Cat not eating a lot

Snuugel

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Hello! So, I have this 7 month old kitten who has not been eating very well for a week. Tried to get him to the vet but they couldn't take him because almost all of their vets are sick and they are very busy. He is acting completely normal, he is full of energy, he uses the litter box normally and drinks normally. He just doesn't want to eat. I have tried his usual favourite foods and lot's of new foods. He may lick the food few times and then leave and start playing again. I have gotten him to eat the food piece by piece pretty much by throwing it all around the floor. That way he may go and eat the pieces. So this is not an absolute emergency but still a very worrying sign for me. It's almost like he is too busy to play or simply just not interested to eat. He may sniff the food and then try to "bury" it. He doesn't seem nauseous and he has not puked. If he doesn't get better I may go and bring him to the emergency vet tomorrow, I can't live with this stress. But before that, is there anything I could do to make him eat better? I can't leave the food in the bowl because my other cat will go and eat it.
 

verna davies

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Have you tried feeding him Gerber baby food that comes in the small jars, plain meat only, chicken or turkey, no additives.
If there is a treat he will eat crumble some on top of a small amount of his usual food.
Feed from a spoon or a paper plate.
If he likes tuna, mix some tuna juice in his food.
 
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Snuugel

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Thank you for answering! Yes I have tried mostly soft foods, like nutrima kitten and royal canin kitten mousse. He's not interested, even though nutrima is normally his favourite food. I gave him some raw chicken which he did eat bit better than the other stuff I gave him. Also treats he eats like no problem. I'm gonna try crumbling the treats on top of his food, that was a good idea! We went to the emergency vet just in case. All blood tests came out normal expect his potassium(?) levels were just a bit below normal. The vet said that it's quite common for a cat who is not eating well and not really anything to worry about. But nothing else really out of the ordinary. She gave me some medicene that should increase his appetite. Let's hope it works!
 

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She gave me some medicene that should increase his appetite.
I'm guessing it was Mirtazapine, is that correct? I've used it twice before when our cat refused to eat although he was diagnosed with pancreatitis. However, the Mirtazapine worked like a charm and I hope it does for your cat too. :crossfingers: I thought this Article about how to get your cat to eat again might have some helpful tips for you: How To Get Your Cat To Start Eating Again – TheCatSite Articles
Please keep us posted on his progress.
 
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Snuugel

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I'm guessing it was Mirtazapine, is that correct? I've used it twice before when our cat refused to eat although he was diagnosed with pancreatitis. However, the Mirtazapine worked like a charm and I hope it does for your cat too. :crossfingers: I thought this Article about how to get your cat to eat again might have some helpful tips for you: How To Get Your Cat To Start Eating Again – TheCatSite Articles
Please keep us posted on his progress.
Yup, that's the one. The medicene seemed to work on Friday. He ate a lot raw chicken by himself. For a moment I almost thought he felt better. But no. Saturday, ate nothing until the evening. I had to rub the food in his mouth just to get him eat a little. Same thing today on Sunday. Mirtazapine has no effect anymore. I'm going to call the vet again tomorrow. I can also notice that he is less energetic. He still plays but sleeps a lot more than normally. I just don't get it. He does not seem nauseous or does not seem that he's in pain or anything. Right now he's just very tired. Worst thing is that ai have to go to work tomorrow, I can just hope that he's gonna be doing fine 😥
 

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Did they check to make sure it isn't a dental issue? Or could he have a cold which is making him not able to smell the food?

I'm not familiar with the foods being fed but sounds like all are wet, right? Have you tried cooked chicken? I personally wouldn't feed raw right now since it could be part of the problem. Or have you tried kibble?
 
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Snuugel

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Did they check to make sure it isn't a dental issue? Or could he have a cold which is making him not able to smell the food?

I'm not familiar with the foods being fed but sounds like all are wet, right? Have you tried cooked chicken? I personally wouldn't feed raw right now since it could be part of the problem. Or have you tried kibble?
Yup, he took few pieces of kibble and walked away. I give mostly wet food scince that's what he usually eats. I really have not fed any raw food earlier but scince right now it's the food he prefers, I don't have much choice. I give raw chicken mush that is made for cats. The vet checked his mouth and didn't really say anything else than that all looks normal. So i'm assuming that his teeth are fine. I don't think he has a cold, his nose is not runny and eyes are clear. I'm worried sick. He woke up about an hour ago and has been playing a lot and is being his normal self. But still refuses all the food.
 
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Snuugel

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So, we have visited few other vets. He got pain medication and medication which helps with nausea. Neither of them had any effect. The vet said that there really doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him but next thing we should try is getting him to ultrasound. But all the vets in town are once again not available for at least for an week. But yeah so all I know for now is that:
It's not caused because he is nauseous.
It's not cause because he is in pain.
It's not caused because he has organ damage or an infection (no fever and all blood test results normal)
It's propably not caused because he has eaten something wrong (his stool is normal)
Symptoms he has at the moment.
Not eating almost at all, I have to feed him forcefully. Treats he eats by himself.
He is drinking bit more than usually.
He is bit more tired than usually, but he still has energy to play.
What I think may have caused it
He may have gotten something stuck in his nose, like cat litter or something so he can't smell. Or he may have some stomach bug that just takes some time to get better. That's all I can really think of. I don't know what to do. I may have to bring him to other town for other vet if this does not get any better. I just don't want to stress him out too much.
 

