The cat's not hungry...

[ZmOz]

I have a cat that is about 14 or 15. She still seems perfectly healthy, and she's still the ruler over all the other neighborhood cats, except she won't eat. I give her wet food in the morning, which she seems excited for, but then only takes a few bites. After that she has as much dry food as she wants, but barely touches it. She is of course very thin and bony because of it.<br /><br />Anybody know how I might make her eat a little more? Should I try different food? Maybe something more fattening? I don't need an expensive vet bill to tell me she probably won't last much longer...

 

[JB]

Re: The cat's not hungry...

<br /><br />Catzilla is 12 and skinny as a rail. Up until a year or so ago she was fat as a pig.<br /><br />When she stopped eating I took her to the vet. Long story in another thread.<br /><br />After treatment with a couple of different antibiotics she recovered her appetite and now eats a can of Friskies whitefish and tuna plus about a half cup of dry food (Purina One kitten diet) a day. She picks away at the food all day. She turns up her nose at other foods unless they are a share of JB food.<br /><br />She has regained her old, vicious, disposition but has gained no weight and continues to show signs of slowing down and getting old. Her respiration is about 60/min, so I think she is operating on one lung.<br /><br />Don't know how long she will last, but as long as she shows no signs of suffering I will hang in there with her. If she suffers I will do the merciful thing. <br /><br />Take your cat to a vet. It may be something simple, but if it isn't fixed she will die, soon.

 

[ztim]

Re: The cat's not hungry...

Cats like to keep clean. I saw a trick one time used on a sick cat where the owner spread cat food on the back of the cat's paws and the cat wanting to keep clean would lick it off. That might help untl the vet can help.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: The cat's not hungry...

The old cat we used to have behaved similarly. Simple test at the vet's showed kidney failure, which is common in older cats. Not much you can do for it, but you might want to get that test done so you know what you're up against.

 

[maxxpower]

Re: The cat's not hungry...

At that age it could also be a rotten or infected tooth. That can be hard to detect, and WILL cause them not to eat.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: The cat's not hungry...

Do the old girl a favor and bring her to the vet.She could still have some very good years left to be with you BUT not if she dont eat !!Believe me...she wants to eat ,but cant.

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: The cat's not hungry...

Try the smelliest food you can find. They won't eat what they can't smell ...

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: The cat's not hungry...

Could be a kidney issue. <br />If the kidneys start to malfunction, everything tastes horrible to the cat.