of water,
Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. Kittens will tend to sleep in weird positions or areas when they get tired, however if this behavior occurred suddenly, or if you are seeing other signs of illness (such as his change in drinking water) it may be best to schedule a veterinary checkup. Your vet can look for common illnesses, and may also recommend bloodwork or an X-ray if an immediate cause is not found. Be sure to monitor and alert your vet if you notice any other signs of illness such as loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea.
How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :
A change in behaviour implies something`s not quite right. The stress of moving home, a new baby, or being left alone for long periods of time can all trigger antisocial behaviour. If those things have been ruled out you may need to arrange a visit to the vet, especially if your cat is growling or biting when touched.
As with all young mammals, this seemingly crazy behavior is just your kitten`s way of practicing to become an adult. Because of their predatory nature, kittens will explore new places and get used to their environment by following their instincts, which include biting, jumping and chasing after things.
Signs of lethargy in kittens may indicate serious illness. Lethargy is more common in adult and senior cats because they`re more likely to become ill. However, there are many causes of lethargy, including poor diet, stress, and pain.
Symptoms of Fading Kitten Syndrome
The kitten`s face may start to look gaunt and triangular if it is not getting adequate nutrition. Fading kittens may also fail to gain weight normally (or even worse, lose weight), which can be determined by weighing the kitten at least once a day.
Playing regularly with a cat and providing their entertaining toys can easily satisfy their stalking instinct, keep them stimulated and provide the exercise they need to stay healthy and happy. It also keeps local wildlife safe!
4 Months – The kitten`s baby teeth are beginning to fall out and are replaced by adult teeth. In general, a kitten will have a full set of adult teeth by the time it reaches 7 months of age. 5 – 6 Months – Most kittens have now grown enough to be safely spayed or neutered.
Once your kitten reaches three months and beyond, they will sleep about 18 hours per day. This is comparable to how much an adult cat would. In addition, it is essential that if you see your kitten sleeping, you let them continue to do so uninterruptedly.
Cats that are ill will usually show changes in overall appearance, energy level, sociability, coat appearance and/or amount of shedding, appetite, litterbox usage, breathing, or discharges from the eyes or nose. In general, any sudden change should alert you that your cat needs veterinary attention.
Reduced appetite. Lethargy. Decreased interest in positive things like playing, social interaction and exploring outside. Being withdrawn and hiding away.
Cats sleep a lot by nature, however, excessive sleep or inactivity could be a sign of illness. Rest is your cat`s natural response to not feeling well and could be a normal part of recovery from a minor condition or it could be an indicator of a more severe condition.
Fading Kitten Syndrome refers to a kitten`s failure to thrive during the period between birth and when they wean from their mother or from a bottle for hand-fed kittens. This period lasts about four to five weeks (when a kitten is most vulnerable to sickness).
Fading kitten syndrome is unlikely to hit kittens that are older than nine weeks of age. At that point, kittens suffering from FKS will either have succumbed to the illness(es), or they will go on to live happy and healthy lives. Vets will usually not consider Fading Kitten Syndrome 12 weeks and beyond.
Head, Shoulders, Cheeks and Nose
So, in which places do cats like to be petted? The head, chin and neck are often their favorites. While some cats enjoy having their tails touched, others will recoil and even experience pain from a tail stroke.
Creating a relaxing environment for your cat, with access to toys, scratching posts, and a safe space away from potential threats, can help reduce anxiety. Playing with your cat and providing them with interactive toys, such as wand toys and puzzle toys, can also reduce anxiety.
Male cats tend to be more social and affectionate with both humans and other cats. They commonly form strong bonds with other cats in the home, even when they are not from the same litter. Females, on the other hand, are often more standoffish. If you are looking for a cuddle bug, adopting a male may be your best bet.
In general, a major part of getting a kitten to sleep has to do with how well the sleeping arrangements match their needs. Kittens will look for warmth and cosiness when they want to sleep. This means that the best place for a kitten to sleep is a secure spot, sheltered from draughts and warm enough is the best set up.
Most cats poop about once a day, though it`s also normal for a cat to poop every 12-36 hours. Kittens may poop up to three times per day, while older cats are usually less often.
Kittens 5 to 6 weeks should be given kitten kibble and kibble should be mixed into the wet food. Kittens 7 weeks and older should eat mainly dry kibble.