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Your two options, doing the US and/or consulting another vet, are both good possibilities. Any and all medical records from the current vet are yours and have to be sent to the new vet at your request. This does not mean that you have to change vets or that you will be on bad terms with the original one, but the paperwork is yours.
 

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Yeah, I'm taking him to emergency vet tomorrow again. I was able to get him eat pretty well this evevning. And now he puked it all out. I keep you guys updated.
Will your kitten let you look into his mouth?
I know you said the Vets already checked his teeth,...and I think that kittens start teething earlier than 6 months,...but it's still good to check.

Also, did any of the Vets give your kitten some dewormer medication,...to make sure that he does not have any internal parasites/worms?

Take a photo of the puke/vomitus...so that you can show the Vet.
If you can put it in some container, small plastic bag, etc,...then that might be good to show Vet, too. (just wear gloves)

Maybe try some of these other 'tips and tricks' to entice him to eat:
Any Good Tips To Get Your Cats To Eat? Share Them Here!

Sending you loads of Luck, for your kitten. :vibes::vibes::catlove:
 
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Snuugel

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Thank you so much for your answer. Really made me feel bit better ❤. In any case I already cleaned the puke up, but nothing weird in it, it was the food he had eaten 10 minutes ago. No dewormer and I don't think there really is any place where he could have gotten worms. But I will mention that to the vet. His teeth look fine. Seem to be all in right places, no missing ones. Of course, he puking may be caused because he hasn't eaten this much in days and because the food I gave him was new. It was Brit care kitten tuna. I have never offered him fish before. I bought it among other foods to test if he could eat anything and he loved it. Ate it all by himself so I have given him it 3 times now. Funny thing is, now after he threw it up he is once again back to normal and he actually is hungry? He went and ate all 4 raw chicken pieced I placed on his bowl earlier. He also went to taste my other cat's food. And once again thank you for your kind answer!
 

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Thank you so much for your answer. Really made me feel bit better ❤. In any case I already cleaned the puke up, but nothing weird in it, it was the food he had eaten 10 minutes ago. No dewormer and I don't think there really is any place where he could have gotten worms. But I will mention that to the vet. His teeth look fine. Seem to be all in right places, no missing ones. Of course, he puking may be caused because he hasn't eaten this much in days and because the food I gave him was new. It was Brit care kitten tuna. I have never offered him fish before. I bought it among other foods to test if he could eat anything and he loved it. Ate it all by himself so I have given him it 3 times now. Funny thing is, now after he threw it up he is once again back to normal and he actually is hungry? He went and ate all 4 raw chicken pieced I placed on his bowl earlier. He also went to taste my other cat's food. And once again thank you for your kind answer!
Actually, that sounds good that he is willing to eat after throwing up.
Yeah, maybe it's the new food,...since some cats are very sensitive to certain ingredients.

If you find he eats too fast,...but likes the food, then try raising the plate up...about 4-6 inches (10-14cm) from the floor,...on some books, box, or wood.
Sometimes cats will eat way too fast and regurgitate the food,...because of swallowing too much air, or again, the speed, feeling too full, too fast.

With the dewormer, even some indoor cats can get parasites, from fleas that are carried inside on humans' shoes,...and some mosquitoes will transfer heartworm.
With kittens, too, they can get them from their mom, through milk,...(so here, they always just deworm kittens when they are young).
I know you mentioned that your guy is 7 months,...but I figure it might be good to ask your Vet, ...like you mentioned.

I would still do the ultrasound,...as per your Vet's advice,...just to rule out any major issues.

If you do feed him raw,...then can you get something like the 'Alnutrin powder supplement',...or similar, ..where you live,...to add to the raw food,...just to make sure he gets all his proper nutrients and minerals for cats, ..and that it makes the raw cat meal balanced.
I figure it's good that he eats anything,...as long as it's properly balanced.

It is difficult to place his food in a location that the other cat will not eat.
Even higher up, will probably not prevent your other cat from finding the food.

If you have the time, would love to see some photos of your cat, and tell us his name, too.
(But no pressure, since you have to be too busy right now, with all the juggling different foods, and clean ups, plus trying to figure this out.) 🤔 :hugs::grouphug: :dunno:

Thanks for keeping us updated. :)
 
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Snuugel

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Thank you for your answer once again ❤ .His name is Jade. We went to emergency vet today. She took X-rays and bloodwork. All normal. Potassium is now normal too. He got antibiotics and medication to help with nausea. He ate some more tuna and 3 raw chicken...balls? As in meat balls but they are raw and specifically made for cats so they have all nutrients he needs. I can tell that eating makes him nauseous but so far he hasn't puked. I asked the vet about the parasites and at the moment she doesn't think they are the cause. At least he's acting normal right now.
 

