My Kitten Is Losing Weight

kris78

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
79
Purraise
23
Location
UK
My cat had 3 kittens 27 days ago. They've all gained weight well. Then today, one of them lost

5 grams. It's the first time one of them lost weight. I weighed her again a few hours laster and

she'd lost another 5.

I've seen her feeding lots of times and she's still active and playing like normal. Is there

something wrong? Her weight now is 410 grams, which is still good for her age. But I don't

know why she would lose weight all of a sudden...
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,995
Purraise
10,641
Location
Sweden
some drawback for one day can happen. But of course, do observe closely, and if it continues be prepared to contact the vet if you dont find a good reason.  Giving more or extra nutritious food is another tip, but works only if it is food which is the problem... :)

Has they been dewormed properly? Most dewormers shall be given several times.

Good luck!
 

eb24

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,417
Purraise
128
Location
USA
If these were young kittens I would be screaming get to the vet ASAP. But, because she is 4 weeks you have a little more room to try and figure it out, especially since she is eating and her activity level is normal. 

It very well could be just an off day. Are you weighing at the same time everyday? That's the key to getting an accurate measure. When you weighed her the second time she may have been lower because she just went to the bathroom whereas she had a full belly with the earlier weigh in. Also, it may be that she is having a harder time weaning onto solids and isn't getting as much. 

As StefanZ mentioned if it's not just an off day then worms are the first big thing that you need to rule out, and that does require a vet visit. So, if her weight isn't up tomorrow I would get her (and the rest of the litter in) for their first deworming. 

If you notice other big weight drops then you may want to supplement her food until you can get her in (you may want to do this anyway). You can find bottles and Kitten Milk Replacer at any pet store, and even at a lot of grocery stores or stores like Wal-mart (though I don't know that you have Wal-Mart in the UK). You can also give Goat's Milk just to get a little extra into her belly. Finally is a little dextrose on the gums (StefanZ's famous tip). It will stimulate her to want to eat more and can bump up her weight. 

If you see any other big changes such as diarrhea, vomiting, or a decrease in activity level then get her in to the vet ASAP as those are signs of a much bigger issue at play. 
 
Top