Why does my cat move her white kitten into the shade? Is it albino?

Albino kittens should grow up just the same as other kittens, however some can be more sensitive to light or have minor vision problems, and lighter fur may be more prone to irritation or sunburn compared to darker coated cats. As long as the kitten is continuing to thrive and act normal with the other kittens it should be fine, however if you're noting any signs of illness or it is failing to thrive, seeking vet care is always best.

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!

Hi, thanks for using Petcoach! I am sorry that you are going through this! It is common for mother cats to move their kittens, especially if stressed and they feel that their kittens are at risk. I wold try to leave her be and try not to stress her. You can check on the babies once-twice a day. Her laying on them is some what normal. Unfortunately there is no way for me to tell based on the picture if the kitten will survive. Sadly some kittens don't make it and we don't know why. It is called "fading kitten syndrome." If Tinkiee left him/her behind she may know it is sick. You can try to hand raise the kitten by bottle feeding it with Kitten Mild Replacer (KMR). You have to bottle feed it every 3 hours and stimulate it to urinate and defecate by gently wiping it's anus and genitals with warm wash cloth after feedings. Below is a link to the milk replacer. It is also sold in pet stores or at Veterinary hospitals. https://www.chewy.com/petag-kmr-kitten-milk-replacer/dp/125389?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=f&utm_content=PetAg&utm_term=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1b-Q66bt1QIVRDaBCh1xgwYyEAQYASABEgIBmPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds I wish you the best of luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! She could very well be moving the kittens- it’s quite common for them to move their kittens frequently. A hands-off approach works best. Provide access to quiet dark areas (open an empty cabinet, closets, etc). Keep an eye on her and know where she is currently nesting but don’t hover. She’ll take care of things. Hope this helps and best of luck to you and Mino!

There are a few possibilities: One, she is a new mother and is feeling a bit overwhelmed or doesn't know what to do with an entire litter, so she is just trying to move a single kitten with her. Two, there may be something wrong with the other kittens such as a deformity, etc, as some cats will try to push away or stop caring for these kittens if they sense something is wrong. Three, she will eventually move ALL the kittens, she is just trying to find a place that she feels safe and comfortable in before she does so. Making sure she has a nice cozy and private place to house her kittens may help her feel more comfortable. You may also need to start helping out and supplementing feeding for any kittens she is pushing away or is having trouble nursing. If any kitten or momma cat seems ill or aren't thriving, bringing them into your vet for an exam to rule out any illness or genetic issues is best.

Cats commonly want to pick up their kittens and move them to "safety". My guess is that, left unattended, she would move all of them one at a time. Consider moving her basket/box to a more secluded area (under a coffee table, in a small closet, etc). This might appease her concern for her kittens. As for the eye goop, keep an eye on this. If you need to, gently wipe it with a warm damp cloth on a daily basis. This could be nothing or it could be an early viral infection. If you see snotty noses, reluctance to eat, or any other concerning signs, see the vet. You can start mom on a lysine supplement (we think this helps interrupt replication of the feline herpes virus.) And don't worry, human cold viruses do not transfer to people (and vice versa). Hope this helps and best of luck to you and the kitty family!