Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   Hi,

   Brand new to the site. Tried posting once but didn't get any responses, so I'm trying a second time, hoping that with some pictures, I can spur some getting some answers to our questions. Our cat of 19 years passed away a few months ago and after a period of mourning, we have just adopted two new kittens (one for each of my daughters, ages 8 and 5). The kittens are from the same litter and one is male (Tiger) and one is female (Fluffy). The animal hospital was not sure of their exact birthdate, but estimate them to about 8 weeks old now.

   Here are the pictures:

   http://i28.tinypic.com/2mfzvy9.jpg

   http://i25.tinypic.com/2gumo12.jpg

   http://i31.tinypic.com/23j4exf.jpg

   http://i30.tinypic.com/2rwvktl.jpg

   They have both been using the litter boxes (we set up two litterboxes next to each other) almost all the time, but we have had a couple of incidents and we can't tell if they are just accidents or if there are bigger systemic litterbox issues. They both go poop in the litterboxes pretty much all the time, although we have found a couple of poops on the side of the litter box (even when the litterbox is completely clean, we clean them really often), although the poop was on top of a small amount litter that had gotten outside the box. We don't know which kitten has done that. By the way, we haven't given them full access to the house yet, so they have been primarily in two rooms, so it's an area that isn't too large.

   Fluffy has a been doing her poop in the litterbox, but has been peeing outside the litterbox on occasion. We saw her pee on a doormat that was in the room and also on the linoleum floor and also on the wall-to-wall carpet in the adjoining room. Tiger has been better about the litterbox but we also witnessed once where he went pee in a spot where Fluffy had gone earlier, even though we cleaned it thoroughly (including odor remover). How can we correct or train these litterbox issues? I know cats also can get urinary tract infections which impact their litterbox habits, but we've found nothing wrong so far.

   The second item is that Tiger is drastically smaller than Fluffy (we've had them both for about 2 weeks). Maybe he's just the runt of the litter, but he eats substantially less and is also much less active and much more lethargic. We've tested him and he came up negative for worms or parasites. Should we be concerned that he's so small? We took him to the vet last week, but we didn't bring Fluffy so the vet didn't see the size difference. He was at 7 weeks last week and weighed only 1 pound. Seems like Fluffy is already pushing 2 pounds.
   2bpurring gave some thoughts around why Tiger might be smaller, but why is he also turning more lethargic?

   Thanks so much for any insight.

   Posted 2 years ago by Tom #

2. 

   Adorable babies! What are you feeding them? (dry or wet food) Do they have trouble especially Tiger, getting into the litter box? I wouldn't necessarily put the two boxes together, but put one closer to the area where they've had accidents would be my two cents. My Molly had an accident when she was playing too hard, and couldn't make it back to her box in time. Good luck!

   Posted 2 years ago by paulajeanne #

3. 

   Darling baby kits!

   Posted 2 years ago by jeankit #

4. 

   I'm sorry that I wasn't able to help with the lethargic question, I do not have any real knowledge in this area. Other than a vet visit I can't offer much advise. I can say one thing....OMG they are just adorable!!!!!!

   Posted 2 years ago by 2bpurring #

5. 

   bump

   Posted 2 years ago by 2bpurring #

6. 

   The kitts are SOOOOOOOO adorable!!! On the peeing thing.....have they been checked for worms? I wish you the best of luck, Tom, and hope to see you keep posting in the future!!

   Posted 2 years ago by katthays #

7. 

   Perhaps Fluffy looks larger than Tiger with all of that fluffy coat. Perhaps you can feed them seperately to ensure that Fluffy isn't hogging all of the food and pushing Tiger out of the way. Try moving the one of the litter boxes to the place that they both peed. Vinegar is good for repelling cats from urinating in the same place. Good Luck and the kits are so cute!

   Posted 2 years ago by tinafishfrombirthplaceofElvis #

8. 

   Those are some seriously cute kittens.

   Even though they are from the same litter, they may not have the same father. That could contribute to the fact that they are different sizes. If the vet isn't too concerned about Tiger's size, you probably don't need to worry. However, as a new parent, you are entitled to make as many phone calls to the vet as you need to make.

   If the 'accidents' are occasional, I would agree that it may just be a matter of playing too long and not getting to the box on time. Also, if they were taken away from mama cat too soon, they probably didn't get as much training as she would have given them.

   Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

9. 

