Hi. So as you all know, or probably know, North America is just about frozen at the moment. 10 to 60 below zero. Pretty dang Cold.
But, having just mass-upgraded the cat houses, we were sure the cats would have been somewhat toasty. We even used garage insulation! But, that's not the issue. Not exactly.
Ever since Monday, it would seem that the cats are refusing to eat. Just, refusing. I'll put out warmed up wet cat food, the kind they love, and they just won't eat. Not even the dry food. They just let it freeze until I bring it in.
I'm not sure what's the deal. I know this is really really cold weather, but i'm trying to figure out why they would just refuse like that? They don't look sick or anything, even though they shiver when they leave the boxes. They're fully aware the food is there, too, and it's unlike anything i've seen for a feral to refuse food.
Also, I've seen them sitting outside the cat houses for no apparent reason, even with the wind chills, so they seem perfectly willing to LEAVE the box, though I have no idea why they'd do that either.
I'm curious, is there any connection between a feral cat not eating and the temperature/climate? Is it a thing they do to save energy, or something? Save calories? Hibernation? Something? Why would the kitties not eat?
Oh, and if it matters, it's four sibling cats who stay in the houses, and about three loners who come and go daily. The non-eating applies to all of them.
Many Thanks in advance for any answers!
But, having just mass-upgraded the cat houses, we were sure the cats would have been somewhat toasty. We even used garage insulation! But, that's not the issue. Not exactly.
Ever since Monday, it would seem that the cats are refusing to eat. Just, refusing. I'll put out warmed up wet cat food, the kind they love, and they just won't eat. Not even the dry food. They just let it freeze until I bring it in.
I'm not sure what's the deal. I know this is really really cold weather, but i'm trying to figure out why they would just refuse like that? They don't look sick or anything, even though they shiver when they leave the boxes. They're fully aware the food is there, too, and it's unlike anything i've seen for a feral to refuse food.
Also, I've seen them sitting outside the cat houses for no apparent reason, even with the wind chills, so they seem perfectly willing to LEAVE the box, though I have no idea why they'd do that either.
I'm curious, is there any connection between a feral cat not eating and the temperature/climate? Is it a thing they do to save energy, or something? Save calories? Hibernation? Something? Why would the kitties not eat?
Oh, and if it matters, it's four sibling cats who stay in the houses, and about three loners who come and go daily. The non-eating applies to all of them.
Many Thanks in advance for any answers!