Cat Size

ctbabies

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Ok, I'm not sure if this is in the right area or not. If not please move.

I have 2 kittens, they are from the same litter and are 3 1/2 months old now. The male, Tony, was the biggest in the litter since birth and is now about the size of a 4 or 5 month old cat.

The female, Cleo, was a little smaller than Tony when we got them when they were 8 weeks old. She has not grown at all.

What I was wondering is, what could be the reason she has not grown between 8 weeks old and 3 1/2 months old while her brother has almost tripled in size?

Them when a few days after we got them (Tony is grey and white, Cleo is black and white)

Tony now:

Cleo now (this is the best picture I could get because she wouldn't stay still):
 

mollyblue

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It is hard to tell the size difference when the cats are not pictured together... that being said, cats, like kids, grow at their own pace, and some are naturally bigger and others stay petite.  Is Cleo's appetite good? Is Cleo playful and energetic (in spurts of course, cat naps don't count) Has Cleo been to the vet for her regular checkups? Does the vet think she is okay?

I have been bothered by cats and kittehs I think are underweight only to have my vet tell me that if she were a human, we would admire he svelte figure.  Well that's not entirely true since I am "hefty" and I think skinny little people look anemic - but society in general worships the little people. 
 
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ctbabies

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Her appetite is ok I guess. She doesn't ever finish her food but if I leave it out she'll go back and eat a little bit here and there throughout the day. She seems to only really want to play between 3am and 11am and then she sleeps throughout the rest of the day. I have not been able to get them in a vets office yet but I am working on it.
 
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ctbabies

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I was just able to get a picture of them together and as you can see Tony (grey and white) is a lot bigger than Cleo (black and white).

 

mollyblue

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I am sorry I have no other advice to offer.  They are cuties... but seeing them together it does make Cleo look much smaller.  It could be nothing, but having a vet confirm it will make you feel a lot better. If it does turn out to be something, the sooner you find out what it is the better off you will be! Good luck to you and Tony and Cleo :)
 

Kieka

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If she's active, has a good appetite, no signs of illness and is gaining some weight and size each week I wouldn't worry. A couple of reasons:

1) Cats from the same litter can have different fathers. So you may be seeing the difference from having drastically different sized fathers.

2) Some females are just tiny. No reason other than they are small and stay small. Usually these small females will also look younger than other cats of the same age.

3) Personal experience. My female came from a feral situation. At the time I got her she was 4 months old and barely over a pound. I put her on a high protein, high fat diet immediately and she started gaining weight and growing very slowly. At her 12 month exam she was a smidgen over 6 pounds. At a recent exam at about 18 months old she was almost 7 pounds. She's put on some (I hope winter) weight and feels about 7 pounds right now but on her frame if she gains any more shes going to get some food cuts and more play time.  She's just small in height and size all around and fits in the small cat carrier with room to spare. I'll attach a photo that shows her laying on a pillow next to my male to show size difference, my male is abnormally large and leggy though at 13 pounds and I had to buy him a small dog carrier because he doesn't fit in cat carriers. They are NOT from the same litter or related in any way though.

4) Females in general can tend to be smaller than males. So it may be you have a very tiny female and the beginnings of a very large male. 

Average cat weight is one pound per month of age to give you a very general place to judge from. 

5) It may be that your boy got a growth spurt and she just hasn't gotten it. 

If it makes you feel better ask about it at their next vet appointment. But I would guess that unless there are symptoms of a problem and if their body shape is right the vet will say everything is fine and shes just small. If you haven't checked it out, there are charts showing what cat ideal body weight guidelines are based on body shape and you may want to check them out. I know I micro analyze my cats body shape frequently and always ask about weight and body shape at appointments. But I also know how hard it is to get cats to lose weight so I adjust their diets frequently when someone is getting a little chunky. My vet always compliments us on my cats being ideal shape and very muscled so it pays off. 

 
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