Layla isn't eating

Layla is about... 4 weeks old maybe? I'm not really sure on her age, so that's a guestimate. Since we got her she's been eating a lot, every 2-3 hours, which I have read is normal. She can't really chew the hard food yet so we soften the food for a little bit in some water, and since Monday, we've added a bit of KMR to her food. Since she was in the shelter for at least a week before we got her, and her being give or take 4 weeks, I was afraid she may need the extra nutrients and such the kitten milk offers.

Since earlier this afternoon, she's been sleeping a bit more than she has in the past couple days, and her usual routine from waking up from her nap is litter box, and then "feed me". She's still using the litter box when she gets up, but she's turning her nose up at the food. Before I posted this I tried giving her just a bit of straight KMR just so see if she would drink it or not, and she did, and went right back to playing with the shoe string. Should I be worried about this?

I've never had a kitten this young, so I feel like I am overly.. cautious when it comes to her. Her first vet visit is next week (gotta wait till payday), where she will get her shots and all that good healthy stuff. I'm just hoping I am just being overly paranoid and she's just not hungry. Some advice please?

She could be refusing food because she needs to poop- are you stimulating her? She could have a URI and be unable to smell the food, and if they can't smell they won't eat. Will she take a bottle? If you are unsure of her age she might just still need the bottle-

I would make up some kitten glop and feed her that you can find the recipe at www.kitten-rescue.com

Originally Posted by hissy

She could be refusing food because she needs to poop- are you stimulating her? She could have a URI and be unable to smell the food, and if they can't smell they won't eat. Will she take a bottle? If you are unsure of her age she might just still need the bottle-

I would make up some kitten glop and feed her that you can find the recipe at www.kitten-rescue.com

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She's been pooping on her own. She's still doing it now even with not eating. She can smell food. She could smell that KMR a mile away. I haven't tried a bottle, but that's mainly because I didn't feel it was necessary. She's been eating out of a bowl on her own fine since Friday of last week. I was told by the shelter that she had a small URI which is why she had all the gunk in her eye's, but ever since we got her home, it's cleared up tremendously, so I thought she just had a small cold (since she was sneezing) or it was just the shelter. I didn't really trust the girl at the shelter because she even told me the kitten was 2 months old. If she is 2 month's old, I'd shoot myself in the foot because it's simply not possible. She's not sneezing anymore, little to no gunk in her eyes's, I know for a fact she can smell food because she was trying to eat off everyone's dinner plate tonight, so maybe she's not interested in the food she has now? I really don't know. Granted, I don't have much experience with young kittens, but IMO I don't think she needs a bottle, or stimulation. I could be wrong, so thank you for the suggestion. Anymore would be more than greatly appreciated.

PS- She did eat a tad about 15 mins. ago and lost interest and just wanted to play some more, and ended up falling over and dozing back off to whereever kitties go when they sleep.

She sounds like a normal kitten to me ... they are a lot like kids when it comes to eating. Sometimes, play is just more important. *smile* If it continues though, try taking the KMR out of the mix. At 4 weeks old and having been eating on her own for nearly a week now, she won't want it. Feed her a good high-quality moist canned or pouch kitten food instead of softening the hard food in water.

Well, I don't know how long she has been eating on her own. I know she's been eating on her own since she's been with us at least. Thank you for that bit of advice though. It made me feel tons better. Any recommendation for the canned or pouched kitten food?

Look for high protein... and no by products and little to no grains( rice oats corn wheat)

I like the Nutro Natural Choice for Kittens myself. I like the pate-style.