We recently adopted two kittens from the same litter. However one is considerably larger than the other, and the smaller one has a crooked jaw. You can tell from looking at him that his face is assymetrical, however it wasn't until observing his weird eating habits that I decided to look at his teeth and noticed his lower jaw is skewed to the right of his upper jaw. By weird I mean while his brother eats right out of the dish, the smaller kitten drops his food on the floor and then eats it, and takes longer to chew. I gave them both a crunchy little cat treat and one had it gone in a second while the little one took forever to chew it. They are only a couple months old and were just removed from the mother so they should have been both nursing til now, but I can't help but wonder why the one with the crooked jaw is so much smaller.
2006-11-06 10:53:34 · 7 answers · asked by Peace 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
We've offered them both dry and wet food, and that's what they were offered at their previous home. I also picked up a can of 'formula' for young kittens that are weaned too early. The little guy does seem to eat more of the wet stuff, but he still does that weird thing where he drops it in front of the bowl and then eats. It could be the dish is too high for him, but it's pretty shallow. Going to make vet appt. in the am, thanks for the advice :)
2006-11-06 11:27:51 · update #1
There are bound to be dental problems in the future. Have your own vet check it.
2006-11-06 10:55:59 · answer #1 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You answered your own question. The strong survive! I would imagine the little one had to struggle the other kittens to nurse. I don't know how true it is but I've heard each kitten has it's own nipple to nurse from and when the kittens out number the nipples, it's every kitten for itself. Because this little one was smaller and more fragile, it probably didn't get as much milk as the others. Then again, the mother knowing the kitten was "inferior" could have refused to nurse by shunning the little one.
That's so great that you took the little one, just be sure to get them both to the vet for vaccines that they can continue to grow healthy and strong. You may try giving the little one canned kitten food to enable him to eat more in less time.
I hope they both grow big and strong!
2006-11-06 19:03:24 · answer #2 · answered by trusport 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think a vet should take a look at the jaw. Canned food would be easier for the kitten to eat when he has a mouth problem. Dry foo is not the right diet for kittens anyway.
2006-11-06 18:58:31 · answer #3 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like that could be a potential problem. Was he born that way or did he have an accident? take him to the vet and let the vet see him eat.
the only problem I can think of is he might be underweight. he might get tired of eating all the time for the little food he gets in the end and give up when his stomach is half full. does he eat wet food better?
2006-11-06 19:04:51 · answer #4 · answered by sm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, a maladjusted jaw will cause problems. Especially stomach problems because the food is not chewed properly!!! Be sure to get Cat Food that is easy to chew and swallow, not to mention, digest for this Kitten. I'm so happy you care, I'm sure he will be just fine, just take a little longer to do what the others take for granted.
2006-11-06 19:05:45 · answer #5 · answered by AdamKadmon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I can't really say I think you should take it to the vets and perhaps he/she's the runt of the litter.
2006-11-06 18:58:38 · answer #6 · answered by Mutt-lover 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. it will make it hard to eat witch will cause health problems! i would have it checked by a vet.. some times the can fix this! hate for the poor thing to starve to death b/c of it! lots of luck!:) and thanks for adopting!!!!!!!!!!! every little bite helps save a life!!!
2006-11-06 19:02:12 · answer #7 · answered by rblankenship_rblankenship 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