Kittnes

Question
My cat has given birth to four lovely kittens, How much handling can we do with the kittens as i dont want the mummy to reject her litter..also is it true that feeding the queen kitten food is best for all as she will get more essential nutrients and energy for feeding?  

Answer
Congratulations on your new babies!  By all means, handle these babies as much as you like.  If the mother is an indoor cat and is accustomed to you and your family, she will not have any problems continuing care with the kittens, as your scent is all around her anyway.  It is a familiar and comforting scent to her.  The more the babies are handled, (within reason, of course) the better socialized they will be.  Even babies with their eyes still shut will hiss and spit a little, until they, too learn what scents (like their mom, and you) are safe ones.  I briefly raised chinchilla persians, and found that the babies also do much better if they are left with mother for a minimum of 8 weeks, but preferably 10 weeks.  They will learne SO MUCH vital life information from her during that time.  Don't be in too much of a hurry to place them.  And yes, kitten food for pregnant and nursing mothers is preferable, as the high nutritional benefit in kitten food is needed to maintain good lactation and energy that the kittens will drain from her.  Just until weaning, tho, as this will also add unwanted weight to the mother if allowed to continue for too long!
I am hopeful this will be useful information for you.