Don't think it's a dental issue...but what is it?

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k1mberly t1ger

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My 10-year old cat usually eats twice a day (1/3 cup x 2), but lately he leaves a lot of little crumbs in the bottom of his bowl, and leaves them there forever. I thought he was just getting older and needed less food, so I cut his food down to 1/3c once a day, but now he is acting like he is starving, scavenging around for food and acting desperate. Meanwhile there's still crumbs in his bowl.

I've only done this for about a week now, but I noticed today he seems to have lost a LOT of weight. My cat has always been in the healthy range weight-wise, but at the top of that range. Now he's practically underweight, I would guess.

So, he is eating and chewing enthusiastically, which leads me to think it's NOT a dental issue. He just leaves a lot of little crumbs behind and doesn't want those. It's almost like they get soggy or stale and then he doesn't want them. So strange to be begging for food though, and refuse to eat the leftover crumbs. Vexing.

What's wrong with my cat?
 
finnlacey

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Well he needs a vet visit and soon!!! Losing weight and acting that hungry can be a sign of thyroid disease. ANYTIME a cat loses weight for no reason they should be checked out. It's very dangerous for them to lose weight quickly, so please get him checked by a vet. 
 
smitten4kittens

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k1mberly t1ger said:
My 10-year old cat usually eats twice a day (1/3 cup x 2), but lately he leaves a lot of little crumbs in the bottom of his bowl, and leaves them there forever. I thought he was just getting older and needed less food, so I cut his food down to 1/3c once a day, but now he is acting like he is starving, scavenging around for food and acting desperate. Meanwhile there's still crumbs in his bowl.

I've only done this for about a week now, but I noticed today he seems to have lost a LOT of weight. My cat has always been in the healthy range weight-wise, but at the top of that range. Now he's practically underweight, I would guess.

So, he is eating and chewing enthusiastically, which leads me to think it's NOT a dental issue. He just leaves a lot of little crumbs behind and doesn't want those. It's almost like they get soggy or stale and then he doesn't want them. So strange to be begging for food though, and refuse to eat the leftover crumbs. Vexing.

What's wrong with my cat?
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You mentioned that he leaves the crumbs in his bowl forever. I realize this is an exageration, but don't you empty the bowl and wash it?  Food can grow bacteria if it sits in the bowl for a while. He probably isn't eating the crumbs because they ARE soggy or stale. I would start feeding him his regular amount of food again immediately and wash his bowl and give fresh food everyday. He should be seen by a vet because quick weight loss is dangerous for a cat's liver. I think he is acting like he is starving simply because his regular portion of food was cut in half. I think he just needs more fresh food and a check up to make sure he is okay after the quick weight loss.
 
catnamedpanda

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He has probably lost weight and is hungry because you are offering him half the amount of food than he was eating. He doesn't like eating the crumbs so I would just dump them and give him fresh food. If you can I would switch to canned, it is not only better for him, but there won't be crumbs to leave behind. But I do agree with him dropping weight like that he should be seen by a vet just to make sure he is ok and no damage has been done.
 
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Well for one... if there are left over bits of food in his bowl, empty those out and wash the bowl before giving him/her more. Also, I'm more about giving them just a smidge more than normal every time and watch and see if they are still underweight if they are it might be Thyroid Disease.

My cat did the same thing, would eat ravenously and always be looking for food (and we'd keep him fed well), but he started to become extremely skinny...  however we always keep a big bowl of dry out and he goes and eats when he's hungry. Maybe leave him some dry out all the time and see if that changes his drive? if its something major like thyroid disease it is treatable with meds : )

here's hoping its nothing major.
 
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mewlittle

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k1mberly t1ger said:
My 10-year old cat usually eats twice a day (1/3 cup x 2), but lately he leaves a lot of little crumbs in the bottom of his bowl, and leaves them there forever. I thought he was just getting older and needed less food, so I cut his food down to 1/3c once a day, but now he is acting like he is starving, scavenging around for food and acting desperate. Meanwhile there's still crumbs in his bowl.

I've only done this for about a week now, but I noticed today he seems to have lost a LOT of weight. My cat has always been in the healthy range weight-wise, but at the top of that range. Now he's practically underweight, I would guess.

So, he is eating and chewing enthusiastically, which leads me to think it's NOT a dental issue. He just leaves a lot of little crumbs behind and doesn't want those. It's almost like they get soggy or stale and then he doesn't want them. So strange to be begging for food though, and refuse to eat the leftover crumbs. Vexing.

What's wrong with my cat?
Click to expand...
I have to put all my cats food back into a little ball to get them to eat it try it with him and up his food amount since he is losing weight and hungry
 
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k1mberly t1ger

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Thanks all. I just think it's so strange that this "leaving the crumbs behind" behavior just started. He's only been doing it for a month and a half or so, and he's 10 years old. He's been on the same food forever, so it just seems like an odd time to start up a brand new quirk.

I have been giving him wet food on the weekends and cleaning out his bowl regularly. Although I do leave the crumbs in there for a bit, because I've always thought, "if he's that hungry, why won't he eat them?"
 
txcatmom

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I have a cat with a painful mouth condition.  She does not like to lick the last bits off her plate even though she is a good eater.  I think licking is more painful for her (well, I know it is because she stops grooming herself when things are really bad.)  This might not be what is going on with your cat but your post reminded me of my cat, so I thought I'd mention it.  Some mouth conditions do make the tongue inflamed, so I'd get his mouth looked over very well by the vet, in addition to just a good general check up. 
 
smitten4kittens

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Maybe the reason he just started doing this is because the company could have changed their formula. It's more crumbly and he just doesn't like it. Cats can be finicky.
 
finnlacey

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Never ever assume a cat will eat rather than go hungry because that is not true! A cat will literally starve themselves before eating something they don't want. and that is dangerous. 
 
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