Jude 2

Mother Cat left the litter today to go wandering. We have been gone most of the day, but to my knowledge she hasn't returned and it's now after 11:00 p.m. The kittens have been whining for momma, but I don't know when she will return. Is it normal for momma cat to leave her litter for lengthy periods? They are 3 weeks old now.

Thanks,
pa

I've been around cats all my life and I've never heard of a Mother cat to leave her babies so young. I don't think they are weaned till their about 5,6 weeks old.
Maybe something has happened to cause her not to be able to return.
There are so many people out there that don't think anything of harming an animal and especially it seems so, to a cat.

If she don't return, check with a veterinarian or a pet store on how to feed them your self. I think there are special nipples, but not sure.

Walmart carries mother's replacement milk for kittens. Our momma cat had a litter of 6 about 5 weeks ago. They are eating real food now and still nursing some.

But this was her first litter and having so many, they drained her and she got sick. I thought she was going to die. She would not nurse the kittens and hid from them for a whole day.

So I used the mother's replacement milk and force-fed her and the kittens using a open end syringe. I also got her some kitten food and vitamins. She fully recovered...but wouldn't have it I hadn't of noticed.

The problem is that they have to be fed every couple of hours. That was terrible with 6. You could also use a medicine dropper that comes with baby medicine. Works well....I wouldn't waste my money again of the nipples...they don't work well.

Is Momma Cat back yet? Babies have to be fed.

Momma cat returned this evening and immediately fed the very hungry kittens. She has always been a wanderer, leaving for a couple days at a time, but with babies I didn't think she would stay gone overnight. All is well now.

A warning if your not aware.
With Mother being a wanderer, this scene could be repeated again in about 6 months unless she's spayed.

Brenda wrote:A warning if your not aware.
With Mother being a wanderer, this scene could be repeated again in about 6 months unless she's spayed.

Yeah, I know. This is the second time in six months. Except, last time she had the kittens away from home.