Multiple cats, ignoring food on different days.

G-Factor

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I have 4 cats, two elderly cats (Denzel and Ian) and two young adult cats who are brothers (Chewy and Solo). All cats are fed same food at same intervals. Morning is wet and some dry. Supper is wet and some dry. Late evening snacks are dry. Food is typically Friskies (various flavours) and dry is Purina One True Instincts. However I do purchase other cats food and mix it in, including PetValu Performatrin Ultra wet and dry or Whiskas wet and dry at times. Cats are not picky eaters.

On July 28th (4 days ago), Chewy started to ignore his food. Would come to the food dish, sample and leave. Both wet and dry food. Couldn't entice him with anything. Other cats are eating fine.

On July 29th (3 days ago), same thing. Chewy ignoring most food, not even coming to the food dish. Would try to entice him, he would eat a couple temptations. Solo started to show some hesitation to food.

On July 30th (2 days ago), Chewy and Solo aren't eating anything. Solo is really interested in food, smells and walks away. Chewy is sometimes eating some temptations, but not much else.

On July 31st (1 days ago), Chewy in the evening looks to be more interested in food. Solo is completely ignoring everything. Now Ian is starting to ignore food.

On August 1st (today), Chewy ate a decent amount of wet food this morning (not Friskies) and accepts temptations. Solo isn't eating. Ian isn't eating. My fourth cat Denzel is eating everything through this.

I cannot make any sense of this. I've purchased new dry food and tried enticing cats, nothing. I'm going to pick up some other wet food today, but I've tried the Performatrin Ultra wet as an alternative and they sample or just completely ignore the food. I've tried some human food is just ignored.

Is this some sort of 'upset stomach' virus running through my cats? I was concerned when it was just one cat (Chewy), because he is a long haired cat thinking is may be a blockage or something else. But when the second, now third cat is not eating, I'm thinking it may be a virus or food issues making them feel upset.

To note, none of my cats go outside. I don't see any abnormal behaviors from any of the cats, even when they aren't eating. Purr when I pet them, not hiding etc.

Any help is appreciated. I'm going to contact my vet tomorrow. Everything is closed today in Canada (long weekend).
 

ArtNJ

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If their weight is fine, and they are just eating less for a day or two, I wouldn't worry about it. Cats are weird, and sometimes they eat more or less for what might as well be random reasons. Or trivial reasons such as what happened here yesterday. Mine get dry for breakfast, then a can split up over the day, with the left over of the can plus some dry at night. Yesterday, I just gave them a heap of dry to finish the container. They were like "WTH this is NOT how we do things! NOT OK" and barely ait until nighttime, when they predictably finished it, but probably still eating a lot less overall for the day.

Sometimes you put down a can, and they pretend its expired, even though it came from the same box. Just a cat thing.
 

neely

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Just be aware that when a cat has not eaten for over 48 hrs. it becomes a serious problem. Have you tried offering them some meat baby food with broth but make extra sure it has no seasoning or flavoring of any kind in it?
Beech-Nut® chicken & chicken broth Stage 1 Baby Food
This Article has some excellent suggestions and helpful information for getting your cat to eat again:
How To Get Your Cat To Start Eating Again – TheCatSite Articles

I'm glad to hear you're planning to contact your vet. Please keep us posted.
 
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G-Factor

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I appreciate the updates and feedback.

@ A ArtNJ . I completed understand where are you coming from, cats can be just weird sometimes! All cats are heathy weight. Ian was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and is on medication, he weight is back to a normal-thin level now he is on meds. He would be the only cat I would be concerned about for weight.

@ neely neely Thank-you for the recommendations. I'll pick up some baby food as per your recommendation. I'm not sure if that brand is sold here, but I will pick up something without the additives.

Small update: Chewy is very interested in Temptations now, which is a stark contract to a couple days ago. I'm hoping this is just a virus and it passes through. Right now Solo and Ian have no interest in food. They both look at me wanting food, but aren't interested at all.

I'll keep this thread going until resolution. Please chime in if anyone else has any suggestions.
 
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G-Factor

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No change in my cats condition.

I've picked up all new wet and dry food, including some sardines. One cat was really interested and licked up some of the juice, but didn't eat.

Chewy was the first cat having symptoms and is eating some, including some wet and temptations.
Solo and Ian aren't touching food. Solo will pick up food in his mouth and drop it. This is day 4 and 3 for these cats without much food.
Denzel continues to eat as normal.

Didn't get into the vet today but did get a response. Wait until tomorrow, see if any improvement. Otherwise I bring one in for a checkup.

Otherwise the cats seem normal, just not wanting to eat. I'm confused and slightly concerned.

