Kitten Illness

Question
Hi Carol.

I would really appreciate your help!!
I have two 10 week old kittens. both seem to be happy and healthy. They play all the time, have great appetites and their urine and stools are fine.
However, I have become concerned about the one kitten. She is beginning to lie stretched out on her stomach whenever she lies down, is this a personality trait or should I be worried? On two occasions, I have found her in her bed at night next to her sibling, kneading the material (as all cats do) but nibbling or biting the material. There is quite a bit of saliva coming out when she does this (not excessive amounts) Both kittens are teething and bite whatever they can find but I am concerned that this is not normal. To give you a better idea, when they were still suckling from their mother, they seemed to do a similar action (or so it seemed).
Neither kitten has a fever or lack of energy.

Thanks!

Answer
Kerry,

Not to worry, everything your kittens are doing is normal.

Some cats are more limber than others and it sometimes seems like they are double-jointed. I had one that could lay flat with her arms and legs out from her side like a road-kill. It may be an inherited trait. Your kitten may be doing it too because she is warm. If she wasn't comfortable she wouldn't do it. You may want to have a vet check her for a bone disorder or other problem, but if she is walking and running fine I wouldn't think it is a medical issue.

The kneading and drooling are signs of pure contentment. Some cats will drool when they are kneading or happy and some won't. I have one that is like a running faucet! Teething may play a part in the drooling, but not usually. You are correct that it is the same action as when she was nursing on mom. The kneading is a memory of when they were expressing milk from the mama cat...and it is a pleasant memory. The action is comforting to them. One of my cats is 8 years old and he still kneads and drools, usually after he eats and before he goes to sleep, and one is 7 years old and she still kneads...but she's never been a drooler.

The suckling or nibbling on material is usually a sign that a kitten was weaned too young. She should grow out of it though. On occassion a cat will become a material eater (usually cotton) so clothing cannot be left around for the cat to 'eat' because it could cause an intestinal blockage. It is  called "pica", and the reason for it is not clear. It may be caused by a difficiency of some sort, but I really don't think you need to worry about that. The kitten is very young yet and what she is doing is a common behavior for kittens.

For teething, thick plastic drinking straws are good for the kittens to chew on. Replace them before they can chew any pieces off (but they usually don't). Another good thing to get them periodically for a treat is a raw beef rib bone. I have the butcher at the supermarket cut them in half. Not all cats like them but most do. It gives them something to chew on, plus the fibers in the meat cleans  their teeth. Do NOT let the kitten bite or teeth on on you (arms, fingers, etc.). It's cute now but painful as they get older, and a hard habit to break. Use your hands to pet only, not to play rough with. Petco, PetSmart, etc. have regular cat toys that are suitable for teething kittens.

I hope this answered your questions.

Carol