Cat Isn't Eating?

[Rosepud]

Yesterday I brought home a new cat his name is Kip. He is doing very well, but yesterday he was chowing down eating all the wet food provided to him. Today he couldn't care less this morning he was still eating but now he's not. He's slowly been less and less interested. I've tried different types of food am on my 4th try for today. I added treats and one of those supplements that enhances flavor to make them want to eat it and still nothing. Is this just stress from the new environment showing up a day late? Maybe he's sad he's not with his old family? Any and all advice is appreciated. He also has kidney disease and has 2 vet appointments scheduled one for Friday to restest some values and then one on Monday with a nutritionist as he is also underweight at 11lbs when he should be 14lbs. Him being underweight is part of why I'm so worried about the not eating along with not eating means less moisture from the wet food. He is still drinking and using the litterbox fine although he has had some diarrhea. I was limiting his dry food but am now providing unlimited since he's not been eating.

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi!

It could be that he was so hungry yesterday that eating was his main priority. Is he eating the kibble? You could try adding a little warm water or even unsalted/unseasoned broth to it for moisture. Be sure not to leave that out for very long - kibble will have faster bacteria growth when it's moistened.

Try some music too, there's musicforcats . com, and also an app called Relax My Cat that may help.

I realize this is a kidney cat and so I'm not sure if all these things I'm going to suggest are ok, but try these enticements;
Try sitting with him some more and see if he'll lick other mushed up food off your finger or a spoon. The reddi whip helped another kitty recently but all of the things on the list have eaten by at least one cat.

18 Awesome Cat Feeding Tips By Thecatsite Staff Members

Also here is a compilation of things;

Try feeding in different locations - and utilize different heights. For example put a couple of books underneath the dish, next time use two thick phone books, or a small-ish box so the heights are varied....

Try some raw egg yolk. Egg white must always be cooked, and some people cook the white and make a slurry of sorts by adding in the raw yolk.

Try making these recipes - they're just as viable for an adult cat as for kittens;
Kitten-Rescue.com

These below can be used on their own or combined with food. Also, if you heat the food a little - stir it so there aren't any hot spots from the microwave.

Or you could heat some water, about a tablespoon, and add that to canned food. A small glass works to stir it all up.

• Chicken, beef or ham flavored (pureed) baby food such as Gerber Stage 2 - make sure there is no garlic or onions in the ingredients

• Tuna and/or the juice, a low mercury/low/no sodium brand is called SafeCatch

• Salmon, mackerel

• Sardines (make sure there are no bones)

• boiled cut up chicken or turkey with no seasonings

• canned kitten food any brand

• Try mixing in Kitten Milk Replacer - there are recipes on the internet or store bought

• Fish, tuna or BBQ flavored canned wet food (I personally have never seen BBQ flavors, but...)

• Lickable cat treats or pouch treat 'gravy' poured over the food

• kitten glop (recipes in website link above)
• Bonito flakes
• fortiflora
• fish oil
• green beans, asparagus mushed up, lettuce, applesauce, mashed chickpeas, black olives
• whipped topping such as reddiwhip
• dry pasta

• goat milk, or no lactose cow milk
• whole cooked eggs (the white must always be cooked) or raw egg yolk now and then
• broth with no salt and no garlic or onion or seasonings of any kind
• There are also commercial toppers, Applaws is a brand that can work well as a topper
  
• Some good treats would be freeze dried Purebites, Orijen, Meowtinis, Meowables, Only Natural Pet, Primal

• There are also Lickimats that you could spread types of soft food onto, even plain unflavored yogurt, and even freeze it. Licking something can help a cat to feel better emotionally The LickiMat - Food Puzzles for Cats
• shredded cheddar cheese, string cheese

 

[Rosepud]

Thank you so much for the list! Unfortunately he isn't supposed to have any fish as it makes his stomach upset and he vomits. I have tried the treats I have an assortment including some of the ones listed like orijen but mostly purebites. He will show interest in treats but is very slow to actually eat them. He does seem to eat better if you're standing next to him or hold the dish for him.

 

[Furballsmom]

He does seem to eat better if you're standing next to him or hold the dish for him.

This and finger feeding may help him, I'm sending all sorts of good thoughts your way!

 

[SweetiePie1]

Hi Rosepud, REALLY sorry to hear about Kip and am really happy you've got appts. lined up with the vet(s). Just went through something similar. Sounds like the cat is very happy to be with you but in pain from the kidney issues. I support all suggestions to encourage eating and the vet may prescribe some kidney friendly food. Watch for lack of mobility...specifically inability to jump at all and walking with his back legs more retracted. This potentially means shock so the vet is the right place.

 

[Rosepud]

Hi Rosepud, REALLY sorry to hear about Kip and am really happy you've got appts. lined up with the vet(s). Just went through something similar. Sounds like the cat is very happy to be with you but in pain from the kidney issues. I support all suggestions to encourage eating and the vet may prescribe some kidney friendly food. Watch for lack of mobility...specifically inability to jump at all and walking with his back legs more retracted. This potentially means shock so the vet is the right place.

He has kidney friendly food already which seems to be his least favorite of the foods. I think he might be a bit sad as he came from a home not a shelter so he probably misses his family. I've only had him for 2 days now and knew he had the kidney problems prior to getting him so had the appts. lined up ahead of time!

 

[SweetiePie1]

Sounds like you are doing everything you can do. Love the support and attention you are giving Kip. It means a lot!