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?

Glad to hear you’re taking her to the vet OP. It may be quicker to just call your local vet yourself instead of going through cats protection. They’re not always that helpful when they’ve already rehomed the cats. We had a cat from them years ago, they said she was spayed but it turned out she wasn’t. We got her spayed when she was already pregnant, the kittens had to be aborted and cats protection couldn’t have been less interested. Hopefully you’ll have a different experience but if they don’t get you an appointment quickly, I’d just arrange yourself.

Hope little kitty is ok. Keep us updated.

Yes, fingers crossed kitten is okay! 💕

Brave one will help the timid one to settle.

I find with sibling kittens/cats one tends to be more outgoing and the other is more chilled. I have 2 sets of sibling cats one set is 2 the other 15 weeks and of each set one is more outgoing than the other and the quieter cat/kitten enjoys snoozing and peace. I would get the kitten checked hopefully all is well and it’s just a more placid kitten. One of my older cats loves the dog the other hates him, they’ve been with him since they were tiny but Tilly took to him her sister just hid.

The vet couldn't find anything wrong but did give her a shot of antibiotics. I've been told to keep an eye on her overnight and ring again if she's no better. So far this evening I see no real improvement.

If there’s any sort of infection, the antibiotics will take a while to kick in. Did they say how long to wait to call back if she’s no better? They’ll probably want to run some bloods if there’s no improvement.

I’ll be thinking of her and keeping everything crossed that she improves. Keep us updated if you have chance.

The vet said to call tomorrow if there was no improvement overnight. She said to monitor her water intake in particularly. Since my last post she's had a long drink of water which is good. I'm going to sleep in with them tonight as I'd rather be close to them.

Is the bigger kitten bullying her?

I'm going to sleep in with them tonight as I'd rather be close to them.

Bless you, I’d be doing that too. x

It sounds to me like the kittens aren't getting on. Not all littermates are bonded and they're not all friends either.

The main thing you keep mentioning is that lively sister is trying to play and shy sister is growling and getting away. That's not a happy cat and suggests she's feeling bullied / harassed.

Has shy sister got her own space away from the other cat. She needs lots of high and hidden places so she can escape and have peace. Also try feliway. And make sure they have separate litter trays and their food / water bowls are away from each other for now.

Also consider access to a second room so shy cat doesn't have to be in with lively cat all the time.

Just to add, make sure you're handling her. I know you'll want to give her space etc but you need to be interacting with her and handling etc even if she does hiss or spit at you. It's the quickest way to bring her round

How went if she's unwell that's not relevant.

I would take her to the vet too. She sounds like a kitten I was fostering over the summer. She ended up having hypoglycemia, fine now though

They are just sooo cute

Just wondering how she’s doing today OP? Any improvement? I have been thinking about her. x

I can happily report there's been a big improvement today - overnight she was persuaded to have some wet food, then more this morning and some water. There's been a marked change in her behaviour too, she's been much more lively and engaging in some play with her sister too. She may be smaller but she does hold her own, I've been watching them both together as I was also worried her sister might be overbearing but I don't think there's a problem there. She does have to be brought to the bowl to eat but the fact she's eating at all is good.

I might sleep in with them again in case she starts to go downhill. There's quite a difference in size between the two kittens now and I still want to keep an eye on her...

Excellent news! Thank you for the update.

Lovely news Kits!

Sounds like the antibiotics are working on something. Hope she continues to perk up.

She might need another shot/course to makes sure it clears up completely so I’d maybe take her back in a couple of days or ask vet for advice.

♥️ 🐈 🐈‍⬛ 🐈 🐈‍⬛ 🐈 ♥️

Fabulous! So pleased.

I was thinking the same @Tomatalillo. I'll just keep a close eye in case she starts to slip back again.

Picture of the two girls playing together earlier as tribute for all the well wishes!

They are super gorgeous!

Ah pleased things are looking up!

That photo is brilliant!!! I wish I had two little devils!!

I’m so pleased to read your update. It sounds like the antibiotics are working.

That photo is great. They are stunning. 😍

Aw they’re so gorgeous Kits 🐈 purr meow!

They are so lovely! Would love to hear how they both get on, hopefully all will be plain sailing from now on.