Why Won't My Cat Eat?

stepherton

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Hello,

my year and a half old male short hair, O.P. is depressed. I think.

Just wanted to run this by the msg boards....he was checked out only 7 days ago for his routine check up, clean bill of health. Well, while at the vet we saw an adorable little girl kitten and added her to the fam. We have kept her in her own room so that we can introduce them slowly to each other and so as not to encroach on his turf too soon.

The first couple days we kep them totally separate, then a couple days later let them see each other from afar while being held, then couple days later let them touch noses and sniff each other; then yesterday and today let them prance/chase/poke around each other...they seemed to be having fun...one would chase the other, then visa versa, up down left right...no claws, no hissing...

But O.P. is not eating his food. We tried a different kind thinking he was being picky. Tried just dry food. Tried treats but he puked them up. Other than this he is totaly fine, not lethargic, still jumping around and playing, still sleeps with us at night, looks out his favorite window...nothing else out of the ordinary.

Do you think this is anxiety?
 

carolina

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Originally Posted by stepherton

Hello,

my year and a half old male short hair, O.P. is depressed. I think.

Just wanted to run this by the msg boards....he was checked out only 7 days ago for his routine check up, clean bill of health. Well, while at the vet we saw an adorable little girl kitten and added her to the fam. We have kept her in her own room so that we can introduce them slowly to each other and so as not to encroach on his turf too soon.

The first couple days we kep them totally separate, then a couple days later let them see each other from afar while being held, then couple days later let them touch noses and sniff each other; then yesterday and today let them prance/chase/poke around each other...they seemed to be having fun...one would chase the other, then visa versa, up down left right...no claws, no hissing...

But O.P. is not eating his food. We tried a different kind thinking he was being picky. Tried just dry food. Tried treats but he puked them up. Other than this he is totaly fine, not lethargic, still jumping around and playing, still sleeps with us at night, looks out his favorite window...nothing else out of the ordinary.

Do you think this is anxiety?
since when is he not eating? one day is ok, but longer than that I would take him to the vet... Also, the throwing up the treats concerns me...
Cats don't just get picky all of the sudden - especially with their dry food. And they can't go without eating for long, so if this continues for longer than a couple of days, get him checked out by a vet.
 

hissy

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Perhaps this new kitten has brought something into the home? has the kitten also received a clean bill or health? Vaccinations current?
 

ducman69

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From everything I have read, 24hrs w/o food isn't that big a deal, and yes any new stress could be causing that, but if he's frolicking around it doesn't sound likely. More likely you'd see him hiss, poof up, or hide if it were a real issue.

I'd guess that he caught a bug, ingested something, or is constipated, which can cause lack of appetite and vomiting. How is his poo?
 

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A change like that can be very stressful for a cat (whether it is good or bad stress) and stress can cause a lack of appetite. My guess is that is what is going on. Assuming he is still drinking water, I would just watch him for a few days - give him lots of attention and petting (this will release endorphins and help him feel better). Try to keep things as normal as possible and give it time. Cats can take awhile to adjust. If he gets worse and hasn't eaten in another couple days take him in to the vet just to rule out any problems.
 
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stepherton

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Its been since Saturday night. He threw up around 8pm. So it's been 36 hours or so. The new cat should be fine too, she went to the vet on Sat and had also been vaccinated by the rescue people. She is eating just fine. I think his poops are okay, it's hard to tell which is the newest and when they were made.

I called the vet and left a message. I hope he's okay.
 

carolina

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Originally Posted by stepherton

Its been since Saturday night. He threw up around 8pm. So it's been 36 hours or so. The new cat should be fine too, she went to the vet on Sat and had also been vaccinated by the rescue people. She is eating just fine. I think his poops are okay, it's hard to tell which is the newest and when they were made.

I called the vet and left a message. I hope he's okay.
Time to go to the vet - do not wait... 1 day is ok, 2 days maybe, 3 days, time to go to the vet... 4 days you are looking into possible liver damage.
 

Willowy

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Originally Posted by Ducman69

From everything I have read, 24hrs w/o food isn't that big a deal
It depends on the cat. . A cat that is severely overweight can go into liver failure if he goes without eating for 24 hours, although it usually does take longer than that.

But 36 hours is a real concern! It's not about the cat starving to death--that could take weeks--but it's about how a cat's body works. If they go too long without food, their body tries to metabolize stored fat, and this gums up their liver and causes liver failure. So a cat not eating is a big deal. And especially since he threw up the treats, that makes me think he could really be sick. Time to call the vet.
 
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stepherton

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Talked to the Vet and she said that they have a special food that smells so good is basically makes the cat eat. We're trying that for dinner tonight. If that doesn't work, it's this vet in the morning!
 

rad65

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Originally Posted by stepherton

Talked to the Vet and she said that they have a special food that smells so good is basically makes the cat eat. We're trying that for dinner tonight. If that doesn't work, it's this vet in the morning!
Hopefully that food works. Lots of cats become addicted to really cheap food because it is covered in delicious fats and other things cats love. That's why friskies is considered kitty crack. I would assume an actual high quality RX food sprinkled in the same concoction would be even more irresistable
 

ducman69

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Originally Posted by stepherton

Talked to the Vet and she said that they have a special food that smells so good is basically makes the cat eat. We're trying that for dinner tonight. If that doesn't work, it's this vet in the morning!
You can get the same effect cheap just by a dusting of parmesan cheese on their regular food, at least with my cats.

A bit healthier but more expensive is Purina Fortiflora probiotic available in small powder packets online (much cheaper than at my vet at least). Can help with some bowel issues, and its like crack for my cats. They INHALE the wet food when I sprinkle that on top.

Not sure that would really help w/ vomiting.
 

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I hope he started eating again. If he doesn't he needs to go to the vet and get diagnostics done to find out what is going on. I have a 7 year old cat that is very sick now with liver problems. He started with digestive problems when he was 18 months old. He didn't have diagnostics done just supportive care through each episode.
 

caleb

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There are many reasons why cats sometimes don't eat, but four days sounds to me a little too extreme. Have you tried various types of fresh cat food? Maybe the cat food you usually feed your cat is rotten or something. Have you change his diet recently? Your cat could also not be eating because it has a urine tract infection, upper respiratory infection or worms.

Keep in mind that your cat may be eating stuff you don't know about. If, after four days, he's "still acting like his normal self" then maybe he's found an alternate food source, maybe from a neighbour or some freshly-caught birds or something. However, I wouldn't count on it.

If it's been four days then I suggest you seek veterinary help straight away. A long time without food can do a lot of damage to a cat's liver. Liver failure is fatal. Don't wait around; this is a very serious issue.
 
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