My cat is driving me INSANE!!

[alifromtheforest]

I love her dearly but she's honestly testing my patience severely

She's 14 years old, we've had her since she was 12 weeks.

She's always been a fussy eater - won't eat dry food, only wet. Then she will start refusing wet food if it's all the same flavour. So I buy different flavours for her and rotate them.

But now, I am at my wits end with her. She mews at me constantly for food, I give it to her and she will eat maybe 1/4 and go away for 10/15 mins then she's back whining at me for food. Even though the food is fresh and in her bowl! She's not a particularly friendly or affectionate cat but she will come and sit on me and purr, then the minute I move she jumps off and raced to her food bowl. If she's in the house overnight she will come and howl outside our bedroom door first thing in the morning for food. If she's outside she howls at the back door.

I just cannot fathom what is going on! She's been to the vet recently for a check up and all is fine. She's not ill, her teeth are fine, she's wormed and has regular flea treatment. She seems very well in herself - but wtf can I do about the constant wailing and then refusing her food?! It's nice, high quality stuff and we've tried out a few different ones in case there's something she doesn't like in one of them.......

Part of me is wondering if she's going slightly senile?? She's had a few accidents in the house which she has NEVER done before, but then we moved a few months ago and her exit wasn't totally clear to her.

Any advice greatly appreciated! She's a grumpy old thing that bites and scratches - but she's my grumpy old thing

[Fluffycloudland77]

Thyroid?

[HuggedtheRedwoods]

We have similar story with our old boy (going on 18) only without the wailing - we get The Stare.

One trick that seems to help a bit is giving him only small amounts at a time - say 1/4 - 1/2 of a pouch, then when he's finished and stares for more he's often quite happy with the same pouch. Can be a bit of a pain feeding piecemeal slowly, but easier than putting down the full pouch in one go and him tossing his nose up after a few mouthfuls but clearly still hungry and wanting a fresh pouch. I do the same with his fresh food too, just a couple of spoonfuls at time and topping up until he's full.

Our equally fussy younger cat will often not eat until a treat is crushed and sprinkled on top (where do they get these behaviours from?!) - you could also try that with your Grumpy to see if it entices her to eat more in one go?

[catlovingdoctor]

Let’s have pictures!!!

[GeckaDiego]

You could try giving your grumpy old lady some cheap food occasionally. My grumpys like the good stuff too but sometimes a supermarkets own brand loaf or pate type goes down an absolute storm. You can also try warming the food up a little, it will totally stink to you but the smell may really tempt her into eating. I hope you find a solution that works for you both, best of luck.

[Nandocushion]

I thought thyroid too.

[alifromtheforest]

Good idea about putting a little bit down st a time. I shall try that.

Why thyroid???

[HuggedtheRedwoods]

Hyperthyroid symptoms usually include increased appetite but I didn't read your post as excessive eating as such (perhaps wrongly?). Did the vet mention or check this for you? Our boy doesn't eat excessively or constantly, just eccentrically!

[LanaorAna2]

Thyroid test required. Cats get ravenous and very irritating.

[EachandEveryone]

Mines the same and shes only two so i dont think its physical. I gave her some Felix and now she wollfs it down. Not ideal though but its like a treat.

[crimsonlake]

Same problem here and after discussing it friends have the same issues and age does not seem to matter. I dare not buy several sachets or tins of anything as they constantly turn up their noses. Lick the jelly or gravy and leave the meat. I wonder what is going on as it is driving me mad as I am running out of options.

[StillMedusa]

Snap!
My Portia is 18 and a half and she does old lady yowling constantly, begs for food then eats maybe a spoonful. 10 mins later..repeat.

I think she is slightly senile and can't rem if she has eaten or not. It drives me nuts but we just feed her small amounts . We have to rotate every food, and she mostly only wants tuna or deli chicken these days!

Portia has check ups every few months and she isn't ill as such..just old, demanding and a total diva!!!