Desperately seeking advice (cat not eating)

krielly

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Hi, I am new to the forum (so glad to have found it). I have a 6 year old male cat named Hunter. About a year ago (before we moved from NY to OK) he became very picky as far as what he would eat. He was losing weight and all that so I called my vet. My vet ran some tests and everything came back normal. Then, when we found a food he liked, he put some weight back on. But, the cycle came back again. Then, my vet suggested doing a biopsy to see if he had irritable bowel. BUT, I was leaving in a week and couldn't get into the specialist an hour away for two weeks SO she made a special thing for me to take to the new vet. The new vet here said he may be just picky and if he is breed she thinks, they tend to not eat a lot and appear more picky. OKay. So, after we've been here awhile, he was eating good again. But, in March it started ALL OVER again. Then, I was able to get him to eat three different flavors of Meow Mix wet. But, this past week, he barely finishes ANY of it but always is begging to be fed? Tonight, I gave him some tuna because hadn't eaten all day. I thought, "Yes, my savior." Then, after reading how tuna is not good for them.... I just don't know what to do anymore? He won't eat his dry either. I forgot to mention that. I know I need to go to the vet but I don't know what she'll say. She thought it was his breed? I've kept a food log since March in notebooks of the times, what he ate, and if he ate what was given.

If there is a good outthere "like tuna", I would be SO happy to hear about that right now because I've tried 9 Lives, Whiskas, Friskies, Iams, and Meow Mix.... I appreciate your help!
 

valanhb

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Have you tried any of the better quality brands? Not that I have tasted them, but by smell alone the brand I use (Authority, Petsmart's brand) at least smells like what it's supposed to be - Lamb & Rice. They loved the Meow Mix Seafood Middles, but it sure didn't smell like seafood. Maybe he's craving something better for him or something that tastes less processed or more meaty? (Total guess on my part, I'm sure the people who actually know what they are talking about will answer you shortly.
)
 
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krielly

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Originally Posted by valanhb

Have you tried any of the better quality brands? Not that I have tasted them, but by smell alone the brand I use (Authority, Petsmart's brand) at least smells like what it's supposed to be - Lamb & Rice. They loved the Meow Mix Seafood Middles, but it sure didn't smell like seafood. Maybe he's craving something better for him or something that tastes less processed or more meaty? (Total guess on my part, I'm sure the people who actually know what they are talking about will answer you shortly.
)
Just a reply eases my mind.... I am not crazy.
I am willing to try any brand. A friend of mine who is a animal-nut buys special food for her babies
so I am willing to try anything. He loves anything like Tuna. I will look up that Authority by Petsmart.... I just don't want him losing weight and being hungry all the time. It frustrates me so, thank you.
 

hs4816

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My cat has a sensitive stomach and a finicky appetite... it's a bad combo!

He tolerates chicken well... so what I've been doing is taking a big scoop of pure chicken baby food (for humans, ingredients= chicken and broth) and mixing it with water to make a gravy... then I pour it all over the cat food.

It seems to make him eat more... but baby food is expensive (and you have to make sure it's only chicken and not spiced or mixed with other things).

Good luck
 

arlyn

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I've always found that catfoods, especially canned ones either need to be really stinky (like fishy stinky) or smell like human food so much so that you'd consider eating it yourself.
If all else failed, my mother used to get picky eaters back on track with a few boiled chicken livers mixed with dry food.

Around here, the dry and canned food of choice is Nutro Natural (Not Max!).
 

hs4816

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can you tell us why you state "not max!" with an exclamation mark?? Do you have an opinion about nutro max???

(just trying to figure out my choices if my cat is ever able to stomach something other then stuff made for sensitive tummy's)
 

arlyn

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I can't remember my own personal reasons for not getting Max (I'm an avid label reader though), but the Not Max! with the exclaimation point is actually how my cats feel about it lol

Adding here that we have 6, so finding one that agreed with all of the stomachs here was very important.

The oldest had allergies to commercials feeds her first two years (I suspect it was either corn, or the preservatives that are used by most), thankfully that's overwith, but as a result she does have a sensitive stomach.
Nutro Natural Indoor cat formula agrees with all the tummies, and the hairballs are freely, and easily expelled.
As a rule, the cats, dog, and birds get only foods containing no corn and no preservatives other than vitamin E.
 
