Cat Suddenly Won't Eat Unless Hand-Fed

Some of you may remember that my 13-year-old boy suffered a torn CCL when I accidentally stepped on his foot about a month ago.  We went with conservative treatment and no meds, and after about a week his pain seemed to be little to none.  He became his happy self again, purring constantly, although he walks with a limp and -- from what I read online -- always will.  It impedes his movement somewhat, but he's still able to get around (has always been indoor only and basically lives in one room with his "brother" and me when I'm home) and seems quite happy.  

At about the same time, unfortunately, I suddenly became unable to find their usual food, which he loved.  I bought a couple of bags neither DID love, and so he went off his feed until I found something they both like.  Here's the strange part: he won't eat it out of the bowl.  At first I thought it was a pain/mobility issue, so I started leaving a little bowl of it right by his bed so he could basically just lean over and nibble.  I come home to find it untouched.  Yet, if I take that same food and pour it into my cupped hand, he eats it ravenously, as if he's starving to death.  If I put it down in front of him, he won't touch it.  At this point, rather than watch him lose MORE weight, I'm hand-feeding him three times a day and sometimes during the night.  

Is he punishing me for stepping on him, haha?

When was the last time he had blood work done for his kidneys and thyroid? Not eating is typically related to nausea, and that could be a medical issue like hyper-t or kidney disease. Try offering him some freeze dried meat treats or meat flavored baby food (NO onions or garlic). I would try and move away from the kibble right now. Kibble is not ideal for a sick or nauseated kitty. 

What if he's just uncomfortable bending over to the dish?
Try folding a towel under the bowl to elevate the bowl so he does not have to bend down so far. If he likes the food and water bowls higher, you can buy elevated feeding bowls for a more permanent fix.

missmimz said:

 
When was the last time he had blood work done for his kidneys and thyroid? Not eating is typically related to nausea, and that could be a medical issue like hyper-t or kidney disease. Try offering him some freeze dried meat treats or meat flavored baby food (NO onions or garlic). I would try and move away from the kibble right now. Kibble is not ideal for a sick or nauseated kitty. 

Click to expand...

But he eats ravenously from my hand, so...  It can't be "lack of appetite"?  Also, as long as I hand-feed him, his weight stays up, so...

What kind of bowl are you using? Raise/change the dish and make sure his whiskers don't come in contact with the sides of the dish.

Interesting! My cat will eat most things just fine out of a plate, but then some things (namely: any "minced" texture wet food, homemade chicken raw food (ground)) he needs me to hand-feed to him or he will be hesitant/unwilling! I came to the conclusion that he is too stupid (as sweet as he is) to recognize certain things as tasty food... perhaps any food that is wet and chunky (minced) or not very smelly (raw food). I don't know what else to think! Spoon feeding also works!