Pet parents are understandably quite concerned when their kitten suddenly stops eating. While a kitten might skip the occasional meal because of stress, environmental changes, or dietary transitions, anything more than this is generally concerning. Kittens cannot go as long without eating as adult cats, and prolonged loss of appetite in kittens should never be ignored.
In this FAQ article, we’ll cover your common questions about loss of appetite in kittens, as well as offer guidance for when you might want to get your kitten seen by a veterinarian.
Q1: Why is my kitten not eating?
There are many reasons a kitten may not be as interested in eating. These can range from something mild, such as the stress of moving into a new home, to something more serious like an illness or infection.
The following are all general reasons a kitten may have a reduced appetite:
- Stress from moving into a new home
- Changes in food or feeding routine
- Dietary preferences (soft vs. kibble, etc.)
- Recent vaccination
- Upset stomach
- Illness or infection
- Environmental distractions, such as a dog or child
Teething discomfort is unlikely to cause a kitten to completely skip a meal but may affect their preferences. For example, they may be drawn towards soft foods.
Appetite changes are very common after major life transitions, such as moving into a new home. The kitten may not completely finish a meal, or they may skip a meal. If you’ve suddenly introduced a new food without a transition, they may seem completely disinterested. Regardless of whether you think you know the cause, it’s important to continue monitoring your kitten’s appetite closely.
Q2: How long can a kitten go without eating?
Kittens can’t go as long as adult cats without eating because they have high energy and nutritional needs to support their growth. Young kittens, especially those under 2 to 3 months, are very vulnerable to low blood sugar.
How long the kitten can go without food depends very heavily on their age. Nursing kittens usually need to be fed every few hours depending on their age, and missing even one meal is generally concerning.
In weaned kittens, missing a single meal may not be an emergency, but it warrants watching. If your 2-month-old kitten hasn’t eaten in more than 12 hours, you’ll definitely want to monitor them closely. If they’ve gone 24 hours without eating, they need to see a veterinarian. Refusal to eat can become quite serious quickly in young kittens.
Q3: What are some common reasons a kitten won't eat?
Here, we’ll go a little more into the causes of a kitten not eating:
- Respiratory infections: Kittens rely heavily on their sense of smell when deciding to eat, and congestion can have a profound effect on their appetite.
- Gastrointestinal upset: Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can all decrease a kitten’s appetite.
- Intestinal parasites: Some intestinal parasites can cause gastrointestinal signs that may decrease appetite.
- Dental or oral pain: Teething won’t usually make a kitten stop eating completely, but it can affect their behaviors. Other causes of oral pain, like fractured teeth or sores in the mouth, can have a more profound effect on appetite.
- Stress and anxiety: Kittens can experience stress as they move into a new home, meet new housemates, and learn new routines. This may affect their appetite, though it shouldn’t cause a complete refusal to eat food for an entire day.
- Dietary preferences or sudden food changes: Cats can be picky eaters. If your cat seems to be sniffing or nibbling at the food rather than eating it, this may be the cause. Make sure to do dietary transitions slowly, and don’t be afraid to try multiple types of age-appropriate foods to find what your kitten likes.
Q4: When should I worry about a kitten not eating?
A nursing kitten should be evaluated if they’re skipping any meals. In the absence of other clinical signs, a weaned kitten should be seen by a veterinarian if they’ve refused food for 24 hours or more.
A kitten of any age should be evaluated if they have appetite loss accompanied by:
- Weight loss
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Difficulty breathing, heavy congestion, or other respiratory signs
- Hiding or unusual behavior
- Straining in the litterbox or blood in urine
Q5: What should I do if my kitten is not eating but drinking water?
If your kitten won’t eat but is drinking water, you’ll want to monitor them closely. While drinking water is certainly a good sign, water isn’t going to provide the energy and nutrients the kitten needs to thrive.
It’s possible that the cat is picky, so you can try offering highly palatable foods, different food options, or warming wet food to enhance its aroma.
If your cat develops any other symptoms or their appetite does not improve by the end of the day, contact a veterinarian. You should never force feed your cat, as this can cause choking, inhalation of food particles, and aversion to foods.
Q6: How can I encourage my kitten to eat?
To encourage your kitten to eat, you can try the following suggestions:
- Offer canned food
- Warm food before serving
- Try “topping” kibble with canned food or moist treats
- Feed in a quiet, low-stress location away from dogs, children, and other cats
- Maintain consistency in the feeding schedule
- Make any dietary changes slowly over the course of at least a week
- Ensure access to food and water is easy and safe
Always make sure the food you’re offering is appropriate for kittens.
If your kitten continues to show a reluctance to eat, your veterinarian may recommend appetite stimulants. These can be very helpful but should only be given under a veterinarian’s guidance.
Q7: When should I contact my veterinarian?
The veterinarian should be called if a nursing kitten or kitten under 2 months of age is skipping multiple meals. For kittens older than this, contact the veterinarian if appetite loss has lasted longer than 24 hours in the absence of other signs.
If you have a sick kitten who is not eating, you should contact a veterinarian regardless of the kitten’s age. Signs to watch for include lethargy, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, congestion or nasal discharge, tacky gums, sunken eyes, or any other sign that the kitten appears sick or declining.
If you’re at all concerned, it’s always better to seek veterinary care promptly rather than waiting. Kittens can deteriorate quickly, and early intervention is more likely to improve outcomes.
Appetite Loss Can Be an Emergency
While not all causes of a kitten not eating are emergencies, serious medical conditions can definitely cause this symptom. Appetite loss is usually more concerning in kittens than adult cats because of a kitten’s high energy needs, limited energy reserves, and small body size. If appetite loss is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, a veterinarian should be consulted. Many causes of appetite loss are easily treated, especially if they’re addressed early.
