Feral cat stopped eating wet food

mrsty

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I have a feral cat I've been feeding for over 13 years. She's likely about 14. I had gotten all my cats off dry food by just putting a very few kibble on top of the wet. This worked for a very long time. Suddenly though, my outdoor feral will only eat the kibble off and is leaving all the wet food. Same brand, any flavor I try....even ones that used to be her favorites. She's not eating enough, but there doesn't seem to be any noticeable weight loss. This has been going on for over a week now...I suppose she could be eating critters.... If I put more kibble on she'll just eat the kibble again. Now I can imagine if she had an issue with her teeth she wouldn't want to eat just dry. Any ideas what could cause this? If my other cat eats too much kibble she just throws up so I really don't want to go to just feeding her dry food.
 

missmimz

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I have a feral cat I've been feeding for over 13 years. She's likely about 14. I had gotten all my cats off dry food by just putting a very few kibble on top of the wet. This worked for a very long time. Suddenly though, my outdoor feral will only eat the kibble off and is leaving all the wet food. Same brand, any flavor I try....even ones that used to be her favorites. She's not eating enough, but there doesn't seem to be any noticeable weight loss. This has been going on for over a week now...I suppose she could be eating critters.... If I put more kibble on she'll just eat the kibble again. Now I can imagine if she had an issue with her teeth she wouldn't want to eat just dry. Any ideas what could cause this? If my other cat eats too much kibble she just throws up so I really don't want to go to just feeding her dry food.
Can you trap her and get her to a vet? Honestly I'd be worried about kidney issues or hyper-t based on her age. Pickiness with food isn't a good sign.
 

frajude

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One thing I have observed is that one of my cats has recently changed and eats very little wet food (mostly water)  but eats dry. I have also noticed that he is drinking a lot more water.  I wonder if your feral is getting enough water.

I feed a feral and she eats wet food and also dry but I notice her drinking water as well. The danger of an outdoor cat is that she can be exposed to any number of infected animals neutered or not.  I would be looking to see her eyes, her energy, her coat,. Are you always feeding her the same wet food .  I tried switching my cats to a really expensive wet food and they don't like it.   Some days they eat this and other days they won't touch it.   I never see my feral hunt but the other day she brought me a gift (a dead bird).   I would try to look at the whole picture daily and noticed any changes.

If your feral is like mine. She meows and loved to be petted and the next minute she jumps like she does not know me.   
 
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