Hi all

just started to wean the babies, they will be 6 weeks on wednesday so still early days. How much food should i expect them to be eating? should i free feed them or have set times?

I have been letting them out of there enclosed area once a day to get some exercise and socialisation to other parts of the house and noise etc, but now they seem to want to be out all the time. I think they will be able to leave the enclosure in the next week as they are nearly there. How do you keep your babies contained obviously I have to think about missie getting in and out also as she is still feeding them, I allow her to have free access of when she wants to go in. I can't let the babies roam wherever they want to all day as I have the dogs and wouldn't want a dog to accidently squash a baby...

will this also be why missie is very vocal? she keeps meowing at me all the time like she wants something, does she think it's time for the babies to have more freedom and I am restricting this? They are far too big for her to pick up and move now so I don't know if she is asking me to help her

sorry about the length of this, I just want to get things right

Hiya,

Depends how you feed mum really. If you have set times for mum, then do the same for the little ones, they should have several small meals a day, i'd start with 4/5 meals then reduce to 3 by the time they leave at 12 weeks.

I don't contain my kittens and i find that at around 4-5 weeks they are doing what they like and become impossible to contain really. Just make sure your home is safe. If needed you could use a playpen or baby gate (add cardboard so they can't get through the bars) to contain them to one room. You can let them explore further when you are able to supervise them

Some mothers are more vocal than others. Some are quite 'strict' and still try to keep their litter together and will try to stop them wandering too far. They also 'call' them for feeding times which i find adorable!

As long as mum isn't distressed it's fine, just keep the litter safe.

__________________


Ali.

A life without animals isn't worth living.



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well I have just taken them out the enclosure lol they are racing around everywhere upstairs.... It was getting difficult as they could climb to the top of the enclosure and were nearly over the top! so that wasn't safe. Hoping they stay upstairs for now as they are tiddly still compared to the dogs

this has now solved the meowing problem she just wanted them out so she could play with them more etc... they have settled in my washing basket in the bedroom and so far have stayed in that room. Thanks Alison for your advice, just wanted to make sure i was doing the right thing by these babies... as for homing I have now turned down a lady, she was meant to come and view him today and said that she couldn't come as she was getting her puppy.... I don't know if you all think I am being mean, but I refused for her to take him as I feel she will have enough on her plate with a new pup let alone a kitten aswell.

How about a photo of them in the washing basket sounds very very cute!

It's entirely your choice where your babies go when it's time. I refuse a lot of people and often don't even bother replying if i'm honest.

I would have probably have been the same in that case, although kittens and pups can grow up to be lifelong friends, not sure really...

Great to hear you really care about them, there's nothing like the feeling you get when you know you've done all you can to give them the best start

__________________


Ali.

A life without animals isn't worth living.



CHECK OUT MY DOG GROOMING SALON! http://www.prodogstyling.co.uk