Kitten acting strange

Hi all,

I've been a dog lover my whole life and my wife and I recently decided to get our first pet, which we decided it should be a kitten.

So we purchased a gorgeous 4 - 5 month old kitten from a breeder. The bundle of joy is a Selkirk Rex who was living in a hour with roughly 30 other cats and the breeders family. When we brought the kitten home she didn't stop drinking water and we gave her the same dried food the breeder was feeding her but she never touched it. The minute I added a tin of kitten food(MacDonalds for animals) she licked the bowl clean. Since then she won't eat any food not even the dried food.
Today I opened a different type of food that come in a sachet and mixed it with the dry food, all she did was licked some of the sachet food off and left the dry food.
I don't want her to live off "MacDonalds" food, as well know how unhealth it is. How can I get my kitten to ear properly and can I give her human food that will be healthy for her?
We don't have any pork in the house as it is a disgusting and unhealthy animal to eat but are willing to cook anything else for her.

Also, is it normal for a kitten to walk around a house meowing endlessly, as the only she doesn't meow is when is lying on top of one of us?

Thanks
D

Sounds like you just got the kitten.. In any case, you might want to get her checked out with a vet to rule out any problems.
Congrats on your new bundle of joy! She's going to be the light of your life!!

As for the "McDonalds Food", quit getting the crap wet food and get the good stuff. The extra money you spend on the good stuff versus the crap will more than make up the difference in price as they will poop less, poop won't stink as much and they will eat less because their body will absorb more nutrients. If you use the crap food, you may as well scrape the insides of your sink disposal and feed it that.

Also, is it a reputable breeder? If so, call them up and ask them what might be wrong. Also, get the cat checked out at the vet.

One more thing, if I may...why not a shelter kitten? Especially since this is your first pet.

Not all wet food is bad! Check around your area and find a natural pet store that sells the better quality food and talk to someone there. Or even on our forums we have some great food advice! I would try to get the kitten on a great quality dry and wet food and feed a bit of both!

Whisky'sDad-

I don't like the crapy food and never have, never fed it to my dogs as they only ate eukanuba. I have no problem spending the money, as I just need to know how to get my kitten off the crap food. If I don't give her crap food she wont eat.

The reason for not getting her from shelter is simple, they are no kittens as the youngest feline was 1year old. There was one kitten that we wanted from the RSPCA but was taken minutes before we arrived.The breeder is recognized with one of the feline breeding organization but the condition of her house and smell makes me believe otherwise.

jugen -

We plan on taking her to be checked and treated for worms and fleas again, rather be safe than sorry.

capt_jordi -

I've the local pet stores and they a bunch of kids working there just for the money who didn't even know about litter bin liners. So asking questions about food would have been a waste of time.

Thanks for everyone's reposes.

I'd say for right now feed her what she'll eat. But, in general, wet food is better for cats than dry food. Many feline nutritionists refer to all dry food as "kitty crack."

We are up to our hips in kittens at our shelter, and putting them to sleep every day.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

We are up to our hips in kittens at our shelter, and putting them to sleep every day.

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Shelters should have the same policy as the RSPCA -desex all animals they are received or found and DO NOT put animals to sleep.

My belief: Microchip all animals and if the owner if found then fine them heavy!!

About your meowing kitty- sounds like the breeder isn't really on the up-and-up based on the thirty some cats this kitten was living with. Especially with the pedigreed cats, ethical breeders breed selectively and have only a few kittens to choose from. Their house doesn't smell (as you indicate) their tom house might smell but they are usually housed in a different area to stop "unwanted" breedings from happening.

Sounds like a BYB to me and your kitty has grown up knowing that her needs are being neglected. Start feeding and doing things with her including play time on a schedule every day. Stay to the schedule and kitty will realize that life is finally good again. And get her spayed if she isn't already.

About the cruddy food- start mixing it with a better high-end canned food. Feed both wet and dry to her. Just remember more expensive canned food does not mean it is better. Cats are pure carnivores, so look for a food that provides more meat then filler.

