Tater Is A Momma

by Teri
(Newport News, Va)

Our cat Tater had her first litter when she was about a year old. It seemed like we were waiting forever. We both worked and wanted to be there to make sure she was okay and didn't have babies in our beds or clothes and I felt funny about calling out because my cat was in labor.

Luckily it happened on a day I was off. It started with her being extremely lovey. She normally is very needy, but she was forcing herself at me. I was trying to sleep and she kept jumping on the bed and climbing on my head.

I happened to look down at my blankets and there was a clump of gooey stuff, and that was when I knew it was time. I felt bad because she knew something was going on and was worried. Animals have instincts but she was scared and I could tell she didn't know.

I helped her into the set up I made in my closet of my bedroom. They say a cat has to pick it and won't just let you do it, but if you are there and you put her there she won't move. She started panting real hard and was trying to get as close to me as possible.

I gave her lots of affection, I laid down next to her and pet and kissed her head to make her feel comfortable. When the first kitten started to pass, I couldn't hold it anymore I had to go to the bathroom. I got half way out the door and she was following me. With the first kitten half way birthed. I laughed, used the bathroom fast and took her back in.

You want to be able to stay with them. They don't know, or understand what that feeling is until the first kitten is born. She was able to take it from there. She ate the sac they are in, and licked it clean. I was prepared with a string to tie off the cords but I didn't need to. She had five kittens and was in complete heaven afterward. You could tell she was proud.

Then I had a ball running around after the little fur balls. The mother takes care of the "leavings". After they nurse, she cleans them and licks their bums, and that causes them to go and she cleans it up. It's pretty gross, but at least you don't have to do it.

After a while when they are big enough to get in and out of a litter box you can introduce it to them. They will just play in it a lot. You can help teach them by rubbing their feet in the litter to show them to dig and bury, and then rub their bums with a wet cloth so it stimulates the potty feeling.

I had fun. I love kittens. Tater is about to have another litter. It's been about 3 years. I'm excited again, but this time I don't think I'll have as much control.