Daily Kitten Chat Forum » General Chat

1. 

   My kitten is about 10 weeks old now, and we adopted her from a shelter when she was 8 weeks. She's a feral kitten, and is very well taken care of. In my home she has plenty of toys to play with, enjoys jumping around on my furniture, etc... She has always been a friendly/playful kitten, and anytime that I call her name she'll come to me and meow. She also purrs very loudly when I pet her behind the ears or on the belly.

   Today I noticed a very odd behavior in her, and it only happened in the afternoon. She went into hiding... I guess is the best I can describe it, and when I lured her out with some treats, she seemed to approach almost with caution. Usually she jumps at the opportunity to get a treat. When she did finally get to me, she seemed like she wanted the treats but wouldn't eat them out of my hand like she always did.

   Later at night I picked her up while sitting on the couch, and started to rub her belly like I always do which usually either makes her sleepy or start purring, and instead she let out a VERY odd sound. It wasn't a meow, and was more like a noise I've read described as "trilling?" When she did meow, it was very soft, almost like she was afraid to. She also refused to be held, and would leap out of my hands, but then immediately look up at me as if she wanted me to play with her. Even now, when she would normally follow me into my room to sleep on my bed, instead she's hiding underneath my dinner table :(

   I'm very worried because I had a kitten some time ago, and one day when I wasn't paying attention she hurt herself and long story short I ended up having to put her down which broke my heart very badly. I recently got the strength again to have another pet and I'm very worried that something may be wrong with her. Unfortunately I'm not in the greatest place financially to rush her to a vet, and was simply wondering if anyone could offer any insight as to what may be going on.

   Another thing is that my g/f bought her some little mice that have catnip in them. I'm wondering if that has something to do with it? She also hasn't been spayed yet, so another question is whether she's simply in heat at an early age? I have another kitten who's very young, 4 weeks old, and is a male. So I don't know if maybe it's simply a behavior towards him? It's just very strange to see her acting this way and I'm sure that I'm over-reacting, but I just want to make sure she's OK.

   Any help/advice would be very much appreciated!

   Posted 3 years ago by nlafakis #

2. 

   NLAFAKIS, sorry I don't know what could be going on with you kitten, others with a lot more knowledge should be on in the a.m. hours. She may have gotten scared by something and that is why she is being cautious with her approaches....cats can get spooked by a lot of different things, so one never knows...just be patient with her. As for the catnip, surprised that she would pay attention to it so soon, normally kittens that young catnip doesn't affect them until they are a bit older. Wish I could help you more, sigh.

   Posted 3 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

3. 

   I don't think she's on heat yet. Search her (gently) for bite and scratch marks and fractures. This may also be a part of growing up: your little girl is not a baby any more and as an independent teenager needs more privacy.

   These are only random guesses, others may come up with better suggestions.

   Posted 3 years ago by miu #

4. 

   Nlafakis, what you've described so far appears to be fairly normal 10-week-old kitten behavior, to me. I don't think she's going into heat; that can occur around 20 weeks of age (5 months), though, so keep track on your calendar!

   First, do what you can to verify that she's in good health. Check that she's eating and drinking normally, eliminating normally, and that she doesn't appear sick (lethargic, sleeping more) or injured (sensitive, tender, warm spot on body).

   You mentioned also having a 4-week-old kitten. Do these kittens play with one another? Are you away during the day, with the kittens loose in the house? Kittens can get into a remarkable amount of things while you're gone.

   Your kitten's gone through a lot, in her short life. She was feral (presumably with mother cat and littermates), and came from the great outdoors to the shelter; a big adjustment! Then from the shelter to your home; another big adjustment.

   It may be that she's finally exhibiting some behavior that reflects a lower level of anxiety and greater trust in you (the 'trilling' and wanting to play).

   Kittens her age show a great mix of behaviors. Remember, as little feral things, at that age they're both predator and prey. So while they're practicing their best "mighty hunter" skills, they're also easily startled and frightened by other things, like a sudden attempt to pick them up from ground level. (No self-respecting feral cat much likes any of their feet dangling; they need those feet braced against something for the flight response.)

   She may have been startled by something, which would explain some of the more fearful behavior. Kittens at this age are very quick learners, and sometimes it takes only one exposure to something scary to make a deep impression.

   Continue making sure life is fairly routine, the home is kitten-proofed, and that your interaction with her is consistent and predictable. I'm sure things will turn around. She's already make REMARKABLE progress, for having been a feral kitten!

   Good luck!

   Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

5. 

   anncetera2,

   Thank you for your response, and others as well, but yours was a bit more in depth and what I was looking for. She is eating normally, and going to the bathroom normally, so there's nothing amiss there. She also doesn't have any tender spots on her so I'm sure she hasn't injured herself.

   The two kittens do stay home alone for about 7 hours a day, but the 4week old has his own little "pen" so to speak and is separated from the 4 month old.

   I'll do my best to not worry about her I guess. I mean other than her not being as friendly lately, she's still running around, pouncing around, etc... So I'm sure like you say that it's just a behavior shift and will have a return to normalcy soon.

   Posted 3 years ago by nlafakis #

6. 

   How does she treat the 4 week old? It could be she just wants to 'mother' him. Some cats have really strong maternal instincts. My Cheetah Boy is, as his name implies, male (neutered), but he has always insisted on mothering any kitten he comes near, even when he was quite young.

   Posted 3 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

7. 

   Well today Sasha, the 10wk old, has been acting much better. Buster, the 5wk old, is now out and about in my apt exploring and Sasha simply follows him around. She's acting much more normal though, letting me pet her, purring, etc... I think she's just getting used to Buster being around, she hissed a few times at first, then started pouncing on him and stuff, but now she just kind of studies him. So I'm hoping that they're going to get along well with one another, and she can look after him. I'm still a bit iffy about leaving Buster home alone tomorrow, but I don't have much of a choice.

   Posted 3 years ago by nlafakis #

8. 

   Nlafakis, it's also true that once kittens reach the stage where they'd be out wandering around with their mama, learning how to hunt, they get a bit more curious and exploratory, while becoming less clingy.

   Luckily, this trend can reverse itself somewhat between 6 months and 12 months of age. The worst of the 'teen years' pass, and kitties sometimes settle down a bit. Sweet Pea has just gone through this transition, at 8 1/2 months of age. She was skittery and spooky for a while there, but now she seems to remember that it's nice to get petted when she comes and sits on my lap. (She now makes biscuits, trills a little, and will fall asleep on me.)

   Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

9. 

   I think she's fine-the kitten might have spooked her.

   Posted 3 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #

10. 

    Pay some extra attention to Sascha and it will clear up. The kitten's presence has put her nose out of joint a bit, and she just needs some more cuddle time. The "trilling" is the tip-off!

    Posted 3 years ago by Emma #

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