We always hear about rooting for the underdog, but what about the underkitten? The runt of the litter may be a hot mess, but we root for them even more because of it. We cheer for them as they make it against the odds. Here’s the story of an underkitten that inspired everyone rooting for her in a Southern California rescue. Cinder was one tough cookie, but she reminded us of ourselves before our morning coffee. In the end, you won’t believe her glow-up transformation!
Cinder Was One Hot Mess
A litter of emaciated, sickly kittens arrived at a Southern California foster home with no time to spare. There were three white girls and two tabby boys, but of all of them, Cinder was in the roughest shape. At three-and-a-half weeks old, she weighed just 124 grams when she should have been closer to 283 grams. She was the size of a newborn!
Despite being extremely bony, dehydrated, and suffering from serious tummy issues, Cinder began to show signs of recovery with medication and fluids. While the other kittens remained playful in the incubator, Cinder was too weak to join in. Instead, she craved cuddles—proof of her determination to survive.
Cinder Was a Mood
As underweight and frail as she was, Cinder proved to be a little fighter. Slowly but surely, she started gaining energy, and one day, she began to purr—a sign that her body was recharging. Soon, she was wrestling with her littermates, although her appearance still reminded everyone of how they feel before their first cup of coffee in the morning.
In fact, her grumpy yet adorable expression became so iconic that she was featured on a hilarious T-shirt with phrases like “No coffee, no talkie” and “Bad bitch.” The photo perfectly captured her “don’t mess with me” vibe, and her foster mom, Kimmi, shared it with followers, commenting,
“She looks sus in this pic. 😆😆😆”
The Glow-Up of the Century
Cinder continued to make progress, moving from formula to kitten food, and despite getting covered in sticky goo from her meals and needing daily ‘booty baths,’ she never lost her fighting spirit. Her glow-up was nothing short of miraculous. Flash forward a couple of months, and Cinder had grown into a healthy 2-pound kitten, ready for adoption.
The before-and-after shots of Cinder are nothing short of shocking! From a weak and frail underkitten to a thriving young lady, her transformation is a testament to the power of love, care, and resilience.
As Cinder reached her full potential, she and her siblings were ready to be adopted through the rescue organization Love Your Feral Felines. Her sister, Jacqueline, is equally stunning, and adopting both of them would be a dream come true for any cat lover. According to Cinder’s adoption profile, “She is sweet and loves to cuddle. She loves suckling on soft fuzzy blankies and gets along great with other kitties.”
An Ameowzing Glow-Up
Cinder’s story reminds us of the importance of rescuing and fostering animals in need. Her transformation from a sickly kitten to a healthy, vibrant young cat is nothing short of amazing. You can follow more inspiring rescues and support Kimmi’s foster work by checking out KimmisKitties and Love Your Feral Felines on Instagram and Facebook.
Cinder’s glow-up is an awe-inspiring reminder that with a little care and a lot of love, even the smallest and most fragile beings can become something extraordinary.