Good luck-

If she was with 30+ cats and she is new to your home, it is normal for her to walk around meowing endlessly unless she is getting attention. She is in a new place, everything in her life has been turned upside down. She doesn't know what's happening or why or if this is good or what.

Play with her as much as you can, pet her when she needs it, and get her to a vet as soon as possible.

Thanks for all the replied.

When every she meows we pick her up and cuddle her. She is not longer scared but sometime she hides under the main bed and no where else. She is constantly wondering around the house. She only lies on top of us and never next to us.
To me it sounds like she is depressed and in shock and that I need to take her to a vet for a check up. She purs all day except when she is sleeping and cries when we put her in the laundry over night as we worried she will mess all over the house and more so that if she sleep on top of us we me hurt if when turning over in our sleep.

Thanks again for your replies.

Originally Posted by LDG

If she was with 30+ cats and she is new to your home, it is normal for her to walk around meowing endlessly unless she is getting attention. She is in a new place, everything in her life has been turned upside down. She doesn't know what's happening or why or if this is good or what.

Play with her as much as you can, pet her when she needs it, and get her to a vet as soon as possible.

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Originally Posted by Shtunka

Thanks for all the replied.

When every she meows we pick her up and cuddle her. She is not longer scared but sometime she hides under the main bed and no where else. She is constantly wondering around the house. She only lies on top of us and never next to us.
To me it sounds like she is depressed and in shock and that I need to take her to a vet for a check up. She purs all day except when she is sleeping and cries when we put her in the laundry over night as we worried she will mess all over the house and more so that if she sleep on top of us we me hurt if when turning over in our sleep.

Thanks again for your replies.

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Hello and welcome to TCS! Congratulations on your new furbaby, though I am sorry that you had to support a BYB to get her.

Welcome also to the world of sharing your life with a cat. There's nothing better!

But she's yours now. As was said above, she cries all the time because she is used to being surrounded by other cats and she doesn't' know why she isn't anymore. But she will adjust to your home.

It seems awfully rough on her to shut her away alone at night. She is probably used to sleeping in a pile of cats. What do you have in there for her comfort?

She should be litter trained by now so messing in the house should not be an issue. I'd be letting her sleep with me, frankly.

Just kitten proof your house first, if you haven't already.

Definitely get her to the vet for a check up. Do the food transition very slowly, and get her on a canned food that doesn't contain a lot of junk. Read labels.

Please keep us posted, what's her name?

Thanks for your reply Otto,

She a large igloo with her food and water and litter box near by.

Define kitten proof?


We would love her to sleep with us but she is not 100% litter box trained.

I keep on forgetting to ask, what would be a good toy for an only kitten to play with?

I've bought one of those wind up fluffy mice, a small tennis ball with a bell inside and two sticks with toys on the end.

What else can one suggest I guy for an only kitten?

Originally Posted by Shtunka

Define kitten proof?

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Just like baby proofing (or puppy if you're more familiar with that). Anything that can fit in her mouth may very well end up there. Keep little stuff picked up, lock cabinets to keep her out of food/trash, if you notice her bothering cords try bitter apple spray or cover them.
And most importantly, she'll want to go up. Anything breakable needs to be put up or behind cabinet doors if you want it to survive a kitten. Keep your kitchen counters cleaned off.

Get her some cat furniture soon. A nice tall cat tree with scratching posts on it will be perfect.

Toys: Anything that cannot fit completely in her mouth or have parts that can be chewed off. Any mice toys need need eyes, ears, and tails removed. No wire toys or toys with plastic bits that can be chewed off. Strings/wand toys can only be played with under close supervision and must be securely put away when done. (look into getting a laser pointer for her)
Be careful with anything with tiny bells, even inside balls. Sometimes they can be batted hard up against a wall and break open.

