Expectations for new cat that won't eat?

Hi, First off, we've had at least two cats, and usually 3, for twenty years. Never before has integration taken more than a day or two - maybe I'm just lucky - but my current girl has issues. She's a Humane Society animal, 2 1/2, surrendered by her previously owner because they had too many pets (four cats, two dogs, and birds). She's been friendly, although a bit skittish, since we brought her home last Wednesday night (it's now Tuesday morning). She was a little afraid of one of the other cats, and they were suspicious of her, but that seems to have passed after a day or so.But she hasn't shown an interest in eating, including cat treats, or even a catnip mouse. I've tried the food sample the shelter sent with me (Hill's Science), the food the other cats eat (Science Light), as well as wet food.... Nothing.To be certain she wasn't "sneaking" food, I've had her in her own bathroom since Saturday morning, with fresh food, water, cat bed, and new box/litter. She's peeing about once a day, but nothing else, and the food's going nowhere. We visited the vet yesterday (Monday) morning, and he said she seemed fairly healthy, heart and lungs sound good, and it's most likely still stress. Sent me home with a can of Hill's a/d and a syringe. She's taking that OK, although from my understanding of calorie requirements, a healthy cat her size would need about two cans of that a day, and we're going through this one can in two days. I guess that's OK when trying to get her "started" again?So, questions and advice: How long should it take until she's eating on her own again? Presuming she does, what's a good way to confirm that she continues to do so once we integrate her with the "general" cat feeding area?She's a sweetie, a low-energy lap cat who even seems to like my boys (as opposed to merely "tolerating" them), but obviously she needs to be eating, and I'm worried.Thanks,Steve

Hi - I think putting her in a small room by herself is the best idea.  Give her a little while to chill out and get used to the sounds and smells of your house.  I'm guessing you did not recieve any information from the previous owner, but I would try some different types of food.  I foster for out local shelter and have dealt with this several times.  Many cats get used to eating a certain type of food and won't eat other foods.  My favorite for finiky eaters is Fancy Feast (the fishy types).  It isn't the best food but it's good and smelly.  If that doesn't work you may want to experiment with some wet and dry foods.  Don't let her go too long or she could become very sick. 

You may also want to try a calming agent like Feliway or Rescue Remedy.  

Good luck and thanks for taking this girl in.

No, no info on food from the previous owner. She was in the shelter a bit over two weeks before I got there, and was eating Science Diet. I did try Fancy Feast over the weekend, but no interest. Maybe I'll try again now that I've put a bit of calories in her with the syringe. She has a Feliway diffuser in the room, but I don't know if that's actually making a difference of not.Any thoughts if it's better to force-feed her in "her" room or a different one? I'm been taking her to a different room thinking that I don't want to associate that room with discomfort.

Just spoke with the vet.... She had lost about 1/2 lb between when I first brought her in on last Thursday morning and yesterday (Monday) morning, so they're going to do a full blood panel. Heck of a way to start in her new home.

Yes - 1/2 is a lot for a cat.  I'm sorry about this.  Sometime force feeding does help...even if it just "reminds them" they like to eat.  I've always force fed in the room I'm keeping them in but I typically have numerous fosters at one time so I don't have the space to switch rooms.  I would make sure to spend a lot of time with her before and after feeding to make sure she still likes you. 

One reason why she may not be eating is it is possible she picked up a cold at the shelter.  (This is very common.)  Cats won't eat when they can't smell and they can take a while to get over that.

Let us know what the vet says.  I hope all goes well.  Good luck!

Still waiting to hear from the vet concerning the blood panel, but I'm wondering if it might be better to leave my poor girl at the vet's, either during the day or overnight (which ever would be better). Given work obligations, it's simply not reasonable for me to personally feed her every 3-4 hours, and there's probably going to have to be a stretch of 6-8 hours during most working days. I know this probably won't do anything to help her stress level, but maybe having regular feedings would outweigh that right now?

Blood work was actually OK.... Liver enzymes NOT elevated (which the vet actually expected), urine sample "perfect", white blood cell count a little high, though. But I tried to pick her up this evening, and she gave out a HISS, which she NEVER does.  Took her right back to the vet....

