This has been a big week for the foster kittens. Mom had begun to bring in toys for fake prey, and the kittens started to take an interest on their own in playing at "hunting." They also have a larger area to play in outside the kennel and have started figuring out how to climb and go up and down forward facing and backward on a small incline.

A big step is that mama no longer induces their bathroom habits and FDJ has placed three small boxes of litter. Their instinct is kicking in, and they should start using them. Another big jump instinctively is becoming acutely aware of their surrounds, and as mama nurses less, they're becoming interested in what she has for her meals.

At six weeks, they are each over a pound, and when all are eight weeks and two pounds or more, they will be having their last round of vaccinations, be neutered and will go up for adoption.

https://gaming.youtube.com/watch?v=JScedGseWLg

Edit: So far Niffler, the tabby male tried wet food after watching mama eat. Occamy, the smaller, darker Siamese pottied on her own, (A big step in the wild instincts!) and Billywig, the larger lighter siamese male wasn't interested in either. When mama stops helping them eliminate and begins weaning, it is a rough, at first transition to learning to do it themselves.

This small kitten, Aura was born with a cleft palate and she and the rest of her family were brought to a Canadian foster organization, "Tiny Kittens." This week, while still tiny, she underwent surgery to fix it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkqT77pjCM8

Patricia - I didn't know that animals could be born with a cleft palate, just like humans.  So amazing that the corrective surgery can be done, and they can go on to live a normal life.  Aura looked so sweet and adorable . . . I hope she has a long and happy life ahead of her.  Although I had my sound turned all the way up, I couldn't hear/understand, what the young lady was saying.  She had such a soft, quiet voice, and my hearing is just not that good anymore.

Now, to take one last look at the Three Little Kittens, before I start winding things down for the night.

Marilyne, Aura is definitely a miracle kitten! Her mom had kidney disease while pregnant, and one of the fetuses was sideways blocking the birth canal, so they had to do a cesarian. Her brother died right after birth, and I think there is one other surviving female kitten, (reverse calico); out of the litter of four.

Shelly, the blonde in the video owns Tiny kittens, has a fostering staff and owns a house next to her own house that has kittens or cats in each room. The majority of her cats come from an area of Canadian forest that houses a large group of feral cats. They try to trap the pregnant ones and are able to tame, socialize and adopt the neutered kittens with the then spayed mothers returning to the colony as they are very feral. They also trap, vaccinate, neuter and return as many males and females as they can.

If cats are ill or badly disabled, she brings them back for housing and medical treatment.

FDJ is having a time pottying the three stubborn foster kittens. At six and a half weeks, Mama is no longer inducing them to potty and the two Siamese kittens want nothing to do with wet food. Niffler, the tabby kitten took right to eating but has issues with going on his own. FDJ introduced kibble Sunday which Niffler liked on first taste as did Billywig, the male Siamese. Occamy, the female Siamese kitten hates the wet food but has tried the kibble.

Mama has begun nursing less and less as she weans them so they will be hungry enough to try the kibble and transition to eating and going on their own. In two weeks they will be old enough and weigh enough to be neutered and adopted along with Mama. And the cycle begins anew.


https://gaming.youtube.com/watch?v=JScedGseWLg

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJeQLIzkGjX8NdeDa0rZwTA

Patricia, I just took a look at the cam, and they're all sleeping soundly. I'm always impressed with the how Mama cats and all other mammals, know instinctively, when it's time to wean the babies. The process is slow but steady, and when she's done, the babies can fend for themselves. (If food is provided of course.)  On the Bear cam, it looks like Mama bear provides the cubs with fish, after they're weaned?  I know she must be teaching them to fish, but I've only seen cubs in the water a couple of times . . . just watching, but not catching anything.  I guess if these cats were feral, Mama would be busy teaching them how to hunt, once she's through nursing.

