4 month old kitten won't finish meal sometimes

[beccamperr]

Is it normal for kittens to have inconsistent eating habits? My kitten and my adult are on the same feeding schedule of 3 wet meals a day and 1 dry in the middle of the night from a feeder. I cannot free feed because my adult will eat everything. Microchip feeders aren't even a match for her!

Because of this, I usually give my kitten a small (3oz) can of food each meal and let her eat as much as she can. Some days, she will finish the whole can for most or every single meal. Then the next day, she'll sniff it or take a few bites and then go run and play, and/or randomly eat a super big meal at one of the meal times. I've noticed she won't eat if my adult isn't also having her meal, and my adult cries at the door when I keep her away from my kitten if I try and sneak an extra meal in.

I'm worried about her not getting the calories she needs, but I can't seem to get her to sit and finish and I'm very frustrated. I rotate between brands to make sure she isn't bored. She is otherwise acting fine and has no health concerns per the vet visit 3 days ago. Is it normal for young kittens to be this inconsistent?

 

[SueLinda]

Sometimes little kittens can feel overwhelmed if there is quite a bit of food. My kitten did the same thing when he was 3 months old. I cut the portions in half for a couple days and then went back to his regular amount. Cats/kittens normally eat some of their food and then go back and finish it a little while later. I don't think changing brands helps, that can be tough to take on their stomachs. Maybe stay with the same brand but different flavors? Hope this helps.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. I doubt any kitten, or cat for that matter, consistently eats the same amount of food each time. I don't know how old your kitten is, but the norm is to have food available to them 24/7 so they can eat as they need, and as much, or little, as they want each time - normally up to around a year old at least. I know that it might be difficult in your case to do that with your adult cat wanting to eat everything.

But, it also could be in part due to the food you feed the kitten. It sounds like you are rotating foods, so maybe she likes some of them better than others? You can track that by charting what you feed her and how well/poorly she eats that particular meal.

Are you saying that if you gave the kitten a microchip feeder for her dry that your adult cat would get into somehow anyway? If not, then at least the feeder would be closed other than when the kitten goes to it. I realize the adult cat could push the kitten away to get at the open feeder... The other thing is to use a microchip for a cat door into another room that is only opened by the kitten, and show her that is where her dry food so she can eat to her avail. Maybe the adult cat won't follow her, as I am guessing that the kitten stops eating alone when she hears the adult crying, because the adult knows that you are feeding the kitten without her.

 

[Kris107]

Feeding kittens isn't always straightforward. When they are going through a growth spurt or maybe played extra hard, they might gobble up food. Other times they're tired for same reasons and don't eat as heartily. Also, lots of places say "feed kittens as much as they want" which isn't exactly right either. I over-fattened one of mine. So, I guess what I'm saying is try to not sweat it unless she has a super low appetite.

 

[Hellenww]

This is to keep dogs out of a litter box but might work for a food dish.

I've used Bonita Flakes on a paperplate to keep a gobler busy when his brother was eatihng.