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Post by cheryl on Jun 26, 2008 20:13:50 GMT
i talk to a lady online and she's worried her male kitten is trying to eat his litter .. she's read it could be a sign of anemia or lukemia??.......... she's worried he's ill.......i've never had a litter eater , but is this common in kittens or is it a sign of a problem.. she said his gums are pink which i think sounds normal also if he's a litter nibbler what is the safest litter for him......um without busting the bank
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Post by fyona on Jun 26, 2008 20:24:56 GMT
I have heard it could be a vitamin defficiency, but it could also just be curiosity, I would avoid clumping litter and crystals, Chris and Val swear by worlds best cat litter and it is brilliant stuff, but it is £9,99 per bag and pets at home sell it now, I have used it and honestly cant fault it but it is pricey.
Hopefully somebody else will have some good adice for you.
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Post by cheryl on Jun 26, 2008 20:36:43 GMT
someone else told her to get clumping litter..... i read clumping is not a good idea..... kitten was at the vets 2 days ago cos of ear problems turns out he's got ear mites.... he's being teated for them and gets his injections soon.....litter eating was only noticed today........could the ear mites be causing a a vitamin problem
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Post by cheryl on Jun 26, 2008 20:47:45 GMT
oops i read her post wrong....... she's been told to keep away from clumping litter
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Post by fyona on Jun 26, 2008 21:58:51 GMT
Ear mites are quite common and are easily transferred they can cause discomfort and are often visible with the naked eye, I would not think they are due to a vitamin defficiency has the mother cat been checked and any other kittens? If she has only just got this kitten from somewhere, he probably already had them.
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Post by cheryl on Jun 26, 2008 22:07:46 GMT
she got him about 2 weeks ago.... so i assume he had ear mites already he's got drops for that....... never had ear mites with our cats so can't help her with that..but she's seen the vet anyway
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Post by fyona on Jun 26, 2008 22:15:24 GMT
How old is the kitten Cheryl? I would think he probably had ear mites from wherever he came from, lets hope he gets rid of them. None of my cats have had ear mites either.
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Post by cheryl on Jun 27, 2008 0:05:40 GMT
he's about 10 weeks he's not long left his mother
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Post by Val on Jun 27, 2008 14:54:31 GMT
Worlds Best Cat Litter is made of crushed corn and is harmless if eaten. Although I mostly foster adult cats and only have kittens occasionally, I find it is common for kittens to eat their litter, or play in it. Everyone says WBCL is expensive but if you filter out the pee and poo (here I go again talking about bodily functions) you are left with a lot more litter than with other clumping litters.
Regarding ear mites, the kitten probably got them from Mum and his litter mates would have them as well. If they get mites in one ear the vet will tell the owner to treat both ears. It is not easy to see mites with the naked eye but they make the ear secrete a lot of wax. If your cat has what I call a dirty ear and is continually scratching, then he will no dobt have mites. The vet will give you drops. They are easily cleared.
Hope this helps. Must get in touch with Worlds Best and see if I can become an Agent for them. I am always singing their praises.
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Post by cheryl on Jun 27, 2008 20:12:55 GMT
poor cat had mites in both ears..he had black coming out of his ears so she rushed him to the vet.. i assume the black was wax then yuk....
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Post by fyona on Jun 28, 2008 10:19:06 GMT
Yes the black discharge sounds normal, I hope he gets his little ears sorted soon.
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Post by Chris - Cats Protection on Jun 29, 2008 15:19:34 GMT
Yes it is normal for kittens to eat cat litter, why they do it is a mystery, but most of them seem to enjoy the crunch of it. And it certainly does not mean they have a deficiency of any kind.
Val is right about the ear mites, horrid things but easily dealt with by a Vet.
Most Vets do free kittens checks these days, and it is always a good idea when a new kitten arrives to have it checked out if it hasnt already been checked prior to its being rehomed.
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