Not eating

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Squalliesmom

Squalliesmom

Member Since 2015
For the past few days, none of my cats has wanted to eat their food. I don't know what to do. I have tried supplementing it or mixing it with other food, I have tried giving them different food altogether, and still they won't eat. If I crumble some teats on top of their dishes I can get them to eat a few bites, but that's it. I am starting to get panicky about this, now, it's gone on too long. Squallie is eating a bit better than the rest, but not by much. His transition to Lantus is a little rocky, too, I don't seem to be able to keep from giving fur shots now. I feel like a big failure, and I am just worried sick about my cats. They are losing weight, a good bit of weight. Candy has lost over a pound, and she only weighed a little over 8 lbs to begin with! I don't know what to do!
 
Hi Lucy, :bighug:
First of all you are NOT a failure! You are a wonderful Mama Bean.
I'm sorry you are having such a rough time. It never rains but pours.
Could they all have picked up a stomach bug of some kind? Any vomiting or diarrhea?
I can't really offer any advice, except to say keep trying. Try anything you can think of and then try it again. Sometimes the second go round works.
We're going thru a very difficult time here too so I can sympathize with you. I had a little success with some finely chopped raw venison and rotisserie chicken breast tonight. Whatever it takes.
:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Oh, Lucy! :bighug:

First thing that sprang to mind is: can they all smell their food properly? (Wondering about respiratory tract problems - bit like Eliz had with her brood over Christmas.)

And Liz is quite correct: you are NOT a failure. (But I really recognize the feeling - I'm the same way as you. :):))


Mogs
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Lucy--I have about 50 different kinds of foods because mine will refuse 10 at a time--my outside cat is getting fat:cat:

I have learned if I leave it down for a little bit they often will go nibble-
Sometimes warming it helps or assist feeding to get the taste in the mouth just to stimulate. I use some supplements that have helped Dre with his appetite and I also have found when his sugar starts going lower he tends to nibble more. Also I have LOTS of different freeze dried food/treats for the "dry" nibbles.
I am finding this helps to be sure they have food in them-
Rico is loving the stella and chewys beef I just crumble it he won't eat it rehydrated. The Northwest natural freeze dried "raw" has also been a hit and they are both soft so less possibility of puke- (chicken and salmon is a hit too) they eat some of the dog variety too-

I put all of our freeze dried in the vita mix and blend it into fairy dust so they don't puke-(unless it is the softer stuff that turns to fluff when crumbled)

If I think they have not eaten enough or I am leaving for work I leave a small bowl of it out...
You will find what works for you and you are NOT a failure by ANY stretch of the imagination !!!
Weruva mid east feast is one I can usually count on carb-(7%)
I also leave out tuna when I go to work.
:bighug::bighug::bighug::cat::cat::cat:
 
Liz & IttyBit said:
We're going thru a very difficult time here too
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I'm sorry you are having troubles, too, I hope things get better for you soon. :bighug:

@Liz & IttyBit , @Critter Mom, @jayla-n-Drevon Thank you for your encouragement. I had hoped maybe our luck would turn and they would eat today, but no joy. :(

Liz & IttyBit said:
I had a little success with some finely chopped raw venison and rotisserie chicken breast
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Critter Mom said:
First thing that sprang to mind is: can they all smell their food properly?
Click to expand...

I have tried everything I can think of. I have warmed it, raised it, topped it with treats/people food, added chicken broth, even added some of Squallie's "hypo rescue" HC food (but not to Squallie's food!). They just look at their bowls and walk away. They don't come back later and nibble, they just let it sit and get dried out and yucky. Khoji had a tummy upset a couple of nights ago but besides that, no one has had any issues - no nausea, no vomiting, no sniffles, coughing, sneezing, nothing. Just normal cats. Who won't eat and are losing weight. :( I don't know what to do. I am going to try yet another food this evening, and pray they'll at least nibble it. I can't afford expensive foods any more. I am out of Fortiflora but will try that as soon as it gets here. I physically just can't syringe feed four cats and I can't afford another trip to the vet right now, especially for all four of them. I am so worried, and upset and frustrated. I spend almost every day now in this state and I don't know how much longer I can go on like this, I am in tears more often than not, now.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to turn into me just whingeing, I don't have anyone else to express my concern to because everybody else thinks I'm nuts for worrying, they seem to think a cat will eat if it gets hungry enough. :eek: NOT. We all know that isn't true.
 
Lily-Fish said:
Maybe they can pick up on your worry? Lily won't eat if she knows I want her to.
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I was going to mention this--I have found when I just relax about it they do better --that being said the beginning was much harder.
Lucy--I have just about every freeze dried made lol--I would be happy to send you some "samples" in ziplock if you would like to try them....just send me a PM :bighug:
 
Oh, Lucy ... :(

I wish I was right beside you now because I would dry your tears and give you the biggest hug in the universe.

:bighug::bighug::bighug:


Brainstorming here:

See if any of the kitties will lick some food off your finger and then start eating. If that is the case then it could point to their being able to 'smell' the food properly through the Jacobson's organ but not through their noses (again looking at the upper respiratory system for the source of the problem).

Given that Khoji had a tum upset a few nights ago. It may be a possibility that they've all eaten something that has upset their stomachs but the rest of the kitties just haven't shown any obvious clinical signs thus far. If they've all gone a long time without eating they may now have discomfort from excess stomach acid. Maybe if you tried giving some famotidine (Pepcid AC) to one of the kitties to see if that might help get it to eat (or possibly some slippery elm if you have any).

If either of the above works for one kitty it might help all of them.

I really feel for you. What with having both Saoirse and Lúnasa below par at the same time I've found it both emotionally and practically very difficult to contend with (and many tears have been shed at this end as well).