Marilyne, with these, fosters, they weren't feral, but it is believed that the mama cat was a stray for a long time as she was hissing, growling and rushing humans until FDJ worked to show her he was harmless. And he has said that with young kittens, unused to humans, you need to work with them before three weeks of age if you want a smooth transition to trusting humans.

Wild babies will have the parents first bringing them dead food, then live feed that is killed before them. After that, the parents will bring the babies live food so that the babies will learn how to kill it themselves, with the parent's presence. It all takes place over a period of time. It is one of the reasons that Seraphina first started to bring the kittens toys before she began weaning them.

With the Native people here that live a subsistence lifestyle, children are brought on hunts and expected to watch everything their parents do and then try it themselves. If incorrect, the parents show them again, and the process is repeated until the parents know the kids have it down. It is considered bad form to interrupt or ask questions. A friend of mine in Australia says it is the same with aborigine families.

This morning the foster kittens were introduced to water. Since Mama has been weaning the kittens and rarely nursing them, and only for brief periods, their hunger and thirst are forcing them to try other offerings. Niffler as with both wet food and kibble was the first to drink. Billywig wanted to play in it and Occamy is still holding out for nursing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPbcs5Tky0M&t=413s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaX-eoEOS1A

As I watch the mother cat (Serafina?) looking at her kittens, I wonder what she is thinking.  She is very patient with the kittens. 

Mary Ann

MaryAnn, from what they've said, Mama wasn't feral but a stray and they believe by her original behavior that she had been a stray for a very long time. By her body structure and teeth, they gauged at about a year to a year and a half. They also said this wasn't her first litter so it could be that the kittens were her source of love and kinship.

Everything she does is rooted in that and also in instinct. Nothing is really random in a mother and her litter.

Why spay/neuter is important;

Most female cats will go into heat by 6 months of age. But certain environmental factors can cause it to happen more quickly. And certain breedsâ€"like Siameseâ€"may go into heat as early as 4 months, while for other breeds 10 months old is a more typical age for going into heat.

Male cats will be able to sire kittens when they are about 5 months of age. Female cats generally are sexually mature when they reach at least 80% of their adult weight.

Cats can actually become pregnant as young as four months of age, having a litter when they are six months old. Many people believe that if their cat is kept indoors it's not important for the cat to be spayed.

"Kittens become part of an endless breeding cycle if they are not altered. Kitten season will be upon us soon (depending on climate, it begins in late spring, peaks in early summer, and ends in the fall). Shelters that are already filled to the brim will be overrun, as people bring in litters their own cat “accidentally” had and those they find on the streets.

And those kittens born outside do so with consequences. The precious little beings are practically helpless to survive on their own, and they have a high mortality rate approximately 75 percent of them will die, suffering unbearably due to the harsh elements. For those who do survive and are brought to a shelter, they are typically adopted first, but at the expense of older, less adoptable cats, such as seniors, cats with disabilities, or black cats.

What can we do? First, the only way to ensure there will not be unplanned or unwanted litters is to have your cat spayed or neutered at an early age. The simple fact is that a male cat is wired to find a female cat in heat, and a female cat will continue to have a heat cycle until she mates. And that includes indoor cats, as indoor pet cats can accidentally get outside.

Also, outdoor community cats need to become part of managed TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) programs.

So, the next time you see that cute photo of a sweet and fuzzy kitten, just remember that the picture comes with a price. Take the responsible road and have your cat spayed or neutered. Not only will you be helping control cat overpopulation, but your cat will also be healthier and happier."

https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/kittens-and-mating-sexual-maturity       

Annie bought Kendrick when he was about 5 months old.  I think it was another month before he was spayed.  In that month, he wanted to mark his territory and Annie was forever spraying a liquid (I know not what) on his mark.  Now when he marks his territory, it is by rubbing against whatever - me or an inanimate object.  He usually is a pretty good boy.

