New Kitten won't play and lies around all of the time
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justlilomee
New Kitten won't play and lies around all of the time
We rescued an adorable fluffball Saturday night.An 8 week old female ,black long haired kitty! Anyway,we took her in,put her in our spare bathroom with food,litter box water etc.she isnt scared of us at all,but it worries me because she doesnt play and lies around all of the time.We took her the vet for a check up and she does have roundworms,which she is being treated for.She got her first series of shots and an antibiotic,and Doc says she looks fine.She is a very picky eater,doesnt like most of the cat food I've given her,she prefers turkey,chicken etc.Im worried about her because she is so inactive.If I put her on my bed,she snuggles up to me,and purrs all of the time,but I'm used to kittens being very playful.if I put her down in my room,she immediately hides under my dresser.Is this normal behavoir because she isstill getting adjusted??? I am really worried about her,sorry this is so long! Thanks
Re: New Kitten won't play and lies around all of the time
It could be a combination of stress and adjustment, but there could also be something else going on. What were the antibiotics prescribed for? When were the vaccinations given? (if within last three days, she could be feeling sore and blah)
As for her diet, since she is only 8 weeks old, you might try feeding her Iams canned kitten food. Her teeth might be sensitive at this time in which canned might be better for her. But, if she develops diarrhea or soft stools on canned, gradually introduce a dry kitten food for her (Iams). She could also be alittle malnourished and dehydrated if all she is eating is chicken, turkey etc, she needs vital nutrients and minerals from an optimal kitten food.
If she is underweight at all, I would get her rechecked by your vet...at this stage in her life, she should be gaining weight, playful, active. Express your concerns to your vet so you can ensure that health problems are not developing.
As for her diet, since she is only 8 weeks old, you might try feeding her Iams canned kitten food. Her teeth might be sensitive at this time in which canned might be better for her. But, if she develops diarrhea or soft stools on canned, gradually introduce a dry kitten food for her (Iams). She could also be alittle malnourished and dehydrated if all she is eating is chicken, turkey etc, she needs vital nutrients and minerals from an optimal kitten food.
If she is underweight at all, I would get her rechecked by your vet...at this stage in her life, she should be gaining weight, playful, active. Express your concerns to your vet so you can ensure that health problems are not developing.
..........Traci
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justlilomee
Re: New Kitten won't play and lies around all of the time
Thanks Traci! The antibiotics he gave were just for a precaution since we know nothing about her,where she came from,where she has been etc.
she just got the shots yesterday and she has acted like this the whole time we have had her(4 days now) I was hoping to hear this might just be her needing to adjust,but I'm still worried.We told the vet that she doesnt eat alot,she just eats a little at a time,and he said that was normal,I've tried her on regular kitten chow,some canned food for kittens and she will eat a very small amount of it,she ate alot better when we first got her ,probably because she was starving
She doesnt feel that thin under all her fur and he said she looked fine so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that he is right! This site is wonderful! Thank you for having a plce to get kitty help when needed!
she just got the shots yesterday and she has acted like this the whole time we have had her(4 days now) I was hoping to hear this might just be her needing to adjust,but I'm still worried.We told the vet that she doesnt eat alot,she just eats a little at a time,and he said that was normal,I've tried her on regular kitten chow,some canned food for kittens and she will eat a very small amount of it,she ate alot better when we first got her ,probably because she was starving
She doesnt feel that thin under all her fur and he said she looked fine so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that he is right! This site is wonderful! Thank you for having a plce to get kitty help when needed!Re: New Kitten won't play and lies around all of the time
Well, I would at least opt to get a fecal exam done for her to rule out potentials like coccidia, giardia, salmonella, despite her being dewormed already.
You might also get her rechecked and check her oral health, it's reaching, but she could have a broken tooth, etc.
It would be sort of normal for her to not eat much during the first day or two of adjusting to her new environment due to stress or fear, but it is not normal for a healthy adjusted kitten. Kittens are energetic and rambunctious, expending their energy all day, they should be free-fed as they tend to eat several times a day. (growth and development, they need those vital nutrients from a good kitten food)
One thing you can try is KMR kitten formula...pour it over her canned Iams and see if she will take to it. If she likes it really well, chances are she is simply not used to kitten food (i.e., her prior outdoor environment), and you could treat this as if weaning her, slowly introducing kitten food to her. There's nothing wrong with supplementing her with kitten formula when introducing new foods for kittens. (plus, she could probably use the extra nutrients)
I wouldn't overlook this past another day....she should be more interested in food and water at this point. If you have other pets by chance, allow her a seperate area so she doesn't feel scared or intimidated into not eating, etc.
You might also get her rechecked and check her oral health, it's reaching, but she could have a broken tooth, etc.
It would be sort of normal for her to not eat much during the first day or two of adjusting to her new environment due to stress or fear, but it is not normal for a healthy adjusted kitten. Kittens are energetic and rambunctious, expending their energy all day, they should be free-fed as they tend to eat several times a day. (growth and development, they need those vital nutrients from a good kitten food)
One thing you can try is KMR kitten formula...pour it over her canned Iams and see if she will take to it. If she likes it really well, chances are she is simply not used to kitten food (i.e., her prior outdoor environment), and you could treat this as if weaning her, slowly introducing kitten food to her. There's nothing wrong with supplementing her with kitten formula when introducing new foods for kittens. (plus, she could probably use the extra nutrients)
I wouldn't overlook this past another day....she should be more interested in food and water at this point. If you have other pets by chance, allow her a seperate area so she doesn't feel scared or intimidated into not eating, etc.
..........Traci