Question:
Two of my rescues will be adopted out this week by a friend. i am in denial about this b/c i have become so attached to them, but I know that they are going to a good home and I'm finding comfort in that.

My question for all you feral cat experts out there is this: i have two girls and 4 boys in the litter. my sister was telling me that it's important to keep at least one of the females with the group as her presence will make a difference with the interactions of the remaining male littermates. is there any truth to this? will it be ok if i adopt out both of the girls right now? (i plan on permanently adopting at least two of them myself).

any advice will be most appreciated!!! and any comforting words or advice on letting go will be most helpful for me too- i miss them already!!!

Answer:
my sister was telling me that it's important to keep at least one of the females with the group as her presence will make a difference with the interactions of the remaining male littermates
The sex of the kittens is irrelevant. What is very important for feral cats and kittens is that they either go in pairs, or go to a home that already has at least one friendly cat.

So there will be no problem adopting out both girls together. The only thing I have personally found is that males are often easier to tame than females.

Are these kittens tame now? Feral cats/kittens are certainly not for everyone!

Answer:
Hi LuckyRescue,

yes, the kittens are tame now, although I know they will most likely revert to their wild selves until they become acclimated with their new surroundings and owner. I am only adopting out in pairs and these two will be going to a house with one other kitty. My friend is aware of the extra care and attention these kittens will need and I know that he will give it to them.

on a side note: I have been getting conflicting advice on when to spay/neuter these kittens. My vet would like me to wait until they are close to 6 months, but I have heard that as long as they are 3lbs or more, they are ready. I would like to get them spayed/neutered the sooner the better. Any thoughts?

Thanks for your advice.

p.s. One of the females was the hardest to tame, the other was the first one to come around!

Answer:
I'm kind of amazed at a vet who wants to wait til kittens are 6 months to spay/neuter!

The females could be pregnant by then or at the least be in heat!

I'm sure your friend doesn't want cats in heat yowling in her house, so have them spayed by 4 months at the latest. What kind of vet thinks it's a good idea to have cats in heat?

For the males, 6 months at the latest to make sure no "tomcat" behaviors will emerge.

It's wonderful you found a loving and understanding home for these babies. Thank you!!!

I'm sure you already know this, but tell your friend to keep them in one room for about a week or more, so they will feel more secure!

Answer:
will definitely spay/neuter asap!! and will tell my friend to do the same. no one wants to deal with a cat in heat!!!

and yup, he's been told to keep them in a small area/room so they don't feel overwhelmed.

thanks for the advice.

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I agree- these kitties should be spayed/neutered asap!!! I am glad you found a great home for them! I wonder where you sister got that idea - gender makes no difference and I think while adopting in pairs is a good thing, some cats do well as only cats - sort of like only children I guess. But it is better to have socialized kittens who can interact with any cat/critter.

Answer:
Originally Posted by CyberKitten
I am glad you found a great home for them!

thanks, i am too! they will be leaving me tomorrow :( , but i know they will be happy kitties in their new home- so that's all that matters.

they will be neutered/spayed within the week!


another sidenote ?- last week they all went for their final vaccinations- rabies among them- i have noticed that their skin is raised where i believe one of the injection sites was (on their backs). Normal? will this subside? it doesn't hurt to the touch on any of them, but thought i would ask if any of you all had any experience or info on this?

also! just noticed that one of my kittens had spots of blood near his hindquarters!!! he let me clean him up and i checked to see if there was any cut, broken skin, etc- none. looked in the litter box- thinking he may have had bloody stool- but no signs there either. he appears to be ok otherwise- i will check with the vet asap in the morning- any idea what this could be??? should i check for something else?

Answer:
Yes there can be a lump at the injection site. Just make sure the kitten is behaving normally in all respects and he should be okay.

No idea about the blood, if it wasn't blood in the stool. Maybe he got scratched?

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