How to coax an older cat to eat

[EmbraceTheSarcasm]

We have tried patê, sardines and chicken puréed.
She was eating the chicken happily but is now losing interest in that.
She has abandoned her water dish, can't jump in the sink anymore and has started sitting in the bath. We put the plug in and run a little water which she drinks from and then lies down in. Sounds bad doesn't it.

[cozietoesie]

I'm afraid it doesn't sound great. She sits in water?

She sounds like an animal in pain to me. Just how old is she - and what is her physical condition/ when was she last vetted?

[NotYoda]

Mine is 20 and I have the same problem. She has chronic thyroid and kidney problems

She will drink from a glass (weirdly) - try that
I mash up her food and heat very gently, or add hot water to release the smell


But yes, if that fails - take to the vet. When mine went completely off her food for a day she deteriorated very quickly. She rallied with rehydration and steroid tablet, but I know it's a matter of time and am alert to it happening again.

The sitting in the bath does not sound good at all. I'd take to the vert asap

[Candlefairy101]

Natural after eating cats will the go 'search' for water, so not having her water bowl and food bowl next to each other will help, have you seen those cat water fountains that stimulate natural drinking?

With geriatric cats I generally try to feed my hand, soft food rubs in your fingers to warm and release scent.

[Fluffycloudland77]

It doesn't sound great TBH. How old is she?.

[Candlefairy101]

Sorry spelling! I'm feeding baby

[TheoriginalLEM]

she needs to see a vet asap

[TimeIhadaNameChange]

When my last cat was very old my mother would buy her wee bits from the Waitrose counters - slice of beef, ham, chicken, turkey, prawns....just little amounts so she didn't get fed up of it but expensive enough (and thus yummy enough) to be palatable.

[Veterinari]

She needs a vet

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I'm in the 'see a vet asap' camp.

[EmbraceTheSarcasm]

Hi, sorry, I've been at work. She was at vets maybe 10 days ago and got a steroid shot.
I agree she's on her last legs but does not appear in pain.
She would be 20 in August. We don't think she'll make it.
Thanks all for suggestions. DP was feeding her water from a spoon earlier lying beside her on the floor.

[Veterinari]

Embrace if she's not responded to the steroid then she needs to go back to the vet.

Chronic Pain in cats is difficult to determine - common signs are lethargy, reduced activity and inappetance.

Assuming she has kidney disease she'll also be experiencing a buildup of toxins in her body. These can cause stomach ulceration a and nausea and cats won't eat or drink when feeling constantly sick. Eventually they become dehydrated and go into organ failure.

I'm sorry to be so horribly blunt but we often see kidney disease as being 'peaceful' because cats don't cry or complain, but the experience is not pleasant.

[NotYoda]

I know what you are facing. My cat is in very similar circumstances.

I'd take her back to the vet.

[TheoriginalLEM]

im actually finding it wuite upsetting that you haven't taken your cat to the vet. She clearly has kidney disease. not eating and having to be spoonfed water. i know it's hard op but i think dhe has had enough now.

[NotYoda]

Veterinari

Thankyou for your posts too.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Cats don't seem in pain,even when they're in agony. We expect them to be yowling and for it to be obvious but they often just go extrememely quiet.

If she is only drinking from a spoon then she needs to be seen asap.

Please take her to the vet.

[EmbraceTheSarcasm]

Yes, I'm sorry it's not actually my cat, it's my OH's and he plans to take her to vet tomorrow.
I went through this two years ago with my old boy and he was taken to the vet and PTS after one night of me sitting up with him and him not drinking. It's awful.
My thoughts to anyone who has a cat in a similar state.
Thank you for your posts.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

So sad

[cozietoesie]

All the best to you all.