At what point should I worry?

Nora eats a 2/3;1/3 mixture of Wellness Core and Iams Naturals, respectively. I do measured free feed with her, and she gets 1/4 of a cup of food, twice a day. She is fed at around 8-8:30am and then again when we get home anywhere between 4 and 6pm. Usually she eats all of her morning feeding before we get home, with maybe a few kibbles left in the bowl, then again eats all of what she is given before we feed her again in the morning.

The past couple of weeks though, she has slacked on her eating a bit, and it has gradually gotten worse. Now she is to the point of only eating about 1/4c of food per day rather than a 1/2, so she has cut her consumption in half. Should I be worried?? She is perfectly fine, otherwise. Her coat is healthy and she hasn't seemed to have lost any weight, and her behavior is normal...nice and active as usual.

This seemed to start a couple weeks ago when we went on a weekend trip out of state. I don't know if it just stressed her out too much and she still needs to recover, or she is worried we will leave her again? While we were gone (left Friday evening and came back LATE Sunday night) she didn't groom herself at all and just seemed stressed when we got back. Very clingy and not wanting us to leave the house, and has been that way since we got back...minus the grooming part. She cleaned herself up while we were at work on Monday. Maybe she has just been getting really lonely while we are at work? She has been not eating during the day but eating better while we are at home at night.

She also has been needing more of what we call "dinner dates". She will only eat if we are standing right next to her. She'll whine and complain until we walk into the kitchen and then she tries to gobble up as much food as she can while we are in there. Once we walk away she stops eating. I don't think she gobbles to the point of getting sick, though, b/c she has never once vomited.

Water consumption is normal, btw. Would you be worried?

how old is Nora ... and How long on the mix and what was the previous food?

Originally Posted by sharky

how old is Nora ... and How long on the mix and what was the previous food?

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Nora is almost two. We just recently (about a month or two ago) started mixing the two foods, but she has been on either of those two foods her whole life and eats each separately just fine. Maybe she doesn't like the combination?? She ate it just fine at first.

Originally Posted by kara_leigh

Nora is almost two. We just recently (about a month or two ago) started mixing the two foods, but she has been on either of those two foods her whole life and eats each separately just fine. Maybe she doesn't like the combination?? She ate it just fine at first.

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has the mix always been 2/3 one and then 1/3 of other food at different feeding?

Yes. We have a sealable container that we keep her food in, and I just filled it 2/3 of Core and then filled it the rest of the way with Iams and shook it up. It's a pretty consistent mixture and we have yet to make it through a full container yet, so the mixture hasn't changed at all.

I was/am experiencing the same thing with my cat, Pico. She's 7 years.

She was on a raw diet. Now the only thing she will really eat is dry food. @__@
Still trying to get her to up her intake but I monitor her to make sure she's eating. If not, I syringe it to her. She's not fully back to normal yet, but I will take her to the vet when I get my next paycheck.

Pico is also very normal other than that I noticed her food intake was less than usual.
So I'm not sure the answer to your question either but I'm taking it one step at a time. I get a lot of "take it to the vet" and that's just the end of that, so sometimes I wonder why I'm even asking here at all. But keep me posted about your kitty because I am watching mine closely for the same reasons as well.

She also has been needing more of what we call "dinner dates". She will only eat if we are standing right next to her.

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It seems this is the same for Pico too. I have to stand there or sit there and watch her eat. =/

Nora may just be adjusting to a high calorie food which Core is , she may also be done growing which many cats readjust ... Is she eating within the bag recoomendations?

To Picos Mom
YES , you will get ask the vet ... at age 7 the senior years are beginning and many ailments often start ( the symptoms of which can be a change of eating habits).. We are be responsible by saying talk to your vet as they are the Professionals and more importantly KNOW and can Touch Your cat ...

Originally Posted by Nolia

I get a lot of "take it to the vet" and that's just the end of that, so sometimes I wonder why I'm even asking here at all.

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Sorry, but IMO this is soooo unfair to hear... Your got so many great advices on your thread... You cat was not eating for almost a week before you came here, and if it was not for the many posts that you got in response to your post, insisting and guiding you on feeding her, she could be in very serious trouble, and maybe even develop hepatic lipidosis... And guess what, you haven't even been to the vet yet...
So, yes, the responsible thing to do IS to see the vet, and that is definitely what you need to do, and we will tell you to do so, because that is the best thing for your cat, and no advice here will ever replace vet care... But to say that you get a lot of "take to the vet" and sometimes you even wonder why ask? Well... Look at your healthy girl, and how much better she is doing today with the help of this forum... Maybe that will help you stop wondering?

Originally Posted by sharky

Nora may just be adjusting to a high calorie food which Core is , she may also be done growing which many cats readjust ... Is she eating within the bag recoomendations?

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That's what I was thinking...one of the benefits of a grain free diet is that they are supposed to need less to feel full/maintain weight.

Has she lost any weight at all?

Originally Posted by sharky

Nora may just be adjusting to a high calorie food which Core is , she may also be done growing which many cats readjust ... Is she eating within the bag recoomendations?

