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About Jessica
Expertise
I have bred Siamese cats and have years of experience caring for homeless, feral, orphaned, and terminally ill cats. I am knowledgeable in cat behavior, health, history, troubleshooting, breeds, coat patterns and colors, and trivia.

Experience
I have extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to at-home medical care to rescuing homeless cats and placing them in homes. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning. I have given supportive care to cats suffering from diabetes, terminal cancer, feline leukemia, feline infectious peritonits, and kidney, liver, and heart failure. I have been through chemotherapy with two of my cats who had lymphoma and have also been through many cutting edge surgeries with my special needs cats.

Education/Credentials
15 years' experience

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Cats > Cats > cat sleeping all the time

Cats - cat sleeping all the time

Expert: Jessica - 11/4/2009

Question
We were adopted by an approximately two year old, all black female cat on October 31st (four days ago). We live around numerous apartment complexes and are pretty certain someone moved on and left her behind. She looks to have recently had a litter, her stomach is hanging downwards, but she doesn't have any milk. Her fur is shiny and she's deceptively heavy for her size. She eats a little, but not very much. She's been using the litter box regularly. She hardly ever plays and only for a few seconds if she does. She's extremely affectionate and loves for me to carry her around like a baby (she's SO heavy!), but she sleeps almost constantly. She sleeps all through the night, then all but a few hours during the day. She'll come and lay with us for a while in the living room (she always sleeps close to us--either on us or up next to us), then she'll go into the bedroom and sleep alone for a while. She seems perfectly healthy other than not wanting to play and wanting to sleep all the time. Should we be worried?

Answer
Hi Kim. Her activity level and sleeping habits may be normal. I'd be a little worried about the fact that she doesn't eat very much. This could be because she doesn't require much nutrition to sustain her sedentary lifestyle, but it's always a good idea to have new pets checked out by the vet. A brewing infection, intestinal parasites and kidney and liver problems can cause a lack of appetite.

If you haven't had her to the vet yet, I would schedule an appointment, and be sure to bring her to a vet that has a microchip scanner. They can check to be sure she isn't microchipped and missing from a family that's beside themselves! You may also want to post a "found" flyer at the vet's office, around the neighborhood, and notify your local shelter that you've found the kitty. See if anyone has reported missing a black cat. However, DO NOT turn the kitty in to the shelter, even if they tell you that's the best way to find the cat's rightful owner! I know first hand what a disaster that can be.

After a couple weeks, you will know for sure whether the kitty was abandoned or not. And if an owner does come forward, many ordinances mandate that owners pay caretakers for any charges incurred on behalf of their pet before the pet is returned to them. It would be reasonable to ask the cat's owner to pay for the vet visit as well as food and litter you paid for while caring for the kitty.

I hope all goes well!

Jessica

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