Do kitties sometimes eat less when the weather is hot?

lunatuna

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Luna went to the vet yesterday and got a steroid shot and antibiotic shot for the ulcer on her mouth. She hasn't eaten very much since. She's sleeping a lot but otherwise she is acting normal, acknowledging her name, came to me for some love, happy to be petted, etc. At first I tried feeding the hypoallergenic food I bought at the vet but she turned her nose up at it so I mixed it with her old food, planning to wean her gradually to the new food and she ate a tiny bit. I was worried tonight that she barely ate in 36 hours so I gave her her old food for dinner and she hasn't eaten it. I saw her drinking water twice today so she's staying hydrated. It was also 100 degrees and my house has no AC except in the bedroom where we hang out and keep cool for our pets. But their food is in the kitchen. So does it sound like the heat that's effecting her appetite? I thought she would be ravenous after the steroids but previously it room a few data for that aide effect kicked in. Any advice?
 

ducman69

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Not sure, but 100oF is very hot. Why not just bring the food into the room thats cool? I'd give anything she will eat at this point, junk food or not. Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top of food lightly can be appetizing. Friskies has fish flavored foods which are also generally a big hit. Purina makes a probiotic which is good to administer after antibiotics called Fortiflora, and it happens to be very tasty sprinkled onto or mixed into wet food as a great appetite stimulant. Its just important to get some kind of calories in her, even treats if need be. If need be, you can read how to force feed your cat using your finger. If you're quick about it, its not really that bad.
 

Ms. Freya

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My guys do. The first few really warm days of the year, their appetites go right off (with the exception of Wendel, the walking stomach). I usually switch thier dinner a bit later in the day during the summer so that the sun goes down an it's cooler for them.

That being said, 36 hours is a long time for a cat to go without eating. Ducman had some good suggestions about assist feeding, and a trip to the vet may be in order soon, just so she doesn't get dehydrated.
 

just mike

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That is a long time to go without food. The worry being hydration. Most of the advice I would give has already been given but I do agree that maybe moving him into the cooler room would help. The weather does not bother my cats but the temp inside my home is steady year round. They do react to antibiotic shots by eating less and acting a little lethargic for a day or 2. Best thing to do would be to get some nutrition and liquid into the meezer.
 
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lunatuna

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I have to feed her where my dog won't get her food. I moved it to the laundry room today because it isn't as hot there because it doesn't have any outside walls and it is across from the bedroom with the AC unit. She is eating it slowly but she is drinking, I've seen her drinking several times. I am not sure now if I should continue to try to wean her onto the vet diet which is not appealing to her so far or look for another meat-n-gravy food that she isn't allergic too....
 
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lunatuna

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I moved her food and she is eating. Again, I'm not sure it was the heat. She had a vet trip, a shot, new food, and 99 degree temps all at one time. Who knows which of the factors had to do with her 36 hour fast. The cooler room is probably going to be better with the new food whenever I get her weaned over to it because it is a patte and will get dry faster than her meat and gravy.
 

subconsciousme

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I can testify as someone who lives in Phoenix and lived in a house without air conditioning (only a swamp cooler) that yes, cats do eat less in hotter temps. We have since moved to an air conditioned housing.
 

sk_pacer

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Yes. mine are on 'hunger strike' today, first really hot day and no one cares, even the good stinky stuff didnt grab anyone's attention for more than a couple of bites. Supposed to be cooler tomorrow so back to normal amounts
 
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