She already tried to hide some of her litter twice but we caught her and put them back. Mama cat is stuck where she's always lived, in a big laundry room with food and water and the babies are in a big basket. Earlier today they were all there and then one was gone AGAIN... this time it isn't where it was before and we've looked everywhere. We have a HUGE 4000sqft house and I'm worried. I have 5 little girls here freaking and crying because it's gone. I'm acting cool and calm about it but in reality I am scared it will starve or die from the cold. How can I find where it is, any advice? We already tried complete silence in each room to hear it meowing. Mama cat isn't showing us where it is. I don't want my girls to find a dead kitten in like a week in some random spot. How long can kittens go without food? They are about 3 weeks old. How can I find it?
Answers:
If the kitten is alive, it will be screaming shortly. Mamma cat has way too much attention and noise in the laundry room.
That is why she is hiding them and dragging them to more quiet areas. If you are all quiet and watch her without her knowing it she may go and get the kitten or try to take others to it. Three week old kittens can be almost anywhere, in a shoe, under or in the bottom of the washer or dryer, behind a cabinet. How cold is it in the laundry room, and where is the momma cat and kittens been sleeping? She may have tried to move them because it is cold. One time when I worked at a pet store, the momma cat had free run of the store at night, and we came to work the next morning she had found a hamster that had gotten loose and took it back to her nest.She had killed the hamster but had put in with her babies. A kitten will become extremely hungry in the next 8 hours. And needs to eat every four. Start clearing everywhere you can to look for the little lost one. Try moving momma to a closet that is a little less traveled through by the rest of you family. A big refrigerator box with a blanket on top will keep mom in, lay the box on its side. give her some quiet time. Handling kittens of a new momma makes momma nervous. They are hers for the first 6 weeks.
first if the mama cat hid it foolw her next time she leaves the room to see where she goes otherwise follow your nose if u smell something decaying its the kitten kttens also often cry so listen to mewing that does not come from laundryroom
Just let mama cat out. She will look after the kitten, but she'll wait 'till there isn't an audience watching. She's not feeling that the kittens are safe and is taking them to somewhere she feels is better. She won't lose any of them and she won't let any of them die. I know it's easier to keep them in a single room - but if she's not happy with her kittens where you want them she's just going to keep moving them. It's better for her and the kittens if you let her do things her way. Don't stress - the kitten will be fine so long as you let mama cat do as she wants.
If Momma cat is moving her kittens repeatedly she doesnt feel like her kittens are safe where you have them. You need to get a box with a towel and put her and the kittens in a dark out of the way place where there is little to no traffic and where she can feel safe.
As far as the kitten goes, I would lock momma outside of the room for a bit to see if she goes after the other kitten. Hopefully she will get it on her own. The kitten can live for a while without food (although they are probably still nursing every 2 to 3 hours at this point) but will probably not surivive more than 8 to 12 hours without mom feeding. Meaning after that the kitten may still be alive but may not be able to recover after being alone for so long without food.
I surely hope you find the kitten.
Ok this might sound goofy, but this has worked for me before (and I was searching almost 3 acres every spring)
Mother cats have a very plaintive meow. Try mimicking it. Then walk around the house "meowing," Make no other noise, and you must be convincing.
The idea is the kitten will think you are its mother and it will answer you. Remember they mostly squeak at this age, so listen carefully.
Look in small,
enclosed or partially enclosed areas. Think like a cat. Where would you put your kittens if you wanted them hidden, not to wander away, defendable, and warm?
Think cabinets. Underneath beds.
Utilize the kids. Give each of them an area to search, divide into pairs, either the oldest goes alone or the youngest with you depending on age.
Good luck.
Don't worry, you will find it, just keep looking.
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