Can I Move Kittens After the Mother Has Them?

At the conclusion of her pregnancy, a cat goes into labor, a process that usually lasts for about six hours. During this time the mother cat, also referred to as a queen, gives birth to each of her kittens at 30- to 60-minute intervals, according to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. After birth each kitten needs to stay with the mother for care and nutrition without being moved for two to three weeks.

  1. Newborn Kittens

    • Immediately after giving birth the mother cat licks off the placenta and membranes of the kitten's birth sac and ingests them. She will also chew off the umbilical cord. Once the labor process starts you cannot move her or her kittens. If you move the queen at any point during this process, it may stop labor leading to delivery problems. Handling or moving her or the kittens at this stage may also scare her into abandoning the litter, says the medical center.

    Nutrition

    • A few minutes after birth, the queen will lick the kittens clean and nudge them toward her nipples to nurse. Kittens have no immunity at birth and require colostrum, the mother's milk that contains the protective antibodies, to give them this immunity. The kittens' intestines can only absorb these special nutrients and antibodies during the first 12 to 24 hours after birth, states CatHealth.com. If you move the kittens or the mother after birth, the kittens can't nurse and won't obtain the necessary nutrition and immunity they need to survive.

    Handling

    • Set up a cozy birthing box before labor starts in a safe, warm area of your home if possible. Line the box with towels or blankets. Some queens won't allow you to move their kittens, especially during the first three weeks of life, according to PetPlace.com. Handling the kittens at this time may cause the mother to react aggressively by scratching or biting you. It also induces stress, which can cause her to reject or abandon the litter entirely. The queen may also attempt to move the kittens to a location away from your interference, by carrying the kittens in her mouth, by their necks, which can lead to injury. After two to three weeks you can safely begin to handle the kittens for short periods of time, to socialize them with humans.

    Warnings

    • Monitor the mother and kittens after birth for any possible medical complications. If the kittens cry continuously, appear lethargic or the mother fails to nurse them, then you must take them to a veterinarian for care, recommends CatHealth.com. Gently place them into a cat carrier, lined with a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel for warmth. Wear sterile gloves to prevent the spread of infection to the kittens, because of their developing immune systems. Unless you see any signs of distress from the mother or kittens, leave the family alone, providing the mother with food, water, a litter box and clean bedding.