Cat With Decreased Appetite Suddenly Won't Eat Out Of Usual Bowl

  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #21

scraggles

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 26, 2016
Messages
370
Purraise
824
As a quick update, myself and my vet have been monitoring Scraggles. His appetite still isn’t as it should be but he is still eating something if I sit with him at meal times. I’ve got a wider dish which he does prefer to eat out of, but I still need, at times, to spill it on to the floor for him to show an interest. The vet has given the liquid recuperation food attached that I've been syringing into his mouth as well as subscription canned food. If he doesn't improve by tomorrow we'll be getting bloods done… Hopefully he picks up as I think he's losing a bit of weight now. Although he's still showing no other symptoms of illness, it's worrying.
 

Attachments

orange&white

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 22, 2008
Messages
8,420
Purraise
9,669
Location
Texas
Hopefully he's getting better with time. He hasn't eaten much for 7-10 days, so a little weight loss would be expected. As long as he starts eating/drinking again is the main thing.

I took a quick look at that Recuperation product. Looks like a vitamin/mineral supplement with something to make the cat want to drink more water. Sounds good!

Hoping for a quick recovery. :hugs:
 

susanandjose

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Apr 17, 2017
Messages
22
Purraise
9
Location
San Francisco, CA
Hi there, my cat is currently battling a nasty upper respiratory infection and wouldn't eat his usual food. We finally got him to eat almost a full day's amount by feeding him Gerber baby food. I'm normally a raw feeder, but the most important is that they get some nutrition in them, raw or otherwise, so I tried the Gerber... it was AMAZING. Not even tuna water worked, and he ate the Gerber immediately. I was even able to mix in some supplements and he STILL ate it.

I specifically used the "Chicken & Gravy" formula mixed with about 25% "Turkey and vegetables" formula from another brand. The chicken one is calorie-dense at 100 cals per jar, but you need to add some veggies for fiber so he can go poo.

It's a small investment to make, and every supermarket will have it.. maybe try that and see if he can stomach it?
 

PushPurrCatPaws

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 22, 2015
Messages
10,061
Purraise
10,250
I too think that this food behavior is a result of feeling a bit nauseated. Definitely a flatter food dish might help, like a plate or saucer as others have suggested. But for a little while, just to get him to eat, if laying bits of his food on the floor helps him "mentally" to approach the food more easily, just go for it. I've had to do this for my cat Milly at the times when she is nauseated or feeling fussy. I usually set the bits of canned food on the rug though... if you have tile or wood floors, you could buy some of those carpet squares from a hardware store and just set them out for use when this type of food issue is going on. I think there is something about a cat having to "chase" food around with their tongue on the slippery surface of a steel or ceramic dish that doesn't help the nausea. The quicker a cat can pick up the food from a surface, the less its focuses on the nausea factor: a carpeted surface has more friction and keeps the food portion in place while the cat licks at it quickly with his/her tongue to try to pick it up. The food gets into the mouth easier if it doesn't slide too much on the surface it is on. There could be something about the combination of lengthy extensions of the cat's tongue when it sticks it out to eat, making the nausea feeling much worse to the cat. (Maybe it triggers a gag reflex?) Your cat also had some dental work done (teeth cleaning), so there might be some soreness for a few days. So, not only do you have the smell of the food making the nauseated cat feel even more unsettled (even though they are hungry), but if the cat has to spend a ton of time licking up food from a slippery and/or wide bowl, well... the whole exercise seems frustrating to a sick-feeling cat. I hope this makes sense.

:vibes: :vibes: Good luck!
 

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
Mega :vibes:that the combination of prescription supplement and prescription food do the trick. I really hope that Scraggles is back to his old self very soon :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #26

scraggles

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 26, 2016
Messages
370
Purraise
824
Thanks all again! – Scraggles, when I got up this morning, didn’t eat a thing – not even his treats – so I knew something was really wrong this time. It was an anxious wait for the vet to open. Fortunately, they could see me straight away once they did. The vet injected an antibiotic and something else I can’t remember – he’s going to phone me later to check in and take it from there.

When we got back Scraggles ate some food – again, only if spilled on the ground. I tried the carpet thing Pushpurrcatpaws as it makes a huge amount of sense – luckily, I’d cheap Ikea mats that I didn’t mind using.

Unfortunately, where I am we can’t get Gerber, Susanandjose – I bought what I thought might be some equivalent but Scraggles wanted nothing to do with it – I don’t blame him to be honest as once I opened it I realised it looked and smelled more like peas than anything else. I’ll have to keep an eye out for more like what you describe – something similar must exist.

Thanks all for the good vibes – hopefully it all works itself out soon.
 

