New kitten keeps forgetting where her food is?

[Cnamommy]

She is that the youngest 6 weeks she was a rescue that a woman found. She had this kitten a week before I got her she fed her replacement milk then started her on dry cat food. She eats really really well she just forgets where it is. The woman kept her in a big dog crate all day except a hour or 2. Here at my house she has about 300 square feet of room (she stays in my room during because I work and I know to much space at a time can overwhelm her) she even forgets where her water is and it's been on the same spot since Monday when I got her it's now wednesday. I put her over there by her food every 30 min or so atleast every 2 hours. How long will this last any suggestions?

[Braxen]

I have two six week old kittens who do the same thing. They just don't remember. I assume it's just because they don't pay much attention. They look to me for food, so I always put them where it is. I don't really worry about it. I assume by time they are 8 to 12 weeks, they'll remember where it is because they'll be used to being placed in the same location.

[doodlebug]

Very typical for her age. Holly needed to have litterbox in the same room with her till she was almost 4 months. Nothing you can do other than reduce the amount of space available to her. She'll figure it out...may take a few weeks.

A kitten that age should really be confined to a very small space when you're not available to monitor her...no larger than a bathroom.

[Cnamommy]

I don't confine her because I have kitten proof my room of everything that she could possibly get into

[praline]

Is she finding the litter box ok?

I am NO expert so bare with me as I am a mom and have 2 kits (now) and know pets in general... so think more "life experience" then expert =p

If she is finding the litterbox without fail and you aren't moving her food and water dish to different locations constantly ~ she may know where it is and isn't really hungry or thirsty. Granted she may eat or drink when placed in front of it ...just like a teenager will when looking at a fridge lol

To encourage her to go to her bowl, try placing a tiny bit of can food in there or a tiny soft treat. The reason it the smell ... she will get curious about what that smell is and want to investigate. IF she is sneaking to her bowl when you aren't looking, you can be sure that tiny sliver of a treat will be the first to disappear lol

I recently doing some research on cat's and water intake. It seems they don't have a thirst drive ~ at least not much of one. The cat body is meant to get its water from food mostly. That is why so many owners prefer canned ~ the water intake.

Try the treat trick first and then "go away" and leave her. She might surprise you lol

If not, you can always contact your vet. Is she seeing ok? I am guessing she is ok mentally if she can find and remember the litterbox.

[Cnamommy]

Yes mam the litterbug she doesn't have a problem finding and her toys and me she finds well

[praline]

Originally Posted by Cnamommy

Yes mam the litterbug she doesn't have a problem finding and her toys and me she finds well

Well think of it this way, do you like it when people stare at you when your eating? I know I don't lol

Try a VERY small sliver of a good smelling treat in her bowl and walk away for a bit. You don't want to make her sick by giving her a chunk of something but just a sliver as a test so you can see if she is sneaking into the bowl when your not watching.

If she is finding the litterbox really good, chances are she knows where the food bowl is... not a 100% positive of course so monitor it just in case.

[Cnamommy]

Okay thank you!