I've adopted a 7 year old male cat who needed a new home as his previous owners are moving abroad and can't take him with them. He was quite nervous to begin with but although he is now exploring his new environment, he isn't eating very much. He asks for food but then will only take a few mouthfuls. Is this likely to be due to him being in a new place and how long should I leave it until I get worried and take him to the vet.
2007-03-12 02:27:15 · 12 answers · asked by ffenics2002 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
p.s. I've had him since yesterday morning.
2007-03-12 02:28:18 · update #1
thank you for your replies so far.
He came with food from his previous owners so I'm feeding him what he is used to. He 'is' eating, but just not a lot. He is also an indoor cat.
2007-03-12 02:48:26 · update #2
This is not unusual - at least he is taking a nibble here and there. And the cause of course and as you have guessed - is the new environment. Once he is certain that he is completely safe there, he will begin to eat and drink and use the potty normally.
2007-03-12 03:48:07 · answer #1 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First, cats are nibblers. Very few cats will hunker down for a full meal. It's best to leave a bowl full of dry food on the floor at all times along with fresh water. He'll snack on it whenever he's hungry. Try to place the bowls in an area that doesn't get a lot of people walking by, so he feels more secure when he's eating.
Since he's an adult and you said he's nervous, I'd give him a week or two to settle in before you worry too much. If he starts losing weight or looking dehydrated you can be concerned, but at this point, he's fine.
BTW you should be feeding him whatever he was eating at his last house. If you gave him something new, find out what he was eating before and give him that instead. If you want to change foods you have to do it very gradually by mixing the old with the new. It's never good to just change cats food around randomly.
2007-03-12 02:31:53 · answer #2 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I too have an adopted cat, she will never leave her food dishes empty...never, I can only think this is because she wants to know there is always food available to her....cats are really strange animals, yours will train you in time!!! It sounds like he is just adjusting, new home,new owner, new territory, all that affects them greatly,he isn't going to starve to death...!
They just do things on their own time, I would say that you just need not worry for a time, he will eat when he is hungry. If he is an indoor cat he is doing very little, they sleep 90% of the time...he will be okay, relax....cats are cats and they are survivors....good luck and thankyou for adopting someone who needed you.
2007-03-12 02:41:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor kitty! Of course he is stress losing his family, and missing them too.
Maybe he doesn't like the food and not used to it. Just check with his previous owner what he likes to eat. Just spend time to assure him. Give him time he will come around with your kindness and tender loving care which you are already by adopting him. Don't worry about him but it`s also a good idea to check him up with the vet to see of his general health or need any vaccination. Good luck
2007-03-12 02:40:14 · answer #4 · answered by Kiki 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is common for cats to be very timid whilst accompanied. do no longer agonize. as quickly as we accompanied our cat he only needed to conceal on our refrigerator. Lol. I advise a pair of issues: - shop him a a room the place he would properly be saved to himself, quiet the place no person will disturb him. A mattress room may well be good. - positioned some nutrition and water down in an obtrusive place so he knows the place that's. additionally, is it a similar nutrition he ate on the look after? - positioned some blankets down, pillows and form of make a 'nest'. i be attentive to cats properly, something fluffy is definitely comforting. additionally, putting a blankets over like a tent or cave is definitely comforting for them. good success, and if he nonetheless would not heat up, i might try calling the look after and ask for their suggestion.
2016-11-24 22:08:50 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give him a couple more days: The new environment is just making him nervous. It is good that he is eating at all: I've had kitties hide for up to 3 days when put in a new environment.
2007-03-12 03:08:13 · answer #6 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whenever you get a new pet, you should always have him checked by your vet regardless. If the cat is taking a few mouth fulls, then there is nothing to worry about. It may take a few weeks for him to adjust.
2007-03-12 02:31:46 · answer #7 · answered by KathyS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try leaving him with food when he is alone. He may eat more freely, because now he is a little stressed. Also it is a good idea to have some blood tests, since you got him now, to check sugar levels, urea and creatinine. But since he is eating I wouldn't worry too much. You may get a feliway plug-in liquid to reduce his stress.
2007-03-12 03:20:40 · answer #8 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds pretty normal. he is scared because nothing is familiar to him. feed him at the same time everyday and in the same lace. If he is really skittish (afraid), feed hi in another room with the door closed so he can feel secure when he eats. We have a cat that is fed behind closed doors in the bathroom nd she won't eat anywhere else.
2007-03-12 02:43:25 · answer #9 · answered by al b 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he is probalby just stressed from the move from the old home to his new home he needs to adjust & when he does he will eat more give him time & try to be with him as much to help his new move to be easier..
good luck & enjoy
2007-03-12 05:25:11 · answer #10 · answered by muffett1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