   How cute! The one looks like part Maine Coon---that would be why she is larger. Use unscented clay litter (NOT CLUMPING until they are older). Put the poop in the box so they get the idea--don't remove it so fast. Perhaps there is an old smell they are being attracted to---after treating the spot put the food dish over it, they won't pee where they eat. I don't remember seeing a previous post from you though, I am sure you would have gotten an answer. Keep us posted-we care!

   Posted 2 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #

10. 

    Thanks to everyone for their advice. We did have Tiger checked for worms and it came out negative. We don't use a scented or clumping litter. We feed them mostly wet food for now and we feed them separately (Tiger gets his food on a table so that Fluffy can't eat his food when she's done with hers as she eats so much faster than he does).

    They are both part Maine Coon (and both have a pretty pronounced "M" on their forehead, although you can see Fluffy's a little better)according to the shelter/hospital where we got them.

    I'll give the vinegar a try and see if that helps. There seems like one particular spot outside the litter box now where they both like to pee (on an area of carpet).

    Thanks again for all the thoughts and advice.

    Posted 2 years ago by Tom #

11. 

    Here's My thoughts.

    Litterbox, could be poop kicked out of the box while vigerously covering, or maybe they are sitting too close to the edge and it is causign the poop outside so to fix that is simple high sided boxes you can get some from Petco that has 3 high sides very large so they can grow into them and a lower front to allow easy access. My babies are full mainecoon and my Max does that sometimes the kicking poop out so i got the high sided one and no problems since. Also if they are part Mainecoon they could get pretty hefty and need a large box so instead of a small kittne box I recommed the adult box you think they will grown into.

    As for pottying outside the box, confine them to a smaller area! I'd recommend closing off the wall to wall carpet room. Way easier to clean up tile or linoluem then carpet. If that doesn't work perhaps look into a playpen.
    http://www.midwesthomes4pets.com/category/default.aspx?maincatid=14&subcat=2&submenu=0&catid=15

    I have this one and both my babies have been through it and are still using it as a window perch whether inside on the shelves or on top.

    Posted 2 years ago by Momma to 2 MaineCoons #

12. 

    Oh forgot! My baby boy came to me at 8 weeks weighing in at 2.6 pounds so did my girl. they are about a year apart. He gained about a pound a month. Not my baby Mack truck. She has been steadily increasing to were she is now at her last visit 6.2 pounds. She was born April 4th and it is now Augudt 18th so we are lookign at about 4 and 1/2 months almost 5. Coonies can be quite large as babies. SO if they are part Coonie she might be displaying more of that part where as he is more the doemestic side. Domestics tend to be smaller and cobbier of body while coonies tend to be longer and what some call rectangular in body long and lean but skinny but also not fat. Time will tell.

    As for Tiger's non activity. I wish I knew. That i'm afraid the vet will ahve to figure out. My one question if no parasites might have some other things tested like urine poop and blood. he might have an internal disease liek giardia or like my baby boy he might jsut be anemic one never knows until the testing tell ya whats what!

    Posted 2 years ago by Momma to 2 MaineCoons #

13. 

    Thanks for the advice on the vinegar, TinafishfrombirthplaceofElvis. The kittens really hate the smell of it, especially Fluffy and it will hopefully keep them away from the corner of the carpeted room where they have peed. The vinegar smell seems to go away relatively quickly, so we're going to have to ascertain how often to reapply (hopefully not continuously forever!)before the kittens stop peeing there.

    Posted 2 years ago by Tom #

14. 

    Tom, you should start a catster page for these cuties... You can click on my avatar and meet my furry family.

    Posted 2 years ago by 2bpurring #

15. 

    Hey tom, I'm glad the vinegar is working!

    Posted 2 years ago by tinafishfrombirthplaceofElvis #

16. 

    I also would put the litter boxes apart, and try to cover the area they like to pee on with one of the boxes. If the vet is not coming up with any reason for Tiger's lethargy, then just wait and see. I suppose kittens are like human babies - each one has his own character and body type, and activity levels vary. I remember when my miso first came to us she was so thankful to be in a safe and loving environment that she just luxuriated in it, not moving a whole lot until she became an adolescent, then it was games and more games! I would feed babies wet food - it is a sure way of giving them enough moisture. In fact I'm not an advocate of dry food at all, except for the odd treat... Good luck, and welcome to TDK!

    Posted 2 years ago by eleniki #

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