Mackerel is TOO thin. How to fatten her up?

Hey Guys,

I really need advice and help, please. Mackerel's always been a picky eater, but the last couple of months (I think due to stress? because of conflict at home) she's lost a lot of weight. I've gotten rid of the stressful situation and I hope that will make a difference in how happy she is, but she's still not eating very much.

I am going to take her to the vet on Monday, because I'm worried that it might be an underlying health problem and not her normal pickiness...

BUT UNTIL THEN!

What could I try to feed her that she would like? I'm going to go shopping tomorrow and I'm thinking of getting stuff other than cat food, because I've tried about four brands so far and they don't seem to be stirring her appetite. She'll eat a little bit but mostly she'll just lick the gravy.

So what I'm thinking of getting for her:

Raw salmon steaks
Chicken
Ham

Those are things that I know she likes, but I've tried to stick to feeding her cat food. At this point in time I'm desperate to get something into her because now that this other cat has gone it's become apparent exactly how much she's (not) eating. Is there anything harmful about those for cats? Or at least, feeding an entire meal of those?

At the moment I'm giving her an option of unadulterated cat food, and cat food that I've mixed a little olive oil into to make it more gravy like and less lumpy (and also more fattening...).

What else would you suggest?

TL;DR - My cat's really thin, I'm taking her to the vet on Monday, but until then I need advice on how to fatten her up. Thanks!

Look up salmon poisoning... and make your decision on that ... IMHO no I would not risk it ... Most of the vets here have seen one or two cases per yr of it

Chicken is fine for most cats

Ham unless you have the uncured kind that is low fat( pork fat is completely indigestible to a cat) I would not

None are a complete meal and should be only treats unless you discuss the diet with your vet

I want to second sharky's comment re: the salmon. I've read some unpleasant things about salmon poisoning so I try to avoid that. Or feeding too much of any raw fish because of other concerns (heavy metals, thiamine deficiency, etc.).

Beyond that, I don't know much about what meats are best for adding fat to a cat's diet. I hope your vet will have some good ideas to help!

Try warming up your cats food in the mean time...
There is something going on with my cat Gracie, who hasn't been eating well for the last week or so (possibly due to over-medication on her thyroid meds) I tried treats, all types of food, Fancy feast, etc. Today I took her to the vet for a blood test and to get some appetite stimulant, if everything else was ok with her. Well, everything else was ok, so with the appetite stimulant, I decided to get her some cans of Hills A/D food as well.
A/D is a high calorie food that is used for recovery, and in cats who are off food - it is highly palatable and it smells great for them apparently.... because Gracie gobbled down almost 3/4 of a large can as soon as we got home.
Then at dinner she begged for more.
I won't feed her for a long time, as it is very rich, but will feed it to her for about 4-5 days until I feel secure she will eat another food on her own.
If you want to fatten your kitty and she doesn't eat other foods, this is something I highly recommend... It is also a great texture if you need to syringe feed your cat - you don't even need to dilute it.
About that - if your cat is not eating, make sure to feed her, even if it does mean force-feeding with a syringe. Cats can't go without eating properly for long, and a severe weight loss is a bad sign. Assisted feeding is really something you should take a look into it.
Also, make sure to run a CBC (complete blood count) when you go to the vet Monday, and maybe you should also discuss an appetite stimulant with him/her. Good luck with your kitty!

I don't have any advice for you. The advice above is the best and from people here who know.

I just want to add that I've been through this kind of thing with cats I've had and loved.

I'm sending lots of positive vibes and thoughts to you and your kitty, Mackerel.

Robin

Thanks guys. :-) I'm actually taking her to the vet in about half an hour because I was up until 4am last night worrying about it and trying to get her to eat *something*. No luck. :-(

Thanks for the warning about salmon- I'll just try the chicken if the vet thinks that would help.

I'm not sure I can afford to run tests or anything- I'm a student and I have a whole... $70 in my bank account. Vet appointment alone is $55 which means that I'm not going to be able to buy food next week as it is. -sigh- Of course it's worth it if I know what to do for Mack, but I'm in a really bad head space, need the vibes. :-( I had an 'emergency vet fund' for Mackerel, but... well, long story short I had to break it open to pay for the result of the stressful situation I've just gotten rid of.

Hi I am sorry your cat is not eating well. It is stressful for us when our babies are not wanting to eat. If you can, get some Hills A/D it is an enticing appetite increasing canned food and your kitty should like it. You need to get it from the vet or Petsmart has if but you need a script to buy it. Also try baby food stage 2 like chicken, beef or liver, in the jars. You can try adding a bit of chicken broth/stock as well. Don't feed salmon from the store. Try fancy feast canned salmon, most cats love that.

