I have two cats they are brothers at 18 weeks old. Both of them are on medications for a "kitty cold" The bigger of the two started out eating fine but now he has stopped eating. He drinks plenty of water through out the day and I cannot say that he has not eaten anything but I have not seen him eat in 24 hours. I have tried dry and wet kitten food but he shows no interest in eating. He does not take his medication very well so I am not sure if force feeding him is an option? Should I be worried? Should I take him back to the vet or does anyone know of any tricks to get him to eat? Thanks for an and all adivice it is greatly appreciated.
2007-02-05 03:40:28 · 21 answers · asked by shyenne411 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
You should take your kitty back to the vet and express your concerns.
2007-02-05 03:43:36 · answer #1 · answered by ~MIMI~ 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
do the cats share a food bowl? sometimes cats are quite territorial and prefer their own litter box, food and water. Can you keep him inside for 24 hours with his food seperate from the other cat so you can monitor exactly how much he is eating? if he is still using the litter box then he is probably getting enough to eat. you can call the vet and ask whether that could possibly be a side effect of the medication. I dont think cats take well to being force fed , you can try a different brand of food. If he is definitely not eating or passing stools or you notice he is starting to lose weight i would of course take him back to the vet
2007-02-05 03:54:15 · answer #2 · answered by theburlaces 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor kitty has lost apetite probably due to cold and the meds. Encourage him to eat by every now and aagin offering a very ver little wet food in a bowl - make is a bit watery and to entice his nose, microwave 5 secs before serving. With a cold, kitty's sense of smell ain't working too well... so, help his apppetite kick in by offering smelly canned cat food - but only a little at a time. Hope this works. And oh, a cat that does not eat for 1 day is OK. if it becomes 48 hrs without eating anything, I would be concerned but not panicky. 3 whole days is simply not acceptable...
2007-02-05 05:35:49 · answer #3 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Step 1 try feeding him his fave food or try mixing in cat treats with his food. If he still doesn't eat do NOT force him to eat or take away his water unless a vet tells you to. That will put pressure on cats every time and it won't work. Step 2 It could be his meds that had a side affect. Or it could and most likely have something to do with his kid knees.So put out mabe a little box with towels in it. Step 3, put his food and water by each other in the same rm. as the box, but keep his litter box far away from those because that can make a cat loose its appetite. Now just consult a vet.
2007-02-05 04:26:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a medicine dropper? Usually they will drink from those. Just hold him in your arms if you can't get him to pay attention to it while he's running around, and kind of dribble the liquid food on his mouth one drop at a time. They usually lick it off. If he just leaves it there and makes a mess, it's time to take him back to the vet.
Some of the other people are saying that cats can last a while without food, and that may be true to an extent for adult cats that aren't sick, but kittens that young usually feed every 2-3 hours.
2007-02-05 03:44:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How much do you feel like eating when you got a cold and are on meds? Not much huh? Well if he doesn't eat in a week be concerned a cat can go a long time without food and he is drinking water so don't worry.
2007-02-05 03:44:35 · answer #6 · answered by Tapestry6 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a good sign that he is still drinking his water. I'm not sure what you mean by "force feeding". That is definitely not an option in regards to his food. If you mean in regards to his medication, then, yes, you can open his mouth and forceably drop the pill down his throat. Then, close his mouth and gently rub downward on his throat. You could try giving him plain yogurt. Kitties love it and it is very gentle on their little tummies. I would return to the vet if he is still not eating by tomorrow.
2007-02-05 03:48:20 · answer #7 · answered by Charles Dexter Ward 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call up the vet. The medication may have side effects. One of which could be upset stomach or lack of hunger. Cats will eat when they are hungry. I had a cat who didn't like the food I bought once. But trust me, if you wait long enough, they will eat.
2007-02-05 03:45:27 · answer #8 · answered by brotherman2112 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure whats wrong or anything, but I strongly suggest being worried for sure. Don't know any good tricks but I would take him to the vet. Not eating is not normal.
2007-02-05 05:24:19 · answer #9 · answered by Jessie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give your vet a call and let him know what's happening. He may prescribe some special kitty foods carried by vets or a liquid kitten formula.
2007-02-05 03:45:10 · answer #10 · answered by leslie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fasting resets bodily defenses in the immune system. Your cat has built-in healing mechanisms that have proven over the millenia to work very well. Be patient, an let the kitty rest and heal. Best of luck.
2007-02-05 03:44:19 · answer #11 · answered by Dorothy and Toto 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