Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Pregnant sister cats: one hides kittens. Who goes in the kennel?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 3 months old | 9 lbs

I have two female cats who are sisters from the same litter. They got pregnant a couple weeks apart one of the females gave birth 8 days ago her sister is close to labor. I only have one room that is right for them to be. i have to keep them seperate bc the pregnant female keeps hiding her sisters kittens. My only options a kennel so they are seperate in the same room should i put the mom+kittens in the kennel or her sister. Sister hates it afraid it'll cause stress for delivery. What's best?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 30th, 2017

You really need to keep them separated - I agree 100%. I would put mom and kittens in the kennel but you need to make sure that mom has access to a litter box and her food/water and as the kittens get a bit older she will need to be able to get up and walk away from them at times during the day or they will drive her nuts. So, she cannot be in there until the kittens are weaned. I would say only for a week or two (maybe up to three).

I don't know what the situation is, if you bred the cats on purpose or if they got pregnant by accident or what but please keep in mind that if you don't have the appropriate facilities for cats to be queening then you should get them spayed. This situation of trying to keep them separated is going to cause you a major headache. Also, keep in mind that will come back into heat sometimes almost immediately after queening so they can get pregnant again if there is a male cat in the house that has access to them or if they get outside.

My other recommendation would be to get a Feliway diffuser to put in the room with them. It may help reduce stress:

https://www.chewy.com/comfort-zone-feliway-cat-diffuser-48/dp/48072

Hope this helps. Best wishes!

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Training & Behavior

Is it safe to put two mother cats and their kittens in one room?

Hello, ideally they kittens should stay with their moms at all times. Unfortunately, the older kittens and their mom, may not get along with he new kittens, and likely wise the newer mom may not approve of the the older kittens. I would recommend at least partitioning off the room for them so that they do not have direct contact with one another. Alternatively, if you have an outdoor shed or bathroom to put the new kittens and mom, that would be ideal as well. Once the kittens are about a month old, then they could begin to socialize and start to wean off their mothers. Hope the helps and best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Mom cat frantic after separating from 7-week kittens for spay?

I'm sorry you have having this issue but you will need to keep them separated. If you want to give one of the cats or the kittens to a friend or family member to keep for you for a couple weeks that would be best. The kittens would be the least to stress out with a change to a different location. It is best for mom and kittens to be in different locations anyway - if she even hears them crying that will still stimulate milk production. The milk needs to dry up or she can't be spayed.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My pregnant cat is due. How to help her nest and feel secure?

I would recommend to keep her indoors only since she is due to have the kittens any day now. Allow her to have plenty of space away from the other cats so that she can be undisturbed by them for a period of time if she chooses to be. Nesting boxes are great, but ultimately she will choose to whelp wherever she is most comfortable. Clean, quiet areas where she can be away from the other cats is best. I would also recommend to use this time to have the male neutered, so that this does not happen again. Best of luck to your momma-to-be!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

How to keep my pregnant cat's newborn kittens safe from other cats?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I wouldn't allow the other cats in the room during labor. Despite them all getting along under normal circumstances doesn't mean their presence during labor won't stress Lovely. When cats are stressed during labor they can delay delivery of the kittens. She should be in a quiet room that is familiar to her. The number of people should be limited. With one person checking on her every few hours. As for after the kittens are born I wouldn't allow the other cats in the room without you. Again just because they get along doesn't mean that one of the cats won't hurt the kittens. It's best to be safe than sorry. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

How to safely separate brother and sister kittens before neutering?

Since they must be separated to prevent any unwanted letters, you're just going to have to keep them in separate rooms with separate litter boxes, food bowls, toys etc. if they seem stressed out you can try a Feliway diffuser which may help to calm them as well as give them each plenty of love and playtime. Definitely trying to burn off their energy will help to decrease stress. Hope this helps.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How to stop my cat from combining her kittens with her daughter's?

You need to keep both of the separate for now, they each need to focus on their kittens fully. Put each in their own room with their own food, water, and litter box as well as any kittens who are nursing.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

Should I separate my pregnant cat from her nursing older kitten?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Pregnancy can be a very stressful time for animals, and it may be hard for your cat to be separate from her previous offspring. However, my recommendation would be to separate him from her so that he cannot suckle/breastfeed from her before her kittens are born. The milk produced at the beginning of lactation is very antibody-rich and important for the brand new kittens to ingest. There is also the possibility that the previous offspring could out-compete the brand new kittens for nipples if they are left together. The new kittens will need the most care and nutrition from the very beginning, and if he is allowed to suckle from the mom, the newest kittens may not get all of the nutrition they need. I hope this is helpful!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share