Cat on Chemo..

[Allergictoironing]

Luckily not one of mine, but an acquaintance of mine. He knows full well that his cat can't be cured, but he and his vet are hoping to prolong decent quality of life before having to have him put down.

Anyway, poor cat goes right off his food for a day or two after chemo treatments, and I was hoping for hints & tips for absolutely irresistible stuff to feed cats on when they feel a bit "off". He normally (pre chemo)eats Sheba as his wet food, and used to steal the other cat's diabetic cat food with relish, but he isn't really tempted by that at the moment. He will eat a little bit of cooked lamb or chicken, and my acquaintance has just bought some tuna today to try him on, but he's still very thin.

We know he isn't going to have a long life ahead of him, so it doesn't have to be healthy just irresistible to cats. And I don't think cost is a factor either.

[Weedsnseeds1]

Dreamies, Lik e Liks, cat salami from Aldi, cooked gammon, sardines in olive oil. Can't guarantee your cat will like them, but worth a try. Not a complete either but would have thought anything rather than nothing in this situation? Oh, raw minced beef usually goes down well too.

[RubbishMantra]

Really, honestly truthfully? I think in that position, I would be thinking of palliative care for a terminal illness, rather than your friend prolonging his DCat's life with chemo. Cats live in the moment, so won't be able to process that they'll feel better in a couple of days.

But I've never had to make that decision, and can't imagine how I would react if in your friend's position.

Tuna seems to be irresistible to most cats, (in spring water, or the "no drain" cans, to minimise salt intake), chicken breasts, skin on with a couple of tablespoons of water covered in foil and roasted in the oven, then whizzed up with a hand blender with the cooking liquids, scrambled eggs, maybe with chopped ham mixed in could make enticing foods for a cat lacking in appetite. If he's lactose tolerant, Philadelphia cream cheese with baked salmon mixed in? Thinly sliced medium cooked steak with cooking juices. Could finely chop it, or use the hand whizzer. Food being warm so DCat's nose entices him to investigate.

Many cats can't resist Felix As Good As It Looks, not massively good for them, but as you say, it's about making the rest of his time OK for him.

I feel for your friend and his DCat.

[tabulahrasa]

Has he tried warming the food to body temperature? That can make a difference.

Applaws always went down ok with mine, but also anything with lots of gravy...I think that was her individual taste though.

Mine was on chemo for 5 years, winter was always harder to keep her a good weight.

[Allergictoironing]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I will pass on the suggestions. He's being led by his vet on whether they continue with the chemo or just get the cat PTS - that will break my friend's heart especially as the cat is only about 5 I think, but he was fully prepared for that if the vet hadn't thought chemo would give a good quality of life.

I've already suggested the Felix AGAIL, and I know he bought Tuna (in spring water of course!) yesterday, but the warming up thing and the lik e liks, and the recipe suggestions, I will email to him later this week.

It's been a real perfect storm for the poor guy - both cats only had a check up a couple of months ago & seemed in perfect health; now he has one with an aggressive cancer & the other diabetic.

[TimeIhadaNameChange]

My previous cat, who lived with my mother, was very skinny for the last year of her life. The staff at the local Waitrose's deli and fish counters knew all about my poor cat, as my mother would go and buy wee bits of random things to get her to eat.

These included:

naice ham
beef
prawns (her absolute favourite)
chicken
tuna
salmon

Also tinned sardines (in tomato sauce) has been enjoyed by my current cat.

[TroysMammy]

Marmite licked off a finger.