Question for Cat Owners -- 2 Cats, 1 is Pregnant.

[Hatalles]

Hello -- I know there are plenty of cat owners around here, so I was hoping someone could answer a question.

I have two cats -- one is a male, fixed; the other is a tiny young female who's been pregnant over a month now. They've always gotten along pretty well for the most part (other than the occasional hiss and chase). Both were strays originally, and the young female had actually followed the male cat into our garage a few days after he had "moved in" with us... wasn't long until his younger female friend started living with us, as well. She's grown up quite a bit since then, and the two usually go about most of their day separately now. We usually keep them both in the garage during the nights. They have plenty of blankets, baskets, boxes, and comfy spots.

My question is when the younger female gives birth, is it safe to have the older cat around? He's pretty mellow for the most part; however, he's been known to bring home things in his mouth before, like a tiny mouse or small lizard. I'm just concerned he might freak out with the coming kittens and do something unexpected.

Anyone with experience with this sort of thing?

Thanks in advance!

[Sanity Claws]

1. They are individuals so the reaction is not totally

predictable.
I used to foster kitties for a local animal shelter. One time I had a mom with four kittens. The mom did a great job of letting my two neutered tom cats know that they were not welcome anywhere near them. A smaller female can still make quite an impression on an old tom when it comes to protecting her kittens.
After the kittens were about five weeks old, the mom let the kittens roam a bit more but kept an eye on them. One of my older toms acted like a doting uncle toward them. He groomed them and let them climb on him. He never acted aggressive or freaked out. Somehow the mom cat never let the other tom near her kittens; things got very tense between the mom cat and that other tom.

I've been told that it is quite common for neutered toms to act very lovingly toward kittens, just as one of my toms did.

As for your situation, I suggest that you keep the kittens isolated from the tom until the kittens are about four weeks or so. After that, take your cues from the mom but keep an eye on the kittens and the tom, just to be sure.

[badgerpup]

2. I had a neutered male like that...

Nurturing, I mean...:hug:
Misha was such a terrific "Uncle Cat" that he got me into trouble with my next-door neighbor.
Their kitten kept coming over for his 'cat lessons' to the point that the little girl would cry because little Pinkerton was always next door when she wanted to play with him.

Brought a five-month old kitten home as an apprentice/padawan one day and informed me that this kid was now part of the household and would I please make the necessary arrangements...
and this little apprentice-cat is widely known as Riktor.

Momma cat will know whether to let him near the babies or not...

[Hatalles]

3. 2 weeks old!

Little Momma and her Babies.

[Sanity Claws]

4. Is that a 4 or 5 Kitten pile?

How is the Tom reacting to the sounds of pitter patter on the floor?

[Hatalles]

6. That's a litter of 4.

... and the Tom is totally disinterested. :)

She didn't let him near the litter during the first week... chasing him away whenever he approached. Now, she doesn't seem to mind him around all that much.

[japple]

5. Oooohhhhh. Baby kittens......They are so sweet. Mama

cat looks contented. May they all live long, happy lives.