Kitten Not Eating: Causes, What to Try and When to Call the Vet

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

A healthy kitten eats with gusto. When a kitten turns away from food, it is a signal worth taking seriously. Kittens burn energy quickly and have few reserves, so missing meals can cause trouble faster than in adult cats.

Why kittens stop eating

• Stress. New home, travel, loud noise, new pets. Appetite often returns in a day.
• New food. Some kittens are suspicious of changes. See how to switch cat foods.
• Upper respiratory infection. A blocked nose dulls smell, and sore eyes and mouth make eating unpleasant. See kitten sneezing and eye discharge and upper respiratory infections in cats.
• Mouth pain, from teething, ulcers or gum disease. See kitten teething.
• Intestinal parasites, such as worms and Giardia. See kitten deworming guide.
• Vomiting and diarrhea. See kitten diarrhea.
• Viral infections, such as panleukopenia, FeLV, FIV and FIP. See feline panleukopenia and feline infectious peritonitis.
• Fever and pain.
• Constipation.
• Foreign body. A swallowed string or toy. See linear foreign body in cats.
• Congenital problems, such as heart or liver defects.
• Vaccination, with mild sleepiness.
• Dirty or unattractive food, or a bowl that is too deep.

See cat not eating: causes.

Why it is urgent in kittens

Kittens can develop hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, quickly. Signs include weakness, trembling, wobbling, seizures and coldness. They can also dehydrate fast. Very young kittens, under eight weeks, may become critically ill within hours. See seizures in cats.

What to try

If the kitten is bright, active and otherwise normal:

1. Offer fresh, strong-smelling wet food, warmed to body temperature. A little tuna water or kitten-safe broth on top may help, but avoid onion or garlic.
2. Use a shallow dish, or offer from your finger or a spoon.
3. Reduce stress. Offer food in a quiet room.
4. Clean the nose gently with a warm damp cloth if crusty.
5. Try different textures, such as pâté or mousse.
6. Keep to its usual food, if it was the one it ate before.
7. Offer small, frequent meals.
8. Provide water.

Do not force food into the mouth, since it can enter the lungs. Do not syringe feed unless a vet instructs you.

When to call the vet

Call at once if:

• The kitten is under eight weeks old and refuses food.
• It has not eaten for twelve hours.
• It is lethargic, weak, cold, or hiding.
• It has vomiting or diarrhea.
• It has labored breathing, or severe sneezing with discharge.
• Gums are pale, yellow or dry.
• It has a swollen belly.
• It trembles, seems wobbly or has a seizure.

Warm a weak kitten gently with a towel and a warm, not hot, water bottle on the way. See cat emergency warning signs.

What your vet may do

Examine, check temperature and blood sugar, test stool, give fluids, treat parasites and infections, and may recommend appetite stimulants, syringe feeding or hospital care.

Orphans and bottle babies

Very young kittens need milk replacer. See how to bottle feed a kitten.

Preventing problems

Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date. See kitten vaccine schedule and core shots. Keep food fresh, and feed on a routine. See kitten feeding schedule.

What recovery looks like

A kitten that is getting better will show interest in food, sniff and lick, then eat a little more at each meal. It will groom, play and use the litter box. If you see improvement within hours, keep offering small meals. If you see no progress, or the kitten gets weaker, do not wait for the next morning, and call an emergency clinic.

Preventing a repeat

Keep food fresh and to a routine, change diets slowly, keep vaccinations current and limit stress. See kitten first night at home for settling a new arrival. Offer the same bowl and place, and keep water clean.

Warming and comfort

A cold kitten will not eat, and warming it is sometimes the first step. Wrap the kitten in a towel, and place a warm water bottle, wrapped in cloth, next to it, never directly against skin, and allow it to move away. If the kitten is cold to the touch, limp or unresponsive, rewarm gently while heading to the vet. Warmth alone will not fix an underlying illness, but it can stabilize a weak kitten for the trip.

When to see a vet

See a vet quickly whenever a kitten refuses food. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.