Will a Finicky Cat Starve Itself?

But a cat can start off holding out for "better stuff" and 24 hours later start feeling to sick to even eat "better stuff" and spiral down fast from there with NO other issue.

Willowy said:

That's the implication, though, isn't it? If a cat won't starve him/herself, then if you want a cat to eat a particular food you just have to put it down and wait them out, like with a dog? That's what I would get from the statement.

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Well, you misunderstood then.  I feel you want to argue because it doesn't fit your viewpoint.  My point was that people believe this about cats and therefore think "Oh, this is just a cats nature" and think nothing more about it.  Well, it can be life threatening because many WILL do that, and just wait it out.  And not even think to consult a vet until often it's too late or too advanced.

Changing a diet is one thing.  We know to do it gradually and slowly.  Not everyone does that, though.  And I was trying to point out that if your cat is not eating at all/refusing to eat, then it is not being "picky" it may be something medical.

My biggest issue of mine don't like their food, is bad behavior (acting out).

When I was feeding wet and fed them something they didn't like for a few meals, I'd describ it as threatening.

A few more meals and they were downright hostile. It was like living with a cougar and a jaguar.

I have many cats and the key to harmony is WELL FED as they know plenty of food/water so not much left to fight about.  When they were not free fed or on all wet that I would serve often but at times run low/out(all of hour or so as I work from home) that is when I saw fights.  Never anything serious but these guys normally have no fights unless there is an unneutered cat around.

I think that far to often we put human feelings and emotions onto our cats. Cats are not vengeful, they are not calculating, and they are certainly not going anorexic just to get back at someone.

Quiet said:

 
I think that far to often we put human feelings and emotions onto our cats. Cats are not vengeful, they are not calculating, and they are certainly not going anorexic just to get back at someone.

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Exactly.  All these human vices/ emotions that we put on them give life to the myths.  If they are refusing to eat, it is probably an illness and not just being picky or not eating out of spite.  Although cats do not like change as a general rule, so if you want to switch their food, you need to do it slowly and gradually add more each time to their current food and not just switch all at once.

I never used the gradual change for anything but to prevent stomach issues.  But in my cats as long as I stay within the same class of foods we are ok(meow mix/friskies/cat chow) Never had any issues switching wets between ANY of the brands.

catsallaround said:

 
I never used the gradual change for anything but to prevent stomach issues.  But in my cats as long as I stay within the same class of foods we are ok(meow mix/friskies/cat chow) Never had any issues switching wets between ANY of the brands.

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OK.  Good for you.  But, usually in issues with food, this is why... Because people don't do the gradual switchover.  You can look this up, too.  It's a fact.

Steps to Switch Cat Foods
Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff

Ok, so you've found the perfect healthy food for your pet. Now comes the fun part - giving your pet the first taste. But don't feed too much too soon. . . make sure you introduce the food slowly, or your pet could suffer from stomach upset, vomiting, excess gas, constipation, or diarrhea.

Here's Why. . .

Normal bacteria in the intestine help your pet digest food. A sudden change in food can result in changes to the number and type of bacteria and her ability to help digest food. These changes can lead to intestinal upset. Therefore, your pet must be switched to a new food slowly.

Here's What You Should Do. . .

Switch your pet's food gradually over the course of 7-10 days. For example, make a mixture that contains 25% of the new food and 75% of the old food and feed that for three days. Then make it 50-50 for three more days, then 75% new food and 25% old food for three more days. If your pet seems comfortable with this progression, you can start feeding 100% new food

In all the years/vets(used a few large clinics) never heard any say it was to keep the cat on the food always to avoid stomach issues.  Even pet stores say the same thing.

I think some really has to do with how they see the pet.  Cat who goes outside will eat what is fed or hunt on own sort of thinking.  And most dog owners I know feed some scraps from the start of owning dog so it is pretty used to anything being fed.  Mine will snack in the cat box if not watched.  Or pull trash apart.  My cats never would do that unless there was raw meat scrap.

catsallaround said:

 
In all the years/vets(used a few large clinics) never heard any say it was to keep the cat on the food always to avoid stomach issues.  Even pet stores say the same thing.

I think some really has to do with how they see the pet.  Cat who goes outside will eat what is fed or hunt on own sort of thinking.  And most dog owners I know feed some scraps from the start of owning dog so it is pretty used to anything being fed.  Mine will snack in the cat box if not watched.  Or pull trash apart.  My cats never would do that unless there was raw meat scrap.

