Cat not eating

Hi there!

I'm new and wasn't sure where to post this, so I'm sorry if it's in the wrong section. My one-year-old cat, Han, hasn't eaten today. We've offered several kinds of wet in the morning, tried giving him some dry, offered freeze-dried raw chicken bites, and a few Mighty Lion chicken treats. He ate the 2 treats willingly, but I don't want to give him any more because I don't want to spoil him into thinking if he doesn't eat his proper food he'll get treats. The other foods he sniffed and then turned away from.

This is very unusual for him as up until about 2 months ago, he was a vigorous eater and would often finish his food and then proceed to push our other cat away (he's 4) to eat the rest of his. He's slowed down since, but still gets excited for his food and finishes it. They get fed Halo chicken, turkey or salmon wet in the morning and for dinner, and Nature's Variety Instinct dry chicken with raw bites in the evening before bed.

He's drinking normally, has an abundance of energy, is behaving normally, and going to the litter box, but just will not eat his regular food. Our vet is closed today, but I'm not sure if I should take him to emergency. He was the same way 2 days ago; he wouldn't eat either of his 3 meals, but would eat a few treats like crazy. But then yesterday he was back to eating his food happily without issue. I'm worried about him, but I can't really afford to go to the emergency clinic (obviously I'll take him if he gets worse or if you all think I should), and would prefer to try other things. I was going to try putting a bit of tuna juice in with his wet food tonight to see if that gets him to try it at all.

Thoughts?

Cats need to eat everyday. If they don't, they could get liver damage. I can't advise you on whether or not to take the cat to ER, but if you decide not to, make sure he eats something. Get tuna and try that. Don't worry for the time being about spoiling him. Go to the pet store while it is open and get a syringe feeder. If he doesn't eat the tuna you may have to syringe feed. These two YouTube videos are pretty good:



I haven't had to syringe feed myself, but another member recently had to. They said it wasn't easy, but not as hard as they imagined.

I use to work at an animal hospital so I've had to syringe feed animals of all kinds. So I'll try the tuna, and if not, maybe I'll try syringe feeding him. Thanks!

So I ended up trying to do his wet with some tuna juice on it and he ate a bit but mostly licked the juice off. I gave him a few chunks of the tuna and he ate that, so at least he's eating something. Does anyone think he could be getting bored of the food he's on? I know that with the 4-year-old cat, Luke, I went through a good 8 different brands before I could finally get him to eat the Halo. I'm more worried about him not eating the wet than the dry.

How's he doing today?  Is he eating?  What do you mean about you're more worried about him not eating the wet than the dry?  Is he eating kibble too?  (what did I miss here?)

He's eating fine today, thanks for the concern

I'm always more concerned about cats eating wet than dry. Even though he was still drinking, I want to make sure he's getting enough moisture in him and wet is better for him. He's eating both his wet and dry today.