Hi, I have taken in a stray cat with 2 kittens and they were doing fine, but today she went out as usual this morning but has not returned. Normally she only leaves them for about an hour. Is this unusual? The kittens are about 2 weeks old I think. I have never looked after kittens before and am worried about interfering in case she returns tomorrow

Kittens need to be feed every couple of hours and kept warm by their mother.

If she does not return very soon you will need to buy special bottles and kitten formula to feed them.
Make sure they are kept warm at all times.

I would recommend contacting your vet to find out a long term solution.

Usually mama cat is just stretching her legs, and will come back. But just in case, you might want to get a pet nursing bottle with the long nipple, and either kitten formula, or a can of goat milk. Either or is good for the kittens. She may be looking for a place to relocate them, which is not unusual, considering that she is a stray, and probably used to having to go from one place to another.

Thanks. I think if she hasn't returned by the morning I will contact the local vet.

Thanks for caring about her :)

And another thing, my cat "expert" told me to pass this along. Get your heating pad, place a towel over it and set it to low. You should already have a "nursery" for the kits, so you put it in there, and place them on top. Feed them about every four hours, using the ideas listed above, and you have to take a damp washcloth and gently rub their pee parts to stimulate them into going. You have to keep them warm, clean, and fed. Hopefully mama cat will return and pick up where she left off.

My friend, right before Tropical Storm Fay, had to round up four feral cats and their kits to keep them safe. After the storm passed, she kept the kits until she could be sure that they would be okay. However the mama cats abandoned their brood, and she had to raise from newborn into now young adult ten cats! She lets them outdoors, but they always come back at night.

Your local chain pet store, or Wally mart should have the bottles and formula. Once you get the bottle, cut a small 'X' into the top to keep the formula flowing. Always refrigerate what they don't drink, and rinse the bottle daily. And, you might want to keep them away from any other cats/dogs. And she also (I'm dictating as she tells me,) says to burp the kittens by gently patting them as they are on your shoulder. The key to any contact is gently.
*whew* Good luck, and let us know how it is going.

I just noticed your location! I don't think that you have Wal-Marts there. Any major department type store that carries pet supplies will have the bottles, or any feed/pet stores too. Or your vet, as well.

Thanks for all your help. I am pleased to report that mummy cat came home this morning so all is well again and the kittens are reunited!