Upshot is nausea (HISS was probably stomach acid.... she did it once for the vet too, although just prodding her underside failed to elicit any reaction).  She's hospitalized now, vet thinks she'll be out and eating on her own in perhaps 24 hours, "two days tops".  Hope so.

THEN I can start the whole household introduction all over again.  But I think she'll stay in her own room for a while, at least until I can verify continued eating.

Keep us posted.  I know how stressful this can be. The vet can give her some appetite stimulants which can be very helpful.  I hope it all works and I've very happy to see her blook work is all good!  That is great news! 

Hospital called to say that she's doing "really well", still on fluids and hourly syringe feeding, and they gave her an appetite stimulant.  Vet was having a busy evening, so they had someone else call to check in.  I guess I'll talk to him tomorrow.... 

Edit: Vet did call back this evening.  He says her issues are a combination of stress, URI kicking in, low-grade pancreatitis, and dehydration.  They're planning to up her syringe feedings from 1/hr as they had to today to 3-4 per meal tomorrow, and if she handles that well, they'll release her for home care.  I asked when she might be expected to start eating on her own, and he said "that's up to her".

I think maybe this belongs more in the "health" forum than behavior, but Candee is home... Still not eating, and the URI is definitely manifest.  Vet's orders are to feed two syringes of diluted a/d every (waking) hour I'm home, until/unless she starts eating on her own.  It's a bit vague, I don't think he truly means every hour, since that would (under perfect circumstances) mean 360ml of food a day.  The Hill's sight suggests about 250ml a day.  Either it should be diluted a LOT more than I'm doing, or the vet is expected me to get in about 8 feedings a day.

Still, this evening she's looking and acting a lot better, and hopefully stays that way.  We'll see.

A day at home, she's been keeping down her syringes just fine, but is getting more and more lethargic. Perhaps because I keep waking her up every hour or so to eat! We've offered her kibble (constantly) and twice wet food, but hasn't had a bite. Just spoke to the vet on the phone, and she suggested not feeding her for about three hours and try the wet stuff again. Failing that, we're calling in the morning, try an appetite stimulant.*sigh* very frustrated about the whole thing.

YAY, SHE'S EATING!!!  Vet put her on an oral steroid, and 36 hours later she's snarfing down kibble and treats.  The pill-in-treat trick even worked for her!  Very happy.  Oddly, she still has no interest in the stinky wet food, even heated a bit.  Science Diet, though, is the bee's knees....

The rest of the can of stinky food that I had in the fridge, I put on a plate and didn't even have time to heat it before the other two ate it all.

That is wonderful news to hear.  I have a surrendered foster senior Siamese cat that has stopped eating after a week.  I am syringe feeding him my kitten porridge, which consists of KMR, pedialite and canned a/d.  I will also try the appetite stimulant tonight hopefully that will kick in his appetite.  I do not notice a URI, I just think he is depressed and misses his owner
 

sjadelson said:

YAY, SHE'S EATING!!!  Vet put her on an oral steroid, and 36 hours later she's snarfing down kibble and treats.  The pill-in-treat trick even worked for her!  Very happy.  Oddly, she still has no interest in the stinky wet food, even heated a bit.  Science Diet, though, is the bee's knees....

The rest of the can of stinky food that I had in the fridge, I put on a plate and didn't even have time to heat it before the other two ate it all.

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Yeah!  I'm glad she is eating!  It feels so good when they finally do so!  I hope it continues to go well.

cswojo22 said:

That is wonderful news to hear.  I have a surrendered foster senior Siamese cat that has stopped eating after a week.  I am syringe feeding him my kitten porridge, which consists of KMR, pedialite and canned a/d.  I will also try the appetite stimulant tonight hopefully that will kick in his appetite.  I do not notice a URI, I just think he is depressed and misses his owner
 

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Siamese are known for bonding very closely with their owners and I've had many owner-surrender fosters who just seem to 'give up' on it all.  I'm glad he has you and hope he comes around soon!