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Thank you for your answer once again ❤ .His name is Jade. We went to emergency vet today. She took X-rays and bloodwork. All normal. Potassium is now normal too. He got antibiotics and medication to help with nausea. He ate some more tuna and 3 raw chicken...balls? As in meat balls but they are raw and specifically made for cats so they have all nutrients he needs. I can tell that eating makes him nauseous but so far he hasn't puked. I asked the vet about the parasites and at the moment she doesn't think they are the cause. At least he's acting normal right now.
Oh, wow, your Jade is super gorgeous! :loveeyes:
(I say that about ALL cats, but wow...Jade is handsome.) :cool2:
Does he have two different coloured eyes...or is that the way the photo looks?

So glad that Jade is acting back to his normal again. :thumbsup:
And really good that your Vet took x-rays, for any blockages,...and bloodwork...to see if the numbers improved.

Maybe it is like you said, it might be some sort of stomach bug, though I would have thought that it would have shown up on his bloodwork, but I guess your Vet just wants to be sure, and gave the antibiotics to see if they help.
Hopefully, it will help, and clear out any bacterial infections. :crossfingers: :bluepaw::greenpaw:

Since your cat is purebred, perhaps you can also contact Jade's breeder,...and just ask if any other kittens in the litter, had any problems.:greenpaw:
You never know, sometimes the breeders know about common illnesses, or other things that their cats have gone through.
It's worth a phone call.

Thanks so much for the above update...and especially for the photo. :)
He is so cute. :lovecat2:
Sending your Jade...more Health Thoughts...that he gets over this 'non eating and puking phase'...and continues to act like his usual kitten self. :vibes::vibes::kitty:
 
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Snuugel

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Thank you for your kind words. Jade appreciates them 🥰. Small update on how we are doing. Jade got the antibiotics and the medication for nausea. No effect. He is still acting like his own self but no appetite at all. He eats about 2 spoonfuls of tuna or a/d vet food in the morning. Nothing during the day and at evening 3-4 raw chicken pieces. Sometimes a chicken heart too. I' am so stressed. He now fears the food bowl because he knows that I will force him to eat and hides every time I lift the bowl to put food in it. I have 1 week holiday from work and I pretty much just sit home with him and try to get him to eat 24/7. All the vets say he is completely healthy, all the other kittens from his litter are healthy (I asked the breeder). One thing the vet did say is that perhaps it's the hormones that are starting to affect his body and just make him lose his appetite. I just, have no idea what to do anymore.
 

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I have seen hormones cause a sort of restlessness which diminishes the appetite in male cats. However, you are approaching a month of eating difficulties which is frustrating and serious. Is he showing any other signs of being hormonal like yowling, restlessness, interest in the door?
 
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Snuugel

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I have seen hormones cause a sort of restlessness which diminishes the appetite in male cats. However, you are approaching a month of eating difficulties which is frustrating and serious. Is he showing any other signs of being hormonal like yowling, restlessness, interest in the door?
He is bit more restless than usually. He play fights with my other cat more than usually. He even growls to him for time to time which he hasn't done before. (Yes I am sure it is still play fighting, they are like each other). He barely eats anything. I called the vet who actually seemed annyoed that I called. Just told me that scince all the bloodwork and x-ray pictures are fine there is nothing wrong with him. He just isn't hungry and I should stop worrying. Now I know that sometimes I worry too much, but it isn't healthy for him to only eat about 3 spoonfuls a day. And he wouldn't eat even that amount if I wasn't putting it right in front of his nose.
I am so scared because I have lost cat before to FIP. The first symptoms were loss of appetite, nausea and tiredness. Though unlike Jade, his bloodwork were abnormal and he was very tired and lethargic, Jade still acts normally, drinks normally and goes to litter box normally. I'm kinda running out of ideas what to do with him.
 

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He is bit more restless than usually. He play fights with my other cat more than usually. He even growls to him for time to time which he hasn't done before. (Yes I am sure it is still play fighting, they are like each other). He barely eats anything. I called the vet who actually seemed annyoed that I called. Just told me that scince all the bloodwork and x-ray pictures are fine there is nothing wrong with him. He just isn't hungry and I should stop worrying. Now I know that sometimes I worry too much, but it isn't healthy for him to only eat about 3 spoonfuls a day. And he wouldn't eat even that amount if I wasn't putting it right in front of his nose.
I am so scared because I have lost cat before to FIP. The first symptoms were loss of appetite, nausea and tiredness. Though unlike Jade, his bloodwork were abnormal and he was very tired and lethargic, Jade still acts normally, drinks normally and goes to litter box normally. I'm kinda running out of ideas what to do with him.
It's definitely strange that Jade won't eat, unless you put it right in front of him.
Yet, he acts normally in all other areas, so he does have the Energy to sustain him.

Has your Jade been neutered, already?
 
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