Just over four weeks ago, Mother Cat gave birth to five kittens.
In the light of previous experience, we didn’t expect all five to last many weeks. However, on day 28 all were still thriving, and they had learned how to strike a pose for the camera:
We’re still not sure what the gender mix is. I’ve examined them so many times that I ought to be expert on feline genitalia, but the best I can say at the moment is that I think we’ve got two females and three males.
Whatever their sex, they are certainly developing extraordinarily fast now. From being blind, helpless creatures, in less than a month they have become active inquisitive adventurers. In the last few days, they have started climbing up the walls of the cage which forms their exercise and toilet verandah.
They have been determinedly trying to follow their mother when she agilely hops over the walls of the cardboard home to go and enjoy herself. Yesterday I had to reinforce the roof of the house to prevent a succession of little climbers from escaping.
It was time to offer the chance for a supervised outing. I recruited the assistance of Little Cat – their elder sister, who’s always up for a bit of sibling rough and tumble – opened the cage door, and stood back.
Wow, that was exciting! What will it be like when they’re hurtling all round the house? Eight cats? Time to make that vet’s appointment for mother I think . . . .
