Seven week old kitten (new to my home) wont eat, should I worry?

Question

He is very affectionate, slept with me the whole night 'cept to wake me so I could take him to the litter, and when I got home today came right to me, now sleeping on my lap. I know the change in his life can affect his eating and behavior, but its almost been 24 hours, and no sign of him eating or drinking. I have milk (specially for cats/kittens) organic dry kitten food, some mushy kitten food, and some water as well out for him, but no sign of him touching any of it. Any advice?

Thanx to my moms help while I was I work (she kinda babysat, and tried to feed him with a bottle) this evening I was trying to feed him with a bottle and he was lapping it up! Though not allot, at least he was taking some food in, thanx for everyones help and advice. :)

Answer 1

Most cats get nervous when having a new home. I think it is normal but if not sure check with a vet. And he is doing well to be sleeping with you already! He'll be a smart one

Answer 2

Sounds like he hasn't been weaned. He must have been taken from his mum a bit too early.
Keep feeding him by the bottle, but make sure it is the correct one for hand rearing kittens (ask at the vet or pet shop).
Mush up the wet kitten food with the milk, dip your finger into the food and put some on his mouth, so he will lick it. Show him where the food is and see how he goes. He will start to suck the food before he gets the idea about eating.
Use the loaf style chicken over mince as this is less likely to give him a stomach upset.
He will need the bottle three - four times a day, if you can manage it, until he gets the idea about eating on his own. It shouldn't take long.

Good luck with him. He will do well and learn quickly.

Answer 3

At this age, the kittens can start receiving kitten mush. A high quality dry kitten food can be placed in the blender with liquid kitten milk replacer and hot water. This should be blenderized until the consistency of human infant cereal. The kittens should receive 3-4 meals a day of this to start. Once the kittens have checked it out, walked in it, and have eaten some, the queen can be allowed to finish it and clean the kittens. Each week, decrease the amount of the milk replacer and water that is added and the time of blenderizing, so by 7-8 weeks, the kittens are eating dry food. Once they are on dry food, it may be left in with the kittens. As the kittens eat more solid food, the queen may be let away from the kittens for an ever longer period of time. By the time they are 7-8 weeks old, they should be fully weaned from the dam's milk, eating dry food, drinking water, and using the litter box.

Answer 4

Since he is cuddling with you I would take the mushy cat food and try to feed him from your finger. Kittens will take to the meat much faster than any dry food. Sometimes just "priming the pump" so to speak will get a reluctant eater to dig in. Same with the special kitten milk, a little in his mouth with an eye-dropper or even from your finger can start them lapping from a bowl or plate.

Hope this works for you. If he eats nothing tomorrow then he really needs to see a vet for hydration or to find out if there is some other reason he is not eating.

Answer 5

You might want to mix some kitten milk replacer with wet food to make it sort of soupy so he can try to drink it down. It's possible he may have still been in the weaning process from his momcat and that can explain some of the stress. If he continues to not eat, bottle feed him for a few days until he shows more interest in eating kitten food.

Answer 6

I'm surprised you've got a 7 week old kitten...did you rescue it from the street? Kittens should be with their moms til 8-10 weeks old so hope no one separated them before they should have?? If you got it from somewhere where they don't care about those sorts of things, they may have given you a sick kitty. I'd have it checked by a vet if it's gone more than 24 hours without food. I rescue kittens all the time, and even the most frightened wouldn't starve themselves for longer than that, no matter how scared, and from what you tell us, kitty is feeling comfie, not scared, so she should be eating. Do you know if he/she was eating before you took her home? Where did you get her from? I so hope he's eating for you soon!

Answer 7

You should try bottle feeding your kitten with KMR. Just 1-2 days w/o eating and it could become dehydrated. Also smear some wet food on the roof of the kittens mouth. Some kittens will eat only dry food . Give him a few choices. Also give him a stuffed animal to sleep with. He is old enough for his first distemper, deworming and felv/fiv test.

Answer 8

Depending on where you got him (was he a stray or an adoption agency) you might want to take him to a vet. Kittens become dehydrated very quickly due to their size - he probably weighs no more than a couple of lb. at most, yes? Don't wait if this continues. Also make sure no food is cold, he will not touch it. Good luck!

Answer 9

7 weeks is too young for a kitten to leave its mother! Eight weeks is the minimum age recognized by most reputable breeders, but...keep giving the baby formula from a bottle, if necessary. The kitten will probably end up being very loyal and lovable.

Answer 10

Don't worry, he won't starve. He's just trying to get used to his surroundings and he may not be feeling hungry. My parents got a cat and she did not use her cat pan for almost 3 days. Was not having accidents in the house, just would not go potty. My mom called her breeder and was told that this was normal and to not worry if she doesn't eat, drink, or use her pan. Once your boy feels OK with you and the house, he will make himself right at home.

Answer 11

Warm the food a little and just be patient. Start with the good stuff and don't change it. I gave in and my 2 adult cats will only eat the cheap stuff now, which may be tastier but not good quality. It's hard to go back!