Expert: Dear Tabbi - 7/7/2008

Question
Hey, me and my boyfriend recently got two kittens. We were told they were 8 weeks old, but we think they're older because of their size.. Anyway, while playing, sometimes the female kind of prances on her tip toes, puffs her tail out, and instead of running straight she kind of crosses her feet over so that she goes sideways. They're both healthy and eat regularly. Is this just what kittens do? Should i be concerned? The male (v-tec) doesn't do it, just the female (q-tip). And she only does it with v-tec, not when she plays with the puppy (a 10 week old great dane). Can she get pregnant this early? I was told not to get v-tec neutered til 4-6 mos, but i don't want to add to the population ESPECIALLY if they're related. (They [along with the puppy] came from an animal collector/hoarder house situation, so the woman we got them from is not sure if they came from the same litter or not, but she doesn't think so). Please help. Thanks for your time. *Stacey

Answer
Stacey,

It's good that you got 2 kittens. They need each other for company and for kitty play. Your names are adorable! I would call Q-tip a 'sidewinder'. Not all kittens do it but it is SO cute! She is showing off and acting big and tough by fluffing up and jumping sideways, and she is teasing V-tec to play. I had one that did the sideways thing to any toy on the ground. It's just kitty play and interaction.

You can just about tell a kitten's age by measuring from their nose to the end of their body (but not the tail). When they are young, their age normally equals a woman's shoe size. If a kitten measurements equal a woman's size 7 shoe it would be approximately 7 weeks, a size 8 shoe would be 8 weeks, a size 9 shoe, 9 weeks, etc.

A Great Dane is one of the best dogs to have with cats. They are friendly and gentle with them. A cats and dogs that grow up together usually do not have any problems.

That's excellent that you will get the kittens fixed. There are too many nice, sweet, and loveable cats and kittens being put to death everyday only because there are too many of them.
Usually the norm is 3 months or 3 pounds. Males need time for their testicles to drop.3-4 months is fine. My poor neighbor's kitten had kittens at 5 months because she wasn't spayed. She had her kittens OK, but since he didn't really take care of her she got killed looking for food, and left the kittens motherless. So Sad. Getting cats fixed saves a lot of heartbreak all the way around.

I hope this answered your questions.

Tabbi