Hungry cats?

Question

Yesterday afternoon, my husband and I adopted two house cats in response to a newspaper advertisement. They are both three years old,spayed and neutered, current on all their shots and very healthy animals. They were given to us because the lady's older cat was having trouble adjusting to them living there. They are both very friendly and affectionate, but neither of them have eaten a bite since they've been here. We are giving them the same food they had at their old house, and have shown them repeatedly where the food is located, but with no luck. Is this because they are still getting used to living in a new place or should I be worried?

Answer 1

Don't be worried. They are upset about the move and need some time to adjust. Place dry food and a bowl of fresh water out for them tonight and they'll eat after you are asleep. Cats can go for days without food and be fine. Just reassure them, keep the household extra quiet and calm, and they'll be fine.

Answer 2

I adopted a 5 year old cat and she didn't eat or drink for 4 days. I called the vet and he said if she doesn't drink bring her in.

Well, on the 5th day I noticed she had eaten and drank during the night.

I put her food right by the TV where she hide behind so she would know where it was.

It was just an adjustment thing.

Don't be worried they are surely getting used to a new place and it takes some cats a lot longer to adjust. Make sure the food is near where they spend most of their time, even if it's in the living room.

Answer 3

Most cats don't like change much and it takes them a little while to figure out that life is still good at the new place (maybe even better). They are small animals that are prey for bigger critters so they are cautious and wary until they become familiar with any new situation. When I got my current two, they were both 5 years old and I didn't even see the male cat for the first 3 days--he squeezed his big body behind the pipes in the utility room (still can't figure out how he did that). After 3 days, he was so desperate for affection that he came out looking like "so, what's going on you guys?" and I leaned down to pet him and kiss him (for some reason, these cats always allowed humans to kiss their foreheads even if they didn't allow other contact) and he was happy; it's taken him a few years to finally not flee when he sees me moving around and he's eating (not sure what his former life was like, I get the feeling it was erratic). His sister is bold and curious and immediately wanted to go exploring (since they were new they were initially relegated to the kitchen and utility room so they could get used to where the litterbox, food and water were before they could explore the rest of the place)--but she only ate little snatches of food when I wasn't looking (I could hear her munching) for the first few days.

Answer 4

I think they are going to do OK. They may be somewhat overwhelmed by the new environment. I would put them in a small room with their box, water and food and go to "visit" them there for a few hours a day.

They sound like sweeties and you are doing things right by giving them the same food, etc. If it is dry food you might try giving them some quality canned meat - Natural Balance is a good one. If you use the cheaper stuff like Whiskas, Friskies, or Fancy Feast it might cause intestinal problems. A small owner-operated store will have the quality canned foods and be able to suggest something to try with them. They will most likely have the Natural Balance too.

Don't resort to tuna as that is too addictive and causes health problems if used a lot.

Answer 5

I would talk to your vet. They should be able to help. All but 1 of my kitties were born part pig so far as I can tell. For the 1, she was traumatised when I found her. After the first day of her not eating I went out and bought every type of smelly fish I could find. She wouldn't touch them. Later that day my friend was eating a hamburger and she started munching on that as soon as my friend sat it down. So, I ground it up and put it in with her dry food. She's eaten her dry kitty food burger free since then. But, you can always call a vet if you are worried.

Answer 6

It's very possible that they are still so nervous about their new surroundings that they just don't feel like eating yet. If they are as healthy as you say, they'll start eating soon. I would suggest not paying so much attention to them, especially near their eating location. If you have shown them where their food is even once, they now know and won't forget. You've done everything right so far, so relax and let them get used to the fact that their entire lives have changed.

Answer 7

It's probably just because they are adjusting. You can help them adjust faster if you can place them in a single room with their litter box and food. They will calm down and settle in once they have explored their surrounding well. If you turn them loose in the whole house then they feel the need to 'know' every corner of it before they are calm. After they adjust to their one room you can gradually introduce them to other areas of the house. If they get stressed out they will go back to their 'safe room' by themselves.

Answer 8

well maybe there home sick or they might not have been eating at there old house either well if it continues then yes get worried and ask a vet about it but just don't give them option and if they eat other food like chicken etc then there just being fussy cats coz usually old people spoil there cats

Answer 9

yes. the cats are still adjusting to their new accomodations and will be inclined to hide or investigate the house when all is quiet. Just leave their food bowls where it is accessible to them - they'll eat when they get really hungry.

Answer 10

it will take some time for them to adjust to thier new surroundings. they are in a type of shock. when i moved to my new house my cats freaked out too. it should last no more than a week. they will come around. just show them both of love.