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krielly

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Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I will definitely look into those! Too bad my cats are chicken lovers. At any rate, I have an appointment with my vet this afternoon so hopefully she'll listen.
 
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krielly

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Just an update: I tried some Fancy Feast Tuna Feast and he didn't like it. The vet appointment can't get here soon enough.
 

sharky

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Originally Posted by Arlyn

I can't remember my own personal reasons for not getting Max (I'm an avid label reader though), but the Not Max! with the exclaimation point is actually how my cats feel about it lol

Adding here that we have 6, so finding one that agreed with all of the stomachs here was very important.

The oldest had allergies to commercials feeds her first two years (I suspect it was either corn, or the preservatives that are used by most), thankfully that's overwith, but as a result she does have a sensitive stomach.
Nutro Natural Indoor cat formula agrees with all the tummies, and the hairballs are freely, and easily expelled.
As a rule, the cats, dog, and birds get only foods containing no corn and no preservatives other than vitamin E.
Max in some formulas contains wheat that is not as digestable as rice and can be an allergy issue with some... I have used max with success but I relized I had used on with no wheat
 

arlyn

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Originally Posted by sharky

Max in some formulas contains wheat that is not as digestable as rice and can be an allergy issue with some... I have used max with success but I relized I had used on with no wheat
You learn something new everyday (about the wheat).
But since the allergy episodes with Spaz, the only grains she gets (that I'm aware of) are rice or barley. She's a food thief though and will eat anything she can steal.
 

sharky

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Originally Posted by Arlyn

You learn something new everyday (about the wheat).
But since the allergy episodes with Spaz, the only grains she gets (that I'm aware of) are rice or barley. She's a food thief though and will eat anything she can steal.
It is a personal issue.. barley gluten is nearly identicle to wheat as is rye.. i use only rice and potatoe with mine right now
 

pat

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I am sorry I didn't see this until now. I hope your vet apt. gives you some information as to what is going on with this fellow...clearly something is.

Fishy foods - try PetGold (Petco's brand) - they have some unique combos with shrimp, lobster, calamari, sardines, and they are "real" - i.e. you open the can and you can see real shrimp or bits of calamari.

A trick I use with my oldest kitty, is sprinkling bonito flakes atop his food (can be found in Asian markets, for pets, the original is Kitty Kaviar - still the best imo, but the knockoffs are available in Petsmart and Petco)...or Wildside Salmon (a freeze-dried wild salmon all natural cat treat).
 
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krielly

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Hi again, yea, last night was ROUGH. The vet said everything healthwise is checking out except she thought his intenstines felt a little "ropey". She did some x-rays and those came back okay. She gave him a shot of vitamins, anti-inflammatory, and bowel regulator. She sent us home with some Science Diet wet and dry food. Last night, he started eating the wet. We were all excited. Then, about 11pm (his meal time before I go to bed) he wouldn't eat. We heated it up and all that just like the vet told us. I cried before going to bed because the frustration just built up. Augh! My fiance fed him the Science Diet dry around 5am this morning and he ate it! Again, we were thrilled. I fed him around 10am and ate about half of the dry I gave him. But, he hasn't eaten since so I just hope he's satisfied. But, then I even caught him eating the wet Fancy Feast brand out of his brother's dish that he wouldn't eat yesterday. I won't give up but it is just frustrating. The vet said he have two more options after this if this doesn't improve. He weighted 9lbs in February and 8.2lbs yesterday. She said the next step would be to keep him 24-36 hours for a berium(sp?). Then, an endoscope procedure. My lil baby is sleeping right now so.... hopefully this evening at mealtime he'll be ready to chow the Science Diet dry.

Pat - thanks for the tips! Will try!
Maverick - No, I haven't tried that but I will!
 
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krielly

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Maybe I am making some progress.... I bought some Gerber Graduates baby food with the turkey sticks and then chopped them up. He has eaten two meals like that today.
He seems so happy and relaxed. Everytime it is meal time though, I wonder if this is the time he'll say, "Nope, don't want it!" Ya know? Some progress though....
Thanks for all your help. I will share some pictures of them in my signature soon!
Too cute not to!
 
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