Queen's appetite off

aridisol

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Hi--
I've been a lurker for some time, but have finally decided to post in the hope of recieving some suggestions or advice. The person I'm fostering for is very busy and I hate to bother her, again (I pester her a lot!).

I'm fostering a mom cat (Miss Chaffin). She had 6 kittens on May 17. Miss Chaffin is herself a kitten, about 11 months old. She is one of the pickiest eaters I've seen!


I feed her Royal Canin kitten food (dry)--always keep the kibble bowl full! She eats that quite well though at first she didn't. I started her on Nutro wet food for kittens, but she didn't like that and I switched to Natural Balance and Wellness wet food (for kittens). I had been using a ceramic bowl for water, but she splashes and sneezes in it and flings water everywhere. I then provided her with an automatic waterer--but apparently doesn't like it because I set my water glass down last night as I sat on the floor with her and she drank about 2 oz immediately. So, she now has a water glass and automatic waterer too
I don't want her to be dehydrated! She still splashes water around--I think she likes to play with water.

For the last 6-7 days she's been uninterested in the wet food. I have been providing her with 1/2 can before I go to work, then 1/2 after work and again before bed. Now, she will lick it but will not eat much. I throw it out every time and use a clean bowl. I have tried different flavors and that doesn't help. Last night I tried a half-can of Fancy Feast (it's so smelly I thought it might stimulate her sense of smell)--she ate about half of that. Mostly licked up the juices.

She is so thin from nursing the 6 kittens and a lanky teenybopper kitty anyhow-- I would really like to support the dry kibble with wet food. Her attitude and behavior are normal. She has been fighting a URI since I first began to foster her--it's generally better, she just sneezes occasionally with very minor nasal discharge (she was treated for it with antibiotics and antihistamines, but it now appears to be a viral thing as URIs so often are).

Thoughts? suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
 

gingersmom

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Originally Posted by Aridisol

For the last 6-7 days she's been uninterested in the wet food. I have been providing her with 1/2 can before I go to work, then 1/2 after work and again before bed. Now, she will lick it but will not eat much. I throw it out every time and use a clean bowl. I have tried different flavors and that doesn't help. Last night I tried a half-can of Fancy Feast (it's so smelly I thought it might stimulate her sense of smell)--she ate about half of that. Mostly licked up the juices.
With the exception that my kitten hasn't had a litter, I am going through exactly the same thing with Ginger. She lost a half pound and I took her to the vet because although she was eating her dry, she has been eating much less, and is no longer interested in any of the wet with the exception of a couple of Fancy Feast flavors and one Meow Mix flavor - and with those, she just licks up the juice and leaves the meat.
Ginger is also 11 months old - maybe it has something to do with adolescence?!? The vet gave her a clean bill of health and said to hold off on the wet food and just put out dry. I did, and after a few days, Ginger started asking me for her wet food, and actually ate it when I gave it to her! Now, instead of giving it to her automatically, I'm making her come to me when she wants it. THis way I'm no longer throwing away money on food that I just wind up throwing out.

I would suggest that you feed her dry kitten food (as you are already doing) for the extra protein while she is nursing, and just make sure she has plenty of water glasses!


If you get really worried, bring her in for tests like I did just to ease your mind. Good luck, and please keep us posted!
 
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aridisol

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Originally Posted by GingersMom

Ginger is also 11 months old - maybe it has something to do with adolescence?!? The vet gave her a clean bill of health and said to hold off on the wet food and just put out dry. I did, and after a few days,
If you get really worried, bring her in for tests like I did just to ease your mind. Good luck, and please keep us posted!
Thanks! I might try that over the weekend. And, I will pester the person I'm fostering for about getting Miss Chaffin to the vet. I am often too quick to rush off to my vet, so I try to think about it before running a foster in. It's good to know that others think it might not be a bad idea. I'm not sure which vet the foster person will want me to take her to--if it's the guy who did her initial workup I'd prefer to take her to mine...was not impressed with his initial workup. Ah well.
I appreciate any further thoughts or comments
Good luck with your kitties!
 

sharky

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OPPPs misread thought kittns were six weeks.... have you tried broiled chn?? ... But I would take her in tothe vet
 

junior67

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I would also bring her ot the vet or call JIC. but I know someone told me on here that there are more nutrients in the dry food than in canned so if a cat doesn't eat canned that is ok......... (my cat is preg. and I asked about it since I hadn't bought kitten canned food yet).
 
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aridisol

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Hi! no, I've not tried broiled chicken--good idea! I did give her a little tuna when she was not eating the Nutro when she first arrived to me--she munched that right up as you can imagine. I'm concerned about keeping her hydrated as well as ensuring her caloric intake is appropriate...should have mentioned that in the OP.
Someone on another board suggested that I try adding water to the Wellness canned food to make it more soupy since it seems she prefers the wetter wet foods. And, I will look for the pouches of wetter food.
Thanks!
 
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