Here`s a good guide to how much water a cat should drink each day: Kitten up to three months (1.4kg) – 70ml. Six-month-old kitten (2.7kg) – 135ml. Medium cat (4kg) – 200ml.
Do kittens sleep through the night? Not always – it`s common for kittens to wake up throughout the night. While it`s true that kittens love snoozing and they can sleep up to 18-20 hours a day, it doesn`t always happen when humans are asleep. Cats are generally active at dawn and dusk.
As tempting as it may be, avoid letting your kitten sleep on your bed or with the kids. As well as being dangerous for your kitten, cats carry some diseases that can be transmitted to humans. To avoid injury, it`s best to keep your kitten in a secure space while you`re both sleeping.
Pay attention to your kitten`s behavior and attitude. Kittens that feel unwell often exhibit signs such as avoiding human contact or displaying aggression. Cats are skilled at masking their discomfort, so observing changes in behavior is crucial.
Excessive sleep: Cats normally sleep a lot, but sad or depressed cats sleep even more. If there have been changes in the location of a favorite nap spot this can also indicate sadness, especially if the new spot is hidden or out-of-the-way.
Check their ears, paws and tail
If your cat is cold, their extremities may start to feel cold to the touch. So have a feel of your cat`s ears, paws and tail and if these body parts feel cold, then chances are your cat is cold.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Q. I have a 4 month old male kitten that is acting strange. He is sleeping in weird places (on floor in bathroom, on endtables), drinking alot of water,
ANSWER : A. Kittens will tend to sleep in weird positions or areas when they get tired, however if this behavior occurred suddenly, or if you are seeing other signs of illness (such as his change in drinking water) it may be best to schedule a veterinary checkup. Your vet can look for common illnesses, and may also recommend bloodwork or an X-ray if an immediate cause is not found. Be sure to monitor and alert your vet if you notice any other signs of illness such as loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea.
Read Full Q/A … : Taking Care of Kittens
Q. My dog drinks a lot of water, should I worry?
ANSWER : A. Firstly, you should quantify if your dog is actually drinking an excessive amount of water. In a 24 hour period, a dog should drink about 1 fluid ounce (or 30mL) per pound of body weight. Therefore, the recommended amount of water intake (in fluid ounces) equals your dog’s weight (in pounds). For example, if your dog weighs 8 pounds, he/she should drink about a cup of water in a 1 hour period. This will be slightly increased if your dog gets a lot of physical activity or lives outdoors.
You can measure your dog’s water intake the following way: in the morning, measure a specific amount, a little bit more than you think he/she will drink. 24 hours later, measure the remaining amount. If the amount of water your dog drank is significantly greater than it should be, then you should take your dog to a veterinarian.
Causes for mildly increased water consumption include: food changes, increased ambient and body temperature, increased activity, urinary tract infection, and general illness.
Common causes for greatly increased water consumption include: diabetes, urinary tract infection, kidney disease, steroid use, and other systemic diseases. With large increases in water consumption, you will also usually see increased urination. Please take note of urinary patterns to discuss with your vet. Greatly increased drinking and urination is ALWAYS a reason to see a vet.
Read Full Q/A … : Why is my dog drinking more water than usual?
Q. I recently added a new 2 month old female kitten to my house and my male 5 month the old kitten has turned aggressive and chases the kitten down..
ANSWER : A. It is possible it could be play behavior but without seeing it in person, hard to say. Is the male kitten neutered? You may want to consider doing so. Also, try re-introducing the kittens slowly by creating a safe space for the new kitten behind a closed door in a room. Keep her there for at least a week so she is protected but your male is still able to smell her. After a week or 2, you can then graduate to using a baby gate so they can then not only smell each other but safely see each other as well. If that is going okay, after another few days you can bring the gate down. Also, be sure to have feeding bowls in separate locations and at least 2 litter boxes.
Read Full Q/A … : Ragdoll Cats
Q. I have a 1yr old male 38 lb Labradoodle and my gf just brought a month old kitten home. Can they interact? If not, for how long?