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OK you just want to argue with everything I say, don't you?  I can post a lot more scholar articles on this.  Well, if it amuses you...Still doesn't mean you're correct.  I am offering a viewpoint.  If you don't agree, that's fine.  You don't have to but this information could very well help the OP.  Another thing is my vets and the pet stores here always asks what they are eating now?  Then they always suggest a gradual switch because it can cause tummy issues... Which if you've ever had an upset tummy, can you say that it made you want to eat right away?  Not so much.  Good day.

No not at all it just is so strange that I have never heard of it and it seems so popular in your area.vets. I have nothing to back my opinion up but my experience but if you do I would be open to reading it as always can learn something new and it would just help the cats out more.  I never gave it a 2nd thought to go slow with pet food seitches so for future it could be helpful if someone stops eating to know. 

Usually vets and stores do not recommend switching a diet that works.  But, if you want to or it is prescribed, they always suggest doing so gradually.

Here is one about not mixing them but putting them side by side and gradually switching.

Changing diets

I've found that changing cats’ diet can be a problem for some owners.  I prefer to be sure that the cat is provided an enriched environment (described HERE), feeling better if after an illness, and eating its usual diet normally before starting to change diets.

A simple way to start changing the cat's diet is to offer the new food in the cat's usual feeding container next to the usual diet, using another container for the old diet.  If you can put both foods in similar containers it may make the change somewhat easier.  If the cat doesn't consume the new diet after an hour, take it up until the next feeding.  At the next feeding, repeat the process, always providing fresh new food. Once the new diet is familiar to the cat (usually in a day or two), it should start eating it readily. When this occurs, continue to decrease the old diet by a small amount each day (1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon per day; there are about 5 tablespoons of dry food in an 4 oz. measuring cup) until the change is complete. Using this strategy, the change can be completed over a period of 1 to 2 weeks.

Small quantities of your cat's favorite flavor, meat drippings, tuna, clam or salmon juice, can be mixed with the new food initially to make it more appealing.   Feed your cat in a quiet environment where the pet won't be distracted.

For the client:

Start the change process on a rest day, or during a time when you have fewer "outside distractions", if possible, so you can monitor the change process.

Plan where to buy the new food, where you will store it in your house, how you will discard used cans, etc. before you start. A few minutes of thoughtful planning may save hours of frustration trying to "get into" the new routine later.

If feeding is a time when you enjoy interacting with your pet, we can suggest some alternative activities that you can substitute, such as play, teaching tricks, walking, etc. for feeding. These other activities also can be used to distract the pet if it seems to beg for food. Pet often beg when what they really want is your attention, and would be just as satisfied with other forms of interaction with you!

Explain the importance of the diet change to other members of your household so everyone understands the reasons for the change; we can help you with this!

Here is another about mixing:

By Jennifer Coates, DVM

Changes to a cat’s diet should be made gradually. In fact, taking five to seven days to mix increasing amounts of the new brand of cat food in with decreasing amounts of the old brand reduces the chances that your cat will develop an upset stomach or refuse to eat. But what do you do when you have to switch your pet's food quickly due to a food recall or other circumstance, like a diet-related illness?

To minimize the risk that your cat will have a bad reaction to the rapid diet change, there are some important steps you must take.

Find a Similar Cat Food Formula

Pick a new cat food that closely matches the previously used variety. For example, if your cat was eating a lamb and rice product that was recalled, purchase another company’s lamb and rice formulation. Read the ingredient list. If you can match up the first few ingredients, the foods will be fairly similar. Also, review the guaranteed analysis on both labels. Avoid big changes in the percentages of protein, fat, and fiber, whenever possible.

Offer Small Meals Gradually

Once you get the new cat food home, start by offering your cat a small meal. If he or she eats it and doesn’t develop any tummy troubles as a result, offer another small meal a few hours later. Gradually increase the size and decrease the frequency of your offerings until you are back to your normal schedule in a day or two. If your cat doesn’t dig in to the new food, pick it up and don’t offer anything (including treats) for eight hours or so. It is okay to let your cat get a little hungry, so long as you continue to offer the new food every 6 – 8 hours and then pick it up if it is not eaten. Continue this pattern for 24 hours. If you cannot get your cat to eat the new food within this timeframe, consult your veterinarian and try another formulation — but avoid frequent changes in flavor as this can promote finicky eating habits.

