Kitten questions

yukonjack · 05-27-2008, 10:44 AM

I had a cat move into my barn this winter, that we named "Arnie". Well, as luck would have it, it seems that Arnie is actually Arnette, and she has had 5 kittens in the barn. Not having any experience with this, I have some questions...when can I begin to give these kittens away? How long do I have to wait to get Arnette fixed? She is a very good mouser, and I would love to keep her once she is fixed, and maybe one kitten for company. That's about all the cats I can handle, since shots/etc for everyone are getting a bit pricey already. Anyone have any words of wisdom?

breburtch · 05-27-2008, 10:50 AM

As soon as the kittens can eat solid food they can find new homes the suggested period of time is 6-7 weeks though.
People have had there cats fixed within 1-2 weeks of delivering but I would suggest waiting till the babies are about 4 weeks old and can be left alone for long periods of time and are eating some solids you would want to keep momma away from babies for atleast 40 hours to heal up a bit you wouldn't want her stitches to get ripped out I would wait till babies were fully weaned though. If she did happen to get pregnant before fixing they can abort the babies and still fix her it just costs a little bit extra then the regular fee

**seerfarm** · 05-27-2008, 10:51 AM

Depending on there overall health, but Momma's will usually start weaning around 6 weeks. If you are putting out food for Momma she will probably start bringing them to the food dish. I usually start setting out a bowl of moistened soft kitten chow for babies around 5 weeks. Sometimes it takes a little longer, sometimes they start eating sooner...but the 6 - 8 weeks is a good range to wean on a normal healthy kitten. Momma can get fixed as soon as they are weaned, providing she doesn't find a male companion in the meantime.

**Orchid** · 05-27-2008, 10:59 AM

To make sure they are ready to be fully weaned, I would give them away around 8 weeks old. You may want to keep momma enclosed until it's time to spay to ensure she doesn't get pregnant in the meantime.

The spay can still be done, but it costs a little more, and I had one female spayed who we didn't know was pregnant and it raised some serious havoc with her hormones afterward.

farmergal · 05-27-2008, 12:48 PM

I've adopted kittens as young as 5 weeks old but it is best to wait till they are 7 to 8 weeks old.

If they are not tame then now would be a good time to start taming them. If you are thinking of keeping a male kitten remember they mark their territory.

My vet said he won't spay until the female is no longer lactating. So I suggest calling your vet and asking when they suggest would be a good time.

Will we get to see pics of these darling little beings?

Tobiesmom · 05-27-2008, 12:53 PM

..... and may I add.... Bless you for spaying your barn cat!!! So many people ignore the need to spay/neuter their outside cats and dogs. Arnie/Arnette will live a much healthier and longer life for your efforts. Good for you!!!

yukonjack · 05-27-2008, 02:38 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone! Being new to kitten "motherhood" I need all the advice I can get

. I will try to get some pics once mommy moves them out from between the bales. Arnette is actually very tame already, and as soon as I can get my hands on those little critters I'll be sure to tame them too, in fact, I can hardly wait to be able to reach them!! I have found that white kittens are apparently a hot commodity around here, and have found possible homes for both white ones, and possibly one black one, assuming they all make it to 6 weeks (I also have a large coyote population). But, I'm hopeful that with being so close to the house they will all make it...

Will keep you posted, and hopefully get some pics for you soon!

As for getting her fixed, well, I wouldn't have it any other way, as I get very attached to my animals, and plan on keeping her for a long time

sundancer maiden · 05-28-2008, 06:27 PM

Even though they may be physically ready as early as six weeks, please wait until they are at least 8-10 weeks old. And handle them as much as possible. Kittens do need that extra time to be socialized. Most behavior problems in cats are due to being seperated too soon. I gives mom more time to teach them to be good mousers, that is a learned behavior. And I have the bad mousers to prove it!!!

BabyMay · 05-28-2008, 07:15 PM

Thanks for taking care of this mama and her babies. She will show them how to eat and drink. She will slowly start weaning them at about 4-5 weeks. She will than quit cleaning up after them. You may want to put a litter box in the barn , so the kittens can use it. That way if people want to have an inside kitty , it will be litter trained. Use a small cake pan in the beginning. You can have mama kitty spayed when the kittens are fully weaned. Until then , they need mama to take care of them and protect them. Don't be surprised if you go out one day and they are gone. Mama cats love to move their babies. Try and touch and pet the kittens everyday, so they don't grow up not liking people. Good luck.

