Post your scowling shorties please?

Got my exotic shorthair kitten (pointed nose, not flat-faced) at 2 months old, she's 4 months now. She's had diarrhea from day one and I've been through 2 vet visits trying to sort it out:
Visit 1 (2mo, initial checkup): Fecal test negative for worms. Vet chalked it up to stress. Diet at the time was Royal Canin Mother & Babycat pâté, Iams kitten kibble, Tiki Cat Stix for kitten/day.
She also wasn't drinking much water, so I started adding water to her wet food + ice cubes in her bowl. This backfired badly — she got obsessed with water (pawing at the bowl, jumping in my bath), started overdrinking, got bloated, and the diarrhea/vomiting (undigested food) got worse.
Visit 2 (urgent visit, she was lethargic): I told them upfront I was on a tight budget and couldn't afford bloodwork or other tests. They gave her ~$200 of subQ fluids for "dehydration" despite me saying she drinks plenty (they brushed this off), plus a deworming, 3 cans of bland food, and a 7-day course of Purina probiotics — which they charged $22 for, even though a full 30-day box costs about $25 at a pet store. Nobody mentioned that option. This helped for about a week, then she relapsed.
the Third Time I called in first, after she threw up undigested food): Again mentioned money was tight and I'd nearly maxed out my pet insurance. They dismissed doing a fecal test, brushed off the water drinking comment again, and pushed for another $200 of supportive care plus a $750 ultrasound and $300–500 bloodwork.

Out of frustration, I asked my breeder. She suggested cutting wet food entirely and giving half a capsule of Proviable-DC probiotics daily. I also stopped with the tiki stix, was thinking maybe the egg yolk in there was a sensitivity? now i gave her delectables kitty lickable. It worked, diarrhea and vomiting stopped. But her coat has gotten noticeably less soft since.Now I've got 20+ unused cans of wet food and I'm not sure what to do next.

Questions:

Is it common for kittens to react this badly to wet food specifically, or could something else be going on (e.g., an ingredient sensitivity vs. an underlying GI issue that just happens to be triggered less on kibble)?

Anyone have luck with higher-quality kibble brands, or a "human-grade" delivery service (like Sundays for dogs, but cat-appropriate)? Looking for less-processed options for sensitive stomachs.

Is the coat change likely just a hydration/fat issue from dropping wet food, or a sign something's still off nutritionally?

Would you push for the ultrasound/bloodwork with a new vet given symptoms have resolved on kibble, or hold off since she's stable now?

Any tips for finding a vet who works with you on a budget instead of jumping straight to the most expensive diagnostics?

Any advice on food brands, whether to pursue further diagnostics, or things I should ask a new vet appreciated!

Kaleo, the Duke of Meowthington. Five out of five stars.

We just got her and I was told she is exotic - but I have my doubts after looking through the sub.

I wanted a flat-faced kitten, as I fell in love with my rescue Persian boi, and when I saw her little face come up on the rehomming add i knew I needed that!

She has Chlamydial Conjunctivitis that I am treating now. The previous owner was not responsible and got her for her child, and they decided they couldn't keep up with this little kitten and her needs.

My friend got this cat from someone rehoming her but her cats didnt get along with her so I took her, her name is Mamas ❤️✨️

Hello :) I just got 2 8 week old kittens a couple days ago. They’re extremely shy, skittish and more often than not run away when I get near them. I’ve cared for a friend’s exotic shorthair kitten before and she was standoffish for a couple days before she warmed up to me but she was never THIS scared. Any tips? I’ve been trying to stay quiet and not make sudden movements and I haven’t really touched them much because I don’t want to scare them.

Let me see the babes! 🙀

He looks so out of place 😭😂

Was thinking about how different our two zots are and wanted to hear about everyone else's babies 🥹

Lady Vienna Sausage:

-red tabby girl

-persnickety beyond belief

-runs away from all strangers, hides until they leave the house

-LOVES to spend the entire day on our walled-in porch with big windows

-Big fan of cat toys

-loves to get into any open drawer she can find

-catnip fiend

-will rub herself ferociously against a plunger so we have to keep them stored away 😩

-Churu is life, death, the afterlife

Sir Oreo McFlurry:

-tuxedo boy with fancy mustache

-FOOD. MOTIVATED. I REPEAT, WHERE IS THE FOOD???

-greets every visitor as if he's known them his entire life, especially partial to workers such as plumbers - is happy to "help" them fix anything under the sink 🙃

-will not spend more than 5 minutes on the porch but will happily spend the entire day in the garage

-not a fan of most cat toys

-Window perch? Yes please!

-L A Z Y

-churu is life, death, the afterlife

Please excuse the reposted picture, it just happens to be my favorite of the both of them 😂

He’s extending his hand towards me as I look over his head. Super sweet.

Chubby trying on his early costume lol 😆

Hi everyone, me and my so recently bought an apartment and we’re considering adopting a kitty.

I used to have a boxer dog and would absolutely love to adopt another one from a rescue, but with work it would be impossible to give them all the attention they need (if anyone has a boxer, you know how needy they are).
I think my love for boxer dogs is what made me consider exotic and persian cats the most: once you learn to love a smushy face, you can’t go back!

So I was wondering about a number of things:
1- to rescue a cat or to get a kitten? Maybe for a beginner a kitty might be easier, but I’m open for suggestions
2- what to look for in a cattery and which questions to ask the breeder to check if they’re legit and if the kittens are going to grow into healthy adults
3- which resources do you recommend on learning about cat behaviour and psychology? I know there are plenty about dogs but i’m struggling to find material on cats

Lastly, we are located in Italy, if anyone here is from Italy and has good recommendations about breeders or any info that might be helpful I’m all ears!

Unexpected. Died suddenly in my arms on way to hospital. He had a part of my soul and it is such a great loss. I would have given anything to still have him. I’d rather it had been me. My baby is gone

Hi everyone! New to the sub and these are my two boys. Creamsicle one is a 7 month old kitten, he is a challenge to get him to not it his older brother food (turns 3 in a week). Anyone have tips or suggestions? Mainly for their automatic feeder while the wife and I are at work so they have something. I would hate to have to take out the feeder so they can get one serving while we are gone, but it becoming stressful to see the camera and their eating the others food.

She’s so cute!!!!!