ANSWER : A. Interactions whenever a new pet is brought into the house should start off slow, then can be increased in time. The best steps when introducing a new cat is to allow your cat or kitten to have a room in the house all to him or herself. Allow your dog to sniff under the door to get used to the kitten’s scent, and even show your dog articles such as bedding the cat has slept on. After a few days, an introduction with your dog on leash, or a barrier such as a gate where both pets can look at each other but not see each other is best. This will allow each to get used to seeing the other without the ability to jump, bite or scratch the other. Once the two are used to this, then a face to face interaction can begin. If at any time a fight or scuffle breaks out, separate the two pets and try again at a later time. The amount of time this introduction takes can vary depending on how the two react to each other.
Until your kitten is older, or you are sure both are fine together, do not leave the two pets together unattended. Even a well-meaning and playful dog can accidentally break a leg of a kitten or worse without meaning to! A safe room for your kitten to be in while you are away, or a barrier to allow your kitten to escape to safety if needed will help until both are big enough to play alone safely.
Read Full Q/A … : Dogs and Jealousy
Q. I have two 3 week old kittens that I am bottle feeding. The kittens both have diareaa and there buts are red. Is there anything I can do ?
ANSWER : A. Diarrhea in kittens can be caused by many things, including intestinal parasites (very common in kittens), wrong formula, recent changes in diet (from queen’s milk to formula or from one formula to another), and other gastrointestinal upsets. Their bottoms are likely red and irritated from the diarrhea soiling the fur and skin, trapping moisture against the skin and serving as a breeding ground for bacteria. First, stop feeding the formula. Second, collect a fecal sample to be analyzed by your veterinarian for intestinal parasites. Third, call your vet and make an appointment as soon as possible, ideally the same day. Diarrhea in kittens is serious business and can lead to death from dehydration and loss of nutrients. Finally, in place of formula give an electrolyte replacement solution (like Pedialyte for infants/children) – plain, no flavors, no colors – for at least the next 1-2 feedings. This is not the same as a sports drink. After the 1st or 2nd feeding of straight electrolyte replacement solution, start to add formula back into diet at 1/4 strength ( 1 part formula to 3 parts water), The following feeding mix 2 parts formula to 2 parts water. Then, 3 parts formula to 1 part water. Finally, offer full-strength formula. If the diarrhea continues or worsens with increasing amounts of formula, go back to just electrolyte solution and repeat the process.
Read Full Q/A … : Raising Orphaned kittens Part 2: What to do, week by week
Q. My dog throws up after drinking water, what should I do?
ANSWER : A. If this only happens occasionally (a few times per week or month), and your dog throws up just water, it is not usually an emergency. Consider your dog’s activity before the event – physical activity, stress, elevated temperature, drinking too fast, and inhaling water can cause them to vomit water. Try elevating the bowl, giving him/her small amounts of water at once and waiting a few minutes after the activity.
Even if this has only happened once, if your dog is acting strange afterwards (low level of activity, not eating, etc.) you should visit your veterinarian immediately. Vomiting can be a sign of an obstruction, heat stroke, or a multitude of other causes.
If this happens frequently and you cannot figure out the cause, your dog should also be examined by a veterinarian. Chronic daily vomiting can be a sign of many problems, including a chronic obstruction, other gastrointestinal disease, or a systemic disease.
Read Full Q/A … : Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment of Vomiting in Dogs
Q. Can I give my dog ice water to drink?
ANSWER : A. Yes, of course you can. However, you do not want to give ice water to your dog when he is already overheating. If your dog is panting, shallow breaths, vomiting, displaying gums of a different color, having diarrhea, or lethargic, do not give him ice water. Ice, ice water, and very cold water all shock your dogs system, and constrict the blood vessels, making your dog hotter in-turn. It could turn deadly.
If your dog is acting normal, and in a cool room, feel free to give him some ice water, or ice cubes! There a fun treat, and you have nothing to worry about. It’s truly only when they’re very hot, or overheating.
FYI, if the dogs are vomiting, panting with shallow breaths, having diarrhea, etc.. please see a vet immediately.
Read Full Q/A … : Is Ice Water Dangerous For Dogs? Vet Debunks Online Rumor …
Q. Why is my 5 month old kitten biting and removing the 1 week old kittens from their box?
ANSWER : A. You should have one litter box for each cat ( or group of cats, that live together in good terms like kittens in the same age) plus one extra litter box in your home. Boxes should be also localised in different places in the house like in different rooms or corners of one room. In your case 5 month cat can “think” that all litter boxes are his, so he removes rivals from them.
Read Full Q/A … : behavior – At what age cats should stop biting and scratching …
