How can I get my cat to eat?

Question

My family recently found out that my cat has failing kidneys. Since then, we have taken him into the vet for hydration treatments. Each time we go, it really takes a lot out of him. He has shown no interest in food anymore, and little interest in drinking. The poor thing is almost nothing but skin and bones. What are some methods we can use to try and get him to eat? We have special food for him, but all he does is lick off the juice and walk away. He barely eats enough to keep himself going. The vets say he doesn't want to eat because he has a high level of toxins in his blood due to his kidneys not working properly. This causes him to feel nautious and therefore unwilling to eat. Are there any cat experts with suggestions of how we can get him to eat?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Ugh, I'm so sorry your kitty is sick. That breaks my heart.

I had a cat go through the same thing. He suffered a LOT. Had we known the diagnosis earlier, as hard as this is to say and do, we probably would have euthenized him before it got so terrible.

If the prognosis isn't good, meaning, he's only going to decline and you're just prolonging it, and you think he's not feeling well, it might be time to look at what you would want somebody to do for you if you were in that situation. You know they mean well by trying to keep you fed and keep you around because they love you, but you're so tired and sick and you just want relief. Think about what's best for the cat, as terrible and difficult as that is.

Please don't think I'm a horrible, heartless person...I have a kitten sitting on my lap as I type this and 2 more cats dozing on my sofa...I've had more than 10 cats in my life...shed a million tears over each of them. Lost my baby cat, Attilla the Hunny, 14 years old this past October. God did me a favor and took her from me before she got so bad that I had to make that decision myself, which is the hardest thing to do.

I'm just saying that I know it's a first impulse to try to help and prolong their life. But if the pain is constant, that's not much of a life for them. You have to be very unselfish and strong, and give your kitty the gift of a life that doesn't end with months of suffering. You don't want to remember him in pain and miserable, you want to remember him as healthy and happy. I'm sure he'd want the same.

If the prognosis isn't that dire, the vet should be able to help with suggestions or nutritional supplements in gel form maybe that will help him. But you should ask the vet if this might be the time to discuss euthenization, as sad and horrible as that is.

I'm very very sorry, I wish the best for your kitty and your family. Good luck.

Answer 2

I have had 3 cats with this problem and with one we force fed her with a tube,another the vet prescribed Valium before we fed her as it stimulates the appetite in cats and the other we just decided she was to far gone to do anything more.
I have to tell you the first two had to be euthanized after many dollars worth of treatment and suffering on their part.
When cats kidneys fail they go downhill very quickly.
You have to now decide whether you want quantity or quality of life.
Once a cat decides it doesn't want to eat there is little you layman can do it usually means intervention by a vet.
You may be able to entice the cat for a short while with different foods or supplements but the prognosis with kidney failure is never good.
I just put my 16 year old cat down last week because of kidney failure and no appetite and although it was difficult I knew it was the last kind act I could do for her.
Don't let you poor little angel start suffering or you will regret it later.
I know that from experience as I had to get an emergency vet to put one of mine down as I had left her to long and I can't get the image of the way she looked at the end out of my mind even years later.
Good luck and God Bless you and your cat..it's a tough decision for a person because a pet becomes part of the family.

Answer 3

and your vet didnt give you any ideas about what to feed the cat? The cat needs to eat one way or the other - dont think force feeding will work, they might have to do a intravenous feed - like they do for people in the hospital. With birds they use a gavage(?) tube that puts the food in their crop. But I dont think that would work for a cat.
My cat had FELV and went down hill in 3 days! From fat to nothing! She wouldnt eat or drink and was skin and bones! Force that vet into telling you something - also call an emergency vet - you cant let the cat not eat. Sorry I couldnt come up with a food - my cat didnt care about anything at the end.

Answer 4

Ask your vet for some cans of AD. You can only get this food from your vet, it is a prescription Hill Diet food. You can syringe feed this to your cat if he is not taking food in on his own. I know your doing Sub Q Fluids for his hydration, good but if he is feeling nausea that is another factor to his not eating and there are TD ( trans-dermal )meds < goes on the ear > that can reduce the nausea and maybe this will help him eat.

talk to your Vet in the am and see what they recommend as well since they know what his kidney values are at this time.

Take care -

Answer 5

I do not know approximately puppy nutrients, however I do recognise approximately cat nutrients and your cat might not be healthful on puppy meals. It does not include taurine that is main to a cat. Aslo I'm definite it is stuffed with grain, that is well-nigh carbohydrates and your cat can broaden diabetes and grow to be fats. You have to be strict for his or her possess sake and feed them top best species correct vitamin. Feed them while in specific rooms. Take the meals away after half-hour if they do not consume it and refrigerate it. Try once more in a couple of hours. No animal will starve itself simply out of being fussy approximately their meals. The cat might be more difficult to regulate, however the puppy will deliver in beautiful rapid. Pour a few tuna juice over the cat's meals, it will have to make it extra attractive. You can take a look at blending it regularly, however you have to make a difference or you're risking your pets' wellbeing in the end. More approximately cat nutrients right here:

Answer 6

I had a cat that was just a few days away from getting put to sleep if he didn't eat something. I tried Geber 1st stages lamb baby food...he started back eating and I was soooo thankful..it's worth a try? But, even if your cat starts eating, will he still be in pain? Something to think about...I know it's hard, but sometimes we have to let them go and end the suffering.

Answer 7

The only thing I could suggest is to force feed him ... get some wet cat food and add some water in it, suck it up through a syringe and release it into his/her mouth. It may sound harsh, but might be the only way if it will not eat. Otherwise, to me it sounds like the poor thing has given up and is ready to go to that big litter box in heaven. Good Luck!

Answer 8

Some time if you mix a little baby food like chicken, lamb or beef (the one in the small jar) in with a small amt of cat food they will eat it. If that doesn't work try straight baby food (chicken, lamb etc WITHOUT VEGGIES IN IT), ON A TEASPOON. Try 4-5 times a day, each time feeding a little more.
Good luck

Answer 9

U cant really FORCE a cat to feed. Sometimes the pets that we come to love get really sick and r suffering like your cat. I know you wont like this but one option is to put it to sleep. It suxs ***, i know, but the one thing that suxs *** more than putting your animal down is to watch it suffer. I have done it before. My cat got mauled up really bad one day by 2 stupiud dogs and at first i took it to the vet to save it but after what the vet told me, i would not bear to see my cat like that. It had her back broke and the doc said that she would live a while longer, but she would just have to drag her self everywhere. So i put her to sleep. I know my story sounds a little more worse, but sometimes its for the best. Good Luck

Answer 10

I am sorry but I can only suggest one thing and that is that it is time to let him go.
It's not teh quantity of time but quality and you said alrrezdy he no longer has that.
he is suffering with teis and it would be much more loving to him to let him out of his misery.
PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING
by forcing him t eat will only prolong the suffering.