|
Q.: Now that my cat is having kittens soon, I'd like to know the ideal conditions for its "housing".
Does the box need special lining? - should it be in an isolated place?
A.: The most practical solution is a cardboard box standing on one side with one of the longitudinal "flaps" bent up as a forefront fastened with tape or the like.
The bedding should be absorbent, the ideal would be old-fashioned cloth diapers, but I'm not sure if they are possible to come by at all now-a days. Otherwise any kind of cloth that can be washed and which doesn't catch claws easily (which is why terry towel wouldn't be suitable). Don't fold it neatly, Mama Cat will mess it up anyway.
Under all this you may place a layer of old newspapers which are perfect for insulation.
Place the box where there is not a lot of draught and, if we're talking about a reasonably tame cat, I don't think it will want it too isolated, especially during the birth where she will probably want your presence.
After birth, however, she may want it a little dark in there, so you may hang a kitchen towel or the like over the opening. I myself have always had the box in the bed beside my pillow, and my cats have been very happy with that.
|