Safe to leave out toys are soft (fabric) balls or any ball larger than her mouth. Practice golf balls are good - they're lightweight and larger than a golf ball. They're also fairly cheap.
"Pillow" like toys are safe and so are wadded up paper balls. Large plastic drink lids (such as on sports drinks) make a decent toy, too. If she doesn't prove to be too destructive you could let her have crinkle ball toys.

Some cats like variations of turbo scratcher type toys.

This article may help you!

http://www.thecatsite.com/Care/18/Br...a-New-Cat.html

Here are more articles that you may find helpful.

http://www.thecatsite.com/Cats/Cat_Care.html

http://www.thecatsite.com/Cats/Cat_Behavior.html

How old is your kitty?

Also, because she is not litterbox trained, get a litter called Kitten Attract as soon as you can, and make sure you clean the box every day, and it has lower sides for her to go in and out easily - this litter performs miracles training a kitten!
You should actually have two boxes if at all possible

Congrats on the new baby!

I agree with everyone else.



It almost sounds like you think all wet cat food is junk. That is not true, wet is actually way better for cats than dry is. The main thing is that you look for a food that has meats listed as the first few ingredients. Aviod any by-products, those can be any part of the animal. Organs are actually good for cats, but byproducts can be head/feet and other grossness. Almost any food you can buy at a grocery store is junk food.

That said, give her what she will eat. If she wants the junk food give it to her until you find something better that she WILL eat, it may be McDonalds but it does have the proper vitamins/nutrients to keep a cat alive. Most cats love baked chicken, and any kind of fish if you want to try that too. She can't live off it though, it is not a complete diet for a cat.



I hate to say it, but you said that you pick her up and give her attention when she meows. This may be the problem, she has learned that if she cries that she will get attention. Or she is just a bored kitten, some toys I would suggest are "Da Bird," a laser toy (don't shine it in her eyes tho), fur mice, crinkle balls, and anything that makes a noise.

Play with her as much as possible so that she is not bored. Kittens are VERY entergetic, it takes a lot to entertain them.

Congrats on the kitty, sorry your breeder sucked though. If you even want to buy another cat from a breeder, I know some people on here that would help you find a great one.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by KatKisses

...I hate to say it, but you said that you pick her up and give her attention when she meows. This may be the problem, she has learned that if she cries that she will get attention. Or she is just a bored kitten, some toys I would suggest are "Da Bird," a laser toy (don't shine it in her eyes tho), fur mice, crinkle balls, and anything that makes a noise.

Play with her as much as possible so that she is not bored. Kittens are VERY entergetic, it takes a lot to entertain them.

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She definitely needs to be played with frequently, but it also depends upon how old the kitten is as regards the holding and comforting her. If she came from a large cat family, she is lonely. When you have a new baby at home, you hold and comfort them, provide them stimulation and feed them. It is the same with a new little kitten. As she gets older and more comfortable and confident in the environment, then it's time to work on making sure you don't respond to every meow and help them learn that crying doesn't get them attention every time. But when first at home, especially if very young (which I suspect this little baby is), the reassurance is important.

Thanks everyone for your posts, my kittens is improving. I've bought her lots of toys yesterday and some online which I'm sure she will enjoy. I took her to another vet and found she is not well and is now on medication. This was an expensive lesson why not to buy from breeders, from now on I will only get my pets from the RSPCA or any other shelter that don't euthonase animals.

Since she got her first booster she is feeling much better.

Thanks again for all your posts.

Originally Posted by Shtunka

Thanks everyone for your posts, my kittens is improving. I've bought her lots of toys yesterday and some online which I'm sure she will enjoy. I took her to another vet and found she is not well and is now on medication. This was an expensive lesson why not to buy from breeders, from now on I will only get my pets from the RSPCA or any other shelter that don't euthonase animals.

Since she got her first booster she is feeling much better.

Thanks again for all your posts.

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Not ALL breeders. We were referring to the more shady/underworld side of the breeding and selling of animals. Hence the term "back yard breeders". There are lots of reputable breeders out there. We have quite a few on here.