How to make my sick cat eat more.

glennisj

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My cat has cancer and is eating very little. Does anyone have any ideas what foods might tempt her to eat more?
 

sarah ann

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There's a drug called mirtazapine. It is $5 for 30 tablets at cvs. It is used in cats with end stage kidney failure or other severe health issues to improve appetite. You would need a script.

I would describe it as being like pot. It makes you hungry and takes away the nausea. It was a miracle drug for me as I have stomach paralysis, nausea and vomiting. Had I should say. Thanks to that drug my gi tract has started working again.

It certainly does have side effects. Mainly weight gain and changes in wbc counts.

There is a website demonizing the drug as being very dangerous to cats. Just keep in mind it is usually used as a last ditch effort to prolong the life of a dying animal.

If you can't get your cat to eat anything, I would try the drug. It doesn't sound like you have anything to lose. It will probably make your cat sleep more. The drug does seem to slightly reduce pain, at least that is my experience.

Be sure to start at the lowest dose possible when starting. A fourth a pill or less. Based on the other website some cats do not do well on it.

I've never had a cat on it. I only know what I experienced with it. It only took my doctors four years to find a drug that worked to treat my stomach paralysis.

Ask your vet about it.
 

Winchester

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Before trying any drug, please talk to your vet to see what he or she would recommend for your kitty.

Have you tried to add something to the food to make it a little more palatable for your kitty? Maybe add a little pureed meat baby food to the cat food. Or warm it up just a bit. Cats go by smell and if she can't smell the food, chances are she won't eat it. Heating it makes it smell more. Or try a stinkier food, again for the same reason. You might try adding chicken broth to her food and heating it with that in it. 

And, try to hand feed her. Just get down with her and hold the spoon up to her. Sometimes hand-feeding works when other things do not.

I'm sorry you're going through this with your cat.
 

charlismom

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Baby food, the pure meat, in turkey or chicken works great...give that a try, it has a strong smell and they love it.
 

misty8723

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I'm sorry your baby has cancer.  Having been through that with Cindy, I know how devastating it is,  What have you tried feeding her?  When Cindy was sick the mirtazapine worked for a bit, but then it didn't anymore.  Mirtazapine is also an antidepressant, so it did help her feel a little better, we think.  She got to where she would only eat dry food for a long while, and toward the end would not eat anything at all.  We had a feeding tube for her that improved her quality of life for several months, but I would only recommend that as a last resort.  I don't know what kind of cancer your baby has, if she is getting chemo, or what the prognosis is.  Feeding tube is usually a temporary fix when they're ill and not eating, and in our case we hoped it would get her eating again but it never did. Knowing what I know, I'm not sure I would do it again.  Or maybe I would have had it removed sooner.  The vets also put Cindy on Prednisolone and that is supposed to increase appetite as well.
 

cocheezie

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BFF tuna+ pouches were the stinkiest yet good smelling food I've ever encountered. Not the best food, but it's food.
 
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LTS3

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Try sprinkling FortiFlora over food. Many people swear that it helps even sick inappetant cats eat.  Try heating up canned food. Warmed up food has more of a smell and will be more appealing. You coud offer some high calorie supplements and/or food. Ask your vet about appetite stimulants.
 

kathyfromcanada

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When Topaz got very sick this summer and wouldn't eat , from a respiratory infection., my husband heated up some warm water from the kettle and put it in the cat food, just a bit and made a watery soup with it. He ate only a little at 1st , but after awhile he started eating more without the warm water. I think by him heating the water it made it more flavorful. Keep in mind though, it might not work for what your kitty has.

Sending good vibes your way.   
 
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glennisj

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Thank you everyone for your answer. My cat is on Prednesone and some days she seems better than others. She has a nasal tumor. Has anyone out there had radiation done? If so, I would like to know your opinion. How did your cat react? Did it help or make things worse?
 
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