My roommates and I just got a tiny kitten last night, and I think something’s up with his litter box situation. He seems to know what it’s for, and he’s good about that, but whenever he uses it he mews the whole time. That’s the only time he really makes any noise, which makes me think he doesn’t like something about it. Maybe it’s too small? Not enough litter in there? Also, I heard that “clumping” litter is bad for kittens because they can lick it off themselves and it clumps inside them – is that a real risk? My roommate got the clumping kind and I hate to tell her how to take care of it (but I’d feel really guilty having heard that rumor, if he dies from giant internal clumps or something).
Also, he never makes eye contact. Is that weird, or does it just take them a while to figure that out? The last time I had a kitten, I was nine, so I don’t remember these things.
So he mews, does he actually produce something? Does it take a long time? How old is he?
Clumping litter puts up a lot of dust that can wreak havok with a developing respiratory system. It contains some kind of silicate compound that grabs onto moisture and expands into a hardened mass. A kitten’s tiny little organs can’t handle this. I’ve been told by several different vets and by the kitten adoption ladies to use a non-clumping litter should be used until the kitten has passed 6 months of age.
All of you share responsibility for the kitten’s care. Go get some non-clumping litter and explain to your roommates what the potential problems could be with the clumping stuff. Why would they object?
If there was a serious problem with the litter box, like too stinky or not enough litter, etc, the kitten would go elsewhere. Believe me, learned that the hard way.
Where’d you get him? Animal shelter or something, or did you find him on the street? Might have a urinary tract infection or something, so going is painful.
What do you mean about the eye contact thing? My cats barely paid attention to me when they were kittens, they were too interested in exploring and/or attacking anything that moved.
Either way, get the kitten to the vet for shots and flea treatment, and bring up your concerns. They’ll have better answers for you than we will.
Give the kitty a little bit of tuna oil, see if it’s constipation? Hopefully it’s not that kitty has eaten a string or something else that doesn’t want to pass. Also hopefully it’s not a UTI. Keep an eye on how well the kitten eats, and make sure it’s got plenty of fresh water to drink. If its appetite drops, or it seems to not want to play, take it the vet to be checked out. These are the things that first struck me, anyway. I guess I should add, that it applies if the mews seem to be distressed, and not just fussy or chatterboxy.
He does produce things, in a time that seems reasonable to me. I think he’s about 8 weeks, although my roommate doesn’t seem to have gotten the specifics from the friend that gave him to her (I have no idea why not). You’re right, though, I’m sure it’s better not to take a chance with the litter. She got the kitten from a friend whose cat got knocked up (who has an unneutered outdoor cat in the city? I don’t ask questions anymore) and he is healthy and sheltered, so far as we know. I’ll press the issue of neutering and shots when he grows a bit, if she doesn’t take care of it.
I guess the eye contact thing just struck me because my (parents’) cat is now 16, and I’m used to how he operates – if it’s normal for kittens not to look at you, I must have forgotten.
I’ve had several kittens that mewed while figuring out the litter box thing. And most kitties won’t look you in the eye unless they are falling asleep - they are too busy!
I assume you have a vet appointment set up for Kitty? Please make an “Initial check the kitty out” appointment right away - kittens don’t take to new housing all that well, and are prone to UTIs and URIs.
I’ve had several litters over the years and every once in a while we get a “singer”. It’s usually a male kitten and they mew from the time they get in until the deed is done. They usually grow out of it.
Definitely change that litter to non-clumping though!
Some cats like to announce that they are using the litter box. hat either.Unless he is training and not producing or the mew gets into more of a wail, don’t worry about it.
The clumping litter meme has been around for a while and experts disagree- but most agree it isn’t a serious danger. Don’t worry about it.
First take pictures of the adorable kitten, and upload them to your hard drive. (Either via using a digital camera, or phone camera and e-mailing them to yourself, or by getting a CD made when you process the photos.) Then host them online and post the links here. I present to you two sites that will host pictures. ImageShackFlickrwaits eagerly
Aw, he’s a beautiful fellow! He looks old enough (I’d guess maybe as old as 3 months from his size and the look of him.) to be considered for possible neutering, at the least he should be getting shots, soon.
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