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05-27-2008, 10:44 AM
yukonjack Halter broke Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Alberta Posts: 138	Kitten questions I had a cat move into my barn this winter, that we named "Arnie". Well, as luck would have it, it seems that Arnie is actually Arnette, and she has had 5 kittens in the barn. Not having any experience with this, I have some questions...when can I begin to give these kittens away? How long do I have to wait to get Arnette fixed? She is a very good mouser, and I would love to keep her once she is fixed, and maybe one kitten for company. That's about all the cats I can handle, since shots/etc for everyone are getting a bit pricey already. Anyone have any words of wisdom?

05-27-2008, 10:50 AM
breburtch Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ennismore, Ontario Posts: 2,108	As soon as the kittens can eat solid food they can find new homes the suggested period of time is 6-7 weeks though. People have had there cats fixed within 1-2 weeks of delivering but I would suggest waiting till the babies are about 4 weeks old and can be left alone for long periods of time and are eating some solids you would want to keep momma away from babies for atleast 40 hours to heal up a bit you wouldn't want her stitches to get ripped out I would wait till babies were fully weaned though. If she did happen to get pregnant before fixing they can abort the babies and still fix her it just costs a little bit extra then the regular fee

05-27-2008, 10:51 AM
seerfarm Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Out with the Herd! Posts: 8,241	Depending on there overall health, but Momma's will usually start weaning around 6 weeks. If you are putting out food for Momma she will probably start bringing them to the food dish. I usually start setting out a bowl of moistened soft kitten chow for babies around 5 weeks. Sometimes it takes a little longer, sometimes they start eating sooner...but the 6 - 8 weeks is a good range to wean on a normal healthy kitten. Momma can get fixed as soon as they are weaned, providing she doesn't find a male companion in the meantime. __________________ "Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us". ~Hal Borland

05-27-2008, 10:59 AM
Orchid Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10,089	To make sure they are ready to be fully weaned, I would give them away around 8 weeks old. You may want to keep momma enclosed until it's time to spay to ensure she doesn't get pregnant in the meantime. The spay can still be done, but it costs a little more, and I had one female spayed who we didn't know was pregnant and it raised some serious havoc with her hormones afterward. __________________ I have nothing witty or even charming to say at this point.

05-27-2008, 12:48 PM
farmergal Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 4,926	I've adopted kittens as young as 5 weeks old but it is best to wait till they are 7 to 8 weeks old. If they are not tame then now would be a good time to start taming them. If you are thinking of keeping a male kitten remember they mark their territory. My vet said he won't spay until the female is no longer lactating. So I suggest calling your vet and asking when they suggest would be a good time. Will we get to see pics of these darling little beings? __________________

05-27-2008, 12:53 PM
Tobiesmom Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 448	..... and may I add.... Bless you for spaying your barn cat!!! So many people ignore the need to spay/neuter their outside cats and dogs. Arnie/Arnette will live a much healthier and longer life for your efforts. Good for you!!!

05-27-2008, 02:38 PM
yukonjack Halter broke Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Alberta Posts: 138	Thanks for the advice everyone! Being new to kitten "motherhood" I need all the advice I can get . I will try to get some pics once mommy moves them out from between the bales. Arnette is actually very tame already, and as soon as I can get my hands on those little critters I'll be sure to tame them too, in fact, I can hardly wait to be able to reach them!! I have found that white kittens are apparently a hot commodity around here, and have found possible homes for both white ones, and possibly one black one, assuming they all make it to 6 weeks (I also have a large coyote population). But, I'm hopeful that with being so close to the house they will all make it... Will keep you posted, and hopefully get some pics for you soon! As for getting her fixed, well, I wouldn't have it any other way, as I get very attached to my animals, and plan on keeping her for a long time

05-28-2008, 06:27 PM
sundancer maiden Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Udall, KS Posts: 1,211	Even though they may be physically ready as early as six weeks, please wait until they are at least 8-10 weeks old. And handle them as much as possible. Kittens do need that extra time to be socialized. Most behavior problems in cats are due to being seperated too soon. I gives mom more time to teach them to be good mousers, that is a learned behavior. And I have the bad mousers to prove it!!! __________________ You don't have to be crazy to be my friend, but it helps!!!

05-28-2008, 07:15 PM
BabyMay Started Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,168	Thanks for taking care of this mama and her babies. She will show them how to eat and drink. She will slowly start weaning them at about 4-5 weeks. She will than quit cleaning up after them. You may want to put a litter box in the barn , so the kittens can use it. That way if people want to have an inside kitty , it will be litter trained. Use a small cake pan in the beginning. You can have mama kitty spayed when the kittens are fully weaned. Until then , they need mama to take care of them and protect them. Don't be surprised if you go out one day and they are gone. Mama cats love to move their babies. Try and touch and pet the kittens everyday, so they don't grow up not liking people. Good luck.