4-Month-Old Kitten: Lethargic and Not Eating

amgrogan

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I adopted a 4-month-old kitten from my local animal shelter that was a stray before he was rescued. He was neutered and given all his shots before I got him. The first few days I had him, he was very energetic, playful, and ate a good bit. In the past couple of days, he has become extremely lethargic (sleeping basically ALL day) and barely eating at all. The only thing I can get him to eat is the Purely Fancy Feast Hand Flaked Chicken. I took him to the vet a couple days ago to get a check up and the veterinarian listened to his heart and lungs and told me he was fine, but he has still not gotten any better. He is getting really thin and has been really worrying me. I bought him some Blue Buffalo Wilderness food today and he ate a very small amount. If anyone has any helpful comments or thoughts, please let me know, it will be so greatly appreciated!! 
 

catwoman707

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I adopted a 4-month-old kitten from my local animal shelter that was a stray before he was rescued. He was neutered and given all his shots before I got him. The first few days I had him, he was very energetic, playful, and ate a good bit. In the past couple of days, he has become extremely lethargic (sleeping basically ALL day) and barely eating at all. The only thing I can get him to eat is the Purely Fancy Feast Hand Flaked Chicken. I took him to the vet a couple days ago to get a check up and the veterinarian listened to his heart and lungs and told me he was fine, but he has still not gotten any better. He is getting really thin and has been really worrying me. I bought him some Blue Buffalo Wilderness food today and he ate a very small amount. If anyone has any helpful comments or thoughts, please let me know, it will be so greatly appreciated!! 
Welcome to the cat site!

This is not good, there is something going on.

A 4 month old does not sleep all day and eat very little, he needs to be seen and checked for fever and is likely dehydrated now so will need sub-q fluids.
 

cattilac

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This is not normal for a 4 month old kitten. I have 12 cats and 1 kitten so I know of what I speak. Yes, cats and kittens do sleep a lot but especially a kitten will play lots and eat lots as they are growing.
I just adopted a sick skinny cat from an animal shelter where I visit occasionally. I felt sorry for her as she was older and would not eat and could hardly walk. Someone advised me to order or buy some Nutri-Cal which has vitamins and calories and gives them an appetite. I ordered it on Amazon since I am a Prime member and get my items in two days. Wow, did it ever help my"Precious" which is what I named her. She wants to eat about 4 times a day and can actually run now. If you live near a big pet store like PetSmart or Petco, call them and ask if they have this. Mine came in a tube. You might have to put it in their mouth. I actually squeezed a couple teaspoonful right into my cats mouth, a teaspoonful at a time. It is thick and gooey so a tiny bit at a time for kitten. If this does not help after a couple days, I would certainly take this kitten to another vet because this is NOT normal at all. I hope this helps. Also are you giving the kitten kitten food? The kitten should be eating kitten food up to one year of age.
 
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amgrogan

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Yes, he is eating kitten food. I got him some Blue Buffalo Wilderness food and he ate just a little bit today
 

catwoman707

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I'm concerned for him though, he should be eating and playing as he did when he first came home with you, whether he may have picked up a virus at the shelter or what not, the biggest thing is that he eats enough and drinks plenty.

Hoping for a fast and easy recovery.
 

StefanZ

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Yes, he is eating kitten food. I got him some Blue Buffalo Wilderness food and he ate just a little bit today
As hinted above, he needs an re-exam. Even if he were checked just two days ago. Perhaps the symptoms has become more clear now?  The vet can also always help you with sub-Q.

Otherwise, you will need to forcefeed him with both pedialyte (homemade or bought),  and something nourishing.

Goats milk (preferably raw) or some good kmr is my suggestion.  Easy to digest...

Make sure he has it warm and cozy. The sick are always freezing....  Massage him with a tooth brush, it also feels like moms licking.
 

kommunity kats

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I recently TNR-ed 6 members of a feral cat family (some are becoming more semi-feral) that had basically taken up residence in our yard.  One of the adult sized kittens, and one of the younger kittens, each stopped playing within days of each other, & they were sleeping alone & closer to the feeding area than usual.  I started adding Virgin Coconut oil to their food at every meal, and after 2-3 days they were back scampering around with the others, just as before.  I don't know for sure what was troubling them, but whatever it was, it appears to be gone. (I have continued feeding VCO every feeding.)

Coconut Oil: The “Good” Saturated Fat 


Dr. Jean Dodds' Pet Health Resource Blog |
 
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amgrogan

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In an effort to get him to eat, I went and got him some Purely Fancy Feast (Chicken and Salmon). It has chunks of real meat in it and he had tried the treat version and liked it. He gobbled this up last night and this morning!! He is more energetic today, actually playing with me and chasing his laser light around. I'm still going to get the Nutri-Cal that I was told about and watch him very closely. 
 

catwoman707

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In an effort to get him to eat, I went and got him some Purely Fancy Feast (Chicken and Salmon). It has chunks of real meat in it and he had tried the treat version and liked it. He gobbled this up last night and this morning!! He is more energetic today, actually playing with me and chasing his laser light around. I'm still going to get the Nutri-Cal that I was told about and watch him very closely. 
Excellent news!!
 
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