I want to discuss why a cat would not eat (or eats very little) though it goes to the bowl. This means the cat has an appetite but for some reason does not chow down normally. I am not talking about a cat that totally has NO appetite. I am not talking about a cat being plainly finicky.
My last cat would run to the bowl when I opened her favorite bag of food, sniff, tale a couple of bites and stop.
Walk away.
Then I would open the bag, she perked up, went to bowl, sniff, a nibble or 2, and stop,
Walk away.
Open the bag, she gets excited, goes to bowl, take a nibble,....stop
I realize the reasons could be myriad, but it is a problem that frustrates people time and again. The vets seem to have no answer for it (the ones I saw). So maybe if we compile a checklist - it will help someone solve it on their own.
My last cat would run to the bowl when I opened her favorite bag of food, sniff, tale a couple of bites and stop.
Walk away.
Then I would open the bag, she perked up, went to bowl, sniff, a nibble or 2, and stop,
Walk away.
Open the bag, she gets excited, goes to bowl, take a nibble,....stop
I realize the reasons could be myriad, but it is a problem that frustrates people time and again. The vets seem to have no answer for it (the ones I saw). So maybe if we compile a checklist - it will help someone solve it on their own.
- Teeth problem
- Mouth problem
- Excess stomach acid
- Nausea
- Dehydration
- Upper respiratory issue - cat need for smelling its food
- ????