Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 6 month old kitten Nico was adopted from a local pet rescue service when she was 4 months old. We already had a dog and another kitten, but we got her because we knew her to be a sister kitten to our first kitten, Cira. They are not from the same litter, but have at least one common parent. She had been at the adoption agency for so long, we felt bad knowing that we could take her in, and that, somehow, because Cira was her sister, we SHOULD take her in.

So we did.

Well she's crazy. (Not uncommon among my animal companions. I sure can pick em'.)

Anyway, I think she suffered some major consequences from sitting in a cage for 4 months. She walks funny. Used to sleep in the litter box. Has a rampant pica for wires. (IMPORTANT wires ... naturally.)

However the thing I am most concerned about is her voracious eating habbits. I don't feed her more than I am directed to, much to her disaproval, but the WAY she eats is just disconcerting.

She eats like she thinks she will NEVER eat again. Like she HASN'T ever eaten before. If I don't separate the kittens, nico will run back and forth between the bowls devouring it all while Cira sits hopelessly looking on. It doesn't matter how far apart they are, if that door isn't there, it's over.

Nico finishes MUCH faster then Cira, and will BANG the door violently hoping to be let out in time to steal some kibbles.

Cira got sick once, and started to throw up. Nico chased her around the house and swatted her every time she made the hack noise. And then when she threw up, Nico moved in to devour it! She KNEW Cira was going to throw up food like some stripped fuzzy pinata.

Hi There,

I don't think Nico is crazy, just possibly having some issues related to being in a cage for so long.

Some kittens normally eat like they are starving. As long as Nico doesn't have a weight problem I would feed more. Her metabolism may be faster than her sister's. And you never know, she may have even been food deprived at some time.

Just to cover all bases, if a fecal exam hasn't been done on Nico, I would have that done as well. I kind of doubt that parasites are her problem though.

Cats in cages often sleep in their litterboxes, so I don't consider that abnormal. I don't know what you mean by "walking funny" but if I were you I would have a vet examine her to find out what is going on. She might have been born with a problem or she may just not be very strong from lack of exercise.

A cat running over to another cat that is retching is not unusual either. And if fresh food comes up, some cats will go for it. It's just how some animals are. I know it sounds gross but it is merely warmed up food to them.

Nico may be an aggressive eater, but you don't have a crazy cat on your hands......believe me, I have some......lol

Take care,
PHKitkat

Thank you for your advice. I know she's not "really crazy." She's had a fecal exam and everything else she needs. I am thinking about seeing someone about her strange walk, but because she's not in any paine, it's not on the top of my list really. I just recovered my computer room from her rampage, she will not be allowed in here again without my attention.

I will try feeding her more, though she does have a little pooch.

What sort of disciplinary/deterant action works against a cat that is willing to jump on the counter IN FRONT OF YOU and eat out of your skillit WHILE IT IS ON THE STOVE!?

Hi There,

As far as your cat jumping on the counter (which wouldn't bother me) and stove (which would!), I recommend yur trying a squirt bottle filled with water or a water gun to try and deter her.

Hope this works for you!

Take Care,
PHKitkat