I have an old cat around twenty in human years, and she is beginning to lose her teeth. She is having a hard time eating even soft food, I have been putting her soft food in the blender to make it softer, but she is still not eating. I know she is not sick because she wants to eat but meows loudly when attempting to. I think her gums are tender. any advice?
2006-09-29 04:59:06 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Nickless: She never did!
2006-09-29 05:09:11 · update #1
My cat has been with me for twenty years.
2006-09-29 05:32:26 · update #2
Her appointment for the vet is set for tomorrow morn.
2006-09-29 06:39:49 · update #3
You might have to switch to a liquid food........has she been losing a lot weight? Does she have trouble with stairs or refuses to jump up on the couch anymore?
I would talk to the vet, I am sure there is a protein powder you could mix with half and half so she would get the nutrition and calories in a liquid form.
My cat was only thirteen when I realized he was dying of old age or disease. He stood on a step and cried. He was never a lap cat but had weighed 20 lbs......over several months he lost a lot of weight but it wasn't until he had trouble walking that we realized he was dying. Putting him to sleep was an easier decision than I thought.....he reminded me of my best friends mom when she was ready to let go and leave us. So my kids and I went to the shelter with him. The deputies had tissue ready, there were very sweet. Pookie was laid on a very soft bed and we petted him and kissed is head as he left us.....then we carried him home and buried him at his favorite napping spot in the yard! If she is letting go you need to be aware of it. I didn't want Pookie going off to die on his own which is what most pets do when they die a natural death.
Good luck dear and try the protein powder.
2006-09-29 05:08:50 · answer #1 · answered by WitchTwo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A 20 year old cat is about 94 in human years and I assume this is what you are saying.
I have a 22 yr old cat who just had a "dental" two months ago. She needed to have tartar and plaque removed from her teeth.
She eats a raw meat diet that is soft and has only lost one tooth, a canine that was cracked that was pulled 7 years ago.
So you really need to take her to the vet. Infected teeth can poison the whole body and they can be removed. Some cats even continue on dry food after complete extractions, though I would think soft would be better.
She may be more comfortable eating when all those bad teeth are gone. It's important that you take care of whatever may be going on in her mouth if she is to continue living a healthy life.
2006-09-29 12:18:40 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dont think about putting her down till you know why she isnt eating. Have you done routine dental on her for those years of her life? Teeth are very painfull when they rot. Infection can go to the jaw bone in some cases. She is hungry poor thing but it may be too painfull to eat. Get her to the vet as soon as possible. It may not be her teeth but you need to know. She may still have a couple of good years left if taken care of. Most cats do not have any problem eating with no teeth, Even hard food they just swallow cause its so small. Please get her to the vet
2006-09-29 12:42:15 · answer #3 · answered by LisaMarie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The poor baby. Take her to the vet. Perhaps they can just remove the rest of her teeth, and she may need antibiotics if some of the teeth or gums are infected. Then she might do better. Even without any teeth, she should be able to eat soft food just using her mouth. Good luck!
2006-09-29 12:04:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
omg, that is really sad. I would be sure to take it to the vet and see what they tell you. It does sound like its gums are tender, but if she will not even eat soft food, there may be something else wrong. If you don't want to go to the vet, try finding a vet online or something. I am sure you can find something online like chat with a live vet or email a vet or something. Good luck I hope you get her to eat.
2006-09-29 12:03:29 · answer #5 · answered by cindy d 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to work for a long time at a shelter and normally they would have loose teeths or missing teeths if the owner gave them soft food all the time, try buying the squishy food kind, not the soft chunks. But I would take her to the vet if shes moning because she wants to eat but she cant, b/c it hurts.
2006-09-29 12:34:31 · answer #6 · answered by chinaz777 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You said she is an OLD cat... 20 in human years.. THAT IS NOT OLD... But at any rate.. you are doing all the right things and it is very very kind and considerate of you to give the kitty so much attention.. I wish there were more people like you in the world
2006-09-29 12:03:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure if you mean canned food when you say soft, but I had a cat in the same shape, and he loved his canned food. The mushy kind, not shredded. Good Luck!
2006-09-29 12:43:12 · answer #8 · answered by Shelby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As others have said, please take her to the vet. She's telling you it's painful to eat! She may need to have one or more teeth extracted.
It will also be a good time for her to have a thorough checkup. Dental disease can contribute to renal failure.
At least she *wants* to eat (good sign), but have her checked before this turns into a more serious problem and/or weight loss.
2006-09-29 12:08:05 · answer #9 · answered by Ragdoll Kitty 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Please take the cat to the vet. It may be a cancer or something that is causing this. It's better to be safe than sorry with elderly pets.
Use a baby medicine shooter or an eyedropper to put the food directly into her mouth.
2006-09-29 12:02:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