Sending special tummy-settling, nose-clearing healing vibes for your fur babies and more huge :bighug::bighug::bighug: for you. And prayers for all the kitties to eat like champions ASAP.


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
Oh, Lucy ... :(

I wish I was right beside you now because I would dry your tears and give you the biggest hug in the universe.

:bighug::bighug::bighug:


Brainstorming here:

See if any of the kitties will lick some food off your finger and then start eating. If that is the case then it could point to their being able to 'smell' the food properly through the Jacobson's organ but not through their noses (again looking at the upper respiratory system for the source of the problem).

Given that Khoji had a tum upset a few nights ago. It may be a possibility that they've all eaten something that has upset their stomachs but the rest of the kitties just haven't shown any obvious clinical signs thus far. If they've all gone a long time without eating they may now have discomfort from excess stomach acid. Maybe if you tried giving some famotidine (Pepcid AC) to one of the kitties to see if that might help get it to eat (or possibly some slippery elm if you have any).

If either of the above works for one kitty it might help all of them.

I really feel for you. What with having both Saoirse and Lúnasa below par at the same time I've found it both emotionally and practically very difficult to contend with (and many tears have been shed at this end as well).

Sending special tummy-settling, nose-clearing healing vibes for your fur babies and more huge :bighug::bighug::bighug: for you. And prayers for all the kitties to eat like champions ASAP.


Mogs
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Thank you so much, Mogs. The hugs help a lot, and it's a great relief to be able to talk to folks who understand what I'm going through right now. I know if anybody can relate, it's you!

Well, three hrs into breakfast I have actually managed to get maybe 1 - 1 1/2 oz of food into them each. Lunch is in two hours, and I don't know whether to try it or wait till dinner to try again. Pretty sure they're not going to eat their lunch but, you never know... How long can they go on eating so little before they are at serious risk? Also, I have noticed that someone is leaving very dark poops in the litter box. Not quite what I would say constitutes black and tarry, but awfully dark, dark
brown. Should this be a worry?

Great big giant hugs back to you, Mogs, hope they help you as much as yours did for me! :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
jayla-n-Drevon said:
I was going to mention this--I have found when I just relax about it they do better --that being said the beginning was much harder.
Lucy--I have just about every freeze dried made lol--I would be happy to send you some "samples" in ziplock if you would like to try them....just send me a PM :bighug:
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Oh, that would be wonderful! Thank you so much!!! Will PM you. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Squalliesmom said:
Also, I have noticed that someone is leaving very dark poops in the litter box. Not quite what I would say constitutes black and tarry, but awfully dark, dark
brown. Should this be a worry?
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Grab a sample of the poops and get it to the vet for analysis. If they're black-ish brown that could potentially be due to bleeding in the upper part of the small intestine (not trying to scare you here, Lucy, just brainstorming some sort of course of action for you to get things sorted).

According to vetinfo, stressed kitties are more vulnerable to GI tract inflammation. As Jayla says, they might be picking up on you having been so worried lately. I think that a lot of what ails Lúnasa at the moment is her picking up on my much worse than usual anxiety levels (and that's saying something). Like myself, you've had a really tough run over the last while, Lucy. :bighug::bighug::bighug:

And yep, your hugs help me too! Thank you, dearling. :)


Mogs
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Thank you all for checking on me and my babies. Still not eating well, but I am getting a small amount of food into them. It is a struggle at every meal. It's the food, I just can't seem to find one that they all will eat, but I know it isn't a lack of appetite because they will steal people-food!

Took a sample of poop to the vet and haven't heard anything yet; in this case I think no news is good news.

@Critter Mom Thank you for all the hugs, Moggy, I really need them right now! Many, many hugs back to you, too, I hope your sweet girls are getting better! :bighug:
:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Thank you, Lucy. I need many hugs right now. Rough day in the Shire.

Praying very hard that you'll find a food they all want to eat. I have a very good idea of what you're going through right now and I so badly want you and all your kitties to be well and happy again. Yesterday. I'm relieved to see you posting. You've been on my mind all day.

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:


Mogs
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I'm so sorry you had a rough day. (((HUGS))) I know you understand exactly the dilemma I'm dealing with, I know you have been thru it yourself. Prayers for you and your girls! I hope tomorrow will be a good day in the Shire for you, Mogs. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:

P.S. Gentle scitches for your girls, too! :cat::cat:
 
Everybody ate their breakfast this morning!!! Hallelujah! Candy didn't eat all of hers because her tum was upset (from lack of food, I am sure) and she threw up some clear liquid before meal-time. She did finally eat part of her food, would have eaten more but somebody else had stolen some of it. Everybody seemed hungry, and acted like they wanted more, but I held off, I don't want to overload their tummies, and I want them to be hungry for lunch, as well. Hope I made the right call, there. I'm just so glad to see them eat, what a relief!!!
 
Beyond happy to read this wonderful news, Lucy! :D Things have been a bit better in the Shire today, too. :) (We had a poop.)

I hope you'll be able to get a little bit of rest for yourself now: you must be shattered.

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:


Mogs
.
 
Lunch was not a roaring success, but dinner went reasonably well (anti-jinx, anti-jinx!). Fingers and paws crossed that this will be our turning point!
 
Critter Mom said:
Beyond happy to read this wonderful news, Lucy! :D Things have been a bit better in the Shire today, too. :) (We had a poop.)

I hope you'll be able to get a little bit of rest for yourself now: you must be shattered.

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:


Mogs
.
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Hooray for poop! :DI'm so glad things were a bit better in the Shire today (anti-jinx, anti-jinx for you, too!) and I so hope they will continue to improve, Mogs. You need a break, too, more than I do. You've really been put thru the winger, then dragged back thru again! I'm praying for you every day, that things start to look up for you and you sweet girls. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
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