Any Good Tips To Get Your Cats To Eat? Share Them Here!

lisahe

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My former feral kitten is one of those that has to be petted to get her to eat. She's getting on toward cathood and seems to be growing out of it, but I still sit next to her and pet her, or she'll get distracted and the two others will eat all her food.
That's interesting! I often pat our pickier eater when I set down her food because it seems to help her focus on the plate.
 

edie56

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There are many times when a cat refuse to eat due to change of food, due to health reasons, being fussy or gotten sick of what they have been eating and we try to get them to eat a new food and have problems getting them to eat.

I see that there are many threads past and recent on how members who are at their wits end trying to get their cats to eat will no results and also members who have successfully gotten their cats to eat.

This thread is for all who have good tips on getting their cats to eat again and so if you have one or two or more good tips, please share your experiences here according to the conditions of your cats as in change of diet due to health reasons, change of food due to discontinued food or getting them to eat something better, so that any members trying to get their cats to eat may find tips under this thread. If you have already posted before, you may cut and paste your tips here.

Here are two articles to read beside your contributions :-

why-has-my-cat-stopped-eating-and-is-it-dangerous.32998

how-to-get-your-cat-to-start-eating-again.33011
these are very good succestions tassee is sick its been a couple sinse she has eaten we are calling the vet tommarrow
 
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tabbytom

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these are very good succestions tassee is sick its been a couple sinse she has eaten we are calling the vet tommarrow
Yes, if a cat is not eating, it's best that to have your cat checked by a vet and if you have any questions reading cats' health, you may ask them here :- cat-health.4 but of course, a professional answer from the vet is the best.

Here are two articles for you to read :-

why-has-my-cat-stopped-eating-and-is-it-dangerous.32998

how-to-get-your-cat-to-start-eating-again.33011
 

MoonstoneWolf

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These 2 break the mold and none of these work for them. They must have read this thread and decided to make me scratch my head in how to get them to eat. lol

I tried again. Neither will eat. And I have a wonderful selection of food. I'm going broke trying to find a solution. :(

One thing I have noticed (although I'm only going by feral cats) is that they tend to not want to eat if there is an approaching storm or if it is excessively hot outside, which at the moment we're experiencing both.
 
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Furballsmom

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From moxiewild moxiewild ;
I have trapped a couple of cats with spray cheese and spray butter before - and I only got the idea for those things from sick house cats who wouldn’t eat for 5 days and were about to end up with a feeding tube, but accepted this spray junk. You just never know.
 

cheeser

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One of our cats is a challenge to feed, mostly because his sense of smell is pretty much shot, and we haven't yet found a topper or mixer that tickles his fancy. So we warm his food, scoop a little bite on the end of a teaspoon, wave it under his nose to help him get a good whiff, and spoon feed him every bite. If that doesn't work, sometimes smearing a dab on his lips will help to whet his appetite.

Or sometimes we'll roll bites of pate style food into little balls about the size of a marble, and flick them across the floor or throw them into the air like they're live prey. Yet another reason why raw food probably isn't a good option for us! :lol:

Then there are times when "hiding" Buddy's food seems to encourage him to eat. I'll put a box or paper grocery bag on the floor, and put several bites of food just inside. Then as he passes by, he's like, "Oooh, lookie what I found!"

We lost a cat to fatty liver disease several years ago, which is why I'm extremely paranoid about our kitties going too long without eating. So when all else fails, I whip out the syringes or nursing bottles to get some food into them. Every one of our cats over the past 30+ years has eventually developed serious chronic health issues, so I've had to learn a few things along the way...and am still learning! :wink:
 

Sonatine

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My cats are competitive eaters. They'll eat faster (and more) if the other cat is nearby. Unfortunately feeding them together has become a necessity; once the first plate goes down, they're not moving so I just have to get the other plate down fast and then stick around to play referee.

Anyway, it's not on the level of the suggestions above, but sometimes having a little mealtime company can turn your cat into an enthusiastic speed eating champion.
 

verna davies

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Both my vet and myself are at a loss. Extensive blood tests showed nothing, abdominal scan clear, temperature fine and she is very active and alert. I have tried all types of food, textures, tuna etc. She is urinating and has pooped, that looked fine. No vomiting or diarrhoea. She has asked for food on a couple of occasions over the last 6 days and has eaten it but is only eating about 40% of her needed amount. Yesterday I counted the calories and throughout the day managed to get her to consume about 200 which is ok but today she refuses all food. This cant continue without causing organ damage, I have to phone my vet tomorrow but cant see what he can do. We both agree that a feeding tube is not the answer, she can eat but doesn't want to.
 

lisahe

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Both my vet and myself are at a loss. Extensive blood tests showed nothing, abdominal scan clear, temperature fine and she is very active and alert. I have tried all types of food, textures, tuna etc. She is urinating and has pooped, that looked fine. No vomiting or diarrhoea. She has asked for food on a couple of occasions over the last 6 days and has eaten it but is only eating about 40% of her needed amount. Yesterday I counted the calories and throughout the day managed to get her to consume about 200 which is ok but today she refuses all food. This cant continue without causing organ damage, I have to phone my vet tomorrow but cant see what he can do. We both agree that a feeding tube is not the answer, she can eat but doesn't want to.
Based on past experience with our cat who hasn't always eaten consistently: did the vet check your cat for constipation (I'm figuring it would come up on a scan and through palpation but...) and have a good look at her teeth?

