Looking after a cat due to give birth.

[chaz]

Ok this is not my cat, and I've made it clear that I believe that the cat should be spayed, tbh I'm angry about the whole thing.

Anyway I know someone who has a small tabby female, she's always been a bit nervous, but now is pregnant, which wouldn't be anything to do with me, but the people have said that they are going on holiday when they think that she is due to give birth and was gonna take her to their mums to give birth, now I've some how allowedmyself to be played into looking after them. Although before I had been they asked me what to do when she was giving birth and I said to watch if she lets you, but if not leave her alone, but if theres any signs of any problems ring the vets, which would probally have to be the emergency vets, which apparently they don't have money for (believe me though if she needs it when I'm looking after her, they will be called, and as I can't drive if I can't get no-one to take us I will be requesting the vets 'pet ambulance' to take her to the vets, as this one is further away, and the closest one to us closes and sends any over nighters to this one), but does anyone have any other tips or advice for this matter? I don't want to make her nervous, and if I see any signs I will get as far away as I can, but apart from over straining and no kitten being produced what other things do I need to look out for?

Also they don't have anywhere for her to give birth apparently no old towls or anything either, so I was gonna let them borrow a three foot indoor rabbit cage, line it with paper and then put some old bed sheets on it, would this be safe? And I know that theres no garuntee that she will use it, but if she's fed in it from now until she gives birth will that help her? Also can feliway spray be put on their to give it a more calm and relaxed feel to encourage her to use it? As right now this seems to be the only safe place for her to use, theres also four kids in the house who have become very excited over kittens being born, so she needs to be out of the way, which is another reason for trying to get her to go in here.

But really if anyone has any tips for this please let me know, once the kittens are born and the family is back they wont be my responsibitly anymore, although I'm trying to get the people not to use OTC de-flears and wormers on them, but am struggling, but I want to do the best for the kittens that I can when I'm looking after them, but right now don't really know what to do.

[Velvet.Tears]

You can line the cage with old sheets as you said, that is fine, just make sure it is a few layers so it isn't cold at the bottom. She will need to get used to this herself she should go in it. If not a box is fine covered at the bottom. I used an old printer box when Tiger gave birth, I was lucky with Tiger she never really had any problems and she delivered all 7 of her babies in 2 hours (only 1 died the next day), I did however had to help her with the last kitten, she grew tired and I had to pull the afterbirth out for her to give birth to the next kitten which was a close call as I had to gently tug it out and stimulate his breathing - he survived. Remain as calm as possible make a fuss of her whilst she is pregnant and she may allow you to help her when the kittens come if she needs it.

[angieh]

Hi Chaz! You could cover the cage with an old blanket to make it feel like a den for her and keep her out of any draughts. She will need extra food while pregnant and nursing and fresh water too. Make sure she has a litter tray not too far away, but not near her food. Good luck - sounds like this little cat is lucky to have you to care for her.

[dandysmom]

Good advice above, can't think of anything to add. Poor little cat, why oh why won't people spay/neuter! Good luck taking care of the little girl, do let us know what happens, please!

[Shelley123]

Poor little Cat, what a pity she can't live with you permanently Chaz.
If people can't afford to look after their pets properly then they shouldn't have them. There is no excuse to treat pets like this ,as there is help available if people need it.
It's great that you are helping this little Cat and her Kittens.
I don't have any experience of this but the hutch sounds like a good idea, unless she chooses her own place

[babycakes]

Originally Posted by Shelley123

Poor little Cat, what a pity she can't live with you permanently Chaz.
If people can't afford to look after their pets properly then they shouldn't have them. There is no excuse to treat pets like this ,as there is help available if people need it.
It's great that you are helping this little Cat and her Kittens.
I don't have any experience of this but the hutch sounds like a good idea, unless she chooses her own place

I agree. I cannot believe why they even have this cat

[chaz]

