Marieke's Cat Adventure

Meet Olly, Poezel, and Lefty

Olly, the oldest of the bunch, is almost 7 years old. She has a red coat with a white neck and white paws. Marieke gives her the nickname "Olliebollie" because of her somewhat rounder figure. Besides Olly, we have Poezel, a fully red house cat who is 1 year old. And then we have
Lefty, a tortoiseshell kitten almost 7 weeks old, with a mix of red and black and her left hind paw is red.

These cats are not pedigree cats, but wonderful house-garden-and-kitchen cats that bring plenty of love and joy. Their owner
has always had cats and in total 14 cats have been part of her life. The oldest cat she had lived to be as much as 17.5 years old.

When Olly came into Marieke's life, the original plan was to have a litter with her. But sometimes things turn out differently, and Marieke became pregnant herself. Because the use of the cat pill was discouraged due to the increased risk of cancer for the cat, Olly was sterilized.

The preparations

The preparations for the arrival of the kittens were well thought out. The first step was to take an X-ray of Poezel to confirm that she was indeed pregnant. Just before the birth, an ultrasound was done to determine the number of kittens in her belly. To prepare herself and her son Daan (5) well, she read a lot about cat births and they watched YouTube videos of cats giving birth together. In addition, a whelping box, a playpen, disinfectant, disposable pads, and a scale were purchased to give the kittens a safe and comfortable start.

Poezel's delivery went smoothly. Poezel chose the place where she wanted to give birth and eventually crawled onto Marieke's lap. She was very affectionate and the delivery lasted less than 2 hours. Poezel gave birth to 4 beautiful kittens. It was fascinating to see how mother nature did her work, as Poezel instinctively knew what to do. She licked her kittens clean, ate the afterbirth
bit through the umbilical cord. The owner hardly had to intervene, only occasionally helping with latching on and making sure the kittens drank from their mother.

Olly, the other cat in the house, observed the birth from the whelping box. She found it all quite strange, but since she already knew Poezel, the introduction of the kittens went smoothly. In the first weeks, the kittens stayed neatly inside the pen, allowing Olly to get used to her new housemates at her own pace. Now that the kittens are becoming more adventurous and sometimes come too close, Olly usually reacts calmly. There is a brief sniff, and then everyone goes their own way.

The latest tips

As an experienced cat owner, she is happy to give some tips to new owners. She emphasizes the importance of preparation and seeking
advice at the veterinarian. In hindsight, she realizes that she may have taken too many precautions. A whelping box or crate is useful for the cat during delivery, and a scale is absolutely necessary to regularly weigh the kittens and monitor their health. A playpen provides a safe environment for the kittens when they are still small and vulnerable.

In addition to these specific tips, she also emphasizes some general points. Cats are wonderful pets that bring a lot of love and coziness, but they also cost money. Think of the costs for vaccinations, microchipping, flea treatment, deworming, and any other veterinary expenses. Cats can easily live up to 20 years, so it is important to realize that they really commit to you
commitment and that you take long-term responsibility. In addition, cats love to go outside and must have the freedom to be themselves. Although cats are not as easy to train as dogs, each has its own
unique character and charms.

They are all different in their behavior and actions. Each one has its own charms. That is why it was difficult for my little son and me in the first few weeks to decide which one we liked the most and which one would stay with us. In the end, it was Lefty because she is the most relaxed and also the one who comes to us the most on her own. So actually, she chose us 😉

The adventure of Olly, Poezel, and Lefty shows how special it is to have a litter of kittens in the house. The natural instincts of the mother cat and the interaction with the other cat in the house create a beautiful dynamic. It is an experience that enriches both the owner and the family and teaches valuable lessons about caring for these vulnerable little beings.

So, if you are thinking about getting a cat, be prepared, be patient, and enjoy the process. Cats bring a lot of joy
and love into your life, and you will undoubtedly build a special bond with your furry companion.