I'm going to completely change the cat litter tonight. I did have some different cat litter I used for the first time, still clumping litter... I'll chuck it out. I'm grasping at straws now.
 

neely

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Didn't get into the vet today but did get a response. Wait until tomorrow, see if any improvement. Otherwise I bring one in for a checkup.
I have to admit I'm a little surprised the vet didn't schedule a visit today but I'd definitely insist tomorrow. Please ask them about using Mirtazapine which is an appetite stimulant. It's very easy to administer and has worked like a charm the few times I've needed to use it for our cat's pancreatitis symptoms/diagnosis. More good luck wishes! :crossfingers:
 
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G-Factor

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Thanks for the reply. It was my call on getting the cat in today vs tomorrow. None of the cats seem to be in distress, otherwise I would insisted coming in today.

I keep having the feeling that they will start eating again based on my cat Chewy, who was the first to exhibit signs. Chewy is almost back to normal, eating wet and dry crunchies again. I've officially removed him from my 'concern' list, so I'm down to two cats now not eating.

Solo did sample some wet today and did eat a dozen crunchies playing chase and catch (basically tossing them down the hallway and him being a cat, catching and eating the kibble).

I'm hoping in the next day or two they start to show signs of eating. I did force feed Ian a bit of wet with a syringe. He was not impressed.

Hope to have better news tomorrow.
 
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G-Factor

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Quick update.

Chewy is back to normal. Eating fine.
Solo is back to normal. Eating fine.
Ian is still not eating.

Still not sure what happened, but about 5 days after initial onset of symptoms the cat starts to regain some appetite. By the 6th day, the cat is eating well again.

So following this pattern Ian is mid-day 5, so I expect him to start to gain some appetite tonight or tomorrow.
Took Ian into the vet today, received a B12 shot and Mirtazapine tablets. Give first tablet tonight.
Fingers-crossed!
 

neely

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Took Ian into the vet today, received a B12 shot and Mirtazapine tablets. Give first tablet tonight. Fingers-crossed!
I'm glad you got the Mirtazapine - my cat's appetite perked up quickly with it. Fingers and paws crossed for Ian. :crossfingers: :greenpaw::bluepaw:
 

ArtNJ

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Just a hunch, but do you have air conditioning? We have air conditioning, and my cats still shed more and eat less in the summer. Dunno why.
 
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G-Factor

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Hello @ A ArtNJ .
Appreciate the input. I do have AC but rarely put it on, essentially because where I live I don't typically require much cooling. Our weather recently hasn't been that hot.

Mini update: Ian still not eating. Day 6. I did see him get more interested in water, playing with faucet drips and drinking. Hopefully a first sign that he is wanting take in something. He is down to 3.1kg, so really thin. He was really thin before, but worse now. Getting quite concerned.
 

neely

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He is down to 3.1kg, so really thin. He was really thin before, but worse now. Getting quite concerned.
You may want to seriously consider getting a second opinion possibly from a Veterinary Internal Medical Specialist. I don't know if you mentioned it but did your vet do any bloodwork? Sending special thoughts and healing vibes for Ian. :vibes::vibes:
 
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G-Factor

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Ian still not eating food. Day 6. He is starting to perk up a bit, playing with his water tap drips etc.

@ neely neely I am going to get a second opinion. I will ask for bloodwork and another subcutaneous shot. I'll see if there is anything else they can do.

@ Furballsmom Furballsmom . I completely agree, that's a correct response to the situation. Every hour I try to give him food. Wet food, dry food, sardines, salmon, bacon, cheese, all sorts of food. Nothing. I'll follow him around with a food dish, ignores it. I've tried wetting his nose and mouth with wet stuff, he just pulls away. Tried to syringe feel him, he HATES it, fights me tooth and nail. When I do get food in his mouth, he spits it out.
 
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G-Factor

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I would like to share some great news. All cats are eating normally again.

Ian started to show some positive signs over the past couple days, his behaviors were becoming more normal. At supper he came to his food, sniffed and just sat there, but wouldn't eat. Progress! I knew we were getting close and it was only a matter of time. Then last night at midnight we shared some canned salmon, his first meal in six days. This morning he ate his meal normally and now I'm showering him in temptations and other treats. He has some weight to put back on.

So whatever this was, it affected 3 of my 4 cats in 4 days. For a period of 5-6 days, none of my cats would take in food. A virus? Really unknown.

For everyone who chimed in with suggestions and well wishes, thank-you very much! It was really appreciated.

Ian, Solo and Chewy thank-you too!

ian2.jpg ChewySolo.jpg
 

cataholic07

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It could have been tummy issues. Glad they are eating! Is it Friskies though? Friskies isn't the best quality (added colouring can cause cancer) I would try a different brand like Fancy feast pate. If possible Rawz is a great brand and not that costly at all. Catfooddb.com has a most cat food on their that you can check the quality of to find the best one possible for your range and what your cats will eat. :)
 
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