We've had our 13 wk. old kitten for 6 weeks now and she's allways been the sweetest, most loving kitty until this afternoon. Every since we came home today she's been very jumpy and scared and doesn't want to be held very much. Her personality is just 100% different and we're very worried. I've seen her eat and drink today and I think she's using the litter box. We also have her 13 wk. sister who seems to be fine. We just want our happy little Sophie back! Any ideas would be greatly appriciated.
2007-09-01 14:52:14 · 6 answers · asked by cheryl w 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
To everyone that responded thank you. As long as she doesn't show any other signs of illness or pain we'll just give her a couple of days to chill out and relax. If she's not any better after the holiday weekend we'll take her into the Vet. One thing we did think of after my first posting was that there was an airshow this weekend. VERY loud jets off and on today. That definatly could of spooked her although I never thought that a kitty could stay scared that long. Anyways thanks again and if you have any other ideas for us, that would be awesome.
2007-09-01 17:01:35 · update #1
An abrupt change in behavior can signal illness or an injury, however in a kitten it can also be nothing. I would just adopt a wait and see attitude, perhaps something frightened her. Since she is eating, drinking and pooping, she's probably going to be okay. If she doesn't start acting normal in the next two or three days, or stops eating, drinking or pooping, take her to the vet.
Long held veterinarian wisdom: If you can eat and poop, you're probably going to be okay.
2007-09-01 15:09:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like either something frightened her badly while you were gone, or she frightened herself.
Was anyone at home while you were gone? IF so, I'd talk to that person and see if they have an explanation of the kitten's sudden change of behavior.
If no one was home, see if you can find any evidence that she got into something. For instance, is anything knocked over? Could the kitten have fallen into a fish tank? Could she have gotten an electric shock somehow -- by chewing a cord, by pawing at a plug that isn't all the way into an outlet, or (again) by falling into a fish tank or sitting on top of it trying to catch a fish, and getting a shock from the light hood.
(That last one happens more often than you'd think -- water splashes up onto the light tube and its socket and when it evaporates it leaves a mineral deposit behind that can cause a short circuit. One of my grandkids received an electric from shock from leaning over an aquarium with his hand on the light hood, and sticking his hand in the water.)
Whatever the cause, if your kitten only received a scare, she should calm down and be more herself within a day or so. Just talk to her calmly and don't insist on following her around or holding her. Her sister, who is acting normal, will also be a calming influence.
Once she does return to her normal personality, you may be able to figure out what scared her by observing what (or whom) she is leery of and tries to avoid.
If you suspect that someone hurt or terrorized your kitten (this is more than a reaction to a little scare) take it seriously. A person who would abuse a kitten will work up to doing far worse.
2007-09-01 15:11:51 · answer #2 · answered by Kayty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She could have gotten her foot caught in the drapes or something and it hurts, which will spook her for a while.
See how she is tomorrow, don't make a fuss over her, let her calm down. She sounds like she's had a fright. If she's eating and drinking and uses the box ok, then it's a 'wait and see' for 24 hours.
2007-09-01 14:58:34 · answer #3 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good for you for noticing that something is wrong. Best to get to your vet right away; change in behaviour often indicates a problem. Good that she is eating/drinking and goign to the bathroom though. If any of that changes, consider the situation more urgent.
2007-09-01 14:59:03 · answer #4 · answered by bunnygurl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats act like that when they are sick sometimes, or she just might be displaying a new personality flaw, Bi-Polarism.
2007-09-01 14:58:38 · answer #5 · answered by candice c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
leave sophie alone or try to assure her. something may be wrong because cats have a sixth sense, and other great senses.
2007-09-01 14:58:09 · answer #6 · answered by Grace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