Queen Behavior

Question
Hi Debbie!  I know your expertise is on finding lost cats, but I hope you can help me with my problem too!

I recently discovered a very sweet stray cat and her four kittens in a rather unsafe area, so I took them home to foster.  I have already found homes for all of the kittens (one will stay with me) and I plan to find a perfect home for Mama Cat (I'm pretty sure she wasn't a lost cat).  The kittens are about 3 weeks old.

Mama Cat has been an EXCELLENT mother, but I just saw her grab one, bite it, and kick at it with her hind legs.  The kitten didn't seem upset by this, but is it normal?  I admit, although I've had cats all my life I've never had a mother with her kittens.  This is her 5th day with me and it's the first time I've seen it.  

Also, Mama Cat and her babies are in a quiet room to themselves where my cats can't get to them.  Since I am pretty sure I am keeping one of the kittens, when is it safe to introduce him to my others?  Should I take him on short 'visits' to see them and let them get used to him?  Or should I wait until he's old enough to leave Mama Cat and slowly introduce him then?

Thanks!!!

Answer
Hi Mindy and god bless you for helping those poor little babies!

I have to admit I've never had a cat allowed to have kittens, though I too adopted/rescued a mom and her baby.  I rather thought the moms treated the babies harsh too, but since no-one got hurt, only can guess it was the mom's way.

I would recommend you keep all the kittens alone with mom until they are 7-8 weeks old for the extra nutrition from "mom" until they are ready for their new homes.  

After mom and the other babies leave (or really anytime a "new" one is brought home), it should first get all it's shots and be checked for FIV/FIVL by your Vet before introducing the new kitten to your current ones.  Just in case - you don't want to make everyone ill with worms or ???  

After I take a new one to the Vets and everything is ok, I tend to put my new one in a bedroom (sounds like where your mom and kittens are now), but open the door and let them come out when they are ready.  I would put the one kitten you keep in it's own room every night for a few months, until your gang get's used to the kitten.

They say it takes at LEAST 6 months for cats to adjust after new ones are brought into the mix - but with 4 rescues of my own of various ages and rescue dates, I've seen the kitten adjust quicker, but the older "gal" we have after 2 years still is a bit prissy towards our kitten : -)  

I'm so glad to hear you've found home for those precious ones and the best of luck!  Write if you have any other questions ok?

Thanks for being such a wonderful kitty mom too!

Debbie