Newly adopted cat won't eat

catmamaaz

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Messages
4
Purraise
0
Hello, I am concerned about a 3 year old male cat we adopted on Sunday. The first day he ate a little and drank a lot of water. After the first day he has only eaten a few kibbles of food each day. I have tried 3 different types of food including a wet food. The Blue Wilderness wet food he just smelled and walked away. He has had a little water today but no food at all. Could he be sick? I'm not sure if his skin is dry or what but he will lay in and there are a lot of flakes (I hope that's what they are) left behind. I can also see the flakes in his fur. He is not scratching himself or anything, but he does rub against everything. If he is not sleeping he is rubbing against something. Our vet visit is not until Saturday so I hope he eats something soon. Would like to know your thoughts or suggestions. Thanks in advance!
 

arouetta

Slave of Bastet's acolytes
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 31, 2016
Messages
2,117
Purraise
2,891
Cats are notoriously finicky when it comes to their food.  Did you adopt him from an organization?  If so, find out what they fed him and/or if they know what the previous owners fed him and try the same thing.  If he's a good weight a few days of picky eating won't hurt him as long as he's drinking.

If you can find what he was eating and want to transition to a new food, you have to mix them for a while.  I want to say it's (new food) 25% the first week, 50% the second week and 75% the third week, but I could be wrong on the length of times.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

catmamaaz

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Messages
4
Purraise
0
Thank you. He came from our local Humane Society and they were feeding him Hills. He ate it the first day and that was it. So I tried changing to a different food and then a wet food. He didn't eat all day yesterday or today. Are cats allowed to have chicken & rice? I was thinking of making him that.
 

mrsgreenjeens

Every Life Should Have Nine Cats
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Aug 13, 2009
Messages
16,383
Purraise
7,113
Location
Arizona
Yes, cats, can have chicken and rice.  It's recommended when they have diarrhea.  Don't use any spices, or onion or garlic.  You can even see if he'll eat some of the chicken pieces raw.  Did you try wet food like Fancy Feast?  Cat's usually love it?  Anything that's fishy?  Usually they'll go for that just because it's stinky, but maybe he knows better
  Also, you could try crushing up some treats, Temptations or something like that, and using them as toppers.  He really can't go too long without eating.  Even try giving him some human tuna if need be. 

Is it really noisy where his food dish is?  (lots of kids or activity around)  Maybe try putting him in a room all by himself where he can relax and see if that helps)

Also, when cats are nervous, they tend to get those flakes you are seeing.  My black cats get a lot of dandruff whenever they are at the Vet
.
 

stephanietx

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
14,761
Purraise
3,484
Location
Texas
It's common for kitties in new environments to not eat or potty for  day or so.  They are scared and everything is new...new people, new routine, new smells, and new sounds.  If you're not isolating him in one room, I would do that at least overnight.  Leave food out for him and see if he'll eat at night when the house is quiet.  Be sure to leave a night light on for him.  Also, try plain meat baby food or Classic Fancy Feast.  Offer the Hill's food he was eating.  If you change the dry food suddenly, you can cause an upset tummy and possibly diarrhea.  You can switch canned food suddenly, but not dry.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

catmamaaz

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Messages
4
Purraise
0
Thanks for all the suggestions! I am heading to the store tonight to get some fancy feast, tuna, and some plain meat baby food. I don't believe he is sick because he isn't throwing up & doesn't have diarrhea. He just sleeps a lot (probably due to lack of energy from not eating). I will post again to let you all know what happens. Thanks!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

catmamaaz

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Messages
4
Purraise
0
Two words-- Fancy Fest! I gave him the wet Fancy Feast & he almost ate the whole can! I am sooo relieved that he finally ate something. I also bought the Fancy Feast treats which he also loves. Thank you all so much for the tips. Now I need to work on sneaking some fish oil in his food to help with the dandruff. It is really bad. Thanks again & I am so happy I found this site!
 

LTS3

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Aug 29, 2014
Messages
19,209
Purraise
19,695
Location
USA
Totally normal for a newly adopted cat to not eat for a day or two
Glad your new cat is eating the Fancy Feast
Many people here prefer the Facny Feast Gourmet / Classic line over the Elegant Medleys or Gravy Lovers and other lines Fancy Feast has. For now, just feed whatever your cat will eat.

Did you get the Fancy Feast Purely one ingredient treats? Those are a healthier treat than the Duos one. An occasional "junky" treat is fine
There's a nutrition forum here on TCs if you want suggestions on healthy treats and good brands of food to feed.

Some cats don't like the taste of fish oil. You can lessen the dandruff in other ways, like feeding a good brand of food, brushing the fur daily, and using a humidifier if the air is too dry.
 

stephanietx

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
14,761
Purraise
3,484
Location
Texas
Yay!!  Good nutrition will take care of the dandruff, but first you want to get him comfortable in your home.  I wouldn't make any changes for a couple of weeks.

Also, when kitties are sick, lethargy is one of the big symptoms.  They might not ever throw up or have diarrhea, but can be ill.  Lethargy, change in eating or play habits, and hiding are all symptoms that something is not right with your kitty.
 
Top