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Need Help! Hope this is a good place for this! (i.imgur.com)

submitted 11 months ago by wintermutehal@lemmy.world to c/cat@lemmy.world

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Hi all! I was hoping someone could give me some advice! I have a new momma and six squirts, five days old. I made her a birthing box and she liked it for a bit, but now she keeps moving the kittens to a place under the bed where it’s kinda dusty and feels like a bad place for babies. I would move them back to the box and five minutes later she would move them back! The box is some clean towels on top of a pillow. I don’t want to stress her out, but I think they would be better back in the box. Anybody have some advice?

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[-] TheDoctorDonna@lemmy.world 27 points 11 months ago

Give her some privacy. Put the box underneath something like a table and Jimmy up some curtains for her, or clean under the bed and put a smaller box under there.

[-] wintermutehal@lemmy.world 10 points 11 months ago

Can’t figure out editing, but she seems happy and the spot is more clean/has fresh blankets so I will give her space for now!

[-] TheDoctorDonna@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

Thank you for taking good care of momma and her babies. Enjoy your grand-kitties 😸

[-] wintermutehal@lemmy.world 9 points 11 months ago

I think that’s the plan! Let me put her back and clean, then just put a new box with a side ripped off in the spot! Will report back

[-] wintermutehal@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

And thank you!

[-] harmonea@kbin.social 19 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Everyone has given good advice, but I just want to remind you:

it’s kinda dusty and feels like a bad place for babies

They evolved to do this without much human intervention in all kinds of outdoor conditions. Have their lives been improved by domestication and human watchfulness, yes, absolutely... but they'll be okay. A little dust will not be a serious hazard.

It's kind of you to care so much.

[-] wintermutehal@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

I really appreciate the reminder! I’m just a nervous new father! First time ever caring for little ones

[-] wintermutehal@lemmy.world 8 points 11 months ago

Picture is just a bit after birth! Fresh clean towel have been provided every couple of days

[-] Contextual_Idiot@sh.itjust.works 8 points 11 months ago

Could be Momma doesn't feel as safe in the box as under the bed. I'd suggest cleaning as best you can under the bed without the vacuum, and placing the blankets there.

Another box as suggested could work too, but may be unnecessary if she's already decided that under the bed is safe.

I know you want to watch the little ones, but at this stage it's best to leave Momma to it until the kittens are old enough to start exploring on their own. She may even bring them to you to babysit while she gets some alone time for herself.

[-] wintermutehal@lemmy.world 10 points 11 months ago

That’s what I’ve done and we both seem happier! She was very protective of the spot after I moved the babies, so I respected her space and just wiped it up a bit with a towel. I put two fresh towels there for her that should give them a clean space, but I will try to clean more each time I change the towel once a day. I plan to give her space for now! Thank you!