Mary Ann

Nothing can stop the disabled dog from ZOOMING around!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYb7mggRnlY

The "Fantastical Kittens fosters are now seven weeks and yesterday, their area was enlarged. Since they are now eating on their own and using the litter box, it will be not too long before they've reached two pounds apiece and 8 weeks. Neutering and adoptions will follow soon after probably the first or second week of November if that long.

https://gaming.youtube.com/watch?v=JScedGseWLg

I caught the kittens at the wrong time because they were either sleeping or non-existent.  I did see a tail at the left, then the rear of a white kitten and the tweedy cat was sleeping on the tower.

Mary Ann

The "tweedy" cat was Niffler who is 2.3 lbs as of today. Billywig, Siamese boy is 12 grams short of two pounds and Occamy, the only girl kitten, Siamese mix is 1.75 lbs. Mama Seraphina is ten pounds exact. They were seven weeks today so we probably only have a week left before they're adopted.

Brookivy's channel, for me, is better than the live viewing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvufDxJKUn0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xa_cdxkZG0

Sarah visits FDJ and Washington's "Fantastical Kittens."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0g_LrAxoD8&feature=push-u-sub&attr_tag=_Fu6mcHSgrSnFLU_%3A6

Caught a pop up today with decorations from Lakeside Collections.  Went further and found they sell on Amazon.   Long link, hope it opens, but liked the item I am sending a photo of, for all you Cat/kitten fans.

     
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lakeside+collection+garden&hvadid=267954447496&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9009291&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7645678081526475281&hvtargid=kwd-451651844373&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_4mjm7q408s_e

Long link, hope it opens but here is the item

[attachimg=1]

Jack - That flower pot with the kittens is adorable!  I looked through the other items on Lakeside Collections, and saw a number of other things that I liked as well.  I'd like to have the Mermaid, as well as some wind chimes, but will control myself!  There are some cute items there that would be great for Christmas  presents.  I'll keep the site bookmarked for future reference. 

Patricia - I just looked at the kittens, and all three are wide awake and romping all over the place.  I do like that new set-up, with so much there to keep them busy.  All three look strong and healthy, so I know their time to be put up for adoption is getting close.  When they are adopted, what will happen to Seraphina?  How long will it be before FDJ gets a new litter of newborns? 

Post litterbox Mama zoomies  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOSLpNrZwPk

Marilyne, the kittens are now seven weeks and three days old and only Occamy, the lone female kitten is less than two pounds. When they all reach two pounds and eight weeks, they will all be neutered and put up for adoption, Mama included. Since they are all healthy, I'm sure that people have already sent their covering letters and apps in.

Usually, when he has kittens, and they are maneuvering well and starting to climb the kennel, he gives them more room. After a week he then opens the whole place to them. I don't think he will be able to open the entire room with this litter before they are up for adoption.

FDJ never knows when a new litter becomes available as he is part of a group of fosters and their "kitten dealer" can call at any time, day or night when a stray or feral cat, orphan kittens or injured groups needs fostering by one of the group. He does specify a week between so he can clean and do maintenance as well as relax. He also works fulltime as does his son Chris who you will see in some of the videos as, "Minion."

What you don't see but may hear from the hallway are two kittens he adopted from the Canadian "Tiny Kittens" and the three older cats he is permanently fostering in his home, kept separate from his fosters we see.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/guy-tries-shoo-cat-off-191816430.html

Ha Ha?

Mary Ann

A typical curious kitty . . . saw that red thing, and moved closer for a better look.  The mans attempt to scare the cat away, backfired on him! ha ha! 

People don't necessarily think logically that often especially young men.  

Cats are everywhere, even at fashion runway shows!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT5_can51VA&utm_source=CNN+Five+Things&utm_campaign=d1ea848297-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_10_30_07_48&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6da287d761-d1ea848297-87090417       

https://lifehacker.com/heres-the-best-way-to-feed-a-cat-1830128315?utm_source=lifehacker_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2018-11-01


"The AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) have offered a consensus statement on how exactly to feed a cat, with an eye towards behavioral issues. Apparently, a “normal” cat diet doesn’t involve gulping down a can of wet food and passing out on the clean laundry. Instead, it should consist of “hunting and foraging, and eating frequent small meals in a solitary fashion.”

