Getting a new kitten is one of the most exciting of times. Naturally, though, we have a lot of questions regarding their care – especially in regards to their feeding. For instance, how long can a kitten go between meals? I spent some time researching to find out exactly how often a kitten needs food, and all that an owner needs to take into consideration. Show
So, how long can kittens go without food? An average healthy kitten can generally survive up to 2 days without any food. Although, within a day without food, they will become malnourished, weak, and will likely require urgent veterinary care. Kittens have small stomachs and high energy needs, so need to be fed little and often. It’s also essential that they are fed appropriate food in accordance with their size and age. For instance, newborn kittens are entirely reliant on their mother’s milk in the early stages of life to get the early nutrition they need. The responsibility soon passes onto the breeder at 4 weeks as they wean, and then again to you as an owner when the kitten reaches 8 weeks of age. The nuances are important. Kittens and cats need to be fed in accordance with their age, size, and life stage. This includes the type of food itself, how much is served, and when. Thus, as an owner, you’ll be continuously refining the diet of your kitten and cat as they age. It’s just one of those natural aspects of ownership. Let us now take a closer look at how long a kitten can go without feeding at different ages. We’ll also be looking at whether or not is normal for a kitten to overlook their food, and some practical strategies to get them eating. Besides, it’s the nutrition that will help support their healthy growth and development. So, if you have just taken on a cute little kitten, be sure to keep reading to get all the information you need regarding their feeding. Contents
How Long Can A Kitten Go Without Feeding?How long a kitten can go without feeding depends mostly on its age. Generally, the younger a kitten is, the more often they need to eat. Equally, a younger kitten needs to be introduced to different foods at different stages of life. Let us now take a closer look at the progression from birth all the way through to 8 weeks:
The feeding guidelines set out above are merely a starting point and a source of references. But as you can see, kittens need to eat little and often. It’s important that you monitor your kitten’s development and responses to feeding, adjusting the serving sizes accordingly. For instance, kittens should be full but never bloated. One other thing to consider is that you will likely be taking your kitten home at 8 weeks of age. It is therefore important that you discuss your kitten’s former diet, weaning status, and their progression at the time of adoption. Be sure to ask them questions and ask for recommendations as to what brands of food to feed, at what intervals, and try to discover if there are any particular foods your cat enjoys/dislikes. This will make the whole process much easier, trust me. Nevertheless, you will most likely be looking to feed your kitten 2-3x per day, through a combination of wet and dry food. Here are some other tips for feeding your kitten to take into account:
What Should Kittens Eat?At this stage, you may be wondering what specific foods a kitten should be eating. Well, we have already established that kittens have different nutritional requirements to that of adult cats. So, you’ll need to provide food that is specifically designed for young kittens. Thankfully, pet food labels are required by law to clearly outline what life stage their food is intended for. So, food will always be marketed as ‘kitten…’ or include it in the title somewhere. When it comes to dry vs wet food, then your kitten can eat either. There are also advantages and disadvantages to both. Wet food is generally more appetizing to a kitten and helps to keep them hydrated – especially if they are not drinking much. Dry food however lasts much longer when put down and is much more practical and convenient for you as an owner. However, dry food is usually higher in carbohydrates than wet food, so it is more likely to cause weight gain if overfed out of the two. Always remember, that the nutrition demands of your kitten and later cat, are primarily driven by:
Is It Normal For My New Kitten To Not EatIt is fairly normal for a kitten not to eat. This is especially true if something has changed; whether you have recently got them, or you are transitioning their food. The following are common reasons why a kitten may stop eating:
Either way, it’s important that you try to identify the cause as soon as you can. Generally, the younger the kitten is the more important it that you get them back eating. Speaking with your breeder comes recommended, but if you are concerned or worried that something is not quite right – be sure to contact your vet. It may be something completely out of your control that you can do little to help overcome without some veterinary assistance.
What Happens If A Kitten Doesn’t Eat?What happens to a kitten that does not eat depends entirely on how long they go without food and if they are consuming any water during this time. It also depends on their age and size. Nevertheless, a kitten that does not eat runs the risk of becoming quickly malnourished and dehydrated. This can soon lead to lethargy and other negative outcomes related to insufficient energy intake. It can happen in just a few hours. From there, things can get a lot worse for your kitten. Unfortunately, cats can experience organ failure very quickly if they are not sufficiently fed. Unlike us humans and other animals, they do not possess livers that can support their bodies without food. In other words, they are unable to leverage their body’s energy stores very well. In older cats, they are only able to survive between 4-12 days without eating. For a kitten, this can be in as little as 2 days, as they have a higher metabolism and high energy needs. Either way, the process is the same and it is mostly caused by organ failure. Starting with the digestive system, moving onto the brain, and then the kidneys and heart. In the long term, Hepatic lipidosis is perhaps the main condition to be aware of. It is primarily driven by prolonged starvation or other dietary insufficiencies over time. While this may all sound very alarming, if your kitten is to miss 1-2 meals its not usually a cause for concern. That being said, it’s very important you monitor your kitten’s food intake. If you suspect anything is not quite right with your kitten, or they go upward of 4 hours without eating, it is best advised to contact a vet. At the minimum, they will be able to examine your kitten and provide you with peace of mind. Lastly, also consider that if your kitten does not generally eat enough, they will be forgoing important nutrition to fuel their growth and development. How Can I Get A Kitten To EatFor a kitten that is not eating, there are actually a few useful strategies that you can try to stimulate their appetite. The most recommended ones include:
FinallyKittens need to eat little and often. They have high energy needs and their bodies cannot support them for long without regular and routine access to food and water. The younger the kitten, the more they need to be fed. Although, the more ‘liquid-based the diet is too. Perhaps one of the most important things to remember and consider is that a kitten’s and cat’s diet changes. You’ll be frequently adapting what food, how much and when you feed them. A kitten and cat’s nutrition is reliant on so many different factors that it does take a bit of research, planning, and preparation in advance. For a kitten, never let them go without food for longer than 12 hours. If you are trying your best, along with different techniques to stimulate appetite, but they are still not eating – then contacting a vet at the earliest opportunity comes strongly advised. At the very minimum, they will be able to prevent dehydration through fluids. But they will be able to ensure your kitten’s nutritional needs are met, even if unconventional methods are required. Have other questions related to the diet of your kitten? Then my following guides may be of interest!
 I am a practiced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site I created to share everything I’ve learned about pet ownership over the years and my extensive research along the way. How often should you feed a 8 week kitten?At eight weeks old, a kitten can be fed four times a day, with approximately a half a cup served at each meal. This can vary based on your kitten's breed and body condition and your veterinarian's recommendation. Because a kitten has so much developing yet to do, a high-protein diet is ideal.
How long can a kitten go without eating or drinking?Like people, cats can go longer without food than water. Cats can survive for about two weeks without eating but only three days without drinking. The longer your cat goes without proper nutrition, however, the weaker they become, so it's important to contact your vet if you suspect they haven't eaten in a day or more.
Can 8 week old kittens survive on their own?Typically, they are under four weeks of age and cannot survive on their own without their mother or a surrogate caregiver. Underage usually means a kitten is less than eight weeks old. In most localities, eight weeks is the minimum age for adoption.
How long can an 8 week old kitten be alone?(Kittens younger than four months should not be left alone for more than four hours. Older than that, they can handle another hour or so. When they reach six months, they can tolerate an eight-hour day without company.)
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How long can 8 week old kittens go without food
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