How get my new kitten to eat regular cat food?

[SiameseR4Me]

Originally Posted by laurief

Buy some inexpensive beef (not ground), pork, and chicken. Cut a small amount (maybe 1/8 c) of each one into small, bite-sized pieces and put each type of meat into a separate plastic baggie. Then put the baggies into a bowl or sink of hot water for a few minutes to warm up the meat (do NOT cook the meat). When the raw meats are warm and aromatic, put each one in a separate little bowl or plate, and serve them (warm) to the kitten. A lot of cats and kittens won't eat cold meat from the fridge, so you need to warm it to "mouse body temp". Also, warmed meat has more odor, and odor is what triggers appetite in cats.

Many felines prefer one type of meat over another, so try as many different meats as you can get your hands on. Venison and other game meats are VERY popular with cats, so if you know any hunters or have any specialty meat markets in your area, you might want to check and see if you can get any game meats from them.

Marie is correct. A kitten who isn't eating is in SERIOUS and IMMEDIATE trouble, and should be seen by a vet right away.

Laurie

Thanks for the instructions. I don't know of any specialty meat markets nearby but there is a specialty pet food store that carries frozen meats that I plan to check out this evening.

In the meantime I will call a taxi to get me to the vet (not sure if the kitten would react well to a bus). I only asked about transit for pets because I'd heard there were such things as "taxis for pets," but if regular taxis allow pets, that is just as well.

[catinthemirror]

I'm so sorry trying the raw didn't work out. If she's not eating at all then I agree with everyone else, it's definitely a good idea to get her to the vet. I hope your vet is able to help you out and get some nutrition into your little one. For whatever it's worth, I'll send good thoughts your way.

And just so you know for next time, regular taxis will absolutely allow pets, as will public transit (at least where I am). People bring their dogs on the buses and trains I take all the time, so I can't imagine any objection to a small cat in a carrier.