These tiny kittens were born with a silver-gray coat, but as they grew, their fur color started to change.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
A tabby cat and her six newborn kittens were surrendered to a local shelter in Montreal, Canada when their owners could no longer keep them.
Four kittens survived but they were in need of rescue as their cat mom was too stressed to feed them. The kittens appeared to have been born with a fever coat, where their natural pigments had not been properly deposited. This occurs when a cat mom is ill with a fever or stressed during pregnancy.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal took in the little feline family so they could be placed in a foster home instead of staying at the shelter.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
The mama cat was in poor shape and needed emergency surgery. While she was away, the kittens were bottle fed every few hours around the clock. "They were so hungry they threw themselves on their bottle," Chatons Orphelins Montréal shared with Love Meow.
The little bundles of fur were underweight when they first arrived. With help from Dorothee, a foster volunteer, they quickly perked up and started putting on weight.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
The cat mama, Milkie, was so glad to be given the care she needed. Once she recovered from surgery, she decided that she would retire from motherhood once for all.
At the time, no one was certain what colors or markings the kittens would end up with, but they would find out in a few weeks' time.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
When they reunited Milkie with her kittens, she walked right back to her foster mom as if to officially hand her babies to the kind people she entrusted.
"All she wants now is to be loved and spoiled by her foster mom. She purrs whenever she's next to her."
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
As the kittens grew, their silver-gray fur was gradually replaced by their natural colored markings.
Watch their journey in this cute video:
Kittens born with fever coat change colors as they growyoutu.be
Three of the kittens grew to be adorable little tabbies, and one of them became white and gray.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
"They are sweet and affectionate. When their foster mom holds them in her arms, they immediately start purring and fall asleep."
The kittens had a few health issues along the way, but triumphed with help and unconditional love from their foster family.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
At nine weeks old, the feline siblings have transformed into gorgeous little kitties - Dodo, Jules, Annabelle (the three tabbies) and Remi (white and gray).
Soon, they will be ready for their forever loving homes.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
They are eating like champs and getting very playful and rambunctious.
But their favorite thing of all is to be cuddled and loved.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
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Related story: Kitten's Tuxedo Coat Turns into Beautiful Snowflake Markings Due to a Rare Condition