Originally Posted by Velvet.Tears

You can line the cage with old sheets as you said, that is fine, just make sure it is a few layers so it isn't cold at the bottom. She will need to get used to this herself she should go in it. If not a box is fine covered at the bottom. I used an old printer box when Tiger gave birth, I was lucky with Tiger she never really had any problems and she delivered all 7 of her babies in 2 hours (only 1 died the next day), I did however had to help her with the last kitten, she grew tired and I had to pull the afterbirth out for her to give birth to the next kitten which was a close call as I had to gently tug it out and stimulate his breathing - he survived. Remain as calm as possible make a fuss of her whilst she is pregnant and she may allow you to help her when the kittens come if she needs it.

Thanks, at my flat I've got two double duvet covers that I was thinking of lining it with before taking it round this week to leave it somewhere for her to find or something, I'm hoping that they will be enough, I might also see if I have any spare boxes aswell then, I normally use them for my rabbits, but I'm thinking that if I provide enough maybe she will get the hint as to which room would be best to give birth in, and go somewhere in there, well there is always hope.

Originally Posted by angieh

Hi Chaz! You could cover the cage with an old blanket to make it feel like a den for her and keep her out of any draughts. She will need extra food while pregnant and nursing and fresh water too. Make sure she has a litter tray not too far away, but not near her food. Good luck - sounds like this little cat is lucky to have you to care for her.

Thanks, I think I'm gonna have to talk to the owners, as I know that this cat is nervous around eating too, I think its a case that they are fed in a double bowl, and their male is a bit of a bully around food, hopefully though they will buy another bowl, or two separte ones, if not I'll see where I can pick one up, as I'm sure this will help with eating, thankfully they have a litter tray, so I'll just use that one, the male goes outside now, so I don't think he'll miss it.

Originally Posted by dandysmom

Good advice above, can't think of anything to add. Poor little cat, why oh why won't people spay/neuter! Good luck taking care of the little girl, do let us know what happens, please!

I don't know why they don't, I use to know someone who volunteered with two rescues concerning cats who would help, but they was never intrested in it, tbh I think that they always wanted a litter of kittens although not enough to put the work in with them.

Originally Posted by Shelley123

Poor little Cat, what a pity she can't live with you permanently Chaz.
If people can't afford to look after their pets properly then they shouldn't have them. There is no excuse to treat pets like this ,as there is help available if people need it.
It's great that you are helping this little Cat and her Kittens.
I don't have any experience of this but the hutch sounds like a good idea, unless she chooses her own place

I agree, like I said I've tried to offer a way for them to get her spayed but they never seemed intrested, I've given them numbers everything, but they lost it, and didn't think of putting the number in their phone, twice

Originally Posted by babycakes

I agree. I cannot believe why they even have this cat

She was a freebee, I think thats why, the same as their other cat, the people whose cat had him couldn't get rid of him, so they had him, which I would of thought showed them what it can be like having kittens, but they seem to just think that people who charge have trouble finding homes for their kittens, but then why is there so many in rescues already if thats the case .

[chaz]

I went round to their house yesterday, and have got to say, not impressed, the cat has always been a slighty built one, and its never been a problem, I know animals can be all sorts of shapes and sizes, this ones just small, but she has lost so much condition already, when she was laying on her side you could see her hip bone sticking out through her coat, her spine was also very bad, I asked if they were feeding her anymore, apparently they didn't feed her yesterday, as she was being sick, but then found out it was the male cat, but they give her extra meat, or they give her cows milk for the fat , apparently she's getting it every other day instead of extra food, the woman has also been trying to feel the babies, but doesn't know what she's doing, and is quite rough while doing it, I have to say, right now I would be extremely surprised if any kittens survived.

[dandysmom]

That almost had me in tears ....... would it do any good to explain her nutritional needs, and that cows milk is NOT good for her? I suppose they won't listen........

[Velvet.Tears]

I think you need to take the cat away from her in all honesty. That cat may not even survive the birth of the kittens.