My kitten has been in my possession for about a month now. The week I bought him from the pet store I had him checked for fleas and thoroughly examined by the vet. All signs were clear and he has had his first round of kitten vaccines and is due to have his second round October 12. He has been the excited, playful, loving, and overall normal and energetic kitten. The past two days, he eats very little, stays in my room and sexually mounts a stuffed animal. He does this all night long and a lot during the day. Since he has done this, he sleeps under my bed rather than on top of it, he does not come out to greet me when I come home anymore, he does not chase my feet in the covers in the morning or wake me up early. He is sleeping all day and most of the evening instead of pawing at me to play with him or sleeping next to me on the couch while I do work. He has me concerned especially since he is barely eating and he seems so tired when I try to play with him and uninterested. I am taking him to the vet 1st thing tomorrow morning. Any suggestions that I may not receive from the vet? His physical I am afraid will turn out normal, but I don't think, like a human, you can search for vet sexual behavior specialists? Please respond if you have any idea what I can do to have my little kitten return to his normal self! I love him so much. He has become my companion and best friend. When I am not at school or work, I am at home playing with him. He usually follows me around everywhere and this has ceased! I miss my feline friend. Please help.

Leah
Alabama

Since you feel it is related, I think the first step should be to remove the stuffed toy that he is mounting and see if that helps. I would still keep the vet appointment just to confirm there is nothing else causing his lack of desire to eat or play. There are vets who are behavior specialists, but I don't think you will need to go that route at this point in time.

Let us know how it goes!

Didi

Thank you for the advice. The only reason I have not removed the stuffed animal yet is because I figured the sexual behavior would be a once in a while thing, normal for a male kitten, but apparently not. I will surely let you know if this works.

Leah

My kitten ( Pieu ) threw up this morning after he tried to eat. He is feeling better now though and he again ate and he is back to himself. Really weird! 2 months to go and he will be fixed. Thanks!

Thank you for the update. If he continues to throw up, refuse to eat or drink, or act out of sorts in any other way, please don't hesitate to take him to the vet.

Hugs, Didi

I took the stuffed animal away immediately. I didn't take him to the vet today because he seemed to be doing okay when I left this morning. He is still sleeping all day and is still sleeping all evening. He doesn't want to play. He is a kitten and usually eats at least 1/2 cup of Iams/day. He is not eating even half of that. Its like he has mono for cats. I am going to the vet tomorrow at 7am for sure. I am really worried that he is going to stop breathing or something. I keep checking to make sure his little stomach still moves up and down. It's a really sad sight. I am going to lose sleep tonight. I think he has sneezed a bit. Could it be possible that he has a cold?

He could have a contagious disease such as FVR (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis). When a kitten loses that 'spark' and play, plus they don't eat or drink properly, a vet visit is usually imperative. Your little guy has only received one shot so far, so he certainly is not immune. Unfortunately, pet store kittens are often fraught with worms and disease, and if they aren't, they are often exposed to it by other kittens that are brought in. Please don't cancel the next appointment. Immediate medical treatment is imperative if he has been exposed to a disease like that.

My gals (I have three cats) were exposed to FVR via a rescue I had last winter. All have been fully vaccinated since I began when they were 6 weeks old. However, one of them ended up getting a mild case of it and my strongest and healthiest gal ended up with a VERY severe case which resulted in pneumonia and I almost lost her. Funny thing is, my other cat (Tara, the Queen of the house) who is a 4 year old rescued Bengal cross with the worst heart condition that 4 seasoned vets have ever come across and has not received as many vaccinations as the 'girls' (because initially they expected she wouldn't live past her first heat and refused to vaccinate because they felt it would likely kill her) has remained disease free. So, you see, even with vaccinations you are not totally safe. The trouble is, the younger or older a pet is, just like people, the harder these illnesses hit them.

No matter how he is tomorrow, take him to the vet. Make sure you tell him everything. Hopefully, whatever it is, the treatment will begin fast enough to save him. Please let us know what the vet says. I will say a little kitty prayer for him tonight.

Hugs, Didi

Pieu is doing much better miraculously after his nap. He had me really scared for a bit. Tonight, about an hour ago is the first time all week he has sat by his toy signaling he is ready to play. He has been climbing the couch again so I guess that means he is feeling better. I am still going to take him to the vet just to be sure, but he is at least bouncing around now. I hadn't seen him get excited in what seemed like forever. Thank you so much for the advice. Maybe some sleep is all he needed from his experience with the stuffed animal. Must have worn him out or something.

You are most welcome. I hope that is all it was. :)

Hugs, Didi

I took him to the vet today finally. He had a fever of over 2 degrees. The vet gave him some "kitty advil" to reduce the fever. I knew there was something wrong! He took a nap in the car on the way back from the vet and he slept for quite a while after words. He is now up and playing with his rocks and climbing the curtains again. The vet said really, there may have just been a female cat in heat around my apartment that made him hump the stuffed animal. They said he was just frustrated because he could get no release and that she may have been courting him outside where he cannot get to her. That may have cause him to have the fever. They said that would definitely cause him not to eat and be out of sorts! Thank you for the help! I am so glad my baby is back. He is really the love of my life right now!

So happy to hear that he seems to be back to his normal self! Keep an eye on him, though, and take him back if he starts sneezing, coughing or seems to be having trouble breathing. When are you having him neutered? If you have female cats in heat around, I don't imagine you will be wanting to leave it too long. Definitely before he starts spraying in the house!

I have never heard of sexual frustration in a 4 month old kitten causing a fever! You learn something new every day! :) Anyhow, glad you have the answers and thanks so much for letting me know! Give Pieu a scratch behind the ears for me.

Hugs, Didi

So the sexual frustration seem to be separate from the cold he had. He still tries to mount things like fuzzy sweaters. He prefers cashmere and cashmere blends. Maybe he smells the sheep it came from. I figured it didn't have anything to do with each other, but he did it a lot when he was sick. I now remember to hang all of my sweaters and things up so he does not get to them. It is the funniest thing!

Thanks for all your help.

He is doing great now and healthy as can be.