How can I get my cat to eat again?

Question

My cat won't eat or drink anything. She hasnt ate anything for about a day. I've tried purina kit'n kaboodle(which she always eats) and some canned food that my dad bought for her since she got hurt. Alls she does is lays there. She doesn't even look at the food. What should I do?

I believe she was attacked by a raccoon yesterday, but I dont know what happened for sure. I cleaned her up and she's ok now, but she doesnt move, all she wants to do is lay there and she makes really wierd noises and she pants like a dog now.

I have another question now too....Do you have to heat up canned cat food?

I have already asked about 5 questions today if you look and there are more details there and I can not ask any more questions, because it says I reached my limit for today or something like that, but here is what I wrote in a different question...

My cat is an outdoor cat. She used to live inside, but my parents made her start living outside. She has been living outside for about 5 years now. Yesterday my dad went hunting and when he came home he found her laying next to the house. Her left eye is stuck closed and its all watering and her bottom lip is all scraped up and bloody, but the vet is closed. I don't know what happened to her, but I think she might of been attacked by a raccoon. She is drooling and making really wierd breathing sounds and she is really shy now. She won't respond to any noise at all, but I dont think she likes light.

Yes she has all of her shots

i can't take her to the vet...i am only 13, i cant drive and i am home alone

i can't take her to the vet...i am only 13, i cant drive and i am home alone

Answer 1

Get her to a vet. Cats who stop eating can develop Hepatic Lipidosis (fatty liver disease) This can be fatal. How was she hurt? This information may help someone to answer your question.

Answer 2

Hi Allie

I just want to say that my heart goes out to you and that I really hope you and your cat are going to be OK. Thirteen is very young to be left home alone, full stop, plus it must be a zillion times worse with a poorly cat to worry about. You sound to be such a loving and caring person and I think you are coping brilliantly.

I appreciate that you can't physically get your cat to a vet but are there any that you can phone for free advice? It might be worth checking the ads in your Yellow Pages, or whatever the equivalent is where you are. They may be able to give you some practical advice and reassurance. (I did this at 1.00 a.m. once and they were more than happy to talk to me.)

I'm afraid I've no further advice to offer other than that I think both Seattle and ratlover1 have given you some extremely sound, practical ideas which I believe it would be helpful to follow (I would stick with antibacterial soap, though, opinion seems to be so divided on peroxide). I wouldn't have much to add to what they've said so no point saying it all again.

Good luck and God bless.

Answer 3

Hmmm, cat won't eat or drink, lays around panting and making strange noises...
She is in PAIN! She is ILL! If she was attacked by a raccoon or any other animal she must get to a veterinarian ASAP!
Raccoons carry, hmmm, ever heard of rabies? Your cat is now a rabies suspect...is she up to date on her vaccinations?
Even if that is not the problem, she has been hurt and is in need of medical attention. Don't let her suffer and possibly die. Get her to a doctor. I bet if you were attacked by a coon or any other wild animal you'd be at the ER right now...

added: vet is closed? try a different vet...or an emergency vet...if none available, then if she makes it through the night get her in very first thing in the morning...she could have been hurt some other way, who knows with outdoor cats...falling out of trees, hit by car, etc. etc.
no, you don't have to heat up canned food. if she doesn't feel like eating I wouldn't force her, because you don't know what sort of internal injuries she might have, or what the vet might need to do. Keep her warm, that is very important. Offer her fresh water often. Try to get her to take something like corn syrup if you have any, or sugar water, just to keep her blood sugar up a little.
good luck--I know this is scary and I hope your cat will be all right...

added:
Wow, sorry, I just read the other questions so now I know the whole story--sorry, shouldn't have answered so quick but I didn't know there was more to it.
I'm sorry your parents told you to forget about her! How sad...but some people just aren't willing to spend any time, trouble or money on animals--although at least he got her some canned food.
I highly recommend using just warm water on a soft cloth to clean her up. The antiseptic wash is probably fine...hydrogen peroxide is good if you have any...but both will sting a little so I wouldn't torment her with them. She may have internal injuries that are more worrisome than a slight risk of infection...don't worry too much about rabies right now either, even if she was exposed she won't pass it to anyone else yet...
Most importantly keep her in a warm place, maybe wrapped in a warm soft blanket or towel if you can spare one, in a dark place if she prefers it. Stay with her or check on her often. Keep her as calm and comfortable as you can. Hopefully tomorrow you may be able to get her to the vet...but if mom and dad can't or won't or can't handle the bill, you may be saying goodbye to your kitty...just so you're prepared. But no matter what happens, know that you did the best you could. Best of luck to you.

Answer 4

The only thing you can do is just leave some food and fresh water out a wait a few days. If she does not eat or drink in 3 days then you should just call a vet for advice.
Also, if she did got hurt maybe you ask another question and provide more details about the injury.

Answer 5

When did she get hurt? What were the injuries? Has the cat been evaluated by a vet? Need more information here.

Thanks for providing the additional details. Get the cat to the vet NOW. She might have internal injuries or an infection like rabies.

Answer 6

ALLIE
AGAIN I WROTE IN CAPITAL
YES, YOU CAN HEAT THE CAN FOOD, MAYBE 5 SECONDS IN MICROWAVE. PUT THE FOOD IN THE CAT FOOD BOWL AND HEAT IT, DON'T HEAT THE CAN IN THE MICROWAVE, IT WILL DAMAGE THE MICROWAVE.

WHEN SHE LAYS DOWN, PUT DRY TOWEL OR DRY CLOTH TO KEEP HER WARM. THEN LEAVE HER TO SLEEP UNTIL YOU CAN GET A HOLD OF AN ADULT TO HELP YOU.
LEAVE A MESSAGE TO HUMANE SOCIETY OR ANY VET OR ANY NEIGHBOR YOU CAN REACH BY PHONE, TOMORROW IS MONDAY AND BY THEN SOMEONE WILL ANSWER YOU.
DID YOU KEEP HER IN A LOCKED ROOM? IF YOU DID, MAKE SURE IT IS NOT A WET OR DAMP, SHE NEEDS ALL THE WARMTH SHE COULD GET RIGHT NOW.. AND DONT FORGET TO LEAVE THE FOOD WITH WATER IN THE SAME ROOM.

Answer 7

I recommend a call to the Vet... does she have all of her shots? This doesn't seem normal, laying around and making strange sounds after being attacked by a wild animal. It may just be 'mental' but it could be physical..

Answer 8

Please do not go near your cat untill an adult comes home. If you can close him up in the room and call an adult. He needs to go to the vet and be checked that he doesnt have rabies because if he bites or scratches you then you will need shots that are painfull. Do not touch him till an adult sees him and he is cared for by a vet.

Answer 9

TAKE HER TO THE VET ASAP !!! If she is not eating, or drinking this is a very bad sign. She could possibly have an infection due to being hurt. Do you see any swelling, or puncture wounds on her? She will need a shot and antibiotics to take home with.

Answer 10

Take her to the vets asap.
When my cat was gravely ill from cat flu, we tempted him with some cooked chicken (from the Sunday roast) and also tinned tuna. He lived to fight another day, actually a good number of years.
Best of luck and make sure make sure she doesn't get dehydrated.