i just rescued a kitten from a house with about 10-15 other cats. i think she's about 2 months old. she's been playing with toys, she used the bathroom in her litter box and she took a nap, but she won't eat anything. i tried to hand feed her by holding some dry food to her nose/mouth & i tried to feed her with an eye dropper but that didn't work either. the house we rescued her from was very dirty and it appeared the cats were just eating anything they could find instead of having a bowl with food put down. any advice on how i can get her used to eating out of her bowl?
2007-02-24 07:47:49 · 11 answers · asked by batman 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
she has a vet appointment but it's not for a week because our regular vet is on vacation. we're gonna take her to the rescue league if she doesn't eat soon to see if they can help. i don;t think she was feeding from her mother but she cries when she's alone
2007-02-24 07:55:38 · update #1
She may not know what kitten food is since apparantly she's been eating whatever she could find. Try putting a little dry kitten food along with a bit of moist kitten food in her bowl. Take her to the bowl and put a bit of the moist food on her nose. She'll lick it off...find she likes it and want more. Then put her down by her bowl to show her where that good food came from and, hopefully, she will start eating. Be sure she has a water bowl there, too. :)
2007-02-24 07:54:52 · answer #1 · answered by Dorth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would love to help you with this,
I happen to deal with this everyday for over 20 years. I own and operate a luxury cat only boarding kennel and this is very common with any cat who is adjusting to a new living arrangement.
What we do here at the kennel is done is steps.
1. try canned food (smelly inexpensive Friskies in a few flavors)
2. try people food- meat only Baby Foods, tuna with the water or go to the Deli for a roasted whole chicken. Give a little piece at a time. This one almost always works.
3. try milk warmed in saucer since she is still young
4. if all else fails we use AD a special canned food purchased at vets who carry Science diet products. It is the consistancy of pudding. You can mix with VERY little water and use a large feeding syringe to feed it to her VERY SLOWLY a few drops at a time. Eye dropper is kind of hard to gage or use, or pull some out on your finger to start and rub it on her tongue.
The most important thing is to get her to eat something. I have customers all the time tell me oh don't worry she will eat she won't starve. This is so untrue. once a cat goes several days with out food the Liver begins to shut down Fatty Liver. Once this happens they loose all appetite and it is very hard to get them back. This is not as dangerous with kittens but is very common in middle aged cats and many cats die from this. Good luck I am sure you will get her eating.
2007-02-24 17:38:58 · answer #2 · answered by KittyCondos 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try putting her in a very small room, like a bathroom with some food. Sometimes cats are anxious in new environments and won't eat. The small space will help her feel more comfortable and in control of her environment. Also, many kittens taken from unsanitary situations have viruses so if she refuses to eat, she may be sick. Have her examined by a vet.
2007-02-24 15:52:14 · answer #3 · answered by Lisa M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with KitKat. Try some Max kitten food in a can. Young cats take more readily to wet food than dry. Try feeding her from your finger - don't force her. Just leave the plate of meat down and she will eat it.
2007-02-24 16:16:51 · answer #4 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
spend more time with her when she crys call her name i rescued a male kitten that was 2 months also and the house he was at had ;ike at least 10 cats to just keep trying to feed her mabye give her a different type of food she might just need to settle in before she will eat though moving has probably caused her alot of stress
2007-02-24 16:53:28 · answer #5 · answered by Avaria 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try some soft food she may be younger than then you think and not long of her mum you must get her to a vet soon as on Monday for check up and wormer/ fleas keep her warm and let her settle in she will be fine shes lost and missing mum love her loads and good luck
2007-02-24 15:55:32 · answer #6 · answered by old-bag 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is otherwise healthy-appearing, like you say playing I wouldn't worry about her not eating for a day or two. She's probably "content" being warm, stimulated with toys and getting affection. As long as she is drinking she should be fine.
2007-02-24 16:32:14 · answer #7 · answered by Robin B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get some cat mile and mix with moist cat food the dry stuff she may not be ready for yet.
2007-02-24 16:14:00 · answer #8 · answered by cutiepie81289 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like she won't last a week my friend. I would find another vet and get her to it now. you won't have a kitten in a week
2007-02-24 17:21:18 · answer #9 · answered by katie d 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave her alone when it's time to eat. Maybe she's just shy that way. Don't force it, or eating will feel like punishment.
2007-02-24 15:58:01 · answer #10 · answered by Caramella 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