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What to do if a kitten doesn't eat cat food
The situation calls for handling based on the reason why the kitten is refusing to eat cat food. If it's due to picky eating, the kitten's habit needs to be corrected, and its taste can be adjusted with cat food it loves, such as cat cans or small fish. If it's caused by parasites, internal deworming is necessary, and it's recommended to do an internal deworming every 3 months. If it's due to oral diseases, check for abnormalities in the mouth first, then treat accordingly, and the kitten's appetite will recover.
What to do if a kitten doesn't eat cat food
There are many reasons why a kitten doesn't eat cat food:
- The cat food has a low meat content and a high grain content. Cats are carnivores and prefer meat. You can switch to a higher-end cat food.
- The cat food has been exposed to the air for too long, and the smell has dissipated. Cats won't have an appetite if they can't smell it. Replace the cat food that has been exposed for more than 24 hours.
- Picky eating, only wanting to eat pure meat or cans. You can improve this by fasting for a couple of meals.
- Decreased appetite due to illness. Visit the vet as soon as possible for inspection and treatment.
How to teach a kitten to eat cat food
Usually, you can feed kittens with cat food one month after they are born. At this time, their stomachs are still fragile, so soak the cat food with sheep milk before feeding. During the period when the kitten is drinking breast milk, place them in front of the cat food bowl to let them become familiar with the smell. Then, persist in feeding the kitten with cat food, and gradually they will develop the habit of eating cat food.
What to do if a kitten doesn't eat anything
If your cat doesn't like to eat cat food, you can consider trying another brand of cat food. Buy a trial pack first, and if the cat shows strong interest, consider switching cat foods. If the cat has loss of appetite due to stomach discomfort, keep some pet-specific probiotics at home to help the cat regulate its digestion. If the cat prefers snacks over cat food, it's a sign of picky eating. Reduce the frequency of snack feeding and break the cat's bad habit.