My Kitten Doesn't Play, What's Wrong?

Question

I adopted a kitten. She is precious. BUT...
1. She runs when you put a string out or ring a bell. She is afraid of toys. She is not playful at all and acts like she is 5 years old.
2. She sleeps a lot. That's all she does.
3. She is more than a lap cat. Everytime she is on the ground, she jumps in our laps and climbs and sits on our shoulders. She doesn't want to play or do anything bu curl up on us and sleep.
4. She has been with us for 3 days. She didn't eat at all on day two. She finally ate this evening.
5. Do you think that she was abused with toys?
6. Is it normal for a kitten to want to be held or to sit on you all the time? I always thought kittens like to play.
7. She doesn't play to be 2 months old. Isn't that strange to not have a playful kitty?

I can take her to the vet, but it's icing and snowing outside. And I am wondering if I should return her & get a new cat.

Help because I love her but don't want a sick cat either.

She seems healthy but just doesn't play, sleeps a lot, and wants to just sit in our lap. I really want her to be playful if possible. She is only 2 months old and doesn't like laser lights, strings, feathers, fingers under legs, catnip, balls, et.

If your answer is an INSULT then don't bother to answer. If I could get out and take her to a vet, then I would. The adoption agency is a VET, people. And my daughter is TERMINALLY ILL and I got her a kitten to make her happy. But she has seen so much DEATH, I do not want a kitten that will die in two weeks. My daughter can't handle that. So my daughter's feelings or the kittens...I am SELFISH, so be it.
My concern is if this kitten is sick or dying and if I could take her in the snow and somehow take my sick child with me, then I would...
DOn't judge me...answer the question about the kitten and don't be such smart-azzes

Answer 1

Pixel, two month old kittens sleep a lot. If this is just the third day you have her, she is not feeling really at home yet. She is cuddling up to you for two reasons...she likes the warm feeling and she is trying to bond with you as her new family. That's mostly what little kittens do...cuddle up and sleep.

The reason she didn't eat very much the first day or so may be because it was different food than she was used to having or just that she was feeling very frightened...like when you have a knot in your stomach.

She will want to play a lot in a week or so. Maybe more than you would like, but you will have to play with her then. Right now, she really just wants to be loved and be able to feel like she still has a Mommy to snuggle up to.

She will have to go to the vet for a check up and shots, but if she doesn't have bad diarrhea, her nose and eyes aren't running and she isn't sneezing, then she is fine for now. No need for an emergency trip to the vet. Just love her and cuddle her and she will be fine.

Answer 2

First off, I suggest that you get a book on taking care of a kitten because it sounds like you may be a first time owner? A great read is the 2006 issue of Kittens USA (magazine) especially since it's all about bringing home your new kitten and the process you should go through.

If she's only been with you for 3 days, she's still adjusting. When I got my 2nd kitty, she hid under the bed for 5 days, not really eating, drinking, or using the litterbox! Didn't come out and ran all the time. Very skiddish. She's still a little skiddish 4 months later, but she's getting better.

She's probably scared of the toys because she doesn't really know what's going on. Don't rush her trying to force her to play with any toys. In due time, she will get used to her surroundings and will probably come out and play. Also, she is 2 months old...still young. She likes to cuddle because she wants affection. When was she taken away from her mother? Maybe she was taken away too early?

Please don't give her back yet. You don't know what she is really like yet. Also, were you able to play with her when you went to get her? You should pick out a kitty that has somewhat of the same personality as your lifestyle. It could just be that she has a mellow personality. If you had a kid that didn't turn out the way you wanted, would you ask to return him/her? You made a commitment to your kitten and hopefully you will just have patience and not give up on her. I'm sure she'd like a forever home with you,

Good luck!

Answer 3

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That is a good way to exercise his hunting and predatory behavior so I'd say it's just fine. Kittens love to play games and enjoy to play rough. Just make sure you don't go easy on him and always allow him to *win* his battle. After the game, reward him a little and tell him what a great hunter he is. And no, you are not mean at all. In fact, you are helping him build self confidence. It's much better than playing with him with bare hands in which he will develop a habit of biting and sneak attacks. After each play fight sessions, store the stuff animal away from his sight so the game will seems fresh to him the next time you play. You can also use th toy to play hide and seek instead of an all out war all the time. Pick up the stuff toy, hide behind the furniture, and gently show the toy to him by peeking it behind the furniture. Call his name to grab his attention and move the toy. Quickly shield the toy back behind the furniture. You will see that he will get absolutely excited and will couch low and carefully propositioning his hind legs for an attack! It's really one of the best games to play with your cat. Have fun!

Answer 4

You say you don't want a sick cat, but how are you going to know if she's sick without going to the vet?
You should always take a new kitten (and any pet, really) to the vet first thing, to get them registered and make sure they're healthy. So go to the vets, if it was you being sick, would you stay home because it's cold outside? Having a pet means having a responsibility. You can call some vets out to visit.

