We know taking care of young kittens can be challenging. Cat parents must be at their beck and call so they don’t get into unfortunate situations. Right from administering the food to cleaning up the poop, cat owners need to oversee every pet life activity when they are still babies and growing.
One of the most critical aspects of kittenhood is feeding. It is best if you have an eye on your fur baby’s eating habits to get clues about their wellbeing. Any drastic changes in eating patterns can be a cause of concern. You may have to rush to your vet to puzzle out your kitty’s change in behavior.
Cat insurance NZ helps feline pet owners provide their little munchkins with excellent medical care while making the whole affair economic for themselves. Kitten insurance is available at different levels of cover. So, choose a policy that best fits your kitten and budget.
Having a pet insurance policy is no reason not to pay attention to your kitty’s physical, mental, and emotional health. If your kitten refuses to eat, you need to figure out the underlying cause asap and resolve the issue, so your young feline pet doesn’t starve or fall sick.
This article lists a few potential reasons for your kitten denying food or not completing their meals.
Your fur baby may still be exploring their food choices
- Newly weaned kittens may have problems with transitioning to solid food. The trick is to allow them to taste a range of dishes varying in texture, taste, and smell. Over a period, your young kitten may have their eating preferences set, and you can provide them just that.
- You can toss in small portions of dry and wet food so they can nibble on and check what they like. Adding some gravy or a meal topper can make your munchkin’s meal appetizing.
- Also, you need to know that feline appetite is motivated by the smell of food. So, provide your fur baby with aromatic food items they may find inviting.
- One more hack to ensure your kitten finds the food appealing and completes their little meal is warming up the canned food items before serving.
Possibility of your fur baby having a respiratory infection
- One of the most common reasons baby cats refuse to eat is an upper respiratory infection (UPI). The symptoms like high temperature, weakness, and nasal blockages can deter your kitten from eating food.
- Nasal congestion may make it hard for young fur babies to smell the food offered, which is why they may not feel like eating. One solution is to heat the wet food so your kitty can sense the flavor and any strong aroma while munching.
- If your fur baby is suffering much from runny eyes/nose and/or sneezes, you may have to meet your vet urgently for their diagnosis and treatment. It may be a kitten emergency.
Are there other intimidating pets around your fur baby?
Sometimes baby cats may get frightened at the sight of other furry family members. Or, in a few cases, other dominating furry pets can disturb the young kitties during mealtime. In such cases, take your little kitty to a safe zone where they most likely won’t be ambushed and allow them to have their meals peacefully.
We have provided some points on why kittens may say no to food. However, the possible reasons are not limited to these. Your kitty may not be eating for a simple reason like not enjoying the meal or due to a much more complex issue like suffering from gastrointestinal troubles that may need medical attention.
So have a kitten insurance policy to lower your pet’s health expenses annually. The best cat insurance in NZ can cover accidents, third-party liability, non-routine vet visits, prescriptions, diagnosis, hospitalization, treatment, illnesses, injuries, dental issues, pet health emergencies, and more.
