New kitten from shelter won't eat or drink much. Is this normal?

Ozzie's whole world has just been turned upside down by coming into a new home with new people, so he is likely quite stressed at the moment. Some cats refuse to eat or drink normally during times of stress, so there are a few things that you can try to help Ozzie along. First of all, try to leave him alone as much as possible so that he can acclimate to his new environment. Also assure that his food and water are in slightly quieter and more secluded areas of your house so that he has some privacy while eating or drinking. You can also try using calming pheromone collars or diffusers, such as Feliway. He may be tempted to eat with canned cat food, small portions of tuna, or meat-based baby foods. Warming up these foods slightly will make their odor stronger, which is often enticing to cats. However, if Ozzie still won't eat or drink by tomorrow, it may be worth a trip to the vet to assure that there aren't any other medical conditions at play. I hope this helps and that Ozzie warms up to his new home quickly!

Poor Meep! It sounds like he's very nervous, and still adjusting to his new environment. Moving to a new home is very stressful for cats, so this is not unexpected. It's likely that he hasn't had a bowel movement because he hasn't been eating well - if nothing is going in, there won't be anything to come out :) This problem should resolve itself within the next couple of days now that he is eating. Unless you have seen him straining in the litter box, this should not be any cause for concern. It's also very normal for cats not to drink much water - they are adapted for living in very dry areas. If he is eating wet food, he may not drink any water at all. Since it sounds like he's starting to settle in and things are improving, I would suggest giving Meep more time to get used to things. Make sure that he has his own room with his food and water bowls, litter box, and toys and hiding spaces so that he feels safe. He will start to venture out into the rest of the house as he gets more comfortable. You can also try using Feliway pheromone diffusers in his room and around the house to help reduce his stress and make him more comfortable.

Hello, and thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that Sheeba has been unwell since arriving home. It is possible her behaviour is related to stress and anxiety. However, it could also be related to a medical problem. Whatever the cause, when a cat does not eat or drink for several days, this can lead to dehydration, weakness, and secondary liver problems, especially for a kitten. Because of this, I would recommend taking Sheeba to the vet within the next 24 hours. They can perform a full physical exam and run some tests to rule out a medical issue. They can also provide supportive medications to improve her hydration, appetite, and comfort. If the vet confirms she is in good physical health, you can try using Feliway, a feline pheromone spray designed to reduce stress in cats. Also ensure she has easy access to food and water in the place where she is hiding. You can gradually try interacting with her more and more, through offering treats, and speaking to her softly and gently. With time, she should start to open up and learn to trust you and be comfortable in her environment. I hope this helps, and that Sheeba feels better soon!

Yes, it may take a day or two for her to relax. I recommend confining her to a room or two that is quiet with her food water and litter. Leave her alone overnight so she can have privacy and minimal stress. Giving some wet food may encourage her to eat. You can spend some time in her place several times during the day but I’d keep her in there until she’s eating and using the litter box. Then you can gradually introduce her to the rest of the house and people. Be patient and she should settle in soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Puma.

I think he is likely stressed and unsure of his new surroundings. I suggest you get a Feliway diffuser to put in the room with him. It is a wall plug-in that emits pheromones to relieve stress in cats and calm them. It really works wonders in the majority of cats. You can buy these online or at any large pet store like Petco. Be sure that room he is in is very calm and quiet. ( https://www.feliway.com/us/Products/FELIWAY-CLASSIC-Diffuser ) Also, you may need to try a different food or a different form of food. I suggest putting out multiple options for him like 2 different varieties of dry food and 2 different types of wet food (one pate type and one chunky) to which he prefers and go from there. You can always call the shelter and ask what they were feeding him although they may not know. I suggest trying a "light" or reduced calorie food as at 14 pounds he is a bit overweight. We like to keep cats at 12 pounds or less to prevent diseases like diabetes, orthopedic issues and heart disease. If he does start eating in the next 24 hours then I suggest you get him to a vet for an exam. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! My guess is that Claire is just very scared in her new home and needs time to get comfortable. Put a littler box and food near the bed and close the door. Go in multiple times per day to sit with her. She will get more comfortable with time. Good luck!

Hello. I do not think you have too much to worry about just yet. There is always an adjustment period when a young pet comes into a new home, especially if the kitten was just taken from its mother & siblings. Give Milo a few days to adjust by allowing him to explore & become comfortable. Have him examined as soon as possible by your veterinarian to make sure he is healthy, has no intestinal parasites or external parasites like fleas or ear mites. He is old enough to start his kitten vaccinations, but I do recommend having him check for the feline leukemia/feline immunodeficiency virus at his first visit, too. Hopefully, Milo will do just fine & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.