Advice on kitten (4 months) who’s stopped eating

[FromTheFirstOldFashionedWeWereCursed]

We were experienced cat/kitten fosterers about 10 years ago, took a break to have our kids and adopted a rescue kitten a week ago. He was born in the rescue, raised by a vet nurse fosterer, and on Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday was absolutely fine. We carried on feeding him the same food and used kitten friendly wood litter.

Monday morning he stopped eating. He can’t be tempted with treats, sliced meat, different types of food. The vet saw him yesterday and gave him a once over and an anti emetic injection and couldn’t see a problem. He still isn’t eating and while he seems reasonably energetic for now, I am increasingly worried. I’m going to phone the vet again later if things don’t change and possibly take him back in.

The only thing we haven’t tried is feeding him in his hiding places so DH is going to do that today. But otherwise, we are out of tactics and I am losing my mind. We adore him and I cannot work this one out.

Our kitten did this when he was a similar age - I was so worried as he wouldn’t touch anything for about three days, but then he just woke up and demanded his breakfast and he’s never missed a meal since 😂

I definitely think take them to the vet when they're that young - you don't want to risk it and they can decline so quickly when they're so little

Is he drinking water? I'd be more concerned about dehydration. Have you tried cat soups and mashing up cat food to a paste? You mention treats - will he take Lik-e- Lix or Dreamies? Or tuna in water sometimes tempts cats (not mine, he hates lumpy food).

I'd defintely get back to the vet again if he's still not eating and ask lots of questions, request blood tests just to check for any infections and a test for a UTI as that can make them feel unwell. It might be a dental issue and he's in pain chewing. If necessary look at syringe feeding watered down kitten food, when kittens go downhill they do it fast so you are right to be concerned.

He's eating again! It has been a worrying and expensive week but he's made his way through plenty of Royal Canin digestive wet food and some biscuits today. He's also interested in our food now, which is a huge change as he wouldn't let me hand-feed him chicken earlier this week. Very relieved.