If the kitten Maine Coon does not eat, this is always a reason to take a very close look at his condition. If the lack of appetite in kittens is the first sign of an acute viral infection, then the bill goes not for days, but for hours. And the sooner you seek help from a veterinarian, the more chances the baby has. Unfortunately, kittens are very susceptible to infections and they can occur at lightning speed, with high mortality, even with proper treatment. Especially if the kitten is weakened by other factors:
- parasites
- insufficient nutrition
- hypothermia
- lack of vaccination
- stress.
The younger the kitten’s age, the higher the risks of a bad outcome, since the immune system is not yet ready to fully fight viruses.
But let’s take it in order. The first thing to exclude is not diseases, but the influence of third-party factors:
The type of feed.
Kittens’ eating habits are formed in the first 3-4 months after birth. In many ways, their taste preferences in life depend on what is offered to them during this period. The consistency, texture of food (dry food /pates / pieces, etc.), its smell, temperature are very important. If you take a kitten, find out exactly what the previous owners or breeders fed it. And for the first time, feed exactly the same. And when the kitten gets used to the new home, then you can gradually switch to the food that you want.
Avoid sudden feed changes, do not introduce several new products at the same time.
- Kitten has already eaten something without your knowledge.
- Check if the kitten’s bowl is located in a convenient place. It should not be located next to the cat’s toilet, it should not be on the aisle. If there is a dog in the house, it is better to feed the kitten on a hill so that the dog does not interfere with it. If there are several cats in the house, then at first it is necessary to look after the older cats so that they do not intercept the baby’s food.
- Stress after moving to a new house, trips in a car or transport, going to the vet, guests, active children – any factor can be the cause of a kitten’s poor appetite.
The most common diseases due to which the kitten refuses to eat:
First of all, these are parasitic diseases. 90% of kittens have worms and/or protozoa, even if they are from a “good” family and his mother was treated for worms. There is no doubt about kittens picked up on the street. The following signs will also indicate the presence of helminths:
- an increase in the volume of the abdomen
- bloating
- flatulence
- soft or loose stools, impurities of mucus or blood in the feces
- insufficient weight of the kitten
- absence or vice versa, increased appetite.
If the kitten is very exhausted, has other parasites, it is better to treat worms under the supervision of a doctor. Since the mass death of parasites can worsen the condition of the baby.
Viral infections. As we wrote above, this is a very dangerous situation for the health and life of a kitten. Most often, small kittens have calicivirus and herpesvirus infections (mainly affect the respiratory organs – nose, trachea, bronchi, lungs, and eyes), panleukopenia (affects the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, destroys the immune system). All these diseases are life-threatening. And they require a quick intervention of a specialist.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. At a young age, in addition to inflammation of the stomach and intestines of a parasitic and infectious nature, foreign bodies and poisoning are more common when a kitten has eaten something inedible and harmful (leaves of poisonous plants, chocolate and other “goodies”)
With regard to kittens, the recommendation not to self-medicate is doubly relevant. And if the condition of a four-legged baby causes concern, seek professional help as soon as possible. It could save his life.