Appetite Stimulants for Infants

Despite the fact that cats are in general finicky eaters, infant kittens do not usually need appetite stimulants. Healthy kittens usually eat enough to fuel their rapid growth. However, if they are experiencing adjustment or health problems, infant kittens may require a stimulant to jump-start their appetite.

  1. Need

    • Kittens that are displaying anorexia̵2;a reduction of or a total lack of appetite̵2;may need to be given an appetite stimulant in order to get them eating again. Young cats grow very fast, in some cases putting on about a kilogram (about 2.2 lbs.) of weight a month, and if offered proper food usually need no urging to consume enough calories to fuel their growth. Kitten anorexia is thus significant not only because can it curtail normal growth, but also because it can signify a serious underlying problem.

    Causes of Kitten Anorexia

    • Kitten anorexia has a wide range of potential causes. Relatively innocuous and transitory causes include ongoing adjustment to a new environment and dislike of food offered; serious and potentially fatal causes include chronic renal failure (CRF) and various lymphomas. Other diseases and conditions that can cause kitten anorexia include histoplasmosis (a disease caused by a fungal infection), inflammatory bowel disease and feline infectious peritonitis (caused by a coronavirus infection). Immediate and proper diagnosis of the underlying cause by a veterinarian and treatment is a must.

    Stimulants

    • Cyproheptadine is a common appetite stimulant given to cats and kittens, and in places such as Canada it can be purchased without a prescription. Diazepam is a stimulant that was developed to help human anorexia as well as other conditions, but it has also been found to work on cats and kittens. Diazepam, unlike cyproheptadine, requires a prescription to purchase. Other stimulants include oxazepam and mirtazapine.

    Side Effects

    • These medicines are known to have had significant side effects in some patients. Some cats have suffered serious kidney and liver damage, disorientation, depth perception alteration and sedation as a consequence of having been given diazepam for anorexia. Side effects resulting from cyproheptadine and mirtazapine consumption include aggressive behavior and unusual excitement. Oxazepam can act as a tranquilizer and can result in unstable and wobbly movement.

    Where They Can Be Bought

    • Diazepam and oxazepam are prescription drugs and as such cannot simply be bought over-the-counter. This is due to their potential side effects and to the physical damage that can ensue if these drugs are given to cats without professional advice or supervision. Nonprescription appetite stimulants can be purchased at any drugstore. However, it is important for owners of kittens suffering from anorexia to first bring their ailing kittens to their veterinarians for examination. The vet will need to examine a suffering kitten to determine the root cause of the anorexia. She may be able to recommend another course of action̵2;a particular drug or combinations thereof̵2;that could properly treat both the anorexia and the underlying condition.