mullethunter Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Our 12 year old cat seems to have almost entirely stopped eating. He's probably eaten only a pouch of food and a small amount of chicken in the last 4 days. He seems more or less himself otherwise so we're hoping it's just the hot weather - has anyone else got cats that aren't eating much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 A cat not eating is often not very good. The digestive system of a house cat is quite sensitive to that sort of thing. Is your cat still drinking? In normal amounts? Drinking lots of water often indicates kidney problems and can be very serious. You could try a bit more boiled chicken or white fish. Easy to digest and often enticing the most picky eaters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 He's not really a house cat. He's free to come and go as he pleases and is spending more time outdoors than in during this hot weather. I haven't noticed him drinking. He ate a small amount of chicken just now and a little bit of cat food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 If he's mostly out, you don't really know what he is finding elsewhere... I have an overly friendly neighbour cat who is set on eating every bit of cat food I own... Don't think you need to worry too much, if he just ate. But keep an eye on drinking, especially with this hot weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 Thanks Cat tails. Bit cooler overnight and this morning and his appetite seems to have returned a bit. Fingers crossed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Sounds like he's going to be fine and I always try the tuna test on mine if they're not eating, on the basis that a cat that doesn't want tuna is probably a poorly cat. Generally, a little tuna overcomes even the most jaded appetite (Works with chickens too ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Doesn't hold true for all cats though... Mine is a extremely picky eater (if you can call it a cat that is...). She only eats two types of kibble from Royal Canin and doesn't understand "real food". I could leave a steak on the floor and she would walk away... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share Posted July 27, 2014 Smudge is going to the vet tomorrow to have his teeth cleaned. General anaesthetic so no food now and have to keep him in. Not easy and he's currently trying to scratch his way out through the patio door! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Wahaha, poor thing! Do you feed him mainly kibble or also wet food? Wet food is really bad for their teeth, but some cats are just more prone to get tooth problems. Both Hills and Royal Canin do a special kibble to prevent teeth problems and are great. Their kibble is slightly bigger, so cats have to chew them better. If your cat has his teeth cleaned it's the perfect time to start on that kind of dry food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 The answer to this is the reason his teeth are so bad in the first place. He won't eat dry food at all - only wet food. The vet told us to give him raw meat as that should help clean his teeth, but that makes him an absolute nightmare whenever we're in the kitchen because he thinks he should ALWAYS have meat! At his age I'm not sure it's worth the battle trying to get him on kibble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 It's hard to get it right, I've been advised NOT to feed my older cat dry food because of the kidney problems that older cats are prone to, and to feed wet food instead. Once he's had his teeth done he will probably be tucking in again, hope it all goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 Thanks Olly. The vet said they would ring us if anything went wrong and we haven't heard from them so no news is definitely good news. Should be picking him up this afternoon - no doubt starving!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 Dentistry went fine and Smudgie has eaten absolutely loads since he got home. Looking a little bit sorry for himself now though. Think the painkiller might be wearing off a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Aaww! How's the patient this morning? When Cleo had several teeth out, she sat on my knee when she came home, drooling slightly with that hurt/accusing look - "you said you loved me and you let them do this!". She was very sleepy the next day and then was her usual cuddly self again . They do seem to heal very quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Both my cats have had dental work in the last couple of years, and both of them declined to read the leaflet which said 'keep them quiet and feed them scrambled egg'. Out of the basket (carefully placed in the darkened spare bedroom for peace and quiet), down the stairs and face first into the cat-food bowl! I hope he's soon feeling more like his old self. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 29, 2014 Author Share Posted July 29, 2014 He's a little bit more subdued this morning than he was last night. I think he might be a bit sore. Can't be too poorly though - was still hassling me for chicken while I was making my lunch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Good thing everything went well. He'll be sore for a few days, but hopefully also able to eat more easily. My cat only eats two types kibble and absolutely nothing else. No chicken, no beef, no fish... But Royal Canin does a type of special food for fussy cats. Exigent it's called. Gets even the most fussy eaters to try dry food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
