Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My kitten is sad and won't eat after losing her family. What to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | 1 month and 5 days old | 3 lbs

My kitten lost her mother and sister,she so sad and don't have mood to drink milk that i give and she keep looking her sister that passed away.What should i do to make she drink some milk and happy again.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 10th, 2017

Oh I'm so sorry Tsuki lost her mother and sister. I would remove the bodies of her mother and sister so she can't look at them anymore. I see that she is about five weeks old at this point, so it's fine to start weaning her onto dry food. To help her wean and to get used to dry food, I would soak a high quality kitten formulated dry food in warm water until soft. Then mix that with kitten formula such as KMR to make a mush the consistency of oatmeal. Over the next two weeks, gradually increase the amount of dry kitten food and decrease the amount of water and KMR you use until she is eating the dry kitten food only. Give her a lot of love and attention, and if she continues to refuse to eat, then she may be sick and I would have her seen by a vet immediately. Have her seen by a vet if she still isn't eating in the next 24 hours.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on February 23rd, 2019
You can start weaning the kittens onto dry kitten food. To help them wean and to get used to dry food, I would soak a high quality kitten formulated dry food in warm water until soft. Then mix that with kitten formula such as KMR to make a mush the consistency of oatmeal. Over the next two weeks, gradually increase the amount of dry kitten food and decrease the amount of water and KMR you use until they are eating the dry kitten food only. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Food & Nutrition

What to feed 6-week-old kittens who lost their mom and won't nurse?

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your cat :( For the kittens, mom would have been weaning them by this point. Offer a bowl of warmed kitten formula, a bowl of warmed wet kitten food and a bowl of warmed formula soaked kitten kibble. Smear the contents of the bowls along the mouths/lips of the kittens so that they get the taste in their mouths. This will generally stimulate them to start eating. Royal Canin makes a great kitten food called Baby Cat for kittens under 6weeks old. This is what I fed my little rescues. Best of luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My 5-week-old kitten won't eat or drink. What can I feed her?

At 5 weeks Baby should be old enough to start eating some solid food. You can try mixing some canned kitten food with some kitten formula like KMR and putting it in a shallow dish. If she still won’t eat I would recommend seeing a veterinarian to determine what might be wrong. They can also teach you how to tube feed if necessary.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My 2-week-old kitten won't eat and cries. How can I feed her?

Hello, your question stated the cat is 15 years, but I'm assuming from the photo that she is 15 days old (as stated in the pet info tab). At this age, she needs to be nursing from her mother or receiving a kitten milk replacer. Try feeding her milk replacer from a bottle. Put a small drop of the milk replacer on the nipple of the bottle so she can smell it, and with your finger you can put a drop on her lips. Hopefully this will help entice her to eat. If she will not suckle, you can bring her to your nearest veterinarian who should be able to teach you how to tube feed her until she is strong enough to suckle or lap the milk replacer up from a saucer. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My new adopted kitten is underweight and not eating. What to do?

He is still very young and misses his mommy and his siblings. You should feed him canned kitten food, as kibble is still too hard and a kitten cannot eat enough of it. Feed him small portions 4-5 times a day and feed as much as he wants to eat, ie refill the bowl a little bit at a time. Make sure water is available but not next to the food. It needs to be about 6 feet away from the food bowl. At this age (71 days) he should weigh a little over 1kg, or 2.3lbs

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My 7-week kitten only eats chicken. How do I get her to eat cat food?

Picky eaters can always be frustrating! By 7 weeks of age, Ryoko does not need to nurse from her mom, so any nursing may be delaying her need for kitten food. If possible, try to separate the mother cat from all kittens for several days. During that time, offer canned kitten food mixed with finely shredded chicken to try to tempt Ryoko to eat, then gradually decrease the amount of chicken mixed with the kitten food. If she does not care for canned food, you can try offering dry kitten food. She won't starve herself! I hope this helps and that all goes well!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Kitten eating less after friends left. How to get her to eat more?

I am sorry to hear about Skye! It is possible she could be feeling sad losing her kitty friends. I would consider getting a Feliway diffuser https://www.feliway.com/us/Products/FELIWAY-CLASSIC-Diffuser which can sometimes help relieve stress/anxiety in cats. I would watch her closely for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abnormal urinary habits and if any of these occur or if she stops eating then she should see her vet for an examination.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My 7-week-old kitten isn't eating. When should I call the vet?

Yes, that is probably a good plan. She is too young to go very long without eating. They can get easily hypoglycemic. She really should have stayed with her mom until 8 weeks of age. I know it is just 10-11 days more but that makes a big difference in a neonate. I would suggest trying this food: ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/royal-canin-feline-health-nutrition-baby-cat-loaf-wet-cat-food ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share