HELP! Maverick Not Eating Because Scared

nellers

nellers

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Okay so Maverick is finnicky, I've posted that before. He requires special food and today I had to go find him so emergency wet food since his was recalled.

Well I am also going on vacation wednesday so my uncle came over to see where their food was and such and for me to go over how Maverick must be watched while eating.

He is so scared of my uncle!!! He hid! He has always been skittish but this was really really bad. And now, 2 hours after he has gone, he refuses to eat his dinner and continues to hide.

I'm really worried about his health while we are away. I bought Feliaway today but that hasn't done any use so far. How can I make sure Maverick eats, and his fatty sister Penelope doesn't eat it all in his place, while I am gone? Is there any way to make him feel secure enough to eat???

(and if this goes in Behavior, please move, I wasn't sure)
 
carolpetunia

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Had Maverick met your uncle before? Spent any time with him? Can you think of any reason why the kitty would feel this way?

Does your uncle have animals of his own whose scent might be on him, causing Maverick to react? Or is there maybe some other scent he carries that might disturb Maverick, something he works with, some cologne he wears, anything?

Finally, are you absolutely sure that your uncle is the problem? Could the timing be coincidental -- nothing to do with your uncle, but perhaps with the food or Maverick's health?

If he doesn't start eating right away, he should see a vet before you leave on your vacation. And if he's not drinking water, he should see the vet first thing tomorrow!

Finally: to be sure Penelope doesn't get all the food, ask your uncle to feed them separately -- Maverick first, then Penelope, or in separate rooms. If Maverick remains fearful, your uncle might need to leave him in a room alone with the food for quite awhile before he'll feel safe eating.

I think you should also give your uncle the vet's number and address, and maybe a blank check for the vet, and get him to promise to take Maverick in while you're gone if he seems ill (or Penelope, for that matter).

Good luck! I hope Maverick is okay, and that he'll relax before you leave so you can enjoy your trip without worry...
 
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nellers

nellers

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Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

Had Maverick met your uncle before? Spent any time with him? Can you think of any reason why the kitty would feel this way?

Does your uncle have animals of his own whose scent might be on him, causing Maverick to react? Or is there maybe some other scent he carries that might disturb Maverick, something he works with, some cologne he wears, anything?

Finally, are you absolutely sure that your uncle is the problem? Could the timing be coincidental -- nothing to do with your uncle, but perhaps with the food or Maverick's health?

If he doesn't start eating right away, he should see a vet before you leave on your vacation. And if he's not drinking water, he should see the vet first thing tomorrow!

Finally: to be sure Penelope doesn't get all the food, ask your uncle to feed them separately -- Maverick first, then Penelope, or in separate rooms. If Maverick remains fearful, your uncle might need to leave him in a room alone with the food for quite awhile before he'll feel safe eating.

I think you should also give your uncle the vet's number and address, and maybe a blank check for the vet, and get him to promise to take Maverick in while you're gone if he seems ill (or Penelope, for that matter).

Good luck! I hope Maverick is okay, and that he'll relax before you leave so you can enjoy your trip without worry...
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for this reply!

Maverick did not like the soft food substitute BUT - this morning he enjoyed his dry food mixed with - get this: broccoli cheese soup
It took three hours after my uncle left to calm him. I bought another feliaway diffuser today and he is happily sitting here as I type this. He ate some treats and has been playing as usual.

He has only met my uncle on one other occasion before this. My mom mentioned that maybe bc my uncle smokes (we don't) that smell freaked him out as he had never smelled it before on someone? I don't know. At any rate, here is what I bought Maverick to help make sure he eats:

Gravy. Just regular gravy that will be mixed into his food until we can return him to a wet cat food pouch. He sampled some when I got home and likes it. I'm going to leave some scented towels out around his food bowl and yes, my uncle will feed them separately (i have to do that now, she's a PIG!!
)

He's purring as I type so I hope he'll survive. But I'll leave out the vet number just in case....
 
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nellers

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Update: he does NOT like the gravy. He stared at the bowl, then at me, in disgust.

So I fretted. I brought out his old IAMS (dry) -- i had switched him to Nutro after reading here about the benefits -- and he ate it. Well if he likes it we'll go with it but i know it hurts his jaw.


I just want the recall to be over so we can give him his gravy again...
 
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nellers

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He now is eating dry food only but with some struggle because of his teeth. At least he is eating. I am just wondering when I'll feel safe enough to buy wet pouches again. probably when all of you feel safe
 
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nellers

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Well we just got back from vacation and Maverick did great while we were gone!


My grandmother ended up feeding them to make sure Maverick would not hide from my uncle and Maverick was able to eat (albeit slowwwwww) just dry food (due to the recall of his wet mix).

I'm so proud of my Little Guy!!
 
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I'm glad he did OK, did you relax enough to enjoy your vacation?
 
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