That may sound like a lot of planning for cat meals, but here are the benefits of getting as close to “normal” as possible:

    Allowing cats to exhibit these normal feeding behaviors regularly, can help alleviate or prevent stress-related issues such as cystitis, and/or obesity-related problems such as inactivity and overeating. Reducing stress with appropriate feeding programs can also help anxious cats, who in an attempt to avoid other pets in the household, may not access the food frequently enough and lose weight."

Parker's feeding tray looks similar to what you have for Farrah, Patricia.  Kendrick gets new food at night and he knows when it is about 10 pm because he comes to tell me it is time.  He gets dry food and the times I've tried wet food, he has left it overnight.  Like with human food, I do not like to leave wet cat food out overnight.  He does not sleep on clean laundry and if he disgorges anything, it must be downstairs because I don't see anything upstairs. 

Kendrick has a new "favorite" place to sleep and it is my bed.  He changes his "favorites" from time to time from a chair to a scratching pad to his bed to my bed.  He's a big cat but not a fat cat.

Mary Ann

Cats prefer established routines. With Farrah's tendency to "eat it all now!" and craving for treats, I'm glad that the hunter and gather style of feeding is working for her and her diet. She's with Kendrick in not caring for wet food; she also doesn't like catnip, tuna or other human food, (the tuna dislike is new.) She does like cat grass or wheatgrass, and all plants are carefully placed eight feet off the floor and boxed in.

Cats are scent driven and while each cat is an individual, regardless of mutt or purebred, however many cats like dirty laundry for the smells and clean clothes for the latent heat. Farrah falls into the dirty clothes group which is why they're stored in a laundry bag in the hall closet.

She no longer wants to play with any of her toys, and I'm going to be donating them, unfortunately. She follows me from room to room and at night sleeps on top of her towel placed on my four foot tall three drawer unit. She only goes on my bed that I'm aware of when I start my morning stretches and she wants to make sure I'm up for her food prep.

She does take a 2-3 hour late afternoon nap, and while cats are said to be nocturnal, she is not. I have insomnia and sleep in two to two and a half hour stretches, and each time I'm awake, she's asleep. 

She has had a hairball which I think they're referring to, only once and I keep wet wipes for those. She does have diet kibble and that is probably why plus she is brushed regularly, something she is very fond of. So no hair coughed up after her self-bathing. She also rarely uses the couch now that she's claimed the folding deck chair for her own.

She is middle aged now.

As I've written before, Kendrick does like catnip but he doesn't get it unless Annie stops over.  Truth is I never think to give him any.

Cats aren't that different from humans - we all are different one from another.  He isn't used to other animals but he's been very curious when he has seen the cat next door.  When she was out, I put him inside right away because I have no idea how he would act.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn, another difference between cats is watching or interacting with the television or computer. I've seen not only cats but dogs and birds react to what's shown on screens. Some cats may become very involved with what they're seeing and hearing on the screen. Farrah isn't one of them, has no interest in the computer screen nor in any cat games available that I have on my computer.

Her hearing and eyesight are fine, she visibly tracks items I hold or that she sees outside the window so its not that. Now Alan's cats love kitty television and they have a number of fish, bird or another animal; cat videos that Farrah is completely uninterested in. Does Kendrick react to the sounds from either TV or the computer screen?

At yesterday's weigh-in, everyone is well over two pounds except Occamy who is thirty grams short. So that means another probable week before neutering and adoption.

You can tell the difference between the two lilac kittens by size and coloring. Billywig, male, is larger while his sister Occamy is darker in coloring. Tomorrow, Sunday, he, FDJ, plans on opening the kittens' space up to the entire room as the kittens are climbing the fences and to the top of the kennel. FDJ, put up posterboard to limit access to the kennel top.

Monday afternoon, the kittens will be at the vet for their last series of injections while Seraphina stays behind as her vaccinations are current.