My Ambel doesn't seem to eat the food up to her daily need according to the guideline

Hi,

My little girl Ambel who is around 20 months old seem to be eating less than the amount that she is suppose to eat according to tyhe guideline printed on the bag of her dry food . I give her persian 30 from Royal Canin She is suppose to take 70 g per day as she is now 3.28 kg and according to vet her best weight should be around 3.5kg. Previously I used to give her food all over the day as I need to go to work and I cannot come back in a fixed time. Lastly I realise that I shouldn't do so, but I cannot change as if I realise that each time I feed her, she like to nibble a bit a bit and even throughtout the whole day she only take abot 40g food!!! I am very worry about her. BUT on the other side I find her is as active as usually, doesn't seem to be look weak due to the less food taking.

May be i should add more information on her back ground. Before November 15 2004, she got a cat partner that is my son Garfy, however Garfy hospitalised on 15th Nove and died on 23th Nov. 2003 due to polysti kidney !! Since 15th, I know that Ambel miss Garfy a lot, but then since last three days she seem to be have back to normal. Garfy found to have genetic kidney problem since February of this year. Since then he eat only the special food for kidney problem cats. All along Ambel and Gardy are very closed in the sence of they shared the same bowl of food, water, toilet and toys even I give separate bowl of food and water. Owing to this most of the time Ambel are found to be eaten the food that Garfy eat that is the special for kidney failey cats one. Since then her weight started to reduce little by little (average 100 gram per month). I cannot do much except for when I am around I will separate her in the room and give her normal food. As I am away for work about 10-12 hours per days, most of the time she is still taking the kidney food.

Now I have lost Garfy, I am very scare of losing Ambel. It is my phobia that discover her eating less not because of she look ill or no energy.

Oh please can anyone help me and tell me what can I do to make her eat the exact amount of food that she is suppose to. I cannot afford to lose her anymore. She and Garfy is just like my own born son and daughter, I have lost one and pain is still there havent heal totally. Please please please help me. I am really very helpless I have bring her to vet for 2 times due to this problem. Their suggestion for next visit is deworm her and give her vitamin B. By the way she has a bit of flea problem. Will this be a cause?

Thanks in advance

I would free-feed her, and boost her diet with canned food twice a day - before you leave in the morning, just pull up the canned food before you leave as it will spoil during the day, and then again at night when you come home, again give her a meal of canned.

Yes, fleas can affect her overall health. Do you have access to Advantage? I have used this in the past with very good results.


I think it is encouraging that she is playful and affectionate, versus sounding depressed or lethargic. If she's not feeling skinny or like she is becoming so, I'd try not to worry too much, she'll only pick up on your concern. Love her up, find a good quality canned food she likes to supplement the dry food, and see how she does.

I would say not to get too hung up on food manufacturer's guidelines. Each cat is different. I have two cats, Milly & Daisy. Milly is a biggish cat, and according to the food packet, for her weight I should be feeding her more than I do, but when I fed her the recommended amount, she got overweight. Daisy on the other hand is a slight little cat. She eats the same amount of food as Milly (so probably too much for her weight according to the guidelines) and never gains an ounce. Your little cat sounds really sweet, I am glad she is lively - that's a good sign.

Sue

Hi Pat & Alix,

Thanks for the advise. Todays Ambel seems has taken more food than yesterday .

May I know how Advantage work? I am using Frontline spot on cat where every 30 days I will put a tibe of the medicine on to Ambel back.

Originally Posted by Garfy Mum

Hi Pat & Alix,

Thanks for the advise. Todays Ambel seems has taken more food than yesterday

.

May I know how Advantage work? I am using Frontline spot on cat where every 30 days I will put a tibe of the medicine on to Ambel back.

Click to expand...

Advantage is applied the same way that Frontline is, it's a topical, though it is a differerent medication that works in a different way. Both Frontline and Advantage have their plus points over each other, but I'd honestly expect that Frontline should be doing the job for you. I'm surprised that you still have a problem with fleas.

You said Ambel was eating Gardy's food. Did you switch suddenly to the Persian30 after Gardy crossed?? That could be the reason she isn't eating. Some cats don't react well to sudden changes. Try mixing the foods together, then gradually decreasing the special diet food.

Also, Ambel was in mourning for Gardy. That might affect her appetite.

Sandy

Hi millyanddaisy,

I would said that both of my kids are very sweet. They are very attached and care for me and my hubby. My Garfy undersatand most of the words that I told him. He really do it the way as I told him to if he is willing and will make noises if he ia not willing. Ambel is not so much of understanding human language but she is sweet in the way she like to share everything with every house member. At night she will either share my pillow of my hubby pillow while sleeping. She will hold who ever hand whom the pillow she share and at the same time she will purr whenever we touch. Her purring is very load and sweet.

I am afraid that the pain of losing Garfy will make me hesistate to take in any other pet. We are a bit woory of her being alone when we go to work. But she seem to adopt very good. She sleep whenever we are not at home. I try to come back a few time during lunch to peek on her. I think there is why she is not eating at all whenever we are not at home.

Hi Sweets,

Yes I know that she is very missing Garfy. For the first week, she will cry while walk all over the house to look for Garfy. She look under each table and bed, she go to the back of the curtain and other places where Garfy used to hide himself while they play chasing and hide and seek. Lastly She just sit at the middle of the living room and cry very loudly. My heart break into pieces when I see her react in that way. I try to hug her and play with her to diverse her attention. She seem to understand that something bad has happened to Garfy when I see me crying while holding her. After fail to find Gardy, she stop searching for him but look very lazy in doing anything until last 4 days ago she started to be active back.