Dexter has had what I call his "wonky waddle" since we got him. He is around 5 months old (possibly a little older, he lost his canines about a month ago). We have had him since early November. Here is what I have observed:
- He does not have "streamline" kitten body. He isn't bloated per se, but he definitely has some slight distension in his tummy area that is there constantly. This distension is soft and does not affect him.
- He swings his hind legs out when he walks. Think like how a cowboy would walk, that exaggerated step.
- He sometimes cries when he gets held, but only when I pick him up (less than 25% of the time). My husband can darn near sling him to ceiling and he would be fine with it, but I can pick him up and he hollers at me.
- He just recently learned to jump up to the countertops (~4 feet). I don't think he has any problems with doing so.
- He scrambles up the cat tree lickity split, no problems.
- I have never witnessed him suddenly fall over or otherwise suggest that his back legs give out randomly.
- He does not limp.
- He does not "bunny hop" when he runs.
- He can balance on his back legs to bat at toys on sticks.
- Sometimes when he lays down in a loafing position, he...w-sits. If you have ever seen small children w-sit, it looks exactly like that with a tail. Google it if you need a visual.
- He will hold his tail straight up like a flagpole, but he doesn't do it very often.
- His back is not hunched or sloped.
- He runs around and chases his toys normally.
- He runs around the house chasing his brother and sister. Also play fights.
- He. Eats. Like. A. MACHINE.
- Litterbox antics are normal.
- He has put on a pooch ever since he got neutered. I'm assuming this is normal? I know it happens in female cats.
I know he is still a baby and has a lot of growing to do. Maybe I am being paranoid. Maybe I need to make a vet appointment. Maybe he will grow out of whatever this is. Maybe this is just how he was made.
Bonus Dexter picture (third eyelids are showing because I woke him up for the picture):
- He does not have "streamline" kitten body. He isn't bloated per se, but he definitely has some slight distension in his tummy area that is there constantly. This distension is soft and does not affect him.
- He swings his hind legs out when he walks. Think like how a cowboy would walk, that exaggerated step.
- He sometimes cries when he gets held, but only when I pick him up (less than 25% of the time). My husband can darn near sling him to ceiling and he would be fine with it, but I can pick him up and he hollers at me.
- He just recently learned to jump up to the countertops (~4 feet). I don't think he has any problems with doing so.
- He scrambles up the cat tree lickity split, no problems.
- I have never witnessed him suddenly fall over or otherwise suggest that his back legs give out randomly.
- He does not limp.
- He does not "bunny hop" when he runs.
- He can balance on his back legs to bat at toys on sticks.
- Sometimes when he lays down in a loafing position, he...w-sits. If you have ever seen small children w-sit, it looks exactly like that with a tail. Google it if you need a visual.
- He will hold his tail straight up like a flagpole, but he doesn't do it very often.
- His back is not hunched or sloped.
- He runs around and chases his toys normally.
- He runs around the house chasing his brother and sister. Also play fights.
- He. Eats. Like. A. MACHINE.
- Litterbox antics are normal.
- He has put on a pooch ever since he got neutered. I'm assuming this is normal? I know it happens in female cats.
I know he is still a baby and has a lot of growing to do. Maybe I am being paranoid. Maybe I need to make a vet appointment. Maybe he will grow out of whatever this is. Maybe this is just how he was made.
Bonus Dexter picture (third eyelids are showing because I woke him up for the picture):
. And I did sit like that all the time. But my spine seems OK so far. I was such an anxious and self-conscious kid anyway, I'm glad the adults didn't know to bother me about that back then. I couldn't/can't sit criss-cross; too awkward.
