Our cat had 4 kittens - 2 males and 2 females. They are currently 10 weeks old and all doing quite well. One of the females, who we named "Scaredy Cat" because she is so skiddish and not as loving and playful as the others. She acts so weird sometimes especially compared to the others. We are worried that something might be wrong with her. She had a grub in her neck (removed by a vet & medicated) in which she got quite sick, but she should be better now.
Do cats personalities vary? We'll start to think she's sick and then she'll be playing normal and we'll cast it off until she starts acting timid and scared again. It's strange...just because the other kittens are so active and affectionate. She is definitely the smallest, the runt, of the bunch. This is our first experience with kittens - any advice or input?
2006-07-31 03:03:18 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Thank you for your responses. We have found good homes for 3 of them (to family & close friends) and we will be keeping Scaredy Cat for ourselves. They will all (including Mom) be spayed/neutered. Thanks and God Bless.
2006-07-31 03:32:38 · update #1
cats like people have individual personalities. Also your cat may do better and be more confident it the other cats weren't always around. My mom has a cat who had problems as a Kitten and was always reclusive and would hide all day, until my mom's other cat passed away then the shy cat became more affectionate and happier and just acted more cat like. Some animals do better in single pet homes.
2006-07-31 03:09:08 · answer #1 · answered by Kamunyak 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh, yes, cats definitely have personalities!! If she started out being the runt of the litter, especially, she may be having problems with the other kittens when you are not around to see what is happening. Often the larger siblings will pick on the smallest one in the litter. That may be what is happening here. She may not be getting all the food she wants or needs because the other kittens are driving her away. This type of sibling harassment will also cause her to be skittish -- ask any child that has been bullied by older/bigger family members!! Just give her as much attention and love as you can and maybe keep an eye on her when she is around the others. Hopefully she will start to catch up and hold her own soon. Good luck!!
2006-07-31 10:11:51 · answer #2 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Awww, the poor little kitten has had a rough life in only 10 weeks! She's a runt so she has had to fight for her place amongst her siblings, she's been sick, she's had a medical procedure, and had to take yucky medicine! That poor little girl. She may be a runt, but she's one tough cookie having to deal with all that at such a tender age. If she's eating, drinking, and growing she is on the road to recovery. Her personality, however, has been shaped by some misfortunes. You need to intervene and make her feel like she's the most special, super, wonder-kitten in the whole wide world. Give her tons and tons of one-on-one time. Shower her with affection. Tell her how brave and strong she is for dealing with all she's had to deal with. Tell her how proud of her you are and how proud she should be of herself. It sounds silly, but cats have massive egos and a little stroking goes a long way. You can bring her out of her shell with lots and lots of love. What you give will be returned to you 10 fold. Good luck.
2006-07-31 10:53:15 · answer #3 · answered by Alleycat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She may be the runt based on her medical concerns.
She may also be shy because she has been treated by the vet and that was probably a scary time for her. She may take longer to trust people that the other kittens who do not have that experience.
And lastly, yes, cats can differ in their temperament...but don't give up on her yet. It may be circumstances that are driving her behaviors at this point.
2006-07-31 10:09:25 · answer #4 · answered by Boilerfan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as she is eating and continuing to grow she is probably not sick. If she stops eating and doesn't seem to be doing her usual routine take her back to the vet to make sure nothing is wrong.
As a longtime cat owner I speak from experience when I say cats and kittens have very different personalities. I have two housecats and they are as different as day and night. It's been that way since they were babies. One is very affectionate and wants attention all the time. The other one would rather you admire him from a distance. Hope this helps you a bit!!
2006-07-31 10:17:53 · answer #5 · answered by Kerry S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know but you really do need to spay/neuter all of them when they get older. spay the mom to as well. but I can say this, runts are the BEST!!!! I know because I had two male/female cats from the same litter. (Tiger) was the runt and he was such a smart and loving cat. unfortunatly, I had to put him to sleep July 1 because of a misdiagnosed urinary tract disease by my vet. (Blackie) his sister whom I still have could either take you or leave you as long as she gets fed and has a nice clean litterbox. so trust me, I don't know why she's so strange but since she's the runt then she's going to be a great cat hopefully. oh, and please spay/neuter ALL of them!!!!!!!!! the overpopulation of unwanted cats/dogs in this country is outrageous.
2006-07-31 10:16:00 · answer #6 · answered by *miss lily* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kittens are like small children: they have this personality problem in the beginning, because they are too young. My advice is that you should check this with a good vet and if nothing is wrong, then don't worry...he just has his moods as we all do sometimes. Good luck :)
2006-07-31 10:39:10 · answer #7 · answered by mickurahul 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with your kitten she is just fine. they all have seperate personalitys.. I have 8 kittens .. 3 of them won't come near us at all.. and one of the other five act as if she is scared of every movement while the others sit on our laps and sleep and love up..
they need alot of love and attention., and if you don't get them right from the start the ones you don't give attention to and make them let you hold them will be wild and run free.. so pick the scardy cat up make him let you hold it. pet it scratch his head.. rub its tummy and it will come out of it.. most likely got scared at the vets office.. so just love it.. it will be fine..
2006-07-31 10:14:09 · answer #8 · answered by Sandy F 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When we got our kitten she was just like that. Shy, the runt, not even purring. We finally got her to purr and she is SO playful now. Wait.
2006-07-31 10:07:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
some cats are more outgoing than others. if you are really woried bring her into the vet
2006-07-31 10:37:15 · answer #10 · answered by macleod709 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