Foster cat not eating...

I'm not sure where to put this because its not exactly a health problem but..


I went out of town for thanksgiving and took Riley with me, but Akasha went to another foster home while I was gone. I took her there on Thursday about noon and when I picked her up last night, she hadn't eaten a bite or had any water. She spent the entire time hiding under the couch and wouldn't come out for them, and wouldn't touch the food when they pushed it under the couch. She had a room to herself away from any other cats.

After about 20 minutes of being home last night, she wandered around and sniffed everything, checking out all "her" stuff, and then proceeded to eat a couple teaspoons of wet food, and a few bites of kibble sometime in the night. I was fully prepared to take her to the vet this morning, but I don't think its necessary now that she is eating and acting her old self.

However, she is supposed to be getting adopted and going to a new home on Saturday. I don't know what to do, because I expect her to do the same thing when she gets there, and stop eating. Should I let her go, and explain what to expect, maybe have them get feliway for her room? I do plan to send her bed and some of her things with her, but I sent them to the temp foster also and they didn't comfort her.

She did this when I first brought her home, but only for about 2 days, not 4

I think your plan sounds good. Definitely let the adoptive family know what to expect and how long they should wait before taking her to the vet because of not eating (not more than a couple of days tops). The Feliway might help with the transition--it could be that the kitty could smell the previous kitties in that room.

Originally Posted by cloud_shade

I think your plan sounds good. Definitely let the foster family know what to expect and how long they should wait before taking her to the vet because of not eating (not more than a couple of days tops). The Feliway might help with the transition--it could be that the kitty could smell the previous kitties in that room.

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Perhaps you should change the kind of food the kitty gets.

Originally Posted by cloud_shade

I think your plan sounds good. Definitely let the adoptive family know what to expect and how long they should wait before taking her to the vet because of not eating (not more than a couple of days tops). The Feliway might help with the transition--it could be that the kitty could smell the previous kitties in that room.

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I agree.

If it doesn't work out w/ the new home, can you take her back?

~KK~

Could you give any bowls, beds, litter box, blanket, etc, she's been using to her new family? Also, it might help if you get an old towel or T-shirt (or both) and sleep on/in it for a few nights, so that it's saturated with your scent, and send it with her just for comfort? Even a little baggie with some used litter might help.

I'm away for a good month every year, and Jamie can get a bit anxious. We've found that it really helps to deposit a few worn sleep shirts with my scent around the house, and to leave my side of the bed with a "used" pillowcase and duvet cover for comfort.

I plan to send her bed and blanket, food, food and water dish, catnip mat and laser toy with her. She did have her own food and bed at the temp foster, but no feliway. I bought a refill today and plugged it in for her to get used to, and plan to send that with her as well.

Maybe it was the scent of the other cats in the house and in that room before that upset her. If it doesn't work out, I can take her back but I'm hoping to find her a permanent home since she doesn't like Riley and he bothers her a lot.

She is doing fine today and has eaten, used her litter box, etc. Maybe I will put a different pillowcase on my pillow for the rest of the week and send that with her as well. I have to call them tomorrow and let them know the situation. Hopefully they won't think she is "too much trouble" and change their mind about coming for her.