing you could do is if you have access to large kennel or cage you could lure the mother and kittens into it. It really comes down to the  personality of the mother cat. It would be better that get the mom and the kittens as soon as possible to avoid any problems with your neighbors and the safety of the kittens and mother.

Answer 2

You can move the kittens. But She is going to want to move them back! I used to get into quit the "discussions" my mama cats about why they should leave their kits in the nice places I set up for them. I'd lose everytime! Queens will move their brood every week or so, it's part of survival for them. Bring them in, put them in the box then leave them alone. She'll probably move them to another spot right away. I have never seen a mother cat kill a kitten because it was touched or moveed, and I've been around a lot of cats. The only danger is that she may absolutely insist on taking them back outside. In that case, you'll see her carrying kittens all over or leaving them in odd places. Its a 50/50 thing. If she doesn't settle, take the lot back outside. Like I said, these are arguments you can't win. Some may suggest a cage in a quiet place for awhile, covered. I don't know. I've seen them do that at animal shelters and it might work. But the less excitement you stir up the better . Good luck! Moth

Answer 3

wait until they are a couple weeks old to move them if she refuses to feed them just give them some water or milk

Answer 4

*pick kittens up with a clean towel...*

just put them in a quite area like closet and give the mother food and water.. .(of corse) just let her be really

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A LITTER BOX!!!!!!!!!!!!

u dnt want shiit every where

Answer 5

um if u talk to her while u move them into the house and check on them often. that should work.

Answer 6

If she is tamed and you usually interact with her she may not mine. You must bring her in with them and feed her. If she does not want to stay there she will grab her kittens and try to move them. I would not wait they may get wild and hard to catch.

Answer 7

if u really want to move them do it now but give her her own little nest box and privacy and make sure she cant get out cause she will move them if you fuss with her too much or if she doesn't feel safe. give her kitten food while she is nursing the young ones and fresh water everyday. good luck and get us some pics will ya! hehe

Answer 8

very sweet of you to take in a stray cat and her kittens!  take a pet carrier and a dish towel w/you, pick them all up including the mother, and bring them to the secluded spot in your home.  i don't see any problem with that.  of course, you might want to adopt the kittens out after they have been completely weaned and ask the adopters to have them spayed and neutered as well.  good job! keep it up!

Answer 9

STOP DO NOT AND I REALLY MEAN DO NOT LAY A HAND ON THAT KITTEN once i also taught of doing that but when i moved the kitten the mom cat was following me while her only baby was on my hand when i kept her at the place the mom kitten picked her kitten and put the small kitten back (the mom cat was like my pet but it was a stray cause if i were some stranger the mom cat could have bit me opr even scrath me )