Ireland has gone through periods where she hasn't been very interested in food and I'm not sure what was bothering her most, constipation or a bad tooth. She's eating very readily now that we've taken a lot of the bone out of her diet and she's now missing two teeth. She lost one tooth on her own and the vet pulled the other, which was pretty rotten. (And not obviously rotten during her annual exam!)

Toppers -- particularly freeze-dried chicken treats -- kept her eating when she was obviously hungry but initially refused food. I hope you're able to figure out what's causing your cat's problem!
 

verna davies

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Based on past experience with our cat who hasn't always eaten consistently: did the vet check your cat for constipation (I'm figuring it would come up on a scan and through palpation but...) and have a good look at her teeth?

Ireland has gone through periods where she hasn't been very interested in food and I'm not sure what was bothering her most, constipation or a bad tooth. She's eating very readily now that we've taken a lot of the bone out of her diet and she's now missing two teeth. She lost one tooth on her own and the vet pulled the other, which was pretty rotten. (And not obviously rotten during her annual exam!)

Toppers -- particularly freeze-dried chicken treats -- kept her eating when she was obviously hungry but initially refused food. I hope you're able to figure out what's causing your cat's problem!

He checked her teeth and she is pooping. Its a mystery. Today she has eaten the jelly out of kitten food, cat soup and about 10 grams of kibble. She will also eat treats. She wont eat the meat in cat food and usually loves fresh chicken but wont touch it now. Staying overnight on sunday and having all the tests really upset her for a few days so I want to avoid a reputation of that. I will see what my vet has to say tomorrow and hope that she picks up soon before her liver/kidneys are compromised
 

maggie101

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My add on is that my cat Maggie is easily disturbed by any noise no matter how small which includes my other 2 cats chomping away plus if I walk away she stops eating and follows me. Or Maggie is a very slow eater so when peaches is done she steals her food and growls. My result is feeding her in my bedroom with the door closed. Also peaches no longer throws up since locking her in the bathroom so she doesn't gobble the food because my other 2 cats aren't around
 
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Lulu&Finn

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I swear by FortiFlora as an appetite stimulant. I would never recommend it as a probiotic but the smell works wonders for getting kitties to eat.
Can this be used just for this purpose or do they have to have diarrhea?
 

klunick

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I finally stopped the endless cycle of thinking I found something they liked only to have them stop eating it the following week. Variety seemed to be the key. I found a good food that had a ton of varierty of flavors. Never had an issue since and it's been a year.

I buy 14 different flavors, two for each day of the week. They eat the same two flavors once a week. That way, they don't get bored eating the same stuff multiple times a week. I have the food laid out in my pantry so all I have to remember is what day of the week it is.
 

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I finally stopped the endless cycle of thinking I found something they liked only to have them stop eating it the following week. Variety seemed to be the key. I found a good food that had a ton of varierty of flavors. Never had an issue since and it's been a year.

I buy 14 different flavors, two for each day of the week. They eat the same two flavors once a week. That way, they don't get bored eating the same stuff multiple times a week. I have the food laid out in my pantry so all I have to remember is what day of the week it is.
What brand of cat food? I waste or I should say my cat tribe wastes so much food (wet), especially my oldest one who I have a hard time finding something each day that she’ll eat. I have a few appetite pills (RX) that I got from the vet awhile ago but I can’t get them over the Internet, need a prescription for it.
she won’t give it unless I take her in for visit which is an automatic $70 just to walk in the office…
 

klunick

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What brand of cat food? I waste or I should say my cat tribe wastes so much food (wet), especially my oldest one who I have a hard time finding something each day that she’ll eat. I have a few appetite pills (RX) that I got from the vet awhile ago but I can’t get them over the Internet, need a prescription for it.
she won’t give it unless I take her in for visit which is an automatic $70 just to walk in the office…
Weruva but it's expensive so that is a downside but worth it to not have to worry if my cats will eat it or not.
 

maggie101

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Can this be used just for this purpose or do they have to have diarrhea?
Fortiflora is an appetite stimulant and also to help cats with diarrhea though it made my cat go diarrhea. I use Advita. Also appetite stimulant and probiotic,cheaper and better Ingredients
 

Tobermory

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Can this be used just for this purpose or do they have to have diarrhea?
They don’t have to have diarrhea. FortiFlora is a probiotic that’s supposed to help gut health, but it’s especially appealing to cats because it has animal digest as its first ingredient, the same thing that coats dry food. That’s why I use it, not because of its probiotic properties (I use a different probiotic with more strains.) Most cats love the taste of FortiFlora though. It comes in a box with individual packets, and the instructions say to feed one packet a day. Since I don’t use it as a probiotic, I just sprinkle a bit across the top of their food to entice them to begin to eat. Usually, they just keep going and eat everything. The way I use it, one packet lasts for about three or four feedings.
 
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