4 week old kittens keep eating the litter, will they be okay?

Courtneymxo

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 18, 2021
Messages
8
Purraise
5
Hi, so my cats kittens are 4 weeks old now, some are using the litter tray and some are just jumping in and out and trying to eat it! They do spit it out but is this normal lol
 

Norachan

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
May 27, 2013
Messages
32,673
Purraise
32,856
Location
Mount Fuji, Japan
Yes, it's normal but it can be very dangerous. Make sure you are using a non-clumping kind of litter, the clumping kind will cause intestinal blockages and kittens can die from this. If possible get a litter that is made out of soy by-products as this won't do any harm even if they do swallow some.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

Courtneymxo

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 18, 2021
Messages
8
Purraise
5
Yes, it's normal but it can be very dangerous. Make sure you are using a non-clumping kind of litter, the clumping kind will cause intestinal blockages and kittens can die from this. If possible get a litter that is made out of soy by-products as this won't do any harm even if they do swallow some.
Yes it's not a clumping one, it's just the white catsan one x
 

Sarthur2

Cat lady extraordinaire
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
35,987
Purraise
17,680
Location
Sunny Florida
If they are tasting litter, it’s time to introduce soft pate-style wet food to them on a flat plate, or dry kitten chow softened with water. They may be ready!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

Courtneymxo

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 18, 2021
Messages
8
Purraise
5
If they are tasting litter, it’s time to introduce soft pate-style wet food to them on a flat plate, or dry kitten chow softened with water. They may be ready!
I've tried the with wet food and dry both mixed with kitten milk and they are not interested yet and don't want to force them, I have been giving it in a a bowl tho and theh just chew the side of bowl
 

Kflowers

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 28, 2018
Messages
5,772
Purraise
7,617
It sounds as though they do want to eat, but don't yet understand that the food they smell is not the bowl. Try putting the food on a small plate where it is close to the edge and easy to reach. You may have to actually put a little dab of the food on the outside of the kitten's upper lip. This isn't forcing, this is leading, big difference.
 

vince

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 23, 2017
Messages
2,172
Purraise
3,540
Location
metro Detroit
Sometimes you can lead them by feeding off your little fingertip. If they'll eat, keep doing it, drawing them closer each time until you can bump their head just a little so their chin goes in the food. They'll lick it off and that usually does it.

Be prepared for them to walk in the food, especially if using a flat plate. Kittens usually do at first. They'll get the hang of it.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

Courtneymxo

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
May 18, 2021
Messages
8
Purraise
5
Sometimes you can lead them by feeding off your little fingertip. If they'll eat, keep doing it, drawing them closer each time until you can bump their head just a little so their chin goes in the food. They'll lick it off and that usually does it.

Be prepared for them to walk in the food, especially if using a flat plate. Kittens usually do at first. They'll get the hang of it.
Yeah I've done that and they do seem to eat off my finger but wouldn't out the bowl, so just didn't think they would be ready yet, yes they've done the walking in food and there mums water bowl already 😂
 
Top