Thread: Tell me about cats

Momma cat has been driving me crazy today.
For those who may not know the story, Momma (Iccabah) is an outside cat. I didn't find her kittens until they were about 10 days old (they were JUST starting to open their eyes). That was about a week ago.
At that time, I brought the kittens into the RV's bathroom. It's completely isolated.
Litter box or no litter box, Momma tends to crap and pee wherever she pleases so bringing her inside, on a permanent basis, is not an option.

I bring her in every 3-4 hours with only 2 exceptions. She would scratch at the bottom of the door when she was ready to go outside (when the kittens fell asleep) and either she would meow at the outside door or I would call for her to come inside. The babies don't even wake up until they hear my voice or feel Iccabah come close. They're getting big and are very healthy. They're still not using the restroom on their own (Momma cats lick their kittens bottoms to stimulate the urge to pee and crap and momma cat licks and eats it all- yeah, it's gross lol but that's how it works).

Our routine was working out perfectly until today.
This evening she is insistent on moving them outside. I let her carry Bucky Boy (a male calico) to see where she wanted to go. It was a trough type thing partially under a blown over car tarp. It would be fine when the weather is nice but it's been raining for days. I brought him back inside.
Iccabah seems very anxious and is very unhappy about the situation. Whenever she's near the babies, she tries to carry them off. Bucky Boy cried terribly and didn't move for a couple of minutes the last time she got her jaws on him. She's a new mom, so she might not be quite gentle enough. ???

I placed a tall box in the bathroom, hoping that would make her happier. She finally relaxed enough to go outside on her own but now the kittens are miserable lol. They dislike the box.

I should be moving out to our country home (the Farm) by Wednesday. I can't risk letting her move them outside just yet.

I don't know why she wants them outside so badly. They're not old enough to start teaching how to hunt. Anyone have any ideas how I can make them all a bit happier?