Go Easily Digestible

If your cat has an especially sensitive stomach and you are forced into making a rapid diet change, consider switching to an easily digestible formula to begin with and then gradually mix in small amounts of the new, long-term food a few days later. Probiotic supplements can also reduce the chance that your cat will develop diarrhea when its diet suddenly changes.

Consult Your Veterinarian

If you can't find a new cat food your cat likes or, if despite all your precautions, the change in diet resulted in vomiting, diarrhea, or other signs of gastrointestinal distress, talk to your veterinarian. He or she may be able to suggest other cat food brands – brands that are not affected by the recall or foods which are less likely to cause your cat a diet-related malady.

Cats cannot be compared to dogs. Dogs are scavengers and predators but cats are not. Cats are predators and prey. They do not by nature scavenge for their food. Diet change should be gradual with dogs cats and horses.

Nice to see enriching the cats environment listed and also probiotics. Also getting all on board in the house with the change as usually one is the hold out or the one who will "help kitty get the food it should not have" type.

True about cats vs dogs.  

Currently not taking any more cats in for a good decade or so but will keep this in mind. 

It's a mistake often made, people feeling cats are just like dogs... Sadly.

Definitely yes .. Unfortunately  I know this from personal experience ..

Years ago  I had a cat  die from  Feline hepatic lipidosis .

I   had  5  cats at the time and I used to Free Feed them .. I changed their brand of food frequently with never any problems ..

One morning I went  into  the cats room to feed them and Rudy was  having  seizures and foaming at the mouth . 

I did not even have time to grab him and run to the vet  , he died right in front of me .. 

It was horrible . I could not understand what happened ..  Just days earlier he was perfectly healthy .

Later the Autopsy revealed that he died from Feline hepatic lipidosis  due to not eating , most likely because he did not like the food I changed him to .

Although I  did not know he was not eating I feel guilty about this to this day . It breaks my heart .. 

Yes  ,  Today I have 2 VERY picky cats   and they get whatever it is that they like to eat  .. 

If they l want the cheapest cat food that is not the best that is what they will get as long as they eat every day twice  a day ..

P3 and The King said:

Regardless of "opinions" the fact remains that if a cat is starving themselves and refuses to eat at all, you need to have them checked out by their vet.  That is the fact.  It may be something unrelated to food.  I knew I'd get flack for this, I said so in my first post.  People really need to learn to read and respect other viewpoints and not attack someone for offering a different perspective.

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One of my cats was labeled borderline anorexic by three different vets when I transitioned her from dry food to wet food. She was eating fine on dry but had severe constipation. From August 2013 to December 2013 she lost weight because she refused to eat. We had bloodwork done, she was seen monthly by vets, there was no underlying cause of her not eating.

I understand what you are saying, that cats who refuse to eat usually are sick and not eating is a symptom, but this doesn't mean that there are no picky cats. Having one in the house (and another two who would probably eat dinosaurs if they could), and having her checked by an army of vets, and offering her ALL the food brands available on zooplus.ro and in local petshops, I can definitely say that she likes some foods and TOTALLY refuses to eat the foods she doesn't like - even if this mean starving herself.

IrinaSaK said:

One of my cats was labeled borderline anorexic by three different vets when I transitioned her from dry food to wet food. She was eating fine on dry but had severe constipation. From August 2013 to December 2013 she lost weight because she refused to eat. We had bloodwork done, she was seen monthly by vets, there was no underlying cause of her not eating.

I understand what you are saying, that cats who refuse to eat usually are sick and not eating is a symptom, but this doesn't mean that there are no picky cats. Having one in the house (and another two who would probably eat dinosaurs if they could), and having her checked by an army of vets, and offering her ALL the food brands available on zooplus.ro and in local petshops, I can definitely say that she likes some foods and TOTALLY refuses to eat the foods she doesn't like - even if this mean starving herself.

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I never said there are no picky cats I said it's a myth that all cats are picky.  This is not true... The point I was making is that not eating IS a symptom of a deeper problem that usually has nothing to do with food, maybe not in ALL cases, but in probably a majority.  If you switch it right and gradually usually there is not a problem.  The problem is people usually switch on a whim and expect a cat to just be OK.  Severe constipation IS a sign of switching food too fast.

