Kitties kitties everywhere!

[Blondie]

So here's the story, my two year old cat Stella, got pregnant and had her kittens 6 days ago. She had them under my bed of course . Anyways, I haven't had a cat have kittens since I was like eight, and I hardly remember it. So how early can you handle kittens? Is there some sort of grace period you give the mom or anything? I googled it, and there are many conflicting answers, some say as early as the second day, some say wait until they open their eyes.

I also feel rather uncomfortable having them under my bed, they are getting a bit more active, and I always have a paranoid feeling i'm going to step on one of them, which would be horrible, so can I move them or would this upset both the mom and the kittens?

I'm also wondering if I should get this cat spayed, when she went into heat it was all I could do to keep her inside, and she got out anyways. The problem is she has a heart defect, and can't deal with too much stress or she could have a kitty heart attack. As such my vet told me it was up to me to get her spayed or not, as the operation could kill her, but so could having babies. Luckily she was fine with this pregnancy, but I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet and have her spayed, I hate putting more cats out into the world when there are already so many without homes.

[lawcat]

Hi - I think if she had them six days ago, you could try moving them (but she might just move them back). Maybe try a box with a blanket in a closet (door open of course) - you're right about being concerned about stepping on them if they scoot out from under the bed.

I would maybe get a second opinion from another vet on the heart issue...I can't imagine that having multiple litters would be good for her heart, even if she was succesful with this one. Good luck - little tiny ones are so fun, I had a cat that I rescued because she was slated for euthanasia at the pound because she was pregnant. She had her babies in my closet, I handled the kittens from birth and when their eyes opened, they would crawl out of their box and climb my bed and all curl up on my neck under my ear. It was the best - a little kitty stack....they were just so sweet....

[WalliBoy]

well, 1 , congrats on the new litter of kittens - long work ahead of you

2, I would get her spayed - i dont think her heart defect would kill her unless she stresses out before the operation, then thats something else....
So I'd go ahead and spay her to avoid a 2nd litter.

3, goodluck!

[breburtch]

Handling all depends on the mom some will allow you to handle the babies the moment there born others wont, some if you handle them to early will move them and try hiding them.

You can try moving babies to a closet or somewhere quiet but if momma doesn't like that spot she'll move them back.

I also think you should have her spayed, the vets knowing she has a heart defect will moniter her even closer and either way your taking risks if she happens to get pregnant agian etc.

[BabyMay]

Everyone has given good advice. So congrats on the little ones. Any Pictures?