Does this kitten look strange?

[Catsareawesome86]

A friend is getting two kittens from this litter and she sent me a pic. It seems to look 'off' to me, not very bright eyed. A video she sent he seems slow, not v playful and bouncy like a normal kitten. Apparently it's 8 weeks old.

I've attached a photo.

Any advice welcome x

 

[wookie130]

I agree that he looks “off”. I can’t really pinpoint how or why, but his appearance is different. I would think a trip to the vet is needed. Hopefully he’ll be okay!

 

[Catsareawesome86]

Same I can't pinpoint, I'm thinking inbreeding as it's slow, slanted eyes? The owner apparently has the great grandmother and has 9 cats so maybe some inbreeding occurred. She hasn't bought the kitten yet.

 

[fionasmom]

This is a breeder who is selling the kittens? The kitten looks different to me as well, possibly a little sickly, but that can't be determined from the picture.

 

[IndyJones]

It's eyes almost look glazed over. Also possibly a runt. Runts aren't necessarily sickly but often have lifetime conditions that pop up. They often need a vigilant caretaker who understands medical needs. You need to be both financially and emotionally prepared for taking in runts or animals with birth defects.

Do you know anything about the breeder? Is it a backyard breeder?

I personally would keep looking unless you are fully prepared to care for lifelong medical conditions.

8 weeks is also too young to be separated from mom and siblings. 12 weeks is the ideal minimum age. Kittens weened prematurely will often have emotional problems and won't have learned how to behave like a cat.

 

[goingpostal]

That looks several weeks younger than claimed imo

 

[Maurey]

The kitten is 6 weeks at most, much too young to be leaving mum. Not that 8 weeks is appropriate. Seems to have a URI or something similar. I’d tell your friend to walk away and report this “breeder”. No reason to support a BYB when there are plenty of kittens and cats in shelters.

 

[carebearbaby1]

Looks like it might have hydrocephalus. Either way it needs to be seen by a vet.

 

[artiemom]

The jaw is “off” also. Too small. I fear for this kitten

Definitely needs a vet visit and owner should be reported.