Kittens not eating!!

I've had my 8 week old kittens for about 24 hours now, and they havn't eaten. I suspect that Tico has cat flu, if not Lottie too (she has gunky eyes, but isn't sneezing lots like Tico is) If they do have it could this be affecting their eating if they can't smell it or something?

All they've done is mostly sleep (which I know is normal) but they seem active enough when they're awake....Lottie just wanders but Tico likes to follow me around. The lady I got them from said they were eating pouches, so I got a box of Whiskas Kitten pouches and a box of dry food - but they don't seem to know what it is! In my despair last night I got a piece of ham out of the fridge - Tico wasn't interested at all but Lottie ate a few tiny pieces then became more interested in eating my finger After filling their bowl at about 7 last night, it still hasn't been touched. They also havn't drank any water, which concerns me since thats what they had previously...any help?

If they aren't on antibiotics, they should be.

The "flu" or upper respiratory infection that causes their gummy eyes isn't what kills them. They can't smell their food and won't eat, so they slowly starve.

Get them to the vets for some antibiotics as soon as possible.

:O That sounds horrible!! I've made an appointment at the vets, but unfortunately it's not until Thursday, that's the soonest they could fit them in

Do you have any suggestions until then?

Originally Posted by kitcat636

:O That sounds horrible!! I've made an appointment at the vets, but unfortunately it's not until Thursday, that's the soonest they could fit them in

Do you have any suggestions until then?

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You may have to get some really smelly foods, heat them up to make them smell more and offer it to them. If that doesn't work it might help if you get a tiny spoon or a popsicle stick and put it in their mouths. I often do that for my rescue kittens so that they know it is food and it is good to eat. After a couple times with that they start on their own.

I have a wee guy who also has the flu and his nose was so stuffy and he would sneeze himself until he fell over poor wee lad. He is doing very well now, but he was so stubborn to get to eat solids, but once he realized it was food and not poison he went to town.

As for the vet visit, they really should go in sooner, can you call and get on a cancellation list or let them know whats going on so they can be seen as soon as possible?

They've said they'll give me a call if there's any cancellations, but it's unlikely

For an update on this, I read somewhere that for kittens with tummy trouble that feeding them plain, dry chicken can help, and then move them onto kitten food from there. I've just cooked some and Lottie seems to be enjoying it, though she's still trying to take chunks out of me at the same time. She's also biting the plate, not the food unless I give it to her. Tico has fallen back asleep in my sons wicker chair Should I wake him up do you think and try him with the chicken?

Tico woke up, so I tried him with the chicken. Lottie did pretty well I think, and she's now back asleep. She wouldn't eat it if it wasn't from my fingertips though

As for Tico, he's more difficult.....I'm having to open his mouth and put the food in myself. He's eaten a few pieces, but he's either spitting it out or it's just sitting in his mouth until I open it again to see if he's swallowed it, and then he spits it out

Is there any other vets in the area that could see your kittens, if one really isnt eating then waiting until Thursday is a long time for a kitten not to eat.

The more they dont eat the weaker they become and the harder it is to get them to eat because they just dont have the energy.

Sending good vibes for your kittens and I hope they get well soon

if he seriously isn't eating despite everything you have tried he needs to go the vet now. The hungrier he gets and the less he eats will only cause more damage. Its so much harder to get a hungry kitten to eat than it is a filled up tummy one. I would call another vet, this can't wait anymore.

I'll take them in first thing in the morning and say it's urgent. There's obviously not much I can do at this hour....They're both seeming contented enough though, will just keep trying for tonight and see if I get anywhere. Lottie has been renamed Tiger as she keeps clawing at me and my little boy kept calling her that anyway Since the first force feeding attempt (which was about 4 separate times but all in one 'session' I suppose you could say, she's still not eating on her own but is showing interest, she's going over & sniffing the food, pawing at it, picking it up in her mouth, going a few steps away and then dropping it & going back to the plate etc...Is this a good sign even though she's not actually eating it herself?

It doesn't sound like they know how to eat the food. Are you sure they are 8 weeks?

I second what someone said above in regards to the stinky food....get the Special Kitty brand or something similar. It reeks to high heaven but that is what they need to get past the infection. At this point, you want to get calories in them, however you can. You could even get some kitten milk and mix it with it for a slightly different texture that they might like.

Good luck, and I agree, get them to the vet 1st thing in the morning.

You might try putting tuna out or pouring tuna juice on the chicken. It's really smelly! (of course, feeding cats canned tuna on a regular basis is not a good idea, but this is for an emergency)

Sorry I was so graphic before but they really do need to see the vet.

You can try warm chicken baby food (Gerber is good). Make sure there are NO onions in it. It is smooth enough for them to lick off the spoon and once they taste it, they are your friends for life. Our two oldest cats were only three weeks old when we got them and I knew zilch then about cats, so I gave them chicken baby food (I had some in the pantry and couldn't get to the store until the next day).

I am sure that saved them. I'm convinced that's why they don't mind when I foster ferals. I use it to help socialize them and mine will still come running when they hear the top "pop" open!

How is it going? Did any of these here recipes helped? If thay dont eat yet, none of these foods, you must probably forcefeed them. You know how to do it? Ask if you dont know, it has some dangers if not done properly.
Force water too if necessary.

Talking about recipes. My would be goat milk, if you can get it at your place. Either as it is or for this forcefeeding...

If they are going very weak, you can give them a kick by giving them some honey, or white Karo syrup. Set a drop around their teeth, or on the roof of the mouth.
Dextrose, "grape sugar", or some water solution of it, is of course OK too.

(some dextrose + salt is the base in pedialyte, the life saving fluid)

Good luck!