Momma Kitty is leaving her newborns behind

Question
Hi. My cat gave birth exactly two days ago.  I didn't want her to give birth in my bedroom so I kept my door shut, but she would run in there every chance she got.  Birthing day came and she went behind the stereo where it's dark and small and gave birth to 3 beautiful little kittens.  Since she had the babies I thought it was safe to open my door back up.  Sandy, the momma kitty, then abandoned her babies and went and laid in my bedroom closet.  After a while, she went in to the living room and moved her babies in to the closet and then abandoned them there.  Now she's walking around the spot where she gave birth and just cries and cries...meowing loudly...very uncharacteristic of her.  What's wrong?

Answer
Diane,

Cats do quite a bit by smell.  The place where the kittens were born smells a certain way due to all the mess.  If at all possible, you might try taking the bedding from under the stereo (no matter how meets it may seem) and putting it with the kittens.  Your mamma cat is confused.  I would consider putting her in with the kittens and actually laying her down and letting the kittens nurse.  She must be feeling pressure from the unnursed milk.  I would also consider confining her to your bed room and letting her take care of the kittens where she currently has them.

At this stage it is as important that the kittens stay warm as get fed.  As newborns, the kittens cannot regulate their own body temperatures so they need a warm draft free place to care for the kittens.  It is also important that the place is away from small children, other pets and the like until she is comfortable with where she has the kittens.  The less she moves them, the better.

If she seems to incessantly want to move the kittens, lock her away from the kittens (like in a cat carrier), but where she can hear them,.  An hour or two of this, she will be so glad to get back to the kittens, she will forget about moving them!

Please let me know how it is going.

Best regards... Norm.