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
I've been trawling the web for plain meat baby food - it really does look like we don't have it in the UK :( I did find this recipe though, if you're up for making your own (I'd probably cut the quantities, unless you want to fill your freezer with the stuff ;) or else cook the full amount of chicken but only blend a little up into puree. Plain cooked chicken has many uses after all :wink:).

Do keep us updated, and let us know what the vet says. You and Scraggles are in our thoughts :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #28

scraggles

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 26, 2016
Messages
370
Purraise
824
Columbine you're so good - thank-you so much for taking the time to look that up. As it happens I'm vegetarian but there'll be someone over at the weekend that'll be able to help me with that recipe - last thing I want to do is give Scraggles salmonella on top of everything!

Scraggles again didn't show an interest in breakfast this morning - again he ate some food if I put it on the ground and sat with him - and some treats if I put them right in front of him. Normally I simply have to rustle a bag of Dreamies and he will come pelting from wherever he is - to have him only eat them if placed right under him is worrying. I managed to syringe a few mil of the recuperation liquid also before he'd had enough. Have spoken to the vet and I'm bringing Scraggles in to get a blood test done later this afternoon. I'd love to go in earlier but I have another appointment that I just can't get out of - but the vets have been so helpful and can facilitate an appointment whenever I'm free to come in.

It's getting more and more worrying - I woke up in the middle of the night last night and just couldn't fall back asleep with all the scenarios racing through my mind.

Hopefully he pulls out of it.
 

IndyJones

Adopt don't shop.
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 13, 2017
Messages
4,016
Purraise
3,726
Location
Where do you think?
Try to remain calm. Cats almost have a a sixth sense and pick up our emotions and make them their own.

If you are anxious and upset he will be anxious and upset also.
 

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
I'm always happy to help, and I know how worrying and scary it is when they're sick and won't eat :hugs:

Keep us posted on how Scraggles is doing. Sending you both a ton of :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #31

scraggles

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 26, 2016
Messages
370
Purraise
824
Blood tests came back clear! – which is good news – but, like the vet said, it still doesn’t leave us with an answer. Scraggles was also given an injection to stimulate his appetite and yesterday he seemed to be eating a bit more again. This morning, though, he’s back to eating less. I’m going to read through this thread carefully and see if there’s anything I missed that I might be able to try. It seems, I suppose, to be leaning more towards a behavioural issue now rather than medical? While on one hand I'm hugely relieved, it still concerns me that I haven't this figured out.

Poor Scraggles looks like he’s been through the wars – half his mane was shaved to do the blood tests, and then, as well as the hair that was removed from the matting, well, my poor little lopsided cat is living up to his name.

I’ve really appreciated all the concern and the support I’ve got on this thread. This site has really helped keep my head where it should be while trying to work this out.
 

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
Great that the bloods are clear, but it doesn't really move you forward. Remind me how old Scraggles is? (sorry, I have a total teabag memory :rolleyes:).

What injection was he given? My vets favour B12 as a boost, and steroids if that doesn't help. Both only last for 24-48 hours though. The hope is that, once you 'remind' them about eating, their appetite stays once the injection's worn off. Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen :sigh:

I'm not aware of lack of appetite being a behavioural issue generally...the only exceptions I can think of are when an animal is under severe stress or is very depressed. Is Scraggles still showing signs of nausea? If that's still present, it's understandable that he's not keen on eating. My instinct (and this is just me thinking out loud :winkcat:) is that it's either a digestive issue or, just possibly, a heart condition. I'm really not trying to scare you, but the experience I've had with my (admittedly elderly/senior) cats is that lack of appetite without nausea or any other obvious cause can be heart related...and unless a murmur is present (or there are obvious breathing difficulties), it can be almost impossible to pick up on a straight physical exam. If nausea IS still present, however, that would point more towards a digestive issue for sure.

Mega :vibes: that you can get to the root of this problem soon, and that his appetite returns in full force :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 

orange&white

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 22, 2008
Messages
8,420
Purraise
9,669
Location
Texas
Is he drinking enough water still? That Recuperation product you're giving him is supposed to make him thirsty so that he stays hydrated.

Did your friend come over to make chicken baby food? If not yet, I would use chicken thigh meat since it will be higher in calories and taurine than breast meat. I would also stir in a couple of egg yolks after the meat is cooked and still hot. Yolks are almost 100% bioavailable, packed with nutrients, and 55 calories each. Thigh meat and egg yolk will be missing calcium. You could soft-boil some eggs, use the yolks in the baby food, then grind up the eggshell in a coffee grinder. 1/2 teaspoon of powdered eggshell per pound of food will provide enough calcium. One eggshell is about 1 tsp. (Hopefully he'll start eating on his own before you need to start worrying over balancing everything...whatever he will eat is what he should eat, balanced or not.)

