We adopted a 6 year old cat from a rescue shelter, and she won't eat...?

Question

She's thrown up twice, I've taken her to see a vet and the vet said it's normal. I'm feeding her Cat Chow. I was wondering if there's anything I can feed her that she would enjoy eating, but that won't give her diarrhea? Also how can I make her more comfortable in my home so that she will eat?

Answer 1

I have two cats that were strays from shelters and theyr'e usually really afraid for the first while. What I did was buy Friskies turkey and cheese with gravy and there is a chicken and salmon blend with gravy. Put it where the cats hides or in a place where she/he will find it and let her eat in peace, she may just lick the gravy first but that's okay it's nutrition, my cats love it. I've even used it to rescue strays they can't seem to resist these brands I think it's the gravy. Let her get to know your home on her terms and don't approach her everytime the cat comes out she need a few weeks to adjust, she could have been badly taken care of or hurt by humans before you got her/him. It's hard to do, but you have to let the cat come to you and it could take time, be patient make sure she/he has fresh water and dry food as well. Through out some cat toys, don't give her cat nip because it could just make her more afraid. You sound like a great person anyone who takes in a stray for shelter cat it the best. They end up the best pets once they trust you it's so worth it. I will never buy a cat or kitten I will always go for a shelter cat first. Good for you!

Answer 2

Stress can cause this. Is she in a quiet room by herself? She should get to acclimate to one "safe" zone indoors first, so when she feels anxious she can retreat to her safe place. This should be a room with a closed door in which she is alone. Make sure her food, water and litter box are easily accessible without any outside interference to navigate. If you have other cats, she should have her OWN litter box to begin with and use the same litter the shelter uses if possible. You can switch later to a new litter if you like but at first you need to keep as much as possible the same as she's used to. Are there children or other animals in the house? They should be kept away from her for a few days until she settles down. The same goes for lots of activity, noise and commotion, loud music or tv, vacuum cleaners, power tool noise, etc! As a last resort, you could try one of the kitty hormone plug-ins or sprays. They are supposed to release calming cat hormones into the air that may comfort a stressed kitty. They are very expensive and I've never had to go that far but they may work if nothing else does. YOU won't smell much of anything, though, which is good to know :>).

If you want to pet her and she seems scared, don't go after her and try to make her accept your attention. Coax her, sit quietly and talk to her and let her come to you Maybe offer her a distance toy (e.g. the fishing type wands with "bait" on the end of the line). She should also be able to get used to ONE person first, then introduce others as she gets more comfortable. Some cats are naturally more shy/anxious than others and her new place may be too much for her to take in all at once.

Cats often vomit if they are allergic to something in the food: soy, corn, wheat are big offenders. I believe corn is the #1 ingredient in Purina Cat Chow and grains are NOT food felines would naturally eat. Rice may be accepted by cats allergic to other grains. Less often, some protein sources can cause allergies also, including chicken, beef, fish, etc. If the vomiting doesn't resolve in a week or so, you may need to find a high quality cat food that doesn't have these ingredients. Wysong and Wellness are two brands I trust: they are more expensive and not available in grocery stores but spending a little extra for good food saves money as well as aggravation in the long run!. A different water source (e.g. town or well water in a town other than she's been drinking) can cause temporary diarrhea as well but should resolve on its own within a week or so..

Good luck and BLESS YOU for adopting an adult and from a shelter! Too few people realize that you don't have to have a kitten to have a wonderful pet, grateful for a forever home. I adopted a 12 y.o. and a 15 y.o. a few years ago. The older one is gone but she had a comfortable home to spend her last years in. We were all blessed by her presence in our home and she was loved to the end.

Answer 3

I suggest a more natural food or even a nutro food, pro plan, you can find a lot of healthy foods at the pet store. Cat chow really isnt the best food. You can also try to feed her baby food, tuna, the vet can also give you a perscription bland food called i/d. Its probably stess causing it but if she continues to vommit the vet should run blood work to make sure that it is not something more serious.

Answer 4

Bringing home an older cat has challenges, especially a rescue. She has probably been through a lot in her life and is a bit stressed by being in a new place with new people. She may not be used to eating just dry food, and you should offer her canned wet food, which may be more of what she is used to.

As far as making her comfortable, give her affection and attention, but don't overwhelm her. She has to learn to trust you.

Answer 5

When I first got my cat, he was scared and would hide under the table all the time. what I started doing was that I would hand feed him. I feel that he felt that I cared and nurtured him, so that built a bond between us. Also cats like chicken, turkey, tuna and human food. What you can do is feed her some of that food mixed with soft cat food. If you don't want to hand feed your cat try sitting with her while she eats and slowly pet her, so she knows you don't want to take her food but you are there to protect her. Good luck!

Answer 6

All the other answers are great. Just remember to take her to the vet before trying anything, the problem may be more than skin deep. Other then that, feed her only high quality, protein rich foods. The first ingrediants on the label should be meat products, if not it is not going to fulfill enough nutritional requirements for your kitty.

Answer 7

if you got the cat not to long ago, then yes its gonna be scared ,she'll be scared for awhile...but i had an still have many cats so be scared is normal when they come to a new home ,what i do is put the cat in a room (bedroom) a bedroom would be good but it doesnt matter what room as long as it has nuthing to hurt your cat ,then you shut the door for awhile not to long or she'll potty in there an then you can get her out an take her where you put her litter box put her in the litter box so she knows where it will be when she has to go,then put her her by her food , then you just leave her alone because she'll probly runn back to the room she came out of but its ok she'll do that for awhile but when its quiet she'll sneak to her food an the litter box if she thinks no one is around but if you see her sneakingg around just baby talk her every time then you can start approaching her slowly an so on ...after shes use to u she wont be scared as much....the food i think she would like is like the soft ones,heres a brand you can look for that cats luv, CAT FANCY or any soft kind ...good luck with you cat

Answer 8

put her in a dark quite space ;with food'litter and water,try feeding your cat a box or bag of friskies hard food all cats that i know love it.as your cat is new to your home;it might be really nervious'she;ll come out of her shell' but she;s been thru alot at the shelter'so let her be and talk to her;like it;s ok kitty your home ,thats what i did for the neighbors cat ;and it worked,,,,good-luck

Answer 9

Not sure why she is vomitting- but go get some baby food- meat - and put some on a spoon -what did they feed her at the shelter? and thank you for going to a shelter and giving this kitty a home

Answer 10

She probbly just not used to the new environment or food. Try feeding her kitten food for a couple of days, not too long. It's gentler on the stomach.