Kitten Not Eating In The Morning

Hi,

How often should a kitten eat? The back of the container says that they should be fed 3 times a day in small portions, but my little one will not eat in the morning. He will eat in the afternoon and evening, but not morning. I can't leave food out for him because I have a senior cat that likes to eat the kitten food. He is 16 pounds and certainly does not need kitten growth formula (LOL). Is it ok if the kitten is not eating in the morning?

Thanks.

I would think it is perfectly fine that she does not want to eat in the morning, maybe she is full from eating the night before. Good luck.

As long as your kitty is eating, is good weight, is playing and active and not having litter box issues or acting sick in any way, you shouldn't really worry. If you free feed- leave food out all the time, kitty can nibble all he wants. But only do that with dry food, wet food begins to spoil after 15 minutes exposed to air.

When I brought my kitten home, she would only eat in the evenings and during the night. Even now at 7 months old she does 90% of her eating at night.

Hi,

My husband fed him a little while ago and he said he only ate a little. Could it be maybe he doesn't like the food? I will try feeding him again tonight.

I can't leave food out all the time for him to nibble because I have a senior cat and he will eat the kitten food.

Thanks.

One more question? He was neutered on Monday, could that possibly have anything to do with it?

Thanks.

You could always take a sturdy cardboard box, cut the flaps off one side and cut a hole (door) in it only big enough for the kitten to pass through. Flip the box upside down, weight it down good so it can't be budged, leave it against a wall (so it can't be pushed) and free feed in there. If anything, your 16 pounder will lose weight while trying to figure out how to get that kitten chow inside!

I would only do this when you are home though, a determined overweight kitty might find himself wedged in that doorway at one point!

Ok, so now, the kitten that I adopted just a week ago only ate a little bit yesterday and I took him to the vet, which said they will eat only what they need to???? Anyway, he does have a mild URI which I will begin treating with antibiotics. Last night he had diarhhea and he vomited once. He has only eaten a slight bit this morning. I can't believe I'm going through this again. Can a URI bring on diarhea? Any thoughts? He doesn't have a fever.

Thanks.

The diarrhea and vomiting is a result of the antibiotic which is necessary to get the kitten well. I would push fluids and check for dehydration, and if the vomiting continues, call you vet and get an alternate antibiotic. I am sorry the little one feels so punky right now.

Kitty ate 2 big bowls of food this morning! He has only vomited once and the diarhea seems to be getting better. Could be possible that change of environment and change of diet brought this on too. Someone also told me that with the URI, it blocks their smell and they won't eat what they can't smell.

If you change their diet radically and not gradually it can cause stomach upset, diarrhea and vomiting, but then so can the antibiotic. Remember you are feeding the cat, and not the bowl, so don't over-feed. Most people tend to do that, cats are better off eating small amounts several times a day then large amounts in one sitting.