Good luck with your beautiful kitty on Monday at the vet.

The vet thinks it's Feline Leukemia. I don't know how that could be because she had shots/vaccines for it late 2008.

Oh My.... The vet couldn't test for it? Also, is she an inside cat? I am wondering if they vaccinate inside cats for FeLV in there? I was under the impression Mackarel was an inside kitty?
Were you able to get some A/D? Appetite stimulants? When are you going to know? Gosh, hope it is not...

He said if it's Leukemia there's not much we can do, and that's the reason that her appetite's not good. Honestly, I was just knocked on my ass by the news, couldn't stop crying... not good. Didn't ask any questions.

He's doing a bloodtest, I'll get the results on Monday and hopefully we can talk more about what to do then.

And yes, Mackerel is an inside cat. My old housemate used to let her out, though, and her cat was an outside cat who'd never had any shots at all... I actually made a thread asking some questions in the health part of the forum.

Originally Posted by Jalindal

He said if it's Leukemia there's not much we can do, and that's the reason that her appetite's not good. Honestly, I was just knocked on my ass by the news, couldn't stop crying... not good. Didn't ask any questions.

He's doing a bloodtest, I'll get the results on Monday and hopefully we can talk more about what to do then.

Click to expand...

I don't understand... what is he suggesting, that she just starves? I mean... this kitty needs to eat... What is the plan to get her eating? What if it is not Leukemia? Then she will go 2 more days without food? Two more days can make a big difference in making her healthy... She can live a while even with FeLV, if she bounces back from this, but she needs to eat... Did they have A/D?
I know you are overwhelmed and all hun, and I am truly sorry ... But do you have a plan for her to eat? Do you have a feeding syringe, and do you know how to force feed?
Please look at this Link: http://www.assistfeed.com/FeedingTechniques.htm

He gave her a vitamin shot and a couple of other shots he said would help her after not eating for a little while, and I'm actually in the process now of cooking some chicken for her... this is her absolute favourite people food meal so I really think this might rouse her appetite. If it doesn't work then I'm going to go and get a syringe and everything to do the assisted feeding. They didn't have A/D. :-(

Thanks for that link, it looks like it will be very helpful.

Originally Posted by Jalindal

He gave her a vitamin shot and a couple of other shots he said would help her after not eating for a little while, and I'm actually in the process now of cooking some chicken for her... this is her absolute favourite people food meal so I really think this might rouse her appetite. If it doesn't work then I'm going to go and get a syringe and everything to do the assisted feeding. They didn't have A/D. :-(

Thanks for that link, it looks like it will be very helpful.

Click to expand...

Hun, feed feed feed her, this will avoid her liver from failing and help her get better... Yes, that link is excellent and has tons of tips... I'll be praying for your little girl to not have FeLV... hopefully she won't! Since the other kitty is 14, chance are, she doesn't. Let's hope this is something else treatable.... Now her immediate need is nutrition... So let's get her eating...
All meat and broth baby food is great too... Just make sure there is no garlic or onions... At this point, feed her anything - treats included - do not think quality, just calories

She's just eaten quite a lot of a small tin of chicken/tuna/pilchard mix of a brand that I saw while I was at the shop buying the chicken. I've put the chicken in the fridge to cool down because she doesn't like it hot, so I'll try that later.

I also called the vet to see what tests they were running.. he says Cat Leukemia, Feline AIDS, and the normal barrage of kidney/liver function and anemia ones. He says that if those tests come back negative they'll do an ultrasound.

How about trying some canned kitten food? Its usually higher in protein and calories. Cats like food room temp not hot or cold so if you put it in the micro to reheat it from the , just warm it up a couple seconds to take the chill out. Good luck with those test results. Is Mackerel your only cat?

Yes, Mackerel's my only cat.

She just ate about 40 or 50 grams of raw chicken breast. :-) And probably about 40 grams of the good quality kitten food I mentioned earlier.

Good job getting her to eat. FeLV/FIV is a fast test, they should have a result in five minutes.

Vaccines are not 100%, and if she had never been tested before, she may have been born with it, IF she has it. Paws crossed that she does not, and perhaps it was just stress.

Did the vet take a urine sample, too? Wondering if her litter box habits are normal.

I am so happy to hear you've gotten some food into her.

Mackerel

Keep us posted.

Hi guys,

The test results took so long because the lab isn't open on the weekend.

The results are negative for FIV and for FeLV. Still waiting on results for kidney and liver function and other tests. Her appetite's still not good. When I get the other results this afternoon I'll get to speak to my vet and ask him what he suggests.