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Expert: - 4/8/2011


Question
My mom and I have recently bought an 8wk old Ragdoll kitten to be a buddy for our 2mo old Persian kitten. Our little Persian is overjoyed at having a buddy so aggression is not something we're worried about. What we are worried about is whether or not the little ragdoll is litter trained and healthy.
We just got her yesterday and so far she's done little more than sleep and eat (she doesn't drink but she's not dehydrated). The house we got her from was dirty and she is underweight. We've put her in the litterbox several times but she hasn't gone. Last night she went on my bed (judging from the size, she held it for a long time).
She can smell that the other kitten has used the litterbox but she still hasn't used it. She's just starting to get comfortable enough to explore around my room (we've put a litterbox in my room for her). Will she go in it when she's more comfortable or shout I keep putting her in there?
Also, should I be worried she sleep a lot or is this normal for a kitten this young?

Answer
Megan,

Actually, 8 weeks is a bit young for a new kitten to go to its new home.  If the Ragdoll has not gotten the hang of the litter pans, yet, you may want to put her in a crate with "wall-to-wall" litter pans, so she has not choice.  also, you might get a type of litter called Cat Attract.

Have you had her to the vet?  This is always a must when you get a new kitten!  

In her current state she probably gets tired very quickly, so sleep is normal.  

Please let me know what your vet says!

Best regards... Norm.  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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