|
|
Post by shadowlark on Apr 19, 2014 3:16:34 GMT
Calicos can be male, but when male are almost always sterile. Like 99% of the time. We had a male, calico barn cat years ago. Friendliest little guy ever.  |
|
|
|
Post by diamondgirl on Apr 19, 2014 5:51:59 GMT
I didn't know calicos could be males. Wow, I thought I would finally be able to figure out how to tell if a kitten is a boy or a girl, by comparing the difference between the calicos and the others. Well darn.
|
|
|
|
Post by shadowlark on Apr 19, 2014 5:57:17 GMT
LOL I think it's rarer for them to be male, so chances are yours are girls...but I'd still double check!  |
|
|
|
Post by shadowlark on Apr 19, 2014 5:59:23 GMT
From Wikipedia:
|
|
Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572 
|
Post by Lipizzan on Apr 19, 2014 9:00:05 GMT
This is just too cute!
|
|
|
|
Post by horselady on Apr 19, 2014 11:47:59 GMT
I will take whichever , perhaps the black and white and the orange , and you can drop them off after you see min, and terry , free food and lodging also,
|
|
|
|
Post by diamondgirl on Apr 20, 2014 3:42:54 GMT
My goodness that would be a long road trip. Wheew. I brought 2 of the babies out of their room today to meet some of the Grandkids. They were nervous, but the kids loved them. Heidi has moved them again. This time she is under the computer desk. I am really glad they are inside. I can't imagine trying to keep track of them if she would have had them out side. They are getting very tame and playful. They even play with me. I got them some kitten formula from the vet. I thought they seemed a little hungry. They will share a bit of it, if Heidi drinks it first, but I have noticed she seems to have more swelling to her udder now, and the kittens seem more satisfied. I guess what ever works, and keeps them fat and happy. |
|
|
|
Post by diamondgirl on Apr 25, 2014 20:30:57 GMT
Heidi has become vicious the last few days. Any time I go into her room she threatens to attack me. So far she hasn't bitten anything but cloths, but I am afraid she will soon. She didn't seem to mind if her kittens came up to me at first, but suddenly everything changed. I sat down on the floor and was trying to encourage the kittens to eat, when she suddenly came at me snarling. I backed away and she began to drink the kitten milk. I thought maybe she wanted some of her own so the next time I went in, I gave her, her own small bowl. When I started to get the kittens to lick the milk off my fingers, from their bowl, and came after me. She was serious, so I grabbed the cat toy stick and held it out toward her, and she attacked it instead of me, then backed off.
I have tried to talk very softly, more slowly, and stay as far away from her as I can when I go into her room, but she isn't backing down on her threats. I have been wearing my heavy leather gloves when ever I go into her room so at least I have some protection. I wish I could remember where my motorcycle helmet was, so I could wear it. She looks like she wants to go for my face.
Her threats are escalating, so I know it is only a matter of time before she really lays into me. It is making it hard for me to want to spend much time with the kittens, and her behavior is having an effect on them too. They are becoming fearful when she snarls and growls. They will still come to me and I can play with them, but I never know when Heidi will suddenly charge, so I pet them quickly, then leave.
I have been wearing my leather work gloves when I go into her room, since she started this behavior, but I think I will have to start also wearing my heavy coveralls, and a hat. The kittens are 4 weeks old, and not eating well enough to wean yet. I can only take this day by day, and try to make the best decisions I can, on how to proceed from here.
She may not be very big, but it is really quite scary when she comes after me.
|
|
|
|
Post by shadowlark on Apr 25, 2014 21:09:26 GMT
Have you tried Feliway? You can get it from most pet stores I've been to, or maybe your vet? It's a synthetic pheromone that is supposed to calm cats down. You can get a spray or a diffuser to plug in. We had a diffuser that we got to try to de-stress our old cat who had IBD. He would always poop outside the litter box, but once we got the diffuser he stopped. We would always forget to check how low the diffuser was, but knew it was empty when we'd come home to poop on the floor again! I haven't tried the spray, but would imagine it would work. The diffusers are more expensive, but last about a month and you don't have to worry about spraying it, it just stays plugged in. It might help calm Heidi down a bit. Worth a shot! :) Feliway US Website |
|
|
|
Post by diamondgirl on Apr 25, 2014 22:24:32 GMT
I didn't try it when I first brought her in, because she calmed down. Do you think she could be in heat, and that is causing the change in her attitude? Or maybe, because the kittens are so much more active, her nature dictates that she becomes more protective. I did ask my vet about feliway, and he just suggested, that I give her time. Right now we don't have time. The kittens need attention. I will ask again.
