My cat (10 year old Male) has stopped eating solid foods, he got into the garbage and may have eaten some bubble gum (i found the chewed wrappers on the floor) What should I do?
2006-09-08 12:23:54 · 10 answers · asked by M 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Take him to the vet.
2006-09-08 12:25:59 · answer #1 · answered by kny390 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He could be having gum/teeth problems- my friend has a 10+ cat who is losing his teeth. He has trouble chewing the dry food. See if your boy will eat wet food- if so, then his teeth are probably the problem. And if not, that is a bad sign. Either way, definately take him to the vet. It's not normal for a cat of any age to suddenly stop eating. As for the gum- mention it to the vet while you're there, but likely his system will digest what it can and he'll poop the rest.
If the cost of the vet has you hesitating, you can always try the local humane society, or you can see if your vet will let you make payments if you can't afford the whole bill at once. You can always take him in for a checkup (which is usually afforable, even at the vets) and then decide what to do about paying for any tests or treatment with your vet.
Good luck to you and the kitty.
2006-09-08 12:57:55 · answer #2 · answered by sara_pk1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the vet if anything seems wrong (I am having visions of a sticky faced kitty - blech).
I have a friend who had an older cat who did this. She took it to the vet and found it had lost several teeth and was having problems there and that was the issue.
I'd not worry too much about the gum if he seems okay. I would worry about the lack of eating, though, you don't want him to get sicker or suffer. Find a good vet and take him in re: that.
2006-09-08 12:44:10 · answer #3 · answered by Sunny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He probably quit eating because he has a bowel blockage. That would also explain why he ate the gum- either he blocked himself with that or is using that to try to remove what is blocking him.
My advise: if you can't afford a vet, here is what my vet did for my cat... First, fill him full of wet food. As much as he will eat. Then use a dropper, and give him exactly 1/2 teaspoon of pepto bismol. It will give him the runs, and push whatever out of him.
If this doesn't work, it is a natural obstruction (like a collapsed intestine) and will probably require surgery.
Maybe his gums hurt as well... When my gums are irritated and I chew mint gum, it makes it feel better. It would also explain his reluctance to crunch his food.
2006-09-08 12:31:59 · answer #4 · answered by emilystartsfires 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there haven't been any problems (i.e. not eating at all, sleeping a lot) I wouldn't worry about the gum too much. However, you should have the vet check your cat's teeth, he may need to have some teeth cleaned/pulled.
2006-09-08 12:27:52 · answer #5 · answered by niteglowrainbow 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you know what to do. get him to the vet and see what is really wrong. any change in eating in an older cat could be a number of life threatening things, or nothing. pay for the vet visit and feel good about doing all you can for your pet.
2006-09-08 12:26:49 · answer #6 · answered by foxfirevigil 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ditto on the vet: It's not normal for a cat to stop eating.
2006-09-08 12:44:50 · answer #7 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take him to the vet...or maybe his teeth fell out and cant gum the hard stuff
2006-09-08 12:27:22 · answer #8 · answered by CHEEKY 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take kitty to the vet
2006-09-11 11:39:26 · answer #9 · answered by katlvr125 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call your vet and see what they suggest you should do
2006-09-08 12:29:48 · answer #10 · answered by ravenmo2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