My 6-week-old kitten is losing weight despite eating plenty. Why?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 1.6 lbs
A 6 week old kitten I am fostering, Noah, has gone from 1.8 pounds to a little over 1.6 pounds in 3 days. He's eating plenty of food and going to the bathroom properly, so I'm worried and confused as to why he is losing weight.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on June 19th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would deworm him. Intestinal parasites are almost always present in young animals as they are passed from the milk. He could be getting more lean but this could also be an early warning sign that something is going on. I would collect a stool sample and have him seen for his first vet visit. The Vet can do an exam, test his stool, feline leukemia and FIV test him and consider giving his first vaccination. I wish you and Noah the very best!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on August 3rd, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Kovu is so young! Has he started to go outside more since April? If so then the weight loss could be from increased activity or from worms from hunting. In the April picture he is overweight. My hope is that the weight loss is from increased exercise or from worms. Bring a stool sample with you. Other causes would be inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, kidney failure, feline infectious peritonitis and feline leukemia or FIV. I would have the Vet do full blood work, feline leukemia and FIV testing, fecal testing and prophylactically deworm him with medications that get round and tape worms. Be sure to use a good fea preventative since he goes outdoors. I wish you the best!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Hello, I had another question about my kitties weight loss. I’m taking him to the vet tomorrow. My question is what is the main cause of weight loss in cats? He just turned 1 year old and just started losing weight. He went from 10 lbs to 7 lbs and h
My 6 week old foster kitten Cheerio has had a very poor appetite the last few days. She loves KMR, but it causes her to have bad diarrhea. I've tried wet food, but she eats very little and she's losing weight fast. I've tried small amounts of pumpkin
Greetings doc, my kitten is not gaining weight instead he is losing weight for a reason unknown. He seems fine because he is playing and looks healthy but he is losing weight and shedding a lot of hair. I'm really concerned when it comes to him becau
My 3-5 month old kitten has stopped, and playing she also lost weight what wrong
Hi. Oliver seems sick. He suddenly lost his weight and became very inactive, but he's still eating well. All he wanted to do is to eat and sleep all day. I locked him in my room for now to rest himself. Also, we don't have any money yet to take him t
Hi, I have brought home 2 kittens (brothers) and they've been quite poorly since they came to my house so my partner de wormed them and then afterwards they were completely fine. However, one of the brother's is not playing as much and is sleeping a
My cat whitey is nowadays growing lean and thin. Even though he is eating three times a day,the quantity if food is to low.Very often I find him eating grass in the lawn.He is not showing any symptoms of weakness and is active enough but still I'm co
Hi, 2 weeks ago I found a male kitten, brought it home and since then trying to get it in better shape. Since then he did grow significantly but is extremely skinny (you can only feel the bones under fur) even though he is eating regularly. Haven't n
I got 3 street cats (motherless) 1 week back .among them he was hardly seems to be 10 days old then,seeming younger than other 2. after a week the other 2 have grown a inch but he didn't. he is quite less energetic comparatively,unable to jump or ri
My cat seems to be skinnier,he doesn't eat as always!He just had a diahrrea ,He is active and drinks lots of water ! He is dewormed , what should I do
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