|
|
|
|
Post by shadowlark on Apr 25, 2014 22:52:17 GMT
I honestly don't know why there's the sudden change, whether in heat of just being protective. The only time I've ever had a cat have kittens was a barn cat that got rabies shortly after giving birth, so obviously there was a personality change there! Maybe you could start with the Feliway spray and spray it around the room to see if it helps before investing in the diffuser. Hope she calms down - angry cats are scary!!
|
|
Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
|
Post by Terry on Apr 26, 2014 2:59:23 GMT
Wow, that's scary! I can't imagine why her behavior changed so suddenly, and so drastically. I hope the Feliway (or something) can help you out with her. In the meantime, please be careful!
|
|
|
|
Post by horselady on Apr 26, 2014 18:35:05 GMT
Perhaps she is hurting with the babies not nursing as much, and she knows you are feeding and taking them outside of her room she is getting defensive about all of it.
so perhaps two more weeks of this and the kittens could be taken away altogether especially if they are eating on their own. and than mom could be spayed. what is your plan on introducing her back to the outdoors. ?? 757724
|
|
|
|
Post by diamondgirl on Apr 26, 2014 22:09:08 GMT
My plan is to absolutely get her spayed. After that I thought I would let her decide. If she gets comfortable with being inside, than she can stay in. If she would prefer to be outside, then she can be out.
The kittens seem to prefer to try the spilled kitty litter, rather than the food I give them. Right now there is a fair amount of litter scattered about, because I am afraid to vaccume. I really need to get them eating, but unless I smear it on their little lips, they don't want to seem to want to try. Poor Heidi, if she wasn't trapped in the room with them, she would probably be spending time away from them. That could be part of the problem. I loved spending time with my kids, but I looked forward to the time I could be away from them too. This is all so unnatural for her. Poor baby. |
|
Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
|
Post by Terry on May 6, 2014 18:43:15 GMT
How are things going with Heidi and the kittens? I hope Heidi has stopped her aggressive behavior with you.
|
|
mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
|
Post by mistersmom on May 7, 2014 12:11:33 GMT
Yeah, we need an update and pictures!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by 1fatmule on May 7, 2014 18:42:05 GMT
yes, baby kitties! live trap her, if necessary get her spayed, and let her back outside a place where she seems most comfortable. you have done a wonderful thing by bringing her in the house to have her babies in a safe place, getting her spayed, giving her babies a chance they otherwise would not have gotten. some feral/wild raised cats may never really be able to adapt to an indoor lifestyle, and she may be telling you that the only way she knows how. think of a mustang, i think they would have dreams of their wild days. keep a kitten, concentrate on it, and give her the option of coming in the house if she wants. although not an ideal age to wean, the baby kitties can eat fine,and will be alot friendlier with her not around. (jmo)
|
|
|
|
Post by diamondgirl on May 14, 2014 13:58:30 GMT
Sorry I haven't been on in such a long time. Things have been so crazy around here. The kittens are doing great and are eating well, and using their litter box. They have their first vet appointment tomorrow to get their shots, then we will start bringing them out into the house, and start the weaning process. Heidi has gotten better about letting me come in her room and move around her. She is sill wary and doesn't want to be touched, but she doesn't try to attack me anymore. Once the kittens are weaned, in about two weeks, we will get her spayed then start introducing her to the rest of the house. I won't try to keep her in the house, but let her decide what is right for her.
|
|
Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
|
Post by Terry on May 14, 2014 23:24:51 GMT
Yay! I was getting worried after your last post about Heidi being so aggressive, and then you were gone... I'm glad you're back and that things are going well. I'd love some updated pictures of the little cuties!!
|
|
Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
|
Post by Terry on May 23, 2014 14:06:36 GMT
Once you get your computer fixed I think we need some updated pictures of your adorable little kittens... PLEASE! 
(I need my kitten fix!  ) |
|
)