_{Cat Mating & Pregnancy > Reproduction 101 > Post-Natal Care}

The first two to three weeks are the most crucial for your mother cat and her newborn kittens. The kittens should be developing rapidly, and the queen will usually show symptoms of any post-partum problems by this time.

Keep the mother cat and her babies in a quiet part of the house; a separate room is ideal, and make sure the room is warm enough.

Chilling is one of the most critical dangers to newborn kittens. Let the mother cat set the pace for your attentions. If she is a longtime companion and resident, she may welcome your visits. A rescued stray or fostered cat may prefer that you stay away for the most part. As long as the kittens are nursing frequently and appear to be thriving, they will be okay. However, you need to be aware of some potential problems for the kittens, which can happen anytime during the first six to eight weeks.

Health Threats to Kittens

Health problems in young kittens fall into three categories: infectious diseases, such as respiratory infections, diseases caused by parasites, and certain congenital diseases. Of the latter, one of the most well-known by people involved in rescue and fostering, is Fading Kitten Syndrome.

The Nursery

Use a large enough box to comfortably hold the mother cat and her kittens. Stack clean towels to line it. The towels will become soiled quickly as the kittens defecate and it will be easy to remove the top towel to reveal a clean layer.

The photo shows a barn cat and her kitten safe in a cardboard box.

Keep the mother cat's litter box, food, and water bowls close by, and continue to feed her a high quality canned kitten food, supplemented with KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement) .

Nursing Newborn Kittens

Each kitten will choose its own teat for nursing at birth and will continue to nurse there by seeking out its own scent. It will nurse every two to three hours. A thriving kitten will quickly develop a fat tummy and will sleep peacefully.

Elimination

For the first three weeks, the mother cat will lick each kitten around the abdomen and anal area after nursing to encourage elimination of waste. In her absence, this task would be yours, and would be accomplished with a warm, damp washcloth.

Development of Newborn Kittens

Three Day Old Kittens
Their eyes will start opening within three days. The umbilical cord will also fall off within this time. Their nervous systems are not fully developed and you will see them twitching during sleep. This is entirely normal, and indicates development of their nervous system and muscles.

Seven to Fourteen Days
The kittens will start crawling around and by two weeks they will be attempting to stand. Their teeth will be starting to come in during this time. You will be able to feel tiny nubs.

Three Weeks and Older
By three weeks the kittens will start walking around and actively playing. They can be introduced to wet food at this time, supplemented with KMR, although they still will be actively nursing. They may also be introduced to the litter box at this age, with the caveat to avoid clumping clay litter. I recommend World's Best Cat Litter, or any other premium non-clay litter.

Supplemental Reading on Newborn Kittens

• Tracking Kittens' Development: The First Week
• Tracking Kittens' Development: The First Six Weeks
• Email Course: Kitten Care
• Complete Kitten Care, by Amy D. Shojai

The Vet Well-Check

After the first week, take the mother cat and kittens to your veterinarian for a well-check. If she was not vaccinated, this will be a good time to do so. Also, she should probably be given medication for roundworms, to protect both the mother cat and her kittens. Of course, if she or the kittens show any untoward symptoms of problems before a week elapses, do not delay, but take them to the vet immediately.

Potential Problems for Your Queen

• Mastitis
  Mastitis is an infection of the mammary glands, which occurs when the mother cat's milk production is heavy and milk is retained. The teats become swollen and hot, with "bruising" apparent, and the mother cat may refuse to allow the kittens to nurse. Mastitis is a veterinary emergency, and the kittens may need to be hand-fed until the mother cat has recovered. In this event, refer to these resources:
  • Raising Tiny Newborns
  • How to Bottle-Feed a Newborn Kitten
  • Kitten Glop Recipe
• Hypocalcemia
  Hypocalcemia, also known as "milk fever," is rare in cats, and is caused by lack of calcium during pregnancy and nursing. Symptoms include seizures, staggering, muscle tremors, restlessness, and excessive panting. Hypocalcemia is also a veterinary emergency. The kittens will need to be fed by hand until the mother is recovered.
• Endrometitis
  Endrometitis is a serious infection of the uterus and is also a veterinary emergency. Although the mother cat will have normal vaginal drainage after birthing her kittens, a foul-smelling discharge is a red flag. Other symtoms include lethargy, fever, and loss of milk production. The mother cat may have to be hospitalized for treatment, and emergency spaying may be indicated at this time. Again, it will fall to you to feed and care for the kittens in this case, with either the Kitten Glop or KMR.

In all likelihood, none of these problems will occur, and your mother cat and her newborn kittens will thrive. In eight to twelve weeks, the kittens will be ready for placing in permanent homes, and the mother cat will be spayed, and you will have fulfilled your original commitment.
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_{Cat Mating & Pregnancy > Reproduction 101 > Post-Natal Care}