Just took in a stray, pregnant cat..help!

by Olivia
(NY)

Just recently, we took in a stray cat. I believe she is pregnant. I'm looking for any tips or suggestions that we could use to help her a long. Thank you!

RESPONSE:

Make sure she havs a visit to the vet! The vet will be able to give you advice on the birthing process and the first few days of life for mom and babies. She will need a safe place to have her babies. A box usually works well. She will need to be kept away from the other cats and be sure no cats can get to mom and her babies. There is nothing more dangerous that a mother protecting her babies! We ALWAYS keep mothers and babies seperate from the rest of the cats. The babies are at risk from picking up infection from the other cats as well as possible injury or even death from an adult cat that does not want the babies around. And the rest of the cats are at risk from severe injury from the mother cat if she catches them nosing around her babies. Once the kittens are about 6-8 weeks old and have received their 1st vaccines, they can start mingling with your other cats as long as you are there to supervise. Start advertising for their adoption early (once they are eating on their own) and hopefully, by the time they are about 12 weeks old, people will be ready to adopt! Good Luck!

Donna - House Full Cats Mom