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Originally Posted by kluchetta

That's what I was thinking...one of the benefits of a grain free diet is that they are supposed to need less to feel full/maintain weight.

Has she lost any weight at all?

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That does make sense, but 1/4 cup/day is too little for a grown cat... I think she should be eating 1/2 cup at least. The bag says: 10 - 15 lbs: 2/3 - 3/4 cups/day. I tend to feed a little less than what the bag says - my cats never ate that qty... I feed EVO, and it says the same, and they eat 1/2 cup each. IMO 1/4 cup is WAY too little. I would be concerned.

Can you complement that with wet food instead? giving her a 3oz can in the am, and another in the pm?

Originally Posted by Carolina

That does make sense, but 1/4 cup/day is too little for a grown cat... I think she should be eating 1/2 cup at least. The bag says: 10 - 15 lbs: 2/3 - 3/4 cups/day. I tend to feed a little less than what the bag says - my cats never ate that qty... I feed EVO, and it says the same, and they eat 1/2 cup each. IMO 1/4 cup is WAY too little. I would be concerned.

Can you complement that with wet food instead? giving her a 3oz can in the am, and another in the pm?

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That is why I asked how much she weighs... say a 8 lb cat 1/4 may be okay... on the food I feed 10-15lbs is 1/2-2/3 cup( due to high calories when I calculated my 13-15 lb boys get half a cup and 2-3 oz of wet

Sorry, but IMO this is soooo unfair to hear... Your got so many great advices on your thread... You cat was not eating for almost a week before you came here, and if it was not for the many posts that you got in response to your post, insisting and guiding you on feeding her, she could be in very serious trouble, and maybe even develop hepatic lipidosis... And guess what, you haven't even been to the vet yet...
So, yes, the responsible thing to do IS to see the vet, and that is definitely what you need to do, and we will tell you to do so, because that is the best thing for your cat, and no advice here will ever replace vet care... But to say that you get a lot of "take to the vet" and sometimes you even wonder why ask? Well... Look at your healthy girl, and how much better she is doing today with the help of this forum... Maybe that will help you stop wondering?

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Unfortunately, I wasn't just referring to my thread, after reading most posts and seeing "go to the vet" about 100 times, it loses the effect and people are left to wonder when would it be an appropriate time to actually take your cat to the vet verses running to the vet everytime there's a small change in behaviour. Again I say, I have my own reservations about the entire veterinarian profession, how I wish there was a holistic vet in my area who would understand the importance or raw feeding and natural remedies, specifically for cats. My girl is doing alright, but in my thread no one had really given me the info that I need. Actually I'm glad I found it in THIS thread.

I'm just saying there is a general "happy" feel to these forums, but often I find that people sound very fake and advice is given with a somewhat condescending tone which doesn't make anyone feel welcome at all. However, we are all here for our kitties so I have to put up with it if I want some advice from the community. At least we all have that in common.

Originally Posted by sharky

That is why I asked how much she weighs... say a 8 lb cat 1/4 may be okay... on the food I feed 10-15lbs is 1/2-2/3 cup( due to high calories when I calculated my 13-15 lb boys get half a cup and 2-3 oz of wet

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Thanks sharky, that makes me feel a little better. Pico is 13lbs and she's eating about 1/2 now. (Sounds like it's the bottom of that range but at least she's eating). I can't believe I couldn't find this information, even on google.

PS Also, I've also been told 7 years is considered senior, but others have said to me that its not. What's the standard?

Originally Posted by Nolia

Thanks sharky, that makes me feel a little better. Pico is 13lbs and she's eating about 1/2 now. (Sounds like it's the bottom of that range but at least she's eating). I can't believe I couldn't find this information, even on google.

PS Also, I've also been told 7 years is considered senior, but others have said to me that its not. What's the standard?

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Senior defined by the old school method is 7 years... since cats are living to late teens vs barely into them some now call senior 10 years... IMHO I go by 7-8 years as it is easier to catch big issues when they are still Very small..

Read the bag of dry , though just a guideline they are at the lower end a good guide... pm me if you would like

Originally Posted by Nolia

Unfortunately, I wasn't just referring to my thread, after reading most posts and seeing "go to the vet" about 100 times, it loses the effect and people are left to wonder when would it be an appropriate time to actually take your cat to the vet verses running to the vet everytime there's a small change in behaviour. Again I say, I have my own reservations about the entire veterinarian profession, how I wish there was a holistic vet in my area who would understand the importance or raw feeding and natural remedies, specifically for cats. My girl is doing alright, but in my thread no one had really given me the info that I need. Actually I'm glad I found it in THIS thread.

I'm just saying there is a general "happy" feel to these forums, but often I find that people sound very fake and advice is given with a somewhat condescending tone which doesn't make anyone feel welcome at all. However, we are all here for our kitties so I have to put up with it if I want some advice from the community. At least we all have that in common.



Thanks sharky, that makes me feel a little better. Pico is 13lbs and she's eating about 1/2 now. (Sounds like it's the bottom of that range but at least she's eating). I can't believe I couldn't find this information, even on google.

PS Also, I've also been told 7 years is considered senior, but others have said to me that its not. What's the standard?

