my cat won't eat vet said force him

he said use a syringe, what is something that i could give to make her eat? regular foor would not work,baby food didn't work. any tips on what i could give?

Go back to your vet and purchase HILLS a/d (a prescription food.) It is a high calorie, very palatable canned food, with a consistancy that works for syringe feeding. When my Spooky was diagnosed with Hepatic Lipidosis from not eating, that is what worked for me. You will need to ask your vet how much to feed daily, and it is dependant on your cat's weight. I started out with 2 or 3cc's every half hour (which ever she could tolerate), around the clock....but Spooky was in critical condition when she was diagnosed. Eventually, she could take 10cc per feeding, and then up to 30 cc's, three times a day. I fed her by syringe for over three months before she began to eat on her own. My parents helped during the day when I was at work.

Good luck to you and your kitty. I will keep you both in my prayers.

You could also try Royal Canin Recovery RS, another prescription diet from the vet, similar to Hills A/D and suitable for syringe feeding. Your kitty may prefer one over the other.

Do you know why your cat isn't eating? Are you trying to stimulate her appetite so that she'll eat on her own?

You might also try getting some quality canned food that contains chunks in gravy, and offer her the gravy with the syringe. Be careful and go very slowly, and put the syringe into the side of her mouth, not directly in the front to avoid choking - especially if you're using a liquid.

Good luck!

My vet says mixing the food with clam juice can make it even more palatable...
No matter what, DO feed your baby - that is very very very important...

Originally Posted by BrookeSphynx

You could also try Royal Canin Recovery RS, another prescription diet from the vet, similar to Hills A/D and suitable for syringe feeding. Your kitty may prefer one over the other.

Click to expand...

Thanks for posting this! I didn't know that Royan Canin also had their own version of recovery food....my vet carries RC products too. I think Eukanuba also has one, but I'm not sure what it's called. Unfortunately, none of the vets around here carry Eukanuba products. It's always nice to have other options in your arsenal when something like HL occurs.

Originally Posted by Pookie-poo

Thanks for posting this! I didn't know that Royan Canin also had their own version of recovery food....my vet carries RC products too. I think Eukanuba also has one, but I'm not sure what it's called. Unfortunately, none of the vets around here carry Eukanuba products. It's always nice to have other options in your arsenal when something like HL occurs.

Click to expand...

You're welcome! I had a sick cat last year that wouldn't eat. He would like the Hills one day, and then turn his nose up at it the next - so I had to look for options... I wasn't aware of a Eukanuba version, so - thank you, too!

You must be very careful with syringe feeding, it does take some practice and skill. The danger is in aspiration, that is the food is inhaled (during a struggle, possibly) into the lungs.

Did your vet instruct you at all on how to do this? Why is he not eating? Does he have a medical condition? What methods have you tried to get him to eat? (warming the food, not leaving food down between meals, offering only very small amounts at a time etc)

Use a pate style food. Mix it with enough warm water to make a thin gruel. Use a small syringe, no larger than a 3 ml size, to prevent accidentally squirting too much in, and they are easier to handle.

Hold him in your lap if he is docile, if he is a struggler, using the pilling position will be better. This is, kneel on the floor with your feet crossed behind you and position your kitty between your legs, facing out. It is instinct for him to try to back away, and he will have no where to go.

It is important that you stay calm and reassuring. Tell him what you are doing and why.

Draw up about 2 ml in the syringe. pry open his mouth with your other hand, and insert the sryinge between his teeth, aim for the side of the mouth nearest you. Plunge the syringe, you can go slow at first to see how he tolerates it. If there are two of you it can go easier.

Often just getting a little food into a kitty will spark his appetite enough to eat on her own.

Welcome to the forum! I (and other members here, too) have had many occasions to sryinge feed, so please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have.

Originally Posted by BrookeSphynx

You're welcome! I had a sick cat last year that wouldn't eat. He would like the Hills one day, and then turn his nose up at it the next - so I had to look for options... I wasn't aware of a Eukanuba version, so - thank you, too!

Click to expand...

It's called IAMS MAXIMUM CALORIE
The Iams/Eukanuba website is atrocious, so it took me a while to find it.

You can also try high calorie liquids like KMR, goat milk or egg yolk beaten up in a little water. But do it very slowly, giving him time to swallow after each light press on the syringe. Good luck. AND a little often, even every hour, is better than trying to do a lot at once.

thanks to everyone, kara is starting to eat a little and her glucose has been normal. vet said she should be back to her normal self once the eatting gets back to normal. merry christmas to all

Very glad to hear it, and Merry Christmas to you too.