Cat won't eat, no matter what

Hey guys,
I'm really desperate, my cat is 16 years old and sort of just stopped eating about a month ago and got really thin, so I took him to the vet. They checked him and told me his kidneys wouldn't work properly and they told me to give him medication, which I did. He started eating again for a few days but then stopped and got thin again, until I took him to the vet a second time. This time everything was alright with his kidneys and he also ate there, but as soon as he got home he stopped eating again. I really tried all kinds of food, including fish and meat from the grocery store, but he would just stare at it and walk away, even though I can clearly see how hungry he is, he always comes running when I give him food, but then never touches it. Any idea what the problem is? I can't afford to take him to the vet every other week for a few days, the last two times had cost almost 400$ each. Thanks for your time and help!

I'd get a second opinion from another vet. What you're describing doesn't sound normal and the vet you're using doesn't seem to have very clear answers for you. 

You might want to read this forum as well for suggestions. It's common for cats with kidney disease to have a poor appetite and this site has great suggestions for getting your cat to eat again. I'm a big fan of slippery elm, which can sooth the nausea that a lot of cats with kidney issues have and peak their appetite. 

http://www.felinecrf.org/diet_and_nutrition.htm

http://www.felinecrf.org/holistic_treatments.htm

I agree - you need another opinion fro a different vet. Did the first vet do any bloodwork? If not, make sure the second vet does. Insist on it if the vet doesn't want to do it. Also make sure the vet checks your cat's teeth. Dental problems can be painful and cause a cat to not want to eat. Keep in mind that many vets aren't taught much about dental health and doing oral exams in vet school so it's possible for a vet to not recognize signs of dental issues.

Are you feeding dry or canned food? Canned food is easier to eat, especially if you add some water to the food and smush it up.

I second the dental issues. Did you see your vet examine your cat's mouth? I would hope that the kidney problems were diagnosed with a blood test.

Hey,
Thank you for your swift answers, I took him to another vet today and it is indeed a dental issue, so now that can be taken care of and I hope he'll gain back his weight soon. The kidney problems by the way were diagnosed by blood test, so at least that part was done properly.
Thanks again for your help,
Oberberg

I'm sorry you had to go through that kind of scare. While dental problems aren't "not serious" they are at least usually fixable. Good news!!