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1. No online advice can replace direct veterinary intervention. If you suspect that your cat may be ill, please contact your vet immediately. You are welcome to look for advice in the health forum while waiting for that appointment, but never delay proper veterinary care waiting for Internet advice. Remember that cats, and especially kittens, are very adept in keeping pain to themselves and delaying treatment may cause irreversible damage.

I didn't suspect she was ill.

Anyway, I took Pico to the microchip clinic today. They're a vet hospital and a shelter in one. The people there said that they feed their cats about 1/2 cup a day.

Pico is eating about 1/4 - 1/2 cup a day so even though she's eating less, it's still in the normal "range". I'm pretty relieved now (I hope this info will help the OP). Sorry for hijacking the thread.

I weighed her last night and she weighs about 10-11 lbs, give or take a pound or so b/c our scale isn't too great. That's about right though.

She's eaten Core a lot in the past and has never had a problem with eating it, and we've been feeding her the same amount for a long time.

She likes wet food, but won't eat much at once. She will only eat it mixed with water to make it runny and I'm lucky if I can get her to eat 1/4 of the bigger can at each feeding...and most of the time she only eats half of that and I throw most of it away.

Originally Posted by kara_leigh

I weighed her last night and she weighs about 10-11 lbs, give or take a pound or so b/c our scale isn't too great. That's about right though.

She's eaten Core a lot in the past and has never had a problem with eating it, and we've been feeding her the same amount for a long time.

She likes wet food, but won't eat much at once. She will only eat it mixed with water to make it runny and I'm lucky if I can get her to eat 1/4 of the bigger can at each feeding...and most of the time she only eats half of that and I throw most of it away.

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okay.. Then if everything else is okay.. she sounds fine...

ten lb kitty roughly 200 calories for "housecat" active to not so active...

ave 5-6 ounce can roughly 150-175 calories so half of that is 75 to 87.5 calories

536 calories per cup in Core ... 134 calories in a 1/4 cup

134 plus 75=209 caolories... so she should be fine

Originally Posted by Nolia

Unfortunately, I wasn't just referring to my thread, after reading most posts and seeing "go to the vet" about 100 times, it loses the effect and people are left to wonder when would it be an appropriate time to actually take your cat to the vet verses running to the vet everytime there's a small change in behaviour. Again I say, I have my own reservations about the entire veterinarian profession, how I wish there was a holistic vet in my area who would understand the importance or raw feeding and natural remedies, specifically for cats. My girl is doing alright, but in my thread no one had really given me the info that I need. Actually I'm glad I found it in THIS thread.

I'm just saying there is a general "happy" feel to these forums, but often I find that people sound very fake and advice is given with a somewhat condescending tone which doesn't make anyone feel welcome at all. However, we are all here for our kitties so I have to put up with it if I want some advice from the community. At least we all have that in common.

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Put up with it eh? Well you can shop around for other forums but no respectable on line pet community is going to dispense medical advice. These forums are a place for support and gaining information, yes, but they are not a replacement for a vet visit.

When someone comes here worried about their cat, whether it's a change in behavior, going off food, or anything in between, if a vet has not yet been consulted, we are going to tell that poster to take their cat to the vet.

There are other un moderated forums out there where people will happily tell you anything you want to hear. Personally I prefer to play it safe with my pets, and get them the medical attention they need, when they need it, not try something I read over the internet. And so I advise others the same way.

I apologize for the thread drift, but this attitude bugs me.

She likes wet food, but won't eat much at once. She will only eat it mixed with water to make it runny and I'm lucky if I can get her to eat 1/4 of the bigger can at each feeding...and most of the time she only eats half of that and I throw most of it away.

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Originally Posted by sharky

okay.. Then if everything else is okay.. she sounds fine...

ten lb kitty roughly 200 calories for "housecat" active to not so active...

ave 5-6 ounce can roughly 150-175 calories so half of that is 75 to 87.5 calories

536 calories per cup in Core ... 134 calories in a 1/4 cup

134 plus 75=209 caolories... so she should be fine

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Sharky... She doesn't eat 1/2 can of wet a day... She barely eats a 1/4 can - see above quote...

Kara, is there another wet food she likes better? I remember a video of her licking her plate clean is seconds! I was actually impressed! Was that a different food?

Originally Posted by Nolia

I didn't suspect she was ill.

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Well, when your cat doesn't eat for almost a week, as you described on your first post in regards to this issue, it is a huge sign that there is something wrong. And if there is not something wrong, there will be if nothing is done - that is a sure thing.

Originally Posted by Nolia

Pico is eating about 1/4 - 1/2 cup a day so even though she's eating less, it's still in the normal "range". I'm pretty relieved now (I hope this info will help the OP). Sorry for hijacking the thread.

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That is excellent news.... And IMO it is a lot thanks to this forum, and your thread. It surprises me that you don't see that. I suggest you to do a research online on Hepatic Lipidosis and see the kind of danger that Pico was on by not eating. She was in some major danger.

This is BTW a completely different issue from Kara's kitty - her kitty never stopped eating. She never lost her appetite; she is just eating less.

Now please, lets wrap this up, go back to her issues... this is off topic.