How do I care for an albino kitten? Do they require extra attention?

I am sorry that we weren't able to get to your question sooner. That is an interesting behavior. It is nice of her to take the white one into the shade, it would be unexpected for her to instinctively know that her skin is more prone to damage from the sun. I don't have a good explanation for that behavior. As long as she is attentive to the kitten as well, in terms of making sure the white kitten is nursing too, etc, I wouldn't be too concerned. A picture would help us have a better idea of whether the white kitten was albino. https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/albino-cat-kitten-health-facts-what-is-albinism-siamese-cats Thank you for asking PetCoach!

Albinism has been reported in cats, and there are a few different types. Complete albinism would result in red irises with no pigment and has been reported in domestic shorthair cats. It's a little tough to see the irises in your picture, and another possibility would be that this cat has pigmented (blue or yellow) irises but dilated pupils and no pigment at the back of the eye, which cases a red 'flash' rather than the typical green 'flash'. Luckily I don't believe true albinism has been linked to other genetic problems. The dominant white coat gene that also typically results in blue eyes has also been linked to deafness.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! White cats are not blind but can be deaf. Deafness in white cats can occur with any eye color but is more prevalent in white cats with blue eyes. It is a very high percent chance that white cats will be deaf (70%). If they are deaf they may not be able to hear cars or predators which may cause their lives to be shorter. White outdoor cats are also more sensitive to the sun like pale skinned people are are at a higher risk to develop skin cancer. If you can not keep the abnormal kitten indoors then try to place it in a new home that can keep it indoors. It is not wrong to find other homes for all the kittens. If you can not find the abnormal kitten a new home then do the best that you can. If it can not run away from predators it will be at a higher risk. It is normal for 2 week old kittens to not be able to walk normally. They will get stronger and more coordinated in the next week or 2. I wish you the best!

Yes, those pictures appear normal to me! It's common for white kitties' ear canals to have a bluish tint, and if he's always looked that way and is acting normal and playful then I'm not worried! Additionally, if he is drinking kitten milk he may be meeting his fluid requirements and may not need to drink water - so I am not worried about that either as long as he's eating and playful. I would add, though, that at 9 weeks he shouldn't need kitten milk so I'd recommend you discontinue that and just offer kitten food and water. Hope that helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Your kitten is adorable! The most common cause for ataxia in mild or severe forms in a kitten is Cerebellar hypoplasia (underdeveloped). This is a birth defect from the kitten's mother being exposed to feline panleukopenia (parvo virus) while she was pregnant. These kittens can live very full lives and there is nothing you need to do differently in raising her. Just be careful with stairs and climbing if you feel that her poor balance could cause her to injure herself. I hope this helps!

The kittens appear to be in good shape for their age, but I would have to examine them to be sure. The dirt around their mouths appears to be just dirt. Kittens often get dirty mouths from trying to eat kitten food or from sucking on various things. The bald patch is abnormal and should be checked out by a veterinarian, because ringworm (a fungal skin infection) is a possibility and can spread to the other kittens and people. It's best to take them in for a vet exam for the sunken eyes and shaking. This could be normal, but could also indicate weakness and dehydration. I hope that helps and all is well with the new kittens.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your kittens. They will need to see a veterinarian for skin testing. They will likely need a fungal culture to check for ringworm and skin scrapes to look for mites under the microscope. There is a common mite in kittens that lives within the hair follicles. An overgrowth can result in bald spots that do not typically itch. These mites are microscopic and cannot be seen by looking at the cats. I hope this information helps and you are able to get their skin cleared up!