If she is an only kitten in a new home she will feel lonely, sad and scared. Imagine this, you are a tiny creature, all alone after being split from your mother and siblings, being handled by apparently friendly, but intimidating gigantic strangers. Wouldn't you try to make them your friends by showing how nice you are, before showing how fast you can run after a piece of string? You should seriously think about getting her another kitten friend: kittens alone are too scared to play.

IF you just got her she is still getting to know you.
Before she's going to play with you she has to bond, and know you're her new "mum". She sounds so loving towards you, always on you, I'd be in love with her, poor sweetie! In time she will play. I bet she can feel you don't really like her, but she doesn't know why: that's why she is being extra affectionate towards you. Maybe once she played wildly and was scolded.

If you get her a mate, and I think it'd be best, be careful with introductions, don't just bang them together, put the new kitten in a saparate room first and get the other to smell your clothes after you handled her. You should introduce them over a week or two.
Once they make friends, you'll see what playing means! They will play with you for hours, and sleep in between.

Also, she might have never seen a toy before, maybe the people you got her from never bought her one and she will need time to learn what they are and what they are for. Be patient, sweet and reassuring, three days aren't a lot of time, she is a living being and doesn't come with an "ON" switch.

Answer 5

1. She might have been abused. If she is very young, she should get over this. Don't push or throw the toys at her. Set them on the ground, let her know it's ok. She should get over it.
2. If she's a baby, she will definetely sleep a lot, that's what they do!
3. My cat acts that way. She always wants on my shoulder. I'm ok with it, but if you aren't, just gently pick her up and put her down. Teach her it's not ok.
4. If she continues not to eat, I would take her to the vet.
5. Yes, she might have been abused with toys.
6. Some kittens do play more than others, she should come around. Kittens are sleepy things too.
7. If she is very lethargic (not doing ANYTHING but sleeping), I would take her to the vet, she might be sick and it might be something that just requires something simple. But sleeping some is normal.

Answer 6

Our Experience:
My cat Sunshine passed after 21 years with us, we got her as a kitten. My daughter adopted a 3 wk old and her mother 1 month ago. Both cats behaved the same as yours.

At first, the kitten was afraid even with her mother around. Kittens are afraid of all kinds of things: toys, their shadow, a hand coming at them, sudden noise, a ball on a string. They are like human babies, they are learning.
All cats are afraid of sudden noise, something to do with the structure of the inner ear.

Now she's very playful, but still afraid of her shadow and some strangers.

The kitten also slept a lot, she still falls asleep in the middle of playing. She likes being held and she climbs onto our faces (when we lie down) and perches there.

Your Situation:
As soon as she feels safe with you she will jump onto you a lot or if there is another cat in the house, you will notice her lying close to it a lot.
But if there is none, then she'll think you are a big cat and she will climb into your lap and nestle. She wants to feel your warmth. That's their bonding mechanism at work.


Do not force her to play if she doesn't want to - that's abusive even if it's not rough housing - she'll run away and hide or cringe whenever she sees you coming.

If she continues to be extremely quiet and lethargic for about one week or so, take her to the vet.

Good luck - keep us informed.

Answer 7

Cats sleep a lot. That's normal.

Kittens, when awake, like to play but only gentle games till they feel comfortable for the more serious work. Does she groom her fur ?

2 months is (too) young for being away from the mother.

Make sure her diet and care is adapted to her very young age. Kittens are in general considered ready to go to new homes at about 12 weeks old (the recommended minimum age by Fédération Internationale Féline).

New cats always need a trip to the vet,get it done as soon as possible, worse case let a neighbor take care of the trip to the vet.

Answer 8

Kitten Not Playing

Answer 9

Could be that she needs time to get use to her new home when i first got my kittens they didnt wanna play for the first week didnt eat for the first few days remember its a bug deal for a kitten to go to a new home where it doesnt know anyone,give her time let her settle & im sure in a few weeks shell be running about like a nutter but if she shows signs of being ill get her to the vet as soon as cos kittens can go down hill very fast but otherwise enjoy her

Answer 10

Most cats are afraid of anything strange to them - until they realize that these things are no threat. Most likely, your kitten is a STRANGER to cat toys and so will be very suspicious of them - especially the ones that make noise (bells, crinkly stuff, etc.). Just let your kitty take in his environment and become comfortable in it at his own pace. I do not think he is sick at all. He's just in the process of adjusting to the new surroundings and strange new things. Once he necomes comfrtable and secure in his surroundings, he'll begin to play.

My cats always stop playing when we move to a new place. They hide and sleep all the time. After about 2 weeks, they come out of their shell. I know that they feel comfy and secure in a new place once they begin playing. So, give your kitty time. Pet him and hug him and just let him sleep in your lap whenever he wants - he is seeking reassurance.