How can I pet a wild cat with kittens?

The first consideration must be the welfare of the kittens. If the mother is intolerant of people, then approaching the den will upset her and could lead to abandonment of the kittens. If she is tolerant of people, then help her get used to your presence by leaving offerings of food. Once the kittens are 2-3 weeks old, this is the ideal time to stroke them and start socializing them with people. Distract the mother with food and gently stroke the kitten, but without disturbing the nest too much. As the kittens get older and venture out, they are then more likely to approach you for food and petting.