P3 and The King said:

I never said there are no picky cats I said it's a myth that all cats are picky.  This is not true... The point I was making is that not eating IS a symptom of a deeper problem that usually has nothing to do with food, maybe not in ALL cases, but in probably a majority.  If you switch it right and gradually usually there is not a problem.  The problem is people usually switch on a whim and expect a cat to just be OK.  Severe constipation IS a sign of switching food too fast.

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Agree. Transition should be done gradually.

In our case, the severe constipation happened while I was free feeding dry and it was the main reason I decided at first to increase the wet, and then to switch to all wet. During the transition the constipation issue got better. The full transition (from free feeding dry to scheduled wet only) took us 8-9 months, so we do not fall into 'switching too fast' category.

Regarding the initial question of the OP, I want to add that while transitioning I was calculating Sophie's calorie intake. I would advise this for any human trying to change their cat's diet - either losing weight, gaining weight or just switching to a different kind of food, it is good to know how many calories/day your cat eats.

Purrrdy said:

 
I have been a dog person my entire life, and I am here researching and learning before my new kitten arrives in a month or two. I cant help but notice over and over how cat owners constantly say their cat is picky, it wont eat a certain food brand due to a slight variation in texture, or flavor, etc. I see people jumping from brand to brand, throwing food away and going to extremes to cater to their cat's pickiness. Giving away very expensive, high quality foods and switching to bottom shelf junk food filled with sugars, dyes and chemical flavors because the cats want to eat the junk food instead. In my mind, its like a toddler crying at each healthy meal because they want to eat Fruit Loops and Ice Cream instead of a chicken salad. Surely cats in the wild have, for millions of years, eaten extremely varied diets based on whatever they can catch or forage each day.

With dogs, it is common knowledge that a picky dog is spoiled and has its owners trained, and that if you set the food down, (even for a dog that has learned how to manipulate its owner into giving it the wrong foods), it will eat in a day or two when it gets hungry enough and realizes that no one is going to give in and keep swapping out foods. It's all about the dog training the human, and the human giving in.

Is there something I am missing about cats when it comes to food issues? Is there a legitimate reason why cats cannot or will not eat certain foods? Will a cat literally starve itself because it prefers chunky style textures over pate? If people posted all of these picky feeding issues on any dog forum, the advice would be the same always - "feed the dog the healthiest food you can afford, set it down, and when he is hungry he will eat it." Anyone who switched brands 20 times, threw away high end food and switched to junk food, or let their dog eat 2 bites of a can then throwing the rest in the trash would be scolded for training their dog to be picky by doing these things.

I'm not trying to insult anyone, its just as a dog person, the common mentality I see for feeding cats is 100% polar opposite of what I am used to. Also, it seems very common, discussed on many threads, and seems to be accepted behavior by all of the other cat owners.

Is there a legit reason? Will a cat literally starve itself to death and die if it is forced to eat chicken -vs- tuna or pate -vs- stew against it's will? Is there a reason why no one ever leaves the food sit there until the cat is hungry enough to eat it?

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I am of the opinion that while a cat may not starve itself to the point of death per se, it does run a very high risk of developing fatty liver disease (or hepatic lipidosis) due to insufficient nutrient intake which can lead to death if left unchecked. And this can happen in a very short period of time, which is why it is often said here that if a cat is not eating, for whatever reason, be it lack of interest in a given food, or medical, this situation should not be ignored. Fatty liver disease, to my knowledge, does not exist in dogs as it does in cats.

Cats are very particular about their food, as well as their litter box, their environment and their people. In this way they are very different from dogs. Food in particular, needs to be palatable to them as in something they like to eat, and it helps that this is served at room temperature as a cat's natural prey would be at body temperature. If a cat does not like a particular food, they will not eat it, or may take some time to eat it. It is the taking some time to eat and not eating enough, that is the danger for cats. Cats need a certain amount of calories per day. When they don't eat or get a sufficient amount of calories according to their physicality, the body starts sending fat cells to the liver in response. This is the basis for fatty liver disease and IS a medical condition in the making. As far as food goes in general, cats have a very powerful sense of smell. Case in point, as many here can attest, is when health supplements are added to wet food and a cat will not eat due to there being something different in the food. This can also be the case with different wet foods, due to different ingredients and amounts of different ingredients.

Some people do leave food (including wet) out all day, and in many cases their cats eventually eat it. I don't believe in leaving wet food out due in part to safety issues but also, as part of the benefit is its moisture content, when it dries out, there is less moisture of benefit.