Mama has moved her kittens

Question
My cat gave birth in my home on August 14...this morning (August 16) she moved all of the kittens out of their box to under my bed. Why has she done this and how can I move them out?

Answer
Mickey,

Congratulations on your new grand-kitties!

That is perfectly normal and common behavior by the mother cat. Most mother cats will move the kittens at least once, some first time mothers will even move one or all of their kittens once a day. I wouldn't bother them or try to move them. She is putting the kittens where she wants them and where she feels safe and most comfortable.

I would put fresh bedding in her box and leave it for her IF she wants it. She may or may not move them back in it, but I would leave the decision up to her.

Note: you should feed her kitten chow while she is nursing. It has the extra protein and nutrients that she needs. A mother cat needs to eat about 4 times her normal amount of food to replace what the babies drain out of her. I would leave a bowl of fresh water and a full bowl kitten chow always available and nearby her.

Remember too, that a female can go into heat and get pregnant again 48 hours to 2 weeks after giving birth.

Carol