Since he is off his appetite for over a week, I would start counting his calories and make sure to get at least 200 calories a day into him so he doesn't lose more fat and muscle mass.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #34

scraggles

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 26, 2016
Messages
370
Purraise
824
The vet has put Scraggles at around three years old – which would make it four this summer – as he was a stray he can’t say for sure though. I’m afraid I don’t know what injection he was given but I’ll ring them and find out. He ate a bit again today – but still not his typical appetite by any stretch of the imagination.

I’ve just bought a range of food to see if it’s just that he’s gone off his usual – but so far it hasn’t seemed to work. My friend couldn’t come over in the end to make the chicken – but I’m just going to have to do it myself and also add in the eggs.

I’m not sure if he’s showing signs of nausea – he licked his lips in his sleep a bit over the weekend – but I don’t know if that’s just dreaming. Today when I fed him he ate a bit – and when I tried him with some more he licked his lips once – but just the once only – I don’t know if that means anything.

He’s still drinking water – I’m unfortunately back at work now so not able to monitor him as closely – but the level of water in his bowl has definitely decreased.

I bought some of the freeze dried treats and he ate a couple and seemed to enjoy them – but when I crumpled them up on the food it didn’t really encourage him to eat more, unfortunately – but at least they’re a relatively healthy treat if I can get him to eat some more of them. I’ve also still been syringing the other recuperation product.

I’ve also bought some cat grass for digestion – I have to grow it though so who knows how long that will take.

And also some new bowls to try. We’ll see how they go.

I’m going to ring the vet again in the morning if he doesn’t eat his breakfast. Part of me at this stage is really beginning to question myself and wondering if it’s all just in my imagination – maybe this is just his “summer appetite”? – or maybe he’s only just settling into food now after yowling and guzzling for so long since coming as a stray? – but I don’t think it is – I don't know, to be honest, but I still am concerned.
 

orange&white

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 22, 2008
Messages
8,420
Purraise
9,669
Location
Texas
If he has lost a noticeable amount of weight, then it is definitely not your imagination. He should be eating 20-25 calories per pound of body weight.
 

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
This doesn't sound right to me either - you're not just imagining it. Signs of nausea are licking his lips (especially when offered food) but also just seeming really eager/asking for food, only to have a sniff and maybe a couple of licks/bites before walking away. Acting hungry but not eating is the key here, and you know his 'hungry' signals better than anyone. You're quite right that licking his lips whilst asleep doesn't count - that's just him dreaming :sleepycat:

It's great that he's still drinking, as that makes dehydration less of a worry, but you need to keep pushing with the vet until you find the root cause or until Scraggles starts eating properly again. Many, many more :vibes:for you both :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #37

scraggles

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 26, 2016
Messages
370
Purraise
824
I have Scraggles booked in for another vet appointment once I get home from work. This morning wasn't great. He was back to not eating much at all - maybe a few Dreamies and one or two of the Orijen freeze dried treats...

And also this morning was the first morning where he wasn't in any way vocal. He still walked down the stairs and waited where I store his food but not once did he meow. Normally also he comes running down the stairs - this morning it was far more reluctant. The only time he made any noise really was when he growled as I syringed the Viyo into him (the growling would be normal by the way).

When I rang the vet it was the actual vet who happened to answer the phone - so at least I got to speak directly to him as I booked Scraggles in which might him a chance to ponder a bit before the appointment.

Thanks for all the good vibes - they're very much needed.
 

Columbine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 27, 2015
Messages
12,921
Purraise
6,224
Location
The kitty playground
You're both in my thoughts :hugs: Really hope this vet appointment can give you some answers :crossfingers: It's SO much easier to treat this kind of problem when you know the root cause. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 

orange&white

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 22, 2008
Messages
8,420
Purraise
9,669
Location
Texas
:vibes:Yes, good vibes your way. Poor baby. Hopefully the vet will have another suggestion to get Scraggles' appetite back in order.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #40

scraggles

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Sep 26, 2016
Messages
370
Purraise
824
We’re back from the vet – and not much really the wiser. Scraggles got two more shots – an antibiotic and I’m not sure what the second one was I’m afraid – the vet mentioned Depo(?) but I think that was for possible future use if whatever he was given today didn’t work.

Scraggles has very slightly inflamed gums and very, very slightly inflamed glands I think the vet said – but nothing that would normally warrant worry.

He also mentioned exploratory surgery but Scraggles isn’t really showing enough symptoms to warrant it. The next step is to bring Scraggles back in on Thursday if there’s no improvement and to get a small shot of Valium which, I think, instantly prompts them to eat.

Again, no interest in even treats when I brought him home. Time will tell I hope.
 
Top