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My kitten is weak, won't eat, eyes dilated. How to help without a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Longhair | Female | unspayed | 1lb

my kitten seems paralyzed for past two days. Have to force him to drink by a dropper, and she CAN swallow but doesnt eat. Her eyes are dilated. Seems to respond to flashlights but pupils dont appear to change. Poor girl cant move her limbs, or seems inclined not to, but i can feel her claws cling to me. What can I do? I have no vet near me. I dont wanna put her down if she can get better but i cant even feed her so how do i give her what she needs to not waste away?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Makenzie Kurth, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 3rd, 2019

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I’m so sorry to hear about buttercup. You have her listed at 1lb so I am assuming she is a kitten.

I can’t diagnose her over the internet but i can tell you that her situation sounds very grave. A cat -especially a kitten- who will not eat, seems blind, and is not moving, needs intensive testing and care- and may still not make it.

Hypoglycemia and hypothermia (they often go together) are first on my list. Congenital brain or heart problems and infectious diseases are also possible.

If she can still swallow you can continue the water. You can place a little white Karo syrup or honey on her gums for some blood sugar stabilization.

If she perks up with that, keep her warm and continue small amounts of water and Karo syrup every half hour or so.

But if she doesn’t perk up within a few minutes of warming and karo, she may have bigger problems. And in that case, those won’t be enough to keep her hydrated or from losing weight. She would need a vet for anything beyond that, and you may need to make a tough decision to humanely euthanize her. :(

I’m so sorry and I wish the best for you and Buttercup.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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