Kitten Development issues?

I have two sister kittens going on 8 months old. One of them is doing great, started going in heat, lost a few baby teeth, and is understanding of litter boxes and so on.

Her sister however, is still confused about using the litter box, has not lost any baby teeth, and her whiskers keep falling out and look very short compared to when we first got them.

Any thoughts?

I think you probably should have her checked out by your Vet.  It seems to me pretty unusual that she hasn't learned to use the litter box yet.  Normally they are starting to use it by the time they are a month old, they learn from their mothers.  Were these bottle babies?   Do you have an "odd" box.  (self cleaning, covered, etc?)

Whiskers DO fall out and grow back in, that's natural.  Are you saying when they grow back in, they are short, or do you think maybe her sister is chewing on them...that happens sometimes, in play.

BTW, we used to have a cat that we swore was mentally challenged.  He was the sweetest cat EVER, but he just wasn't all there.  He never even chased his tail until he was about 3 years old.  And he was raised with two littermates, so it's not like he was alone.  But he didn't have issues with the litter box.  He knew what it was and what do to with it.  I think that's a natural instinct (for most cats). 

They have a small uncovered litter box and a bigger covered litter box. And she does use it, it's just she still goes outside sometimes. And then it seems like her whiskers broke off almost. They are quite short compared to her sisters and it seems to be throwing off her balance. And she hasn't gone into heat yet either and her sister has twice. It's just odd. It seems like she may have been the runt of the litter and is a bit slower than her sister.

I am wondering the same as mrsgreenjeens here about your little one's sister - that maybe her whiskers are being chewed or otherwise shortened - which will affect her balance and general coordination about her environment.   Cats use their whiskers to feel their way around and compensate for their not so brilliant eyesight.   

Taking her along to your vet would be wise, not least to check out what is happening with her teeth as it is unusual (I think) that she has not lost some of her kitten teeth and shown some sign of her adult teeth coming through.

In my experience some cats are delayed a little just as people can be, and some of their development happens at later stages.   Often they do catch up with their peers, but sometimes you do meet adult cats where you wonder how they would get by if they were out in the wild due to their slower reactions and mild natures - likely due to being lower in the 'family' hierarchy.  Not to be worried about in my mind as long as they are in a loving home with all the care they need.  One cat a friend of mine has which is like this does have some toileting issues but I think that may be down to some other physical health issues he has where his bladder tends not to empty properly.  He is the sweetest of cats btw.

Do you plan to have them spayed? I can't imagine hormone surges will be helpful to this cat in particular.

Chelsea0824 said:

I have two sister kittens going on 8 months old. One of them is doing great, started going in heat, lost a few baby teeth, and is understanding of litter boxes and so on.

Her sister however, is still confused about using the litter box, has not lost any baby teeth, and her whiskers keep falling out and look very short compared to when we first got them.

Any thoughts?

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The 8 month old b kitty needs to be spayed at once if she's already going into heat. She's too young and having babies is of no benefit to her , in fact the b complete opposite.

To Stewball:

I am planning on getting them both spayed, and i know they are to young which is why I got two females and they do not go outside. I am very particular about them not having kittens as there are already so many out there without homes. I would not feel right adding more to that horrible sight. If by chance it did happen at some point, I would be very on spot about finding save and for sure homes before they were born so I knew they would not end up alone in a shelter or in the wrong hands.

To Everyone else:

Thank you all for your replies they have been very helpful, the whiskers are most likely cause from her sister, so I have been keeping a close eye on both so they do not get to rough with each other, and I have been working with my little one and the litter box a lot lately and she is slowly starting to understand it more.

I do believe they were separated from their mother a little to early possibly or the mother didn't quite give her enough lessons before she was re-homed. I have been trying to act like her human mother in a way, by showing her to use the litter box and showing her how to cover it. She is doing much better and I appreciate all of your replies.

Thank you for the update.  Good to hear your little one is getting some loving litter lessons from you and learning from these.  I hope you see her growing and developing nicely from here on in, and her whiskers growing in well without any further chewing or other damage.  

If a cat is starting to go in to heat it can be very difficult to stop them getting out so continue to take good care of your little girls, and plan with your vet for when they think the best time for surgery will be.  It often depends on weight.  

Glad to hear they're doing well!  Many vets spay at 2 months or 2 pounds, so you may be able to get them fixed already. You can discuss with your vet.

Chelsea0824 said:

To Stewball:

I am planning on getting them both spayed, and i know they are to young which is why I got two females and they do not go outside. I am very particular about them not having kittens as there are already so many out there without homes. I would not feel right adding more to that horrible sight. If by chance it did happen at some point, I would be very on spot about finding save and for sure homes before they were born so I knew they would not end up alone in a shelter or in the wrong hands.

To Everyone else:

Thank you all for your replies they have been very helpful, the whiskers are most likely cause from her sister, so I have been keeping a close eye on both so they do not get to rough with each other, and I have been working with my little one and the litter box a lot lately and she is slowly starting to understand it more.

I do believe they were separated from their mother a little to early possibly or the mother didn't quite give her enough lessons before she was re-homed. I have been trying to act like her human mother in a way, by showing her to use the litter box and showing her how to cover it. She is doing much better and I appreciate all of your replies.

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I hope I didn't annoy you. That was not my intention and I apologise if I did.

Oh no you did not annoy me, I was just saying that so you know I'm not one of those people who get opposite sex cats without getting at least one fixed and has many litters and they all end up outside or in a shelter, I hate people that do that, it's just so cruel.