The arrival of a new kitten is such an exciting event. One that is usually eagerly anticipated by all! After stocking your cupboards with a vast range of seemingly irresistible cat foods, nibbles, and treats, and admiring that beautiful little furry cat igloo - again, and smiling benignly at the adorable range of bowls, scratching posts, and toys, you're practically electrified to be welcoming the little sweetie into your home at last! You may be so caught up in all the excitement that it takes a while for you to slowly realise that your new kitten is refusing to eat.
Anything!
At all!
If your new kitten is not eating very much, or not eating at all, it can be very distressing! Here are some of the reasons this might be happening and a few tips you can use to (hopefully) solve the problem quickly and effortlessly.
Try not to panic - focus on problem-solving instead. There could be several reasons for your kitten's lack of interest in food.
If you are giving your kitten a brand of food that's completely unfamiliar, they may be reluctant to eat. They may have already become used to another brand before coming to live with you, and the change could seem overwhelming and possibly even threatening.
Kittens are extremely intuitive and sometimes wary about what they eat and drink. Try to eliminate this possibility by finding out the exact cat food brand and flavours your kitten already enjoys and trusts.
Make sure these familiar meals and treats are readily available. Don't try to reinvent the wheel, and don't worry that your kitten will get bored or annoyed by the lack of variety.
Try to keep things very simple.
Cats and kittens are very clean and fussy creatures and may appear to turn their noses up at certain meals. However, there may be nothing wrong with their food at all.
Your kitten might simply be reticent about eating from a bowl that has traces of slightly stale food crumbs from yesterday's dinner still clinging to the sides. It's a good idea to wash all bowls and utensils thoroughly, using washing up liquid and drying them properly before serving up each meal.
If lingering smells are clinging to the plastic bowls you use regularly, even when they're clean, try switching them for ceramic bowls instead.
If your kitten seems to be suffering from a loss of appetite that continues over a period of 24 hours, you should make an appointment for them to see a vet, without delay. A lack of interest in food and water could be a sign of something a little more serious than an objection to sardines and should be checked out immediately.
Any sign of weight loss in your kitten is definitely a red flag!
Your kitten may have already become accustomed to a feeding routine based on being fed three or four times a day at scheduled mealtimes. If there's no one at home for long periods during the day, and your kitten is suddenly confronted with a more relaxed grazing culture, this could prove to be problematic.
Equally, many cats are grazers and may return to their bowls frequently for a bite at a time. Don’t mistake this for not eating!
While it may be more convenient for new kitten owners to leave a tantalising buffet of dry food, wet food, and drinks lying around, hoping a surprised and overjoyed kitty will discover them at some point during the day and chow down appreciatively, this may not be the best approach.
It might be possible to feed your kitten less frequently after a few months. In the meantime, try to come home for daytime meals, or ask a friend or relative to pop in for a quick afternoon feed each day. They can also make sure your kitten is happy and adjusting well to its new life.
Ideally, kittens under six months old shouldn’t be left alone at home for more than five or six hours at a time.
Kittens and cats like nice large feeding bowls that don't interfere with their whiskers when they are eating. If you notice that your kitten's whiskers are touching the edges of the bowl when they lower their head to eat, you might want to buy a bigger bowl. Whiskers are so sensitive that this could be quite off-putting for a new kitten.
When your cat hides, it may seem as if he or she is playing, but if your kitten is not eating and is also hiding away, this could be a sign that something in your home is causing them to feel anxious. They may be feeling overwhelmed by people, noises, things, or other pets in your home.
Find a nice quiet and private place to keep your kitty's food and water bowls. Somewhere away from loud noises, other pets, front doors, disturbances, or places where unexpected events can happen.
Enthusiastic vacuuming, washing machines, dishwashers, and loud music can also be upsetting.
Try to always feed your kitten in the same spot. This will increase the sense of safety and predictability in your home.
Spend as much time as possible making your kitten feel safe, loved, and secure. Give your new kitten plenty of time to adjust, and lots of space to breathe and feel safe.
Cat care doesn't just begin and end with feeding, grooming, and litter boxes.
Your kitten may have arrived with no history of illnesses or lack of appetite. However, on entering your home, they may suddenly seem to have lost their appetite. This can be confusing for a new pet owner but worrying and watching your kitten as they timidly approach their food will probably not help matters.
Understandably, you might be just as anxious as your new kitten. You long to see their delighted little kitten face enjoying a premium bowl filled with the best food on the market and served up in a pristine ceramic bowl.
Standing over them, waiting to hear their contented purr, however, will only make them feel more nervous. Your kitten is tiny. You and your home are both huge from a kitten's perspective.
A new kitten can be very sensitive to changes of any kind and needs time to adjust to new circumstances.
When in doubt, be extra loving and make sure you are ticking all the boxes when it comes to veterinary care and check-ups. Never leave anything to chance, just hoping it will get better all by itself.