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- Apr 6, 2006
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The cat in question is Christy, who just came to stay with me about four days ago. During that time, she hasn't eaten more than about one day's worth of food, if that. She weighs about eight pounds, so she's a small cat; she's perfect weight for her frame, but I don't want her to lose any--especially dangerously much.
What I've tried:
The shelter's food. She ate about three pieces, then turned up her nose.
My cats' food (Purina Naturals). Ignored it.
Wet food, chicken flavor. Licked off the gravy.
Kitty treats. Ate about fifteen or twenty, over the course of four days.
Wet food, fish flavor. Ate about a quarter of a can, then buried the bowl in her blankets.
Meat baby food. Ate the two licks I smeared on her lips, then buried the bowl in her blankets.
Another bowl of wet food, chicken flavor. Licked off the gravy, again. Hissed at my cat when she tried to get some.
She's been drinking enough water... though some of it was the water she got when she licked herself dry after I washed kitty pee off her (she has a habit of sleeping in her litter box). Poor thing hated the bath but actually purred at me afterwards when I came to see how she was drying off.
I can't keep this cat alive on kitty treats, naturally. What's next? I was expecting her not to eat for the first day, but four days is pushing it.
Health problems... She has icky ears, but the shelter says no ear mites; maybe a yeast infection? Found about half a dozen fleas on her, will do Frontline treatment, and have notified the shelter, where they will most likely not be pleased at the prospect of yet another flea epidemic. She has some kind of allergy, maybe dust, so her nose is a bit plugged. (Could be part of the problem--she can't smell the yummy food?) Her mouth seems fine, doesn't seem to hurt; she chewed the (moist) kitty treats well enough; but then I'm not a feline dentist. Breath smells fine, anyway.
Behavior... Shy, tends to hide a lot; but starting to feel confident enough to explore. Played a bit today with a dangled shoelace, which I'm told she's never done before. Hisses at my cats if they come too close; but then, my cats do the same to her. Very snuggly sort of lap cat, goes limp almost Ragdoll-fashion in your lap, though she's an ordinary dilute tortie/white. Purrs when scratched on the head. Loves people in general; uses the litter box well (I'm surprised--not much is going into her digestive system)... Generally a very nice cat.
But I'm worried about her.
1. How do I get her to eat?
2. When should I worry enough to call the shelter (they'll take her back--she was eating there, but she seems happier here) or call a vet?
What I've tried:
The shelter's food. She ate about three pieces, then turned up her nose.
My cats' food (Purina Naturals). Ignored it.
Wet food, chicken flavor. Licked off the gravy.
Kitty treats. Ate about fifteen or twenty, over the course of four days.
Wet food, fish flavor. Ate about a quarter of a can, then buried the bowl in her blankets.
Meat baby food. Ate the two licks I smeared on her lips, then buried the bowl in her blankets.
Another bowl of wet food, chicken flavor. Licked off the gravy, again. Hissed at my cat when she tried to get some.
She's been drinking enough water... though some of it was the water she got when she licked herself dry after I washed kitty pee off her (she has a habit of sleeping in her litter box). Poor thing hated the bath but actually purred at me afterwards when I came to see how she was drying off.
I can't keep this cat alive on kitty treats, naturally. What's next? I was expecting her not to eat for the first day, but four days is pushing it.
Health problems... She has icky ears, but the shelter says no ear mites; maybe a yeast infection? Found about half a dozen fleas on her, will do Frontline treatment, and have notified the shelter, where they will most likely not be pleased at the prospect of yet another flea epidemic. She has some kind of allergy, maybe dust, so her nose is a bit plugged. (Could be part of the problem--she can't smell the yummy food?) Her mouth seems fine, doesn't seem to hurt; she chewed the (moist) kitty treats well enough; but then I'm not a feline dentist. Breath smells fine, anyway.
Behavior... Shy, tends to hide a lot; but starting to feel confident enough to explore. Played a bit today with a dangled shoelace, which I'm told she's never done before. Hisses at my cats if they come too close; but then, my cats do the same to her. Very snuggly sort of lap cat, goes limp almost Ragdoll-fashion in your lap, though she's an ordinary dilute tortie/white. Purrs when scratched on the head. Loves people in general; uses the litter box well (I'm surprised--not much is going into her digestive system)... Generally a very nice cat.
But I'm worried about her.
1. How do I get her to eat?
2. When should I worry enough to call the shelter (they'll take her back--she was eating there, but she seems happier here) or call a vet?