Hi, as a first timer, can anyone tell me how tall the sides of a nesting box should be, and how long before the birth should we introduce it to her?

Hi, I dont think there is any specific height as long as there is a side low enough for you cat to get in and out easily, i use a crisp box from lidl,there free and you can replace them as an when needed.
I usually introduce the box a couple of weeks before the due date, so far ive never had a problem with her using it.
Good luck with your babies

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I think it's around 8-10in - so the cat can easily climb in and out but the kittens won't be able to wobble or crawl out at first.

Emily

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we used to use something along the lines of a crisp box as then if they get messy you can just throw them out and get another. im not sure if there is a 'correct' size just one that big enough for your cats to relax in and that the kittens cant get out of. a crisp box is usually a good size.

we have recently moved up to wooden boxes as we are having more litters but if this is a 'one off' i would probally just use a cardboard box with some old towels.

i would give it to her a couple of weeks before shes due to give her time to get used to it.

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My cat has a (very large) drawer, one from the bottom of a bulky wardrobe. It has proper wooden sides and base (not the flimsy ones you sometimes get) we line it with newspapers and then put towles on top.
She get get in and out easily, but the babies can't. Seems to work a treat.

Thanks all of you for your advice, hopefully this will not be a one off so i would really like to get it right, I think the hard part is going to be finding a quiet place. I read an atricle today which said that some queens like to settle in your bed!! given this is her favorite sleeping place i will have to introduce something.

I came home on wednesday to find my cat about to pop a kitten out, (this is my first and only time too).
Her nesting box was near my bed, as she sleeps in our bedroom alot. However, she was on the bed. I moved her into the nesting box and she jumped straight back on the bed.
I was running out of time, so I gave in, and covered the bed in newspaper and towels. It was a fairly messey ordeal, and after she was done, I sent my fiance out to buy a new duvet!
I moved her and kits to her nesting box, where they have stayed since.

Well you did get a new duvet out of it, Kida (thats my queen) when she is in season has in the past sprayed in my bed, i will have to keep a close eye, plenty time yet though. How many kittens did you have?

She had 5 in total, 1 Tortie girl and 2 red boys 1 all black boy and 1 black and white boy. They are all absoloutly stunning! But they did come from a really gorgeous cat!