safety and behavior

Question
QUESTION: Hi, this is our first cat, we got her from out neighbors who left her outside, because the owner had just found out she was pregnant, and was told she could not have a cat in the house.My whole family is allergic to cats, but we still decided to keep her. We had no idea she was pregnant, since she is was first cat. We found out only a month ago, and suspected about 2 in a half months ago. We weren't home today Monday June 3rd, but when we got home, we noticed our cat was thinner and realized she had given birth. We all thought she'd be giving birth in another month. Our cats eating fine, and staying inside, but we can't find her kittens, we've looked everywhere, do you have any ideas of where they could be? or should we just try to follow her where ever she goes? Another question . . . why do cats sometimes like to hide their kittens? Any Advice please?

ANSWER: Linda,

You will have to play detective and follow the cat.  I will caution  you that mama cats can be very devious and she may lead you on a wild goose chase if she thinks you are following her.

Kittens are not very large and, basically, defenseless.  So, the wise mama cat will hide her kittens so as to keep them safe.

Best regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So then does that mean even if the cat mama is indoors with me her kittens are safe on their own? what should i do? should i let my cat stay inside or let her go feed her cats? i have no idea where they are, and my cat just wants to be around me, shes never acted like this, she would usually like to be alone sleeping under the bed or on the sofa and now shes sleeping right on my feet purring and she's making a lot of eye contact meowing as if she's trying to tell me something, but i think she just wants attention, which i read is pretty normal after giving birth, what do you think?

ANSWER: Linda,

Did she give birth indoors or out of doors?  Normal behavior of a queen that has just given birth is to be with her kittens almost all the time.  If they were indoors and hungry, they would be mewing pretty loudly.  I am wondering if she gave birth and they were still born?  Her behavior does not seem normal to me unless something went very, very wrong with the birth?!?!?!?!?

If they were born outside, then she would want to be with them wherever they may have been hidden!!!!!

Concerned regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thats the problem.. i have noo idea whether she gave birth outside or inside, since she always sneaks out, and theres also many street cats on my neighborhood, some she does not get a long with. Like i said, I've looked everywhere for the kittens and i do not hear any meowing, i already followed her and stayed with her outside all she did was sit on my driveway and look around, i didn't understand what you said "I am wondering if she gave birth and they were still born" what did you mean by that? And how long are cats pregnant for? Thanks so much for answering all my questions, i know i have a lot. ;)

Answer
Linda,

Still born means that the kittens were not born alive.

Gestation in cats is normally 65-67 days, with 63 days being a normal minimum and 69 days being a normal maximum.

If the kittens were born outside, who knows where they may be or if anything happened to them,?

Best regards... Norm.