Help - two new kittens, one not thriving

[Kitsinthehood]

We received two beautiful 10 week old kittens on Friday from the Cats Protection, litter mates with no medical issues. One of them has relaxed very quickly, plays with us let's us stroke her, eats well, uses her litter tray and is totally fine. The other one seems to have gone the other way, she is very quiet, sleeps a lot, hides away, eats but not much and isn't interested in food, I've seen her use the litter tray but not since last night. She doesn't play as much as her sister, and has growled at her on some occasions when she tries to play with her. She sometimes goes to a corner of the room and meows as though she's calling for mum.

I've texted the cats protection rehomer for advice but she hasn't replied yet and I'm a little worried. Does she just need more time to settle or should I be looking to take her to a vet? What are we doing wrong?

It's only Sunday! She's eating and using the litter tray, so that's fine. She is very little and will be frightened. Just let her come to you in her own time.

Is she letting you handle her at all? If she is, perhaps you can cuddle and stroke her, to help her relax? (If she finds this stressful then don't).

And you know the rules - we need pictures!

Sorry I forgot the necessary photos Shy girl is the one on the left. She doesn't like being stroked and backs away if you try to touch her so I havn't been pushing that.

Shy girls sending her sister out first, if you don’t murder her she’ll consider also coming out.

Honestly, be patient - you've not even had her two days yet!

Aw, they're beautiful!

Adorable!

My rescue kitty spent a couple of weeks living under the kitchen unit. When she finally started tiptoeing about we used to sit stock still as the slightest movement startled her back to hiding.
After a few weeks she actually stepped onto my lap.

She now follows me about, chats to me, sleeps on me at night & is currently asleep on my lap.

It’s a huge upheaval for them & no cat is the same, give her time and don’t try to stroke her or pick her up, wait for her to come to you. Not all cats like being approached. Congratulations on your new kittens.

Thanks all its been a long time since I had kittens and she's so quiet compared to her boisterous sister. I'll keep an eye on her and give her more time before worrying too much. They are gorgeous girls!

Ten years ago we took on two kitten brothers from a shelter. It took at least 2-3 days before they started settling in so I think it's really good if they are eating or using the litter tray at all. Honestly, my 2 were petrified. At one point they managed to get inside the piano and hid there for a good few hours (no idea how to this day, it took us ages to find them 😂). They are both still with us and have a very happy life and are both really affectionate so I wouldn't worry about these first few days. Just keep a calm house and they'll feel safe soon.

I've had two kittens recently.

One was bouncing around like an idiot within minutes, the other much more withdrawn. Both are perfectly happy and healthy adults now :)

You need to give her time. Mine hid behind the washing machine for days. She's just not as confident as her sister.

It's still much the same today. Braver sister is getting up to all sorts of mischief and if anything seems bored in the room we've set up for them. Quiet sister seems still the same, sleeping a lot, not eating as much as her sister, and doesn't play with her as much as her sister wants her to. The quiet one growls a lot at her sister when she tries to rouse her into play.

Does she seem quite well when you watch her move? No damage to any obvious areas? Feel her gently if she lets you. It seems a bit unusual with her litter mate not to play a bit with her.
I would be tempted to take her for a check up if possible unless she seems really well in herself in other ways. My 11 week old is nuts so much energy but she was shy for first few days.

I’d be tempted to take her for a vet check

She feels OK when you pick her up although not as rotund as her sister, I can't see any obvious problem. She did purr this morning when I cuddled her. Watching them play this morning and every time her sister tries to play she gets growled off.

@Trixiefirecracker

I’d be tempted to take her for a vet check

Me too

She looks a bit 'hangy'.. The one on the right looks much brighter... Have they had jabs?

I would get her checked too. She sounds a bit listless and whilst kittens sleep a lot, they're usually quite lively when awake. Everything everyone has said about kittens sometimes being shy is true, but if your instinct is that her behaviour is a bit off then do consult a vet. She's only a baby.

You could try a feliway plug in.
Also might be worth a trip to the vets even if this is just to settle your mind.

@Kitsinthehood

She feels OK when you pick her up although not as rotund as her sister, I can't see any obvious problem. She did purr this morning when I cuddled her. Watching them play this morning and every time her sister tries to play she gets growled off.

I would definitely get the vet to look at her. Eating less and growling at her sister sound like a possible health issue or pain. Hopefully nothing but kittens can go downhill very rapidly so I think she needs to be seen.

Beautiful kittens.

Have her checked by a vet for peace of mind.

Just my ten cents but I think you could wait until you’ve had them for a week before going to the vet.

My kittens both seemed fine for the first day I had them and then hid from me on day two for about a week. They didn’t seem particularly bonded to each other at the time, either.

Now, they are spooning each other on the sofa next to me. And judging by the twitches, they are having some lovely hunting dreams!

Remember that your cats will have very distinct and different personalities that will emerge with time. It is perfectly normal for one littermate to be boisterous and another timid and shy.

I would take her to the vets. If she’s growling maybe she has pain or discomfort somewhere. Poor baby. Hope she’s okay

I honestly wouldn’t wait as one poster suggested, kittens can go downhill rapidly, so if something is wrong ( which there might not be) at least you have done the right thing in getting her/him checked out and no harm done . Cats are extremely good at hiding pain or discomfort. My cat purred when he was really ill, it really is not a good indicator of how they are. I say this as having worked in animal shelters. Would always suggest a quick trip to put ones mind at rest.

I would take her to the vet too. Kittens can’t usually resist playing when they’re awake, are hyper for a while and then need sleep. It’s not like adopting older cats that hide away and take time to come around.

I've been in touch with cats protection since my last post and they're organising a vet appointment just to be sure. I'd rather not wait as some of you have said she could go downhill quickly. Yes both have had their first jabs and are due their second in just over a week.