A cat that didn't develop "warmth"?

mrandmrsbrummet · Nov 17, 2005

For the last almost 2 months my husband and I have been the proud owners of two kittens. We were by chance at the spca when someone brought them in and they were going to be put down because they were under two pounds. They were tiny, and obviously malnurished but have thrived under our care. One thing has been bothering me though.
"Hugo" is the obvious runt. He is very tiny compared to his brother Snowball. Snowball sleeps on TOP of his brother, and at night Hugo sleeps either under my legs or under one of my other cats.
Is it possible that Hugo (being the runt) doesnt have as much warmth as the other cat? Has anyone heard of anything like this? He seems to crave warmth much more than any other cat we own, and the other cats sense this, and protect him.

What is going on?

coaster · Nov 17, 2005

Not sure what you're asking. Hugo must have normal body temperature, or he'd die. But if he's small, he'll feel more comfortable when it's cold if he's snuggled with another heat source: another cat or you. I don't think it's anything to be worried about.

mikenealis · Nov 17, 2005

Jameson is by no means tiny, and he still curls up behind my knees when I go to bed. He's been doing it almost since I got him. All I can say is, if you're concerned, ask your vet.

gia_c · Nov 17, 2005

maybe get him a kitty sweater? lol..hmm..
maybe its just his thing..my friend is always cold, where as me..not always 'freezing' but who knows? i dont know if animals are different with that sort of thing.if he isnt shivering..then i dont think there would be too much to worry about?

yosemite · Nov 17, 2005

Mika is tiny but doesn't seem to like the warmth that Bijou likes. Bijou loves going outside even when it's cool, but at night he likes to sleep up under by chin and I cover him with the blankets up to his front paws and he sleeps like that for the night (I think he does as I'm a deep sleeper and wouldn't know if he left for a bit, but he is there in the morning so I'm assuming he stays all night).

Mika on the other hand prefers to sleep tucked into the back of Jennifer's legs and on cooler days in the house when the air conditioning was one, I would cover her with a little light blanket we have for her and she would get up and lay on top of it so I guess she doesn't feel the cold that much.

jennyr · Nov 17, 2005

My two boys, both starving sick street cats when they arrived on my steps, have different attitudes to warmth. Napoleon is much smaller than his brother Wellington, and also thinner and more susceptible to problems. He loves to spend a lot of time lying on a radiator, jumping down to play sometimes, but obviously wanting warmth. He is also the one who is first to crawl under my duvet at night. So it may be to do with them being thinner and not having hte extra layer to keep them warm, especially now that hte weather is colder.

horatio · Nov 18, 2005

Originally Posted by mrandmrsbrummet

For the last almost 2 months my husband and I have been the proud owners of two kittens. We were by chance at the spca when someone brought them in and they were going to be put down because they were under two pounds. They were tiny, and obviously malnurished but have thrived under our care. One thing has been bothering me though.
"Hugo" is the obvious runt. He is very tiny compared to his brother Snowball. Snowball sleeps on TOP of his brother, and at night Hugo sleeps either under my legs or under one of my other cats.
Is it possible that Hugo (being the runt) doesnt have as much warmth as the other cat? Has anyone heard of anything like this? He seems to crave warmth much more than any other cat we own, and the other cats sense this, and protect him.

What is going on?

hmmm... i dun think Hugo did not hv enough 'warmth' or something but I think Hugo shows affection by showing he needs physical contacts with humans / cats. My Casper always go under my blanket and park his body to mine when we sleeps n he is the only one doing that. He is currently 3 years old plus. I guessed he juz wanna feel safe when touching someone or other cats when he sleeps.... no worries on that part...

ashleynicole · Nov 18, 2005

Has Hugo gained some weight since you got him? I know that when I got Marlee she was like your kittens, very tiny, no fat, you could feel all her little vertebrae. At that time she always had to be on top of me, beside me, etc. or covered with a blanket to be comfortable. She would sleep under the covers with me at night. After a few weeks when she started to gain some weight and get some meat on her, she quit sleeping under the covers and needing blankets. She still cuddles all the time, but no longer needs extra heat from me or blankies!

crittermom · Nov 18, 2005

First off, I LOVE your saying at the end of your posts about the Indian Ledgend

As for the kitten, I think they are like humans and crave the closeness more so than the warmth.I would think that your kitten feels so much safer being close to you. You are his security.He came from a life of starvation and no warmth to yours of food and shelter and LOTS of love

momofmany · Nov 18, 2005

That's an interesting question. Body fat does keep you warm, so if little Hugo doesn't have a lot of fat, it could be that he is colder. Is it just small framed or small in weight for his frame?

On the other hand, I have normal to slightly overweight cats that do what Hugo does. Some cats are just more snuggly than others.

Sounds like you have a great pair of kittens on your hands!

A cat that didn't develop "warmth"?

mrandmrsbrummet

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coaster

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mikenealis

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gia_c

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yosemite

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jennyr

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horatio

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ashleynicole

